Craftsmen at Alexandra Palace

Craftsmen at Alexandra Palace are photographed working on preparations for the Land Traveller exhibition at the Festival of Britain.

The Festival of Britain, which took place across the country in 1951, was described as a 'tonic for the nation' recovering from the Second World War. Among the events held as part of the Festival was the Land Traveller exhibition. It was described in 1951 by the chief designer, Richard Levin, as 'the world's biggest-ever travelling exhibition'.

The theme of the exhibition was similar to that of the South Bank Exhibition but more emphasis was placed on modern industrial design. It toured to Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Nottingham where purpose built structures were erected to accommodate the exhibition. Exhibits included a full-size theatre, a prototype observation carriage, gas turbines and swinging pendulums.

This is one of a number of photographs taken by Henry Grant of work 'behind-the-scenes' at the Festival of Britain.