Carleton Gala

An endearing film of a typical gala in the in the small North Yorkshire village of Carleton-in-Craven, with the usual entertainments of brass bands, Morris Dancers, decorated floats and a tug of war, made by the local vicar, Rev C B Underwood. There is also the not uncommon sight on these occasions of grown men dressed as babies being pushed in prams and of children, thanks to their parents, reinforcing ethnic stereotypes in the fancy dress competition.

This is one of 14 films made by the Rev C B Underwood, the vicar at St Mary’s Church, between 1969 and 1975, of galas, church, school and other local events. Brian Underwood was the rector in Carleton from 1963 until 1969. Brian was inspired by his father who passed on his cine camera. It became a lifelong hobby that has remained with Brian, continuing when vicar at Twyning in Gloucestershire between 1976 and 1988, through into his retirement. The women’s football match has added interest as 1969 was the year of the formation of the Women’s Football Association. It was also a time of a re-revival of Morris Dancing on the back of the 1960s folk revival. The village still has an annual gala.