Sports Day - Diane
Standard 8mm film Colour Mute 1964 4:23
Summary: Lovely scenes of Days Lane primary school summer sports day in 1964, beginning with fancy dress and including numerous obstacle races.
Title number: 19588
LSA ID: LSA/25974
Description: A large park on a summer's day. A crowd of children and parents are watching as a group of children process through the centre of the grass dressed in period costume. They are led by two boys dressed as medieval buglers, and are followed by girls in white dresses. A middle aged lady walks alongside guiding the procession, and we see that the buglers are followed by page boys in medieval dress, and that the girls are wearing bridal dresses, one of the girls is wearing a wedding dress with a train carried by two of the girls. They step forward to a table and the bride is given a floral headpiece.
A wider view of the park reveals that the audience surround the park and a line of children in fancy dress start to process past, displaying their costumes. Three girls go past, one in a wedding dress, one in a fairy costume, one in a grass skirt. A large line surrounds the park beginning with two girls in nurses uniform, a flamenco dress, a ladybird, and Cleopatra all follow. Another line passes with a boy dressed in a yellow bird costume. We see all of the costumed children line up. They then parade around the park again.
A series of races begin, girls run forward and put on clothing, then carry trays to the finishing line. The boys run forward and put on overcoats. Girls skip with ropes towards the finishing line. A mother talks to a small child on the starting line. We see the entire line of what must be fifty children taking part. They all run forward. Another line of children about the age of three or four with their mothers. They all run forward to the finishing line, some of the mothers join in, other children trail behind, walking.
A middle-aged lady in horn rimmed spectacles and a floral dress makes an announcement at a microphone. A table with raffle prizes which include a toy yacht, umbrella, tea set, a doll and other items. Children take part in a three-legged race. One pair sprint forward as another bounds towards the finish. The bride in floral headpiece surveys the scene. Another race starts, girls put on hats, run forward with bags, stop at the centre, put on more items and an umbrella, and run to the finish.
A crying baby is being towelled dry, the film ends.
Credits: Victor A Ashlee; filmmaker
Further information: Mr Victor Ashlee was a local resident and keen filmmaker.
He lived at Eversley Avenue, Barnehurst and later at Caithness Gardens, Sidcup. His four children named Christine, Peter, Diane and Andrew were born between 1957 and 1969 and feature in many of the films in this collection.
Keywords: Parks; Children; Mothers; Fancy dress; wedding dress; baby; school sports day; recreation; competitive sports; children's games; rituals
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Bexley
Related
Comments