The passage of time means not many people alive today will remember 1933 - but this fascinating film footage takes us back to Newcastle during the Christmas period of that vanished year.
The seasonal compilation from nearly 90 years ago was filmed by members of Newcastle Amateur Cinematographers Association – one of the first British cine clubs, formed in 1927 and still operating in the city today.
In the wider world, 1933 was a year marked by the ongoing Great Depression, the release of the classic board game Monopoly, and Adolf Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany.
READ MORE: Christmas lights in Newcastle in 1987 - and the festive season of 35 years ago
Closer to home, we see barrow sellers along Newcastle's Newgate Street selling flowers, vegetables, mistletoe and Christmas trees. And there are shops filled with seasonal stock, despite it being a time of high unemployment and economic struggle for many people.
Later, a group of young women slide around in an icy Jesmond Dene, returning to Paddy Freeman’s Park for an energetic snowball fight by the iced-over lake. It's a poignant glimpse back to a time that's almost slipped from living memory.
The film is today held by the North East Film Archive (NEFA). If you would like to watch more archive footage like this, but in DVD form, Newcastle On Film has been specially produced by NEFA. Presented and narrated by Pam Royle - latterly of ITV Tyne Tees News fame - it pays homage to life on Tyneside and features lots of wonderful archive film footage.
The DVD 'Newcastle On Film' is priced at £12 (including postage and packing), and all profits from the sale go back into the valuable work of the North East Film Archive. Buy it here. See more from the North East Film Archive at www.yfanefa.com
READ MORE:
- A day at the Metrocentre in the run-up to Christmas 25 years ago
Greggs in Newcastle's Greenmarket in 1977 - today the brand is a nationwide institution
Newcastle's Northern Goldsmiths - the popular city-centre meeting place is 130 this year
From Newcastle fire station in 1972 to plans for a luxury hotel 50 years later
The real route of Hadrian's Wall through Newcastle and North Tyneside
