Postscript to Empire

“Postscript to Empire: Great Britain in Transition” tells the story of two places, the Isle of Dogs region of London and the new town of Stevenage, thirty miles away.

The Isle of Dogs is not, strictly speaking, an island. It is formed by a large loop in the Thames as it flows past Tower Bridge. On this land, in the 17th century, King Charles II kept his famous spaniels; today the area is one of the most important shipping and dock districts of London. Britain relies heavily on trade; what happens on the Isle of Dogs is thus a good indication of what is happening to the rest of the British economy.

The programme interviews many inhabitants of the Isle of Dogs: Jim Griggs, who operates a crane and who inherited his job from his father; Borough Councilwoman Cressell, one of the first suffragettes and still, at 78, an active figure in politics; Thomas Hart the grocer, who comments both on the development of the area and his memories of World War II (as he reminisces about the war, the viewer sees film clips of the air raids, the bombing, the rescue work). Others are Reverend Strong, a Presbyterian minister who explains why there are only 200 church-goers in a community of several thousand people; George Cole, a young man in his late teens who comments on the problems of others of his age in this culturally under-privileged neighbourhood; and Mr. and Mrs. Woodward Fisher. Mr. Fisher started his career with a debt of £100, with which he bought a barge. Today he and his wife own one of the largest tug-and-barge concerns on the river. Actively interested in keeping up-to-date in his business, he is at the same time warmly devoted to traditions like that of the Doggett rowing race, which has been held annually on the Thames since 1716. Mr. Fisher is one of the oldest winners of this race, and is proud of the ceremonial coat and badge which he received as prizes. Still others who offer their opinions about post-war Britain are two labour leaders who explain the high frequency of strikes along the waterfront; the headmaster of a primary school who comments on the effects of the “eleven-plus” examination which determines for children what their secondary schooling, and perhaps careers, will be; and a number of teenagers who express their ambitions and needs. All those interviewed on the Isle of Dogs appear to reflect a willingness to stay where they are despite what might be considered a lack of opportunity or incentive to improve their conditions or outlook. But some decide to leave; the camera follows one family from London to the ultra-modern planned town of Stevenage.