This is the fourth of a series of films made by Derrick Walton of his daughter, Gillian, from birth through childhood.  This film covers from Gillian’s 8th birthday and includes Skipton Gala, Blackpool Illuminations, and sledging in the snow. The film begins with Gillian jumping up and down in the shallow waters of a stream in her plastic sandals.  Mrs Walton stands chatting to a man who is painting a country road, running by a stream, where the family car is parked.  The family continue...

This is the fourth of a series of films made by Derrick Walton of his daughter, Gillian, from birth through childhood.  This film covers from Gillian’s 8th birthday and includes Skipton Gala, Blackpool Illuminations, and sledging in the snow. The film begins with Gillian jumping up and down in the shallow waters of a stream in her plastic sandals.  Mrs Walton stands chatting to a man who is painting a country road, running by a stream, where the family car is parked.  The family continue their journey out by car, arriving at a rocky beach, where Gillian, Adrian and mother play catch ball.  They take a walk around the small harbour and stop to chat with some local fishermen, who are unloading their catch from a small fishing boat (BH.44, out of Blyth, Northumberland).  A man is addressing a group of people who have gathered around. The film switches to show the cards for Gillian’s 8th birthday.  Gillian is sitting on the backdoor of her home, and she is wearing new skates.  She then has a go on them on the lawn.  After a few tentative steps she falls flat onto her behind.  Then Gillian is indoors with Adrian and a group of Gillian’s friends at her birthday party.  The girls sit around in front of the piano having cakes, being a served by a woman.  Next they are all out in the garden on a sunny day, some in their swimming costumes, with Adrian spraying them all with a hose next to an inflatable pool.  Then Adrian dons his swimming costume and another boy takes over the spraying. The film switches again to a family picnic in the countryside, alongside a row of other picnickers.  They have a game of rounders using a large ball.  Then we see the float for Gargrave Road Methodist J.M.A Queen, 1968.  The Queen is lifted onto a stage built on the back of a lorry, where she sits on the throne, along with other children dressed for the occasion.  They join the Skipton Gala, filmed from opposite Trinity Methodist Church on Sackville Street. They are followed by several groups of majorettes. Then Gillian is on a long swing with a friend, with the hills on the outskirts of Skipton in the background. Next the two girls are out on the moors with Gillian’s mother. The film switches again to a tram ride at Blackpool, filmed from the front of the tram.  Then in the evening, the famous Blackpool Illuminations can be seen including vehicles lit by lots of electric lights. Gillian and Adrian are pulling sledges in the snow, and sliding down the hill near their home, with some other teenagers, two of whom have a spectacular crash.  The film moves on to summer, and a boating lake, with Adrian and Gillian each with an oar on a rowing boat.