This is a film from the Michael Hobson collection which features children from the Salem Sunday School in Leeds on their annual camping holiday to the Lake District. Title - Salem Boys’ Camp Coniston 1956 We invite you to join us on some camp activities. Every boy knows the famous words NO -  NO -  and not wishing to run into disfavour, OBEYS THEM. A man is down by a river where he is having a wash in his vest.  Some boys are also there having a wash. Intertitle – With clean hands and faces,...

This is a film from the Michael Hobson collection which features children from the Salem Sunday School in Leeds on their annual camping holiday to the Lake District. Title - Salem Boys’ Camp Coniston 1956 We invite you to join us on some camp activities. Every boy knows the famous words NO -  NO -  and not wishing to run into disfavour, OBEYS THEM. A man is down by a river where he is having a wash in his vest.  Some boys are also there having a wash. Intertitle – With clean hands and faces, necks doubtful, they go to BREAKFAST The boys sit around a long table eating, while a man and a woman are larking about. Intertitle – A preview of the route adds interest. An adult leader and a group of boys huddle over a map, and the leader points in the direction they will be heading. Intertitle – With light hearts and heavy boots, the party departs in high spirits. They set off walking from the camp with their rucksacks, and as they make their way from the camp, the children wave to the camera. Intertitle – Where hikers suffer from blistered feet, boys on fatigue enjoy . . .  PEACE Back at the camp, boys are washing the dishes. Intertitle – Bosses also enjoy a little change.  Here are two at the top of Waynose Pass. An adult leader, dressed in shorts, takes a look at one of the three shire stones.  He is joined by another adult leader. Intertitle – Visitors Day.  Activities included cricket, tennis and swimming. The boys and adults play together in a game of cricket on the camp site. They sit on the grass around the tents, and there is a game of table tennis. Intertitle – And as a diversion, Salam Belles’en repos’ Three women are laid out on the grass.  A woman and a girl have an ice cream, and more activities are filmed from within the marquee.  Later they are out swimming in the river, and a car drives away.  There is also more cricket. Intertitle – Mr Ovenden’s motor boat caused some excitement.  Trips on the lake proved very popular. A group of boys go out on a small motor boat.  Back at the campsite some adults sit on the grass.  The boat returns, being rowed back by an adult.  Next a group of boys stand outside of a shop, and then they seem to be showing some adults what they have bought. Intertitle –Camp usually reaches its climax on Friday night where we round off with a supper and camp concert.  Commencing with songs of various types, followed by war dances, an air of abandon prevailed. This changed to extreme seriousness as we finished by singing THE LORD IS MY SHEPARD.  The following shot gives a vague idea of the scene. Silhouette figures dance by the light of a bonfire. Title – Salem Boys’ Camp 1957.  Friday – the advance party makes preparations.  This includes marquee and tent erection, digging etc. Two scout leaders dig a hole, while three boys peel potatoes.  Others put up tents and a wooden toilet is placed into the hole. A man sits on it and comically puts a plate on his head.  A screen is then erected around the toilet. Intertitle – Saturday, the campers arrive. Two cars which transport the boys arrive at the camp. Intertitle – Excursion to Skelwith Bridge, Little Landsdale and Tilberthwaite.  At Coniston bus stop. They are all gathered at the bus stop. Intertitle – A ‘cuppa’ at Skelwith. Several adults sit around a table having tea. Intertitle – Skelwith Bridge and the ‘Force’. The bridge is shown, while boys stand at the top of Skelwith Force waterfall. Intertitle – Over the fields for a short rest at Elterwater village – where Dr Griffin renders first aid. They walk along a path and then stop for a rest, with one boy having treatment. Intertitle – We press on to Little Langdale for lunch. They continue their walk and then rest, some with deckchairs. Intertitle – “High jinks” at The Ford. The boys are sitting on a fence before leaving to walk with the adult leaders.  They walk along a stone wall and over Little Langdale Ford. Intertitle – After the Lord Mayor’s Show! They return to the camp, with two of them holding a line of washing.  They gather at the campsite with their rucksacks on and head off for another walk.  A man poses with a cigarette next to a Hillman Imp car. Intertitle – Operation “Bonfire”. The adult leaders, watched by the boys, chop some branches for firewood down by the river, with some play acting.  Back at the campsite they pack up their gear.  Two of the boys have a mock fight.  They then dismantle the tents, loading some into a car. Intertitle – Saturday.  Packing is done and camp struck.  Another camp is finished.  Long Live Salem camp. There is another view of the campsite before the film comes to an end.