EAST ANGLIA FILM ARCHIVE	
TITLE		Southern River Streamers, Norwich
DATE MADE 	May 2000
DESCRIP		colour; sound
TIME
CATEGORY		
COLOUR		Colour
SOUND		Sound
ORIG. FORM	Mini DV
ABSTRACT	This video was donated to the archive by the artists
Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie. They recorded the monologue as part of
their general research for East. They decided to donate the film to
the archive when they realised they had unwittingly recorded one of
the last monologues given by Alec the skipper of the boat on that day.

	The video begins at the initial stages of a boat ride through
Norwich. The river boat's captain alerts passengers as to the
whereabouts of life jackets and life boats, before illuminating his
audience as to the history of the first landmark, Fye bridge, where once
stood a ducking stool. On to the mediaval port of Norwich and
Whitefriars bridge. There is a glimpse of a nesting swan opposite St.
James's Yarn Mill and the commentary gives a history of the building
that houses the company (heard beneath the conversations of
passengers). Passing through the lush bankside growth of weeping
willow, we learn about a printing works and the new court buildings,
where one of the earliest flushing toilets was discovered.  
	The ruins of the old City Wall are passed and described in some 
detail. The commentator points out a corkscrew willow. Norwich 
Cathedral looms in the background and the history of its wooden spire 
is told, the provenance of  all the materials and the costs incurred in 
its construction. St Helen's Free Hospital is passed, St. Helen's Swan Pit
and a mast of an old wherry that worked the river. Norwich's oldest
brick building, Cow Tower lies ahead, once a prison and once a toll
house and is clearly seen through the boat's window. Some information
about wherries is given, including some local history. Another bridge,
Bishop bridge, beyond which is a site where witches were once burnt
at the stake. A mooring and then Pull's Ferry. The site of a long gone
pub. Foundry Bridge, once the route for the railway, sits at the end
of the tour.
	 The commentary ends and the boats slows opposite the
Nelson Hotel, before the floating restaurant. The voices of the
filmmakers are heard. The journey back to Elm Hill.  Dragon's Hall on
King Street sits on the right. Up ahead is the Turning Basin, known to
local anglers as the 'Pike Pit'. Building works are passed. Some views
go un-commented on until the captain laments the rise of a new cinema.
Another floating restaurant goes by and only the sound of the boat's
engine is heard as the tour retraces its route. Pleasure boats are
clearly seen and one interupts the touring boat's journey. A beacon
and a story about Kett's Army and Kett's rebellion before travelling
under the oldest gateway into the City. The old wherry mast and the
site of a mortuary. Back past Cow Tower and some details about the
river's depth.  The oldest Inn, The Adam and Eve. The City Hall clock 
in the distance, back through Whitefriar's bridge and a story of a
1912 thunderstoom and flood. The boat approaches the end of its
journey and the captain gives warnings to stay seated. He beseeches
the passengers to return and wishes them well as the boat slows to a
stop before the art college. Nina Pope, one of the filmmakers is seen
briefly and the passengers leave the boat.