In 1965 as a 17 year old living in the Netherlands, l spent the summer holidays in Britain. They are still some of my happiest memories today. The people were so super friendly and trusting and the music fantastic. Fish and chips came rolled up in newspaper. Wishing l could live it all again once more. ❤
Another classic in the wonderful BTF library. Im old enough to remember the Night Ferry train, it only ended in 1980. Peopke are often surprised when I tell them tgat there was a train the actually went from London to Paris before the Eurostar.
My stepfather worked as a chef on the cross-channel rail ferry between Dover and Dunkerque back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, before they were terminated. I have so many memories of that particular crossing in all weathers.
My late dad too, on the Arnhem & Amsterdam , chef & steward , have a certificate of Excellence gained in London when he was just 9 at Tollesbury primary school , the same school I attended where I was caned by A Mrs X on my left hand for being a lefthander , remember going to London docks with him when there were still steam tugs "Sun 1 & Sun 2 !
Yes, great times indeed, a time where money was not the be all and end all. When some rail branch lines were unprofitable, but kept running anyway, but so what? I mean the fire brigade - police, medical help for the masses and so on never made money. But in this day and age it's all money money money. Oh how true it is that the LOVE of money is the rout of all evil. You are quite right it was a wonderful time to live through, and I speak as an ex rail worker born in 1946.
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 I am aware of Chinese sailors who fought for Britain in WW2 and were deported to Hong Kong leaving dependents in Liverpool. I grew up watching historic TV programmes such as All Our Yesterdays and the World At War among others. I know more about WW2 than some who were alive at the time I was a post war baby boomer among adults involved. So get your facts right ..
I first crossed the channel in 1956 on a school trip to Bruges. On the return voyage it was very rough and i was amazed to see how many passengers were very sick . I was not affected. Happy memories
Very fond memories of the trips we, as a service family, used to travel to Germany via Harwich- Hook van Holland. In those days you had the choice of BR or Dutch railways, we all ways took the Dutch ferries, the service was so much more elegant. Winter crossings were not very pleasant but the thought of Christmas markets in Germany was so exciting. Lasting memories.
Hello Joe…I did the same with my mother on the Hook Continental from Parkestone Quay …do you remember the SS Avalon? Cars were lifted on by crane. In later years, we continued from Rotterdam to Munich on the Rheinpfeil/Rheingold.
My dad was galley boy on the Norfolk ferry and he's twin brother was on the Suffolk ferry,and my grandfather was Watchman,we have lived in Harwich all are lives John Smith
Remember being taken out of school at lunchtime and travelling from Kent to Hollyhead for the night ferry. The water dockside, in the dark, looked very threatening but very exciting catching the early morning train from Dunloughaire to Sligo.
My father worked on the Lord Warden in 1956 and was on her when she collided with another ship in the channel pushing her bow in ,but she remained afloat and went on for quite a few more years.
Doffing my cap to the land agent of his boss, having to do work for the Land owner, before I could feed myself, let alone my family, Oh I so miss those days
The night train was described as going from Dunkirk to Paris through Normandy, surely not? Interesting to see the train ferry operation. I'd read about it but it didn't make much sense until you see it in the context of a London to Paris sleeper train.
I wish I could have been born in the year 1956 or even born earlier, instead of been born in the year 1969 and also I would love to have seen these awesome films when they came out on tv.
See how crew/harbour staff take care for ship transfer !! . Crazy lock system . No baby awoke . I remember 50s as a safe place to be. Was 4 in 1956 . ❤ Regards playmates . Dave
john may 2nd MATE ISLE OF THANET CANTERBURY INVICTA SHEPPERTON FERRY HAMPTON FERY MAID OF KENT LORD WARDEN MAID OF ORLEANS DORSET COAST Now living in West Vancouver B.C. Canada Home of B.C. FERRIES where - cancellations frequent - 1-2 sailings " wait " common( due to full loads) - breakdown not unusual - no sailings above BF Force 4 but fares are cheap compared to UK/Europe j may
Thank you for this ! The pacing of music and narration is wonderful, almost poetic. In comparison it makes modern documentaries look (and sound) like garbage.
Re: Night Trains Overnight sleeper services are currently (2024) enjoying a renaissance on the other side of La Manche (put "European Sleeper" into your search engine and see what comes back?) but of course good ol' British isolationism precludes UK based travellers from participating in this "sustainable" transport revival. Maybe, just maybe I will live to see the day when a night sleeper service makes use of that innovation we know as the Channel Tunnel?
@@peterdavidson3268 How did I know you were still harking back to pre-Brexit history? Why not do what I did for several years and move to Europe. It’s best to get a touch of reality rather than the hankering for something imaginary.
@@annoyingbstard9407 It doesn't have to be imaginary though does it - with sufficient political willpower the UK could once again align itself with its natural (geographical) neighbours. There were plans as far back as late 1980s to implement Eurostar Regional and Nightstar trains to enable the rest of the UK outside the London/South East nexus to benefit from the then nascent Channel Tunnel project - whatever happened to that technological optimism?
The EU didn’t exist, and Britain was still head of the Commonwealth deriving v wealth from it. Not now. Britain is a solitary country on the edge of Europe.
I do love these BTF films. A rather rose-tinted window on the past, but enjoyable nonetheless.
In 1965 as a 17 year old living in the Netherlands, l spent the summer holidays in Britain.
They are still some of my happiest memories today.
The people were so super friendly and trusting and the music fantastic.
Fish and chips came rolled up in newspaper.
Wishing l could live it all again once more. ❤
Another classic in the wonderful BTF library. Im old enough to remember the Night Ferry train, it only ended in 1980. Peopke are often surprised when I tell them tgat there was a train the actually went from London to Paris before the Eurostar.
My stepfather worked as a chef on the cross-channel rail ferry between Dover and Dunkerque back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, before they were terminated. I have so many memories of that particular crossing in all weathers.
My late dad too, on the Arnhem & Amsterdam , chef & steward , have a certificate of Excellence gained in London when he was just 9 at Tollesbury primary school , the same school I attended where I was caned by A Mrs X on my left hand for being a lefthander , remember going to London docks with him when there were still steam tugs "Sun 1 & Sun 2 !
WE PROBABLY SAILED TOGETHER ..ME AS 2ND MATE ON THE TRAIN FERIES
1964-1967 ( SHEPPERTON/HAMPTON)
JOHN MAY - VANCOUVER CANADA
I wish I could live in the UK constantly in the 50s and 60s. It seems a far more pleasant place than it is today.
Yes, great times indeed, a time where money was not the be all and end all. When some rail branch lines were unprofitable, but kept running anyway, but so what? I mean the fire brigade - police, medical help for the masses and so on never made money. But in this day and age it's all money money money. Oh how true it is that the LOVE of money is the rout of all evil. You are quite right it was a wonderful time to live through, and I speak as an ex rail worker born in 1946.
Not so good if you were an abused child , no one believed them not even the police. When Jimmy Savile was starting out
We were young then, so everything was much better, even though you had to take a boat across the Channel.
I agree that transport should not be run for private profit like it appeared to be in the 1960s, but then along comes Beeching . ..
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Wonderful and rare film.Brings out the discipline, timeliness and daring spirit of the time.Really enjoyed the film.
i love this film especially the Night Ferry
A time when people took pride in their appearance and were respectful of others
@@bilko529 Except immigrants who fought for Britain in WW2 and were abused when the war was over
@@paulmason329 What are you talking about? You obviously know nothing about WW2
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 I am aware of Chinese sailors who fought for Britain in WW2 and were deported to Hong Kong leaving dependents in Liverpool.
I grew up watching historic TV programmes such as All Our Yesterdays and the World At War among others. I know more about WW2 than some who were alive at the time I was a post war baby boomer among adults involved. So get your facts right ..
Ahmen
Took the Night Ferry in 1964: mighty nice. Then in 1971, I took the big passenger ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg, Denmark. A mighty fine bar.
I first crossed the channel in 1956 on a school trip to Bruges. On the return voyage it was very rough and i was amazed to see how many passengers were very sick . I was not affected. Happy memories
amazing docu, great stuff. signed a belgian.
Very fond memories of the trips we, as a service family, used to travel to Germany via Harwich- Hook van Holland. In those days you had the choice of BR or Dutch railways, we all ways took the Dutch ferries, the service was so much more elegant. Winter crossings were not very pleasant but the thought of Christmas markets in Germany was so exciting. Lasting memories.
Hello Joe…I did the same with my mother on the Hook Continental from Parkestone Quay …do you remember the SS Avalon? Cars were lifted on by crane. In later years, we continued from Rotterdam to Munich on the Rheinpfeil/Rheingold.
AGREED THE DUTCH CREW ALL SPOKE ENGLISH PERFECTLY
THE BRITISH CREW HARDLY SPOKE ENGLISH......AND I WORKED FOR BRITISH RAIL MARINE !!!
And then very slowly, eventually came the Chunnel. And many ferries went to that Great Channel in The Sky.
My dad was galley boy on the Norfolk ferry and he's twin brother was on the Suffolk ferry,and my grandfather was Watchman,we have lived in Harwich all are lives John Smith
Remember being taken out of school at lunchtime and travelling from Kent to Hollyhead for the night ferry. The water dockside, in the dark, looked very threatening but very exciting catching the early morning train from Dunloughaire to Sligo.
My father worked on the Lord Warden in 1956 and was on her when she collided with another ship in the channel pushing her bow in ,but she remained afloat and went on for quite a few more years.
Another time, another era. Chuffed to see the radio room and radio officer... which used to be my job😂😂
QRZ? :D
@alzeNL My last QSO in merchant navy was 1982 probably calling Portishead radio from Virginia, USA. Then, QRT.
I think we all love this films because it takes us back to a better time when we were a proper country!!
Doffing my cap to the land agent of his boss, having to do work for the Land owner, before I could feed myself, let alone my family, Oh I so miss those days
@@bryansmith1920Well you should have worked harder at school chum like me and got on a ladder to riches.
@@bertiewooster3326lol😂
I am 72 yr old i think 50s 60s 70s best times of my life its getting worse and worse as time goes on
Great historical document. BTF films are always well done, it's a pleasure to watch anyone of them.
Excellent.
What a wonderful way to travel. As opposed to today, with people in sweat pants, and airlines annoyed that you dare want to be treated with courtesy.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Loved my time in the Train Ferry Dept, Western Docks, Dover.
The night train was described as going from Dunkirk to Paris through Normandy, surely not? Interesting to see the train ferry operation. I'd read about it but it didn't make much sense until you see it in the context of a London to Paris sleeper train.
We crossed in our Wyvern in 1952 Newhaven Dieppe I think? The car was hoisted by crane on to the ferry!
I wish I could have been born in the year 1956 or even born earlier, instead of been born in the year 1969 and also I would love to have seen these awesome films when they came out on tv.
What a wonderful film if only someone would provide a time machine !
See how crew/harbour staff take care for ship transfer !! . Crazy lock system . No baby awoke . I remember 50s as a safe place to be. Was 4 in 1956 . ❤ Regards playmates . Dave
This was excellent!!
I used to work on the cross channel boats in the 1960s. Quite a good job then.
john may
2nd MATE
ISLE OF THANET
CANTERBURY
INVICTA
SHEPPERTON FERRY
HAMPTON FERY
MAID OF KENT
LORD WARDEN
MAID OF ORLEANS
DORSET COAST
Now living in West Vancouver B.C. Canada
Home of B.C. FERRIES where
- cancellations frequent
- 1-2 sailings " wait " common( due to full loads)
- breakdown not unusual
- no sailings above BF Force 4
but fares are cheap compared to UK/Europe
j may
Brilliant....❤
Thank you for this ! The pacing of music and narration is wonderful, almost poetic. In comparison it makes modern documentaries look (and sound) like garbage.
Thank you. This revives old memories.
Brilliant video.
Night ferry. Fantastic.
You cant get out the harbour today, without running over a dinghy.
Love it.
That Night Train certainly beat couchettes. They were grim.
something that could be dreamed of a tunnel under the channel
Lord Warden's stern door doesn't look very substantial.
What?! No mention of the Eiffel Tower? Arg!
Loved it
This is from the days when ships looked like ships. Today they all seem to look like floating shoeboxes with a pointy end.
Spot on mate.
1950/60s: we have nice beautiful ships.
Today: Giant Shoebox in the sea.
The days before Ro Ro,, now we've got P and O Pioneer with two bows .😮
Re: Night Trains
Overnight sleeper services are currently (2024) enjoying a renaissance on the other side of La Manche (put "European Sleeper" into your search engine and see what comes back?) but of course good ol' British isolationism precludes UK based travellers from participating in this "sustainable" transport revival. Maybe, just maybe I will live to see the day when a night sleeper service makes use of that innovation we know as the Channel Tunnel?
There was talk of running a sleeper service through the tunnel,but as usual just talk.
Stop whining.
@@annoyingbstard9407 Translation: Stop highlighting inconvenient realities about our post Brexit environment?
@@peterdavidson3268 How did I know you were still harking back to pre-Brexit history? Why not do what I did for several years and move to Europe. It’s best to get a touch of reality rather than the hankering for something imaginary.
@@annoyingbstard9407 It doesn't have to be imaginary though does it - with sufficient political willpower the UK could once again align itself with its natural (geographical) neighbours. There were plans as far back as late 1980s to implement Eurostar Regional and Nightstar trains to enable the rest of the UK outside the London/South East nexus to benefit from the then nascent Channel Tunnel project - whatever happened to that technological optimism?
Herald of Free Enterprise Channel ferry. 193 people were killed when she capsized in 1987.
In 40 to 50 years from now, what will there be to get nostalgic about the 2020s? Very little of any significance.
Great video new sub 😅
Happy Days that look happier with every move made by today's politicians...
Chassis number checked, wow..
Similar wagons to the one used at Compiègne
Do you have the film of the TOPS system of British Rail?
Thanks for posting this wonderful film. Paris looked very French in 1953, rather than north African.
Racist !
You clearly haven't been to Paris this century. But you must be a lefty to rush to judgement as you have, to suit your narrative.
@@alanmarr3323 Why the exclamation mark instead of a question?
@Studebaker. Only some parts of Paris, not all by any means.
@@studebaker4217 You've 'rushed to judgement' also with your lefty allusion.
22:25 THERES OFFICER CRABTREE FROM" ALLO" "ALLO" DISKEEZED AS A FRONCH POLOOSEMAN
Channel ferry
Being a London teenager in the 1960’s was great .. now London is a foreign country … This country has gone to shit.
6:38 well this aged poorly. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
A tunnel under the channel ? Are you kidding ? That will never happen !
The EU didn’t exist, and Britain was still head of the Commonwealth deriving v wealth from it. Not now. Britain is a solitary country on the edge of Europe.
Not an illegal immigrant in sight.
France
Dock side
Yes the 50s and 60s seemed to be a lot better but dentistry was awful and if you had surgery they weren’t big with pain relief !!
Ah, the future of Brexit.
GREAT! So, what happened? Wait, oh ya, BREXIT. Never mind.🙀
That is so cool to see this.