An amateur film made by Tom Johnson of the Billingham and District Cine Club of traditional dress and dance on show at this folklore festival in Billingham. Troupes from Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Scotland, and Ukraine perform on stage and in the streets of Billingham. Title: Billingham Urban District Council Title: Presents Title: FOLK Title: The Billingham Folklore Festival 1965 Dignitaries stand behind a table and present awards at a ceremony. A young woman has a sash draped...

An amateur film made by Tom Johnson of the Billingham and District Cine Club of traditional dress and dance on show at this folklore festival in Billingham. Troupes from Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Scotland, and Ukraine perform on stage and in the streets of Billingham. Title: Billingham Urban District Council Title: Presents Title: FOLK Title: The Billingham Folklore Festival 1965 Dignitaries stand behind a table and present awards at a ceremony. A young woman has a sash draped over her shoulder. A folk dancing troupe from Estonia marches through the town centre. They are followed by groups from Hungary, Ireland, Scotland, and Ukraine. For each group, a standard bearer marches at the front carrying a sign with the country’s name printed on it. The dancers wear traditional national dress. National flags are run up the flag poles. There are scenes of folk dancing. People pose for a photograph. A policeman is seated in the front row surrounded by a troupe of girls and a group of male dancers. Outside a ten pin bowling centre, a group marches behind the Union flag. Other folk troupes follow the procession. Raffle tickets are on sale, folks cluster round the table to purchase tickets. Dancing troupes perform their acts on stage. Amongst them, a group of (Estonian?) sword dancers. Accordion players perform. A band plays. Irish folk dancing follows. Indoors, a woman wearing a red velvety corset as part of her folk outfit smiles and bows. A girl sits behind a display of traditional dolls. Outside again, an Austrian troupe march down a residential street. They are followed by the Estonians. Large groups of children disembark from coaches. A stage performance of a folk dance is underway. Children leave the theatre, pushing and larking about in front of the camera. In town, national flags hang from a shopping centre building, possibly the Forum. The pavements and flying concrete walkways are packed with spectators. The Austrian troupe march past to general applause. Folk dance is performed on a wooden stage in front of a Wheatsheaf supermarket advertising sales. A dance is received with applause. The troupes are presented with awards. Close-up of a certificate: International Folklore Festival, Billingham. Title: produced for Billingham Urban District Council by Title: Billingham & District Cine Club Title: THE END