Scarboro' - Gay Battle of Flowers

Magnificent floral floats on the seafront at Scarborough - with some surprises in store

Splendidly decorated floral floats lead Scarborough's Rose Queen coronation procession in this jubilant 1920s newsreel item. This carnival has some surprises in store, though - along the route participants and onlookers pelt each other with handfuls of confetti-like blossoms. Who emerged the winner of this "gay battle" is unclear, but it certainly looks like fun was had on both sides, with a reported 10,000 spectators in attendance.

The young queen in her sparkling crown in this film is Miss Lillian Walker of Huddersfield, who was, according to a report in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer a few days later, "unanimously selected by the judges". Rose queen festivals, like walking days, were once common in the north of England and still take place in some areas. For another glimpse of an early rose festival, try In Happy Valley, also available on BFI Player.