An amateur film by Harry Leighton shows the preparation and the day’s events at the annual Shiremoor and District’s Children’s Gala for 1974. Known locally as the Children’s Treat, the event has been organised by miner’s families since 1907. The film begins with views of organisers and volunteers preparing the ‘Treat’ field for the big day. A procession follows behind a brass band leading them onto the showground where children are present a box of cakes. There are views of many of the events...

An amateur film by Harry Leighton shows the preparation and the day’s events at the annual Shiremoor and District’s Children’s Gala for 1974. Known locally as the Children’s Treat, the event has been organised by miner’s families since 1907. The film begins with views of organisers and volunteers preparing the ‘Treat’ field for the big day. A procession follows behind a brass band leading them onto the showground where children are present a box of cakes. There are views of many of the events and activates taking place during the day including sport and dancing as well as a fun fair. The film ends with the day coming to an end and people heading home. The film opens with a view of the programme of the day’s event taking place on Saturday the 6th July 1974. The programme’s heading is ‘Children’s Annual Gala Programme and Timetable of Events’. Preparations show men working on site in fields near the A186 road to Earsdon. The weather is overcast and windy. A man poses for the camera in front of a newly erected goal net, another hammers stakes into the ground with a sledgehammer. Another man runs along the field with a long tape measure, yet another marks out the white lines of a sports pitch. A girl helps with measuring by holding down a tape measure, as small marker stakes are driven into the ground. Off the back of a National Coal Board lorry some hard core is spread onto a field to make a temporary path or road. Other helpers erect signs and generally prepare the ground for various events, side shows and marquees. In the commentary one of the organisers, Mr Ali Burrows is mentioned as he appears on film. A close up follows of the refreshment marquee, identified by a sign which reads ‘Tea Tent’. Two women enter the tent to help with setting up services. A number of women stand behind tables laden with trays of sandwiches, bread buns, and cream cakes. Others make ready kettles, cups and saucers and plates. The camera pulls back to give a wider view of the refreshment tent. A man inspects the contents of a large boiler. More general views of the refreshment tent follow. Women sit behind a tray of bread buns cutting them in half for sandwiches. Back outside a man fixes a goal net to the ground. A sign reads ‘Buy Your Geordie Books Now – Autographed Personally by Scott Dobson’. Elsewhere a couple work on the public address system, a man carrying a coil of thick rope over his shoulder stops to talk to them. General views follow of groups of helpers and organisers talking to each other on the field or putting the final touches to marquees. A man gives the wooden frame of a goal net a coat of white paint. Across the top of two tall posts a banner reads ‘Come to - Shiremoor & District Childrens Gala - Next Saturday’. The big day arrives as crowds of people line the approach road to the showground. A sign guides motorists to the car park. Amongst the crowds some children are ready in fancy dress. The local Mayor opens proceedings by cutting a tape which is across the entrance to the field. A woman stands at his side holding a bunch of flowers. A high angle shot and along the road come the ‘Warriors’ juvenile jazz band, their banner reads, ‘Warriors 1972’. The camera pans right to left to show the extent of the marching band and the crowd following. A roadside shot of the band shows off their colourful uniform as they march towards the camera. This cuts to a high angle shot of the parade as it marches by, then back to the roadside shot, and then back to the high angle shot. A closer view follows of a band member beating a bass drum. A long shot follows as the band marches towards the show fields. This is followed by another roadside shot as the band marches towards the camera. Another high angle shot shows the band marching in the background, fairground rides and marquees for the gala. A banner reads ‘Parents and General Public & School Children Only’ Another jazz band enters the field, their banner reads ‘The Shieldfield Falcons – 1972 Juvenile Jazz Band’. Once the bands have entered the field, the general public follow. Two men take money and give tickets at the entrance. People wait in a queue patiently to pay the 10 pence entrance charge. Only adults pay the entrance fee, children have free entry. A young girl poses for the camera as the queue of people file past behind her. The crowds make their way into the main arena. Two men give out a box of Robertson’s cakes to each child as they enter the ground, this is part of the tradition of the Treat. Others also give out boxes of the free cakes. The Mayor and his wife visit some of the helpers who are looking after the entrances. The film cuts briefly to a jazz band marching along the road. More shots follow of queues of people waiting to enter the ground. A man dressed as Walt Disney’s Pluto enters the ground with a collection tin. Two teenage boys pose for the camera. A long shot follows of marquees across the showground. Crowds stand or sit outside a roped off enclosure, a game of netball is underway. Some young boys pose for the camera wearing Newcastle United football kits. Another team pose in a plain white kit. General views follow of the crowds enjoying the day out. More shots of the netball contest. Next a shot of Scott Dobson at his stall where he sells his books. He waves to the camera. The stall next to his sells pens and coloured plastic combs, which is looked after by Girl Guides. The first aid marquee is managed by members of the St John Ambulance brigade; two members stand at the entrance. Rupert the Bear makes an appearance. The commentary highlights the variety of stalls and static displays on show, including a caravan recruiting for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The film cuts to a game of football, where the two teams seen earlier, the Newcastle United strip and one in plain white battle it out. General views follow of the two teams while the crowds look on from behind rope fences. The film cuts to a display of gymnastics from police cadets of the Durham Constabulary, which include trampoline exercises, and somersaults over a wooden ‘horse’. Following on, displays of precision, as they balance on shoulders. The girls climb up vertical benches held securely by their fellow male gymnasts. A juvenile jazz band puts on a marching display. An army officer in a smart red tunic observes the jazz bands and will pass judgement as to which band has the smartest turnout. Another football match shows the two teams wearing colours reminiscent of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich. The next shot shows Jim Smith, ‘Jinky’ Jim of Newcastle United, presenting the trophies to the teams. Shots follow of a ferris wheel and roundabouts, with children enjoying the rides. Some of the young boys find an army scout car of more interest. The film cuts to a queue waiting patiently to be served at an ice cream van. Shots follow of children eating ice cream cones. The netball team and other sports competitors are presented with awards from the Mayor and the Lady Mayor. The winners pose for photographs. A piper plays for a boy and girl in sailor’s uniforms doing a dance (a hornpipe?). A dog on the stage looks on. The piper then plays for a girl in tartan doing a Scottish dance. Shots follow of children in fancy dress, a couple of boys pose for the camera. Two people, one dressed in a papier mache elephants head, the other in the Disney Pluto head, lead the parade of children who are in fancy dress displaying wild and varied costumes from Tinkerbell to a scarecrow. Eddie Milne, MP for Blyth judges the children’s fancy dress. The football teams also get an award from the Mayor and Lady Mayor. Young girls climb on the stage and dance around. The film cuts to show vehicles leaving the field as the Treat comes to an end. The jazz bands gather their drums together and congregate in preparation to leave. The army scout cars make an exit. The jazz bands make their way to the exit. A policeman does point duty on the main road so that the crowds and traffic can leave safely. The jazz bands get on coaches that will take them home. The emptying field sees the ground strewn with litter. The film ends with a travelling shot showings a brightly coloured coach head for home with its happy but tired young passengers at the end of the 1974 Shiremoor and District Treat.