Scenes at the Exchange Walk to Hexham & Haltwhistle

Intriguing early film of competitive speed walkers in Northumbria

This intriguing early film follows competitors in the 'Exchange Walk' - a speed walking competition from Newcastle to Hexham and Haltwhistle, between members of firms associated with the Newcastle Exchange.

The walk to Hexham was just over 23 miles while the Haltwhistle route was 40.5 miles - no mean feat! Filming the event also presented its challenges: the Newcastle Daily Journal reported that a "cinematograph operator" - that's a cameraman to you or me - was injured when his motor car swerved to avoid some cyclists along the route.