Rockets in the Dunes (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1960
Director: William C. Hammond
Production Company: Anvil Films

Stars: Christopher Witty, Gena Yates, Heather Lyons, James Luck, Peter Wood, Gordon Adam, Fiona Davie, Maurice Lane
Location(s): Devon

Region(s):

Storyline:

When the Army move onto the beach they use for sand-yachting, children raise money and hire the village hall to hold a public meeting in the hope of gathering support to save the shore.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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Mrs. Allen (Hillary Mason) hangs out washing as Celia Ashton (Heather Lyons) calls to Vandra Allen (Gena Yates) as she leaves their railway carriage home. Croyde Bay at Croyde in Devon.

  • Capture 2
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An Army DUKW drives across the beach from which Sergeant Bates from Marlham Camp spots Bruce Clifford and Ned Allen heading towards them on their sand-yachts. Looking across Croyde Beach.

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In the dunes, Dr. Wallace (Geoffrey Wearing) peers through his binoculars looking for birds.

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Enlisting the Doctor into their campaign to get the Army off the beach, Joey (Christopher Witty), Vandra, Celia, Bruce Clifford (Richard Adam), Ned Allen (James Luck) and Andy Ryan (Peter Wood) help compile a list of those that will be affected as they walk towards his house.

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Leaving the ornithologist's house, the Children are startled by the sound of an explosion coming from the beach.

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After forming an organisation and pooling all of their money, the Children set off to see Mr. Grimble at the village hall. Heddon Mill Level Crossing on North Buckland Hill at Heddon Mill in Devon.

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The youngsters arrive at the village hall where an Army Cadet is putting up posters about a wartime bomb that had been found in the dunes. Croyde Village Hall on Jones’s Hill in Croyde, Devon.

  • Capture 8
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Tom (Anthony Bryant) tells the Children about the danger on the beach before they go inside the hall and discover that they haven't enough money to hire it for a protest meeting. Facing the entrance to Croyde Village Hall.

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Deciding to give sand-yachting lessons to raise the three guineas needed to hire the hall, the boys make signs before Bruce remembers that his brother Richard is arriving that afternoon in his new car.

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Bruce asks a Shopkeeper if he can put one of the signs up outside his shop. Hobb’s Hill in Croyde with the background property standing at the corner of Jones’s Hill.

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After the girls make butterscotch, Celia approaches a cottage in the hope of a sale. Manor Cottage, 11 St. Marys Road, Croyde located by Steve Randall.

  • Capture 12
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Following one successful sale, Celia knocks on another door but no one is at home.

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Carrying a basket of butterscotch, Joey and Bimbo set up their stall at a road junction. Hole Cleave Road at Forda, facing the junction of Georgeham Road and Frogstreet Hill.

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Another sale, another shilling. Facing 18 St. Mary’s Road, Croyde across the Crydda stream as it flows in front of number 16.

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Elsewhere in the village, Vandra hands over a bag of butterscotch.

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While Joey tries to persuade a passing Motorist to buy sweets, Bimbo runs off.

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Later, Celia and Vandra cycle into the village after Mrs. Allen suggests they try to sell the sweets to village tea shop. Putsborough Road in Putsborough, Devon.

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Scanning the hedgerows for birds, Dr. Wallace rides along a lane on his Douglas Vespa. Putsborough Road, Putsborough, looking towards the junction with the letterbox seen in the capture below.

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At a bend in the lane, the girls fall to the ground as they almost collide with the Doctor's scooter. Putsborough Road, Putsborough, about 50 yards from the ford seen towards the end of the film.

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With just a few shillings to show for their efforts, the boys sit outside the village hall where the girls soon arrive with the money they have earned. The car park at Croyde Village Hall.

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Still short of funds the Children bump into Dr. Wallace who promises them 7/6d before finding that he's left his money at home. Putsborough Road, Putsborough.

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At the indoor market, Celia and Vandra distribute flyers advertising the meeting. The Pannier Market on Butchers Row’ in Barnstaple.

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Wearing sandwich boards, Bruce and Ned walk through the cattle market. Barnstaple Cattle Market situated between Castle Street and Tuly Street in Barnstaple, Devon.

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Outside the cattle market, a Constable stands ready to direct traffic. The point where North Walk becomes Castle Street in Barnstaple with the entrance to the Cattle Market to the right.

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Joey places a flyer in the Policeman's sleeve. North Walk outside Barnstaple Cattle Market.

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Ned walks towards home before a fight almost breaks out when he bumps into two cadets, Tom and Bill. Looking west along Paternoster Row in Barnstaple, Devon.

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Richard Clifford (Maurice Lane) pays a Garage Attendant for petrol as Ned runs towards him.

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Giving Ned a lift to safety in his ageing Austin taxi, Richard has a better idea to drum up support.

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On the day of the meeting, Richard drives around the village broadcasting details about the meeting. Looking east on St. Mary's Road in Croyde.

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The lads hand out leaflets as the taxi drives slowly through the streets. Facing Croyde Weavers café and May Cottage on St. Mary’s Road.

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With the meeting in progress, Tom runs to the village hall to raise the alarm after Joey gets tangles up in the trip wire of one of the anti-personnel bombs at the beach. Watery Lane seen from St. Mary’s Road in Croyde.

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Outside the hall, the Colonel (Joseph Wise) tells his Adjutant to contact the camp for them to send a bomb disposal unit to the beach. Looking towards Jones’s Hill from the Village Hall at Croyde.

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Level crossing gates are closed on the road ahead as the Colonel's Austin Champ approaches. Facing east at Heddon Mill Level Crossing, Heddon Mill.

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The Colonel waits for the goods train to pass. Heddon Mill Level Crossing on the line between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe which closed in October 1970.

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Dr. Wallace, Richard and Joey's friends race to the beach. The ford at the junction of Putsborough Road and Meadow Lane in Putsborough, Devon.