London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
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Soap box derby, Ilford 1952
Great shots of a soap box derby, featuring home-made pedal cars racing round a track in London.
From the collection of:
Overview
From the Ronald Bond collection of home movies, this is the only film with both title (Soap Box Derby) and date (1952). It features Brumas III, a home-made “soap box” pedal car, which is pitted against several others in a big race. The manufacturers of Brumas III appear to be Cubs and Scouts, who pose with the vehicle after the event. The race is watched by a decent-sized crowd, with speeches and handshakes for the victors.
The Ilford Scout Troop takes part in a soapbox derby which they win. Their car is named after Brumas the Polar Bear who lived in London Zoo. Brumas was born 27 November 1949. She was named after her keepers Bruce and Sam and as the first baby polar bear to be successfully reared in Britain, was an immediate attraction with the public
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