An amateur film made by Milton Newton of the 50 mile Newcastle Rag Week Road Race. The film begins with riders following a procession of costumed students some playing in a marching band through the streets of Fenham in Newcastle upon Tyne. Following the start of the race the film shows a number of views from around the course of the riders as well as an entourage of other vehicles passing spectators heading towards Westerhope, Newburn and Denton Burn. The film ends with three riders crossing...

An amateur film made by Milton Newton of the 50 mile Newcastle Rag Week Road Race. The film begins with riders following a procession of costumed students some playing in a marching band through the streets of Fenham in Newcastle upon Tyne. Following the start of the race the film shows a number of views from around the course of the riders as well as an entourage of other vehicles passing spectators heading towards Westerhope, Newburn and Denton Burn. The film ends with three riders crossing the finish near to Newcastle University with the winner, Bill Batty of Tyne Velo Road Cycling Club, being presented with a trophy by a young woman, The film begin on a suburban street of semi-detached houses in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne with views of a student marching band waiting for events to begin. A man in a red military style uniform directs a group of cheerleaders in red tops and and white short skirts to stand in front on the musicians. General views of the cyclists standing behind the marching band. The film cuts to show the cheerleaders and marching band marching in formation along the road. Some of the male musicians are wearing women’s clothes. The film cuts to show a number of close ups of some of the riders. There is a view of two additional riders who are wearing jerseys with red crosses on the back. The film cuts to show a majorette standing apart from the rest of the cheerleaders leading them along the suburban street. Behind them follow the marching band and behind them the cyclists. As the procession turns right at a junction the man wearing the military style uniform waves a baton in the air at the head of the procession. The film changes to another suburban road where spectators watch as a Union Jack flag is dropped and the race gets underway. Along a country road the cyclist turns left off a main road followed by an entourage of motorbikes, cars and van. A sign attached to the roof of one of the cars reads ‘Rag Road Race’. Behind them comes an R.H. Patterson flatbed lorry on which sits a Ford Consul car. At an incline spectators watch as the riders make their way more slowly up the hill. At another section near to a housing estate more spectators watch the riders pass at speed. As they approach a road junction a man holds up two red flags pointing the riders in the direction of travel. The film cuts back to the road near to the housing estate showing more riders travelling past. On the other side of the road to the cyclists a yellow double decker bus waits for the riders to pass.  One cyclist walks into the crowd pushing his bike Coming around a curve a car drives past with a speaker on its roof and a sign inside the passenger side window which reads ‘Official Car’. Behind them come a motorbike followed by the riders who pass individually or in small packs along with an entourage of motor vehicles. At a junction two riders turn left followed by other vehicles including the flatbed lorry seen previously. A billboard along the side of the lorry reads ‘R.H. Patterson. Win a 1958 Ford Consul’. The film changes back to a suburban street where the man in the military style uniform seen earlier, is marching on the spot alongside the cheerleaders. He waves his baton in the air. At the finish spectator’s watch as a homemade checkered flag is waved as the first three riders cross the finish. General views of the riders after the race A man with a beard and wearing a blazer shakes hands with the race winner Bill Batty. Standing behind him is another rider who also shakes the hand of the man in the blazer. Beside a John Scott & Sons lorry a young woman presents a small trophy to the winner and runner up. The film ends with a view of the woman standing beside the lorry.