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.
This film is part of Free
Tyneside Vagabonds 1959 Cyclo-Cross
Cyclo-cross riders join hard-school marathon man “Geronimo Jim” Alder on a brutal race around the Shaftoe Crags, Northumberland.
From the collection of:
Overview
High spirits at the Ox Inn in Mitford as crowds gather for the start of a slightly quirky winter sporting spectacle, hosted by the Tyneside Vagabonds in 1959. The event pitted cyclo-cross riders against runners, including top British marathon man and brick layer “Geronimo Jim” Alder on a brutal 10 mile race across burn, moorland hills and peat bogs around the Shaftoe Crags in Northumberland. Mechanical tragedies abound at the end of this tough endurance test.
First across the finish line were cyclist Wesley Clayton of the Tyne Road Club (winner of the 1958 cyclo-cross event) and, on foot, Jim Alder of the Morpeth Harriers, Commonwealth Games marathon champion in 1966 and a world record holder. Also pictured is Tyne Velo veteran cyclist Bill Baty, winner of the Beaumont Trophy in 1958. The event was filmed by amateur Tyneside filmmaker, and friend of Bill Baty, Milton Newton, who recorded many of the popular cycling events in the north east during the 1950s and 60s.
Related
Watch for free
Tyneside Vagabonds 1960 Cyclo Cross Tyneside Vagabonds 1960 Cyclo Cross
Amateur film 1960 23 mins Silent Location: Middleton
A Northumberland cyclo-cross ride on the wild side with the Tyneside Vagabonds.
Watch for free
Scrapbook 1948/49 Scrapbook 1948/49
Amateur film 1948 27 mins Silent Location: Gaywood
On a mission to live up to his name and brighten up the post war days, Reverend Dennis Bringlow commisioned filming of events in the parish to screen to his congregation.
Watch for free
Workers at Dickens & Heywood, Middleton (1900) Workers at Dickens & Heywood, Middleton (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Middleton
A rare snapshot of the daily routine of the workers of a Lancashire textile mill.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.