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.
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Safer Motorcycling
Safety and saddle-sense for novice riders at a new national motor cycle training school in Newcastle.
From the collection of:
Overview
A class of Newcastle novice riders learn the why and how of safe motorcycling on a new Royal Automobile Club and Auto Cycle Union training scheme run by the Newcastle and District Motor Club. Motorcycle (and scooter) ownership was at its peak in the 1950s and 60s and Newcastle was a Mecca for bikers lured by the fragrant drip of Castrol engine oil at Westgate Road emporiums.
This film was one of many commissions for St Andrews Motors produced by George Cummin and talented fellow filmmakers at one of the oldest cine clubs in Britain, Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association. St Andrews Motors (SAM), Norton and Vincent dealers on Gallowgate, was one of a cluster of Newcastle motorcycle stores, many located on Westgate Road (“The Hill”) that created a bikers’ haven known around the world. Visitors included explorer Wilfrid Thesinger, poet Basil Bunting and writers Sid Chaplin and Barry MacSweeney.
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