This is a film of the annual Pram Race and fancy dress competition in Castleford; a fun event in aid of Charity, held for several years in the early 1960s. It shows the race from beginning to end, and the humorous antics of the participants. Title - JESB Films Present Title - The Annual Pram Race 1962 The film opens at the Navigation Inn where there is a large crowd, some in fancy dress. A woman pushes a man along in a pram, who is dressed in women's clothing and sucking on a bottle...

This is a film of the annual Pram Race and fancy dress competition in Castleford; a fun event in aid of Charity, held for several years in the early 1960s. It shows the race from beginning to end, and the humorous antics of the participants. Title - JESB Films Present Title - The Annual Pram Race 1962 The film opens at the Navigation Inn where there is a large crowd, some in fancy dress. A woman pushes a man along in a pram, who is dressed in women's clothing and sucking on a bottle of beer. They are followed by a man in a clown outfit who is carrying a large inflatable Yogi Bear. Others follow in fancy dress, one dressed as Robinson Crusoe. The woman judges arrive, all smartly dressed. They sit behind a desk with a sign for the Pram Race. The May Queen and her escort arrive in a very smart car. The contestants for the fancy dress competition take it in turns to present themselves to the judges. A crowd of adults and children look on and clap each contestant. There is a children's fancy dress competition too, with one boy dressed as a golliwog. The May Queen and her entourage drive off and the contestants for the pram race wait for the race to start, where a line of cars has parked. One arrives with a small boy in a pram who is taken out as the contestants line up for the start of the race. Some women have donation tins, one in a fashionable black and white dress. The race starts at Kippax Memorial, where the May Queen has arrived, and makes its way back to Castleford through Allerton Bywater. The pram race gets underway with each contestant setting off separately at regular time intervals. Spectators have lined the road to watch them set off and along the route, as well as at the final destination. The walkers are accompanied by cyclists and motor bikers. As they enter Castleford they pass by the local shops, such as Smiths Chemists. The Salvation Army Band also marches past. One of the pram walkers, number 16, makes his way straight in to the New Inn pub, much to the amusement of the onlookers. After supping his beer, and several other contestants having passed him, he re-emerges from the pub and continues. Two men ride past on motorbike. People on a housing estate have come out of their houses to watch the pram race go by. They go past the Edward VII Working Men's Club, with a group of Teddy Boys watching, and where a crate of beer has been left on the side of the road for the walkers. As they pass each is handed a bottle, including the man who had stopped off at the pub. At the Angel Inn another group of spectators has gathered. Outside the pub an elderly gent drinks a yard of ale. Number 16 also turns up to have a drink and he packs his pram into the boot of a car, sits on the back bumper, and gets a lift to the finishing line while drinking a bottle of beer. A large crowd has gathered at the finishing line outside a pub. Here there is a table with various household items on it as prizes. Councillor Jack Smart gives out the prizes. The commentary states that Jack Smart went on to receive a CBE for services to the community. Three of the contestants are shown walking side-by-side down a country lane. Jack Smart continues giving out prizes which are held aloft for all to see, including a frying pan and a coffee table. The three stragglers are seen sitting on the side of the road and drinking beer. The May Queen and her entourage drive of on a horse and cart. The End