The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
British Cycling Federation National Road Race Championship
Blazing saddles on the 140-mile Blaydon route of the 1960 British National Road Race with one of the greatest amateur road cyclists of all time.
From the collection of:
Overview
During a great era of British cycling champions, Bill Bradley of Southport RCC blazes to a win on the 140 mile route of the amateur British National Road Race in July 1960. He joins local Tyne Velo cyclist Bill Baty (winner in 1959) at Blaydon on Tyneside for the start of the race. Newcastle United footballer Frank Brennan, on the FA Cup winning team in the 1950s, presents the champion’s trophy. And there’s an odd array of cycling props for all the unlucky competitors.
This record of the race was shot by an amateur filmmaker and cycling fan, Milton Newton, who was also a friend of Bill Baty, a top rider who won the Beaumont Trophy in 1958, the amateur British National Road Race in 1959, and was in the British team for the 1955 Peace Race behind the Iron Curtain. Baty and his younger brother Norman made 4th and 5th place in the 1960 event.
Related
Cycling Stunt Man Cycling Stunt Man
Non-Fiction 1974 3 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901) Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 15 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Exciting scenes of amateur cycling's 'Race of Champions' at Manchester's Fallowfield track.
Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving
Sport 1906 2 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Innovative early 'trick' film showing the popular 'flying the foam' stunt performed on - or rather off - Brighton's West Pier.
Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's famous velodrome at the height of a cycling boom.
Riding High Riding High
Comedy 1939 mins
The sedate peace of Victorian England is disrupted by bumbling comedian Claude Dampier and that miracle of modern transport - the penny farthing...
Woman Wheelers Woman Wheelers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
Dunston C.C. Road Race Dunston C.C. Road Race
Amateur film 1960 9 mins Silent Location: Dunston
Celebrating cycling culture in the north east on a 70 mile road race from Blaydon.
Blaydon Races Centenary Celebrations Blaydon Races Centenary Celebrations
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyneside celebrates the Blaydon Races Centenary in raucous style.
Centenary of Blaydon Races 1862-1962 Centenary of Blaydon Races 1862-1962
Amateur film 1962 47 mins Location: Blaydon
Theres a glorious carnival atmosphere on Tyneside as Geordies celebrate the most raucous working class knees-up ever The Blaydon Races.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.