An amateur film produced by Bryan McIvor of the 1966 Billingham International Folklore Festival. The film begins with a parade of costumed musicians and dancers along Marsh House Avenue in Billingham followed by them arriving at Billingham Town Centre. Following a brief opening ceremony, a number of groups perform for the massive watching crowds who almost fill the shopping precinct. Title: Billingham International Folklore Festival 1966 Title: Filmed on Saturday August 20th 1966 at the...

An amateur film produced by Bryan McIvor of the 1966 Billingham International Folklore Festival. The film begins with a parade of costumed musicians and dancers along Marsh House Avenue in Billingham followed by them arriving at Billingham Town Centre. Following a brief opening ceremony, a number of groups perform for the massive watching crowds who almost fill the shopping precinct. Title: Billingham International Folklore Festival 1966 Title: Filmed on Saturday August 20th 1966 at the Parade from the Telstar Hotel and opening ceremony outside council office Title: Officials of the festival. Chairman of the Council Coun. J.H. Tatchell. Clerk of the Council Fred M. Dawson. Master of Ceremonies Coun. H.L. Davie. Festival Director Philip T. Conroy Title: Countries from which groups came to take part Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, Spain, Wales Credit: Film presentation by B. McIvor 3 Rugby Terrace, High Clarence nr Middlesbrough, Yorkshire Two policemen on horseback lead the procession of international performers along Marsh House Avenue in Billingham. Crowds line the route as a marching brass band are followed by the Austrians walking beside their nations flag, a double-decker bus follows behind. Costumed musicians and dancers from the Canary Islands follow next dancing and performing for the crowds as they pass the Lion public house. Participants from Czechoslovakia come next followed by France, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, Spain, Wales and finally England. Large crowds gather around a stage built in the shopping precinct of Billingham town centre. The performers parade around the precinct congregating beside council offices. A number of trumpeters blow their instruments as a man in mayoral chains walks through the crowds for the opening ceremony. Around a small grass area, a choir perform watched by crowds surrounding them. The performance ends and their conductor steps forward and bows. A group of Scottish dancers come forward marching in front of their nations flag and perform a dance routine. Their routines end and they leave the area, then a lone female Scottish dancer performs for the crowd accompanied by a man playing the bagpipes . The French contingent walk on behind their nations flag and perform a traditional dance routine. The all-male Czechoslovakian performers, wearing green silk shirts and bearskin hats perform their routine which include traditional squat dancing. A number of dancers carrying sticks jump in the air, while a group of musicians perform from the corner of the stage area. Their routine ends, they bow before leaving the stage waving at the crowds. Male and female English country dancers perform for the crowds, two accordion players provide music. A montage of brief dance routines from two countries changes to another longer routine performed by the Spanish contingent all watched by large crowds surrounding the stage area. The film ends with their routine over, leaving the stage to the applause of the crowd. End title: Billingham Urban District Council wishes to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this festival an outstanding success End title: Billingham International Folklore Festival 1966. The end