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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Sam Presents the Travers
Firing on all cylinders at the Travers Trophy cross country motorcycle trials setting off from St John’s Chapel in Weardale.
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Overview
There’s plenty of action for the spectators as hardy motorcycle riders gear up for the rough-and-tumble of the 172 mile Travers Trophy cross country trial from St John’s Chapel in Weardale, run by the Newcastle and District Motor Cycle Club. One of the earliest “scramble” competitions, the Travers started up in the 1920s, with endurance trials and hill climbs pictured here in old lead mine country, the riders on now classic British BSA, Norton and Triumph machines.
This film was commissioned by St Andrews Motors (SAM) and made by talented filmmakers at one of the oldest cine clubs in Britain, Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers’ Association, with a chipper commentary by George Cummin. SAM was a dealership for Norton and Vincent motorbikes on Gallowgate in Newcastle from the 1930s to 60s. The Travers was filmed by three amateur cameramen, much of the footage captured on cheap ex-government film stock used in aircraft gun cameras during World War Two. The film was specially commended by Amateur Cine World and won a prize at the 1953 Scottish Amateur Film Festival.
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