Horseman’s Service (1959)

Eversley near Basingstoke, Hampshire. Various shots show people riding on horseback through the countryside and arriving at Eversley Church for the annual Horseman’s Service. The riders gather on Kingsley Mount, the green in front of the church and are joined by a line of choirboys and girls. The Venerable RC Rudgard, Archdeacon of Basingstoke conducts the service; the altar is made from a blacksmith’s anvil, fronted by a saddle and bridle. A large crowd stands to the rear of the Archdeacon. Two men representing the mounted section of the Military Police are seen on their horses, along with several members of Pony and Hunt clubs. Girls in jodhpurs and riding hats walk around with bags attached to horseshoes and take the collection (in aid of the International League for the Protection of Horses), then place the bags on the altar. Note: on file is correspondence and notes on the story shot. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT’S FULL OF GREAT