Forest of Galtres Camera Club

Monday 14th March 2016

 

Yorkshire Film Archive

 

The club was lucky enough to welcome back Graham Relton from The Yorkshire Film Archive (YFA) for another evening of amazing memories captured on film and video dating from the earliest days of film to the present day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first film from 1900 featured a group of school boys involved in a very active game of leapfrog followed by a quite dangerous version of British Bulldog with many mishaps. Filmed and Not Forgotten, taken in the First World War showed 5215 Tanks arrival at a Military Tattoo in York. Vickers medium Mark 2 Tanks driving through the streets was a sombre reminder of wartime Britain. This can be viewed in full on the Google Cultural Institute site.

Harrogate in 1937 provided excellent scenes from many local areas including steam trains crossing the bridge at Knaresborough, Bolton and Fountains Abbey Brimham Rocks, the White Horse and some wonderful scenes from the Yorkshire show. Next came a true story of The Real Dad’s Army filmed with the Thornton Home Guard at Bradford. We learnt about the Local Defence Force (LDC – Look, Duck and Vanish!) and the many activities that thousands of brave men volunteered for.

 

Threshing machines and the work of Prisoners of war in Sherriff Hutton (1940/50) was filmed following the story of local man Richard Howarth as he learnt his trade and provided excellent views of farm work and the ongoing problems of flooding. This was followed by Coxwold Gymkhana (1951) outside the Fauconberg Arms taken by The Ramsdens who were prolific film enthusiasts.

 

York City AFC (1956) provided views of crowds and players at Bootham Park with York beating Crewe Alexandra 2-1. Then came the film that we all enjoyed. ‘Ower Bit Bog Oil’ (1963/64). A film about our unique tradition of ‘Knur and Spell’ played enthusiastically in Cowling West Yorkshire. The broad dialect was wonderful and the explanation of the game was priceless.

 

Last Men Only Pub (1965) was a TV film recording the last days of a men only pub before ladies could enter to drink. The commentary was very tongue in cheek and caused a few laughs. A short clip taken by amateur photographer Richard Taylor of Hillsborough in Sheffield (1966) world cup game between West Germany and Uruguay recorded a German, victory but we all know who won the World cup that year.

 

Gargoyle Makers of York (1966) by Pathe news reminded us of the continued maintenance of the wonderful Minster. This was followed by A Sentimental Journey – Whitby to Scarborough Railway Line (1966) film based on the closure of the much loved line along the coast by Dr Beeching. Wonderful sequences bringing fond memories back for many members. The Whitby Gazette (1967) was an interesting sequence looking into the work of a very popular newspaper.

Railway 1974 was a film capturing the resurrection of the North Yorks Moors Railways and the enthusiasts that worked so hard to save this wonderful line and steam locomotives. Finally we were treated to an armature film called Kelly’s Eye (1972) showing the story of a keen cine club member using the latest cameras and lighting to create his version of a Bond movie with hilarious consequences.

 

YFA is a registered Charity always searching for local film and video from Yorkshire. They are particularly looking for film from the Easingwold area so if you want to share yours contact them. YFA kindly shared the still photos for all to see.

 

This was our last show of the season and on Saturday the club annual meal is held at The Hawkhills. Annual competition prizes and the AGM are held in the Parish room next Monday at 7.30pm