An amateur film by Harry Leighton of the annual Shiremoor and District’s Children’s Gala taking place in 1980. Known locally as the Children’s Treat, the event has been organised by miner’s families since 1907. The film begins with a number of marching bands leading the crowds along Earsdon Road onto the ‘Treat’ field. Local comedian Bobby Thompson also features opening the event. Following the presentation of cakes to the local children the film records many of the sporting and musical...

An amateur film by Harry Leighton of the annual Shiremoor and District’s Children’s Gala taking place in 1980. Known locally as the Children’s Treat, the event has been organised by miner’s families since 1907. The film begins with a number of marching bands leading the crowds along Earsdon Road onto the ‘Treat’ field. Local comedian Bobby Thompson also features opening the event. Following the presentation of cakes to the local children the film records many of the sporting and musical events and displays taking place on the field as well as a nearby fair. Title: Treat 1980 The film opens on a brass band with a policeman at its head marches along Earsdon Road. A close up follows of the musicians playing their instruments as they march past. Following on, crowds of people make their way towards the showground where the entertainment will take place. The marching band enter the showground first followed by the visiting crowds. The film cuts back to another marching band, this time in full highland regalia, a pipe band leads the crowd. The next band is the Anglo-American Ambassador’s from Cleveland making their first appearance at the event, leading the Holystone schoolchildren. More crowds follow and a special guest travels along in a small vintage car, Bobby Thompson arrives to open the event. The Anglo American band make their way onto the showground. A troop of girls in the same costume carrying pom-poms follow on behind. Bobby Thompson is driven onto the field in the vintage Austin Seven restored by Wilson Garages, as displayed on a placard attached to the passenger door. Back to Earsdon Road and another brass band marches past, followed by more crowds as they enter the showground. At the showground a sign on a marquee reads ‘Childrens Boxes of Cakes Here’. Queues form at the marquee entrance and children show tickets to an official before they collect their gift of cakes in small boxes. Crowds gather around a stage as Bobby Thompson is introduced, he speaks via a microphone. Bobby Thompson steps down from the stage and poses with parents and children for photos. General views follow of the crowds enjoying themselves, and eating and drinking. Shots of girls follow playing in a netball competition between Murton School in yellow and Moorhouse School in white. More general views of the crowd follow, then a conductor puts the Backworth Colliery band through its paces. Backworth infants school then puts on a display of gymnastics followed by more general views of the crowds. Children from Holystone school put on a display of dancing. This is followed by a football match between Holystone and Shiremoor First School. Shiremoor win the match. Competitors proudly show of their awards and medals for the camera. Next a gymnastics display by Shiremoor First school. A group of children take part in a short sprint, not an official event, it seems to be just for fun. The Anglo American Ambassadors band go through their routine, followed by children in fancy dress. More shots follow of this colourful parade. General shots follow of the children in their fancy dress, from someone dressed a domino or Santa Claus or as a pirate or Batman, but everyone in the end wins a prize. More general views follow of the children. Shots follow of one the fairground rides as passengers are swept up into the air. General views follow of other fairground rides, sideshows and stalls. Children bounce around on a ‘Kiddie Castle’. Adults try their hand at the ‘Big Prize Bingo’. Footage follows of the under 11’s football final, between Shiremoor Middle School and Murton. Shiremoor win the game. The victorious team pose for photographs. The captain of the team accepts a trophy from Mr John Ryman the local MP for Blyth Valley and holds it up for the team. The Shiremoor team are also handed medals from Mr Ryman. The runners-up also receive their medals. More photo calls for the winning team, who are then joined by their opponents for a group photograph. In a marquee the volunteers dishing out snacks and cups of tea and coffee are keeping very busy. Trays overflow with cakes and sandwiches, but everyone has a smile on their face. General views of people sitting at table eating and drinking and smiling for the camera. The Anglo American Ambassadors band are on the move again, as they put on a display for the crowds. They leave the field as the film draws to a close. Title:  End 1980