British Universities Film & Video Council

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OLYMPIC POSSIBLE

Series

Series Name
Mining Review 5th Year

Issue

Issue No.
10
Date Released
Jun 1952
Stories in this Issue:
  1. 1OLYMPIC POSSIBLE
  2. 2TOM HILL
  3. 3PERSONAL CALL: 4. WE VISIT COPPICe

Story

Story No. within this Issue
1 / 3
Summary
BFI synopsis: miner Billy Churm, amateur canoeist from Wellbeck Colliery, Nottinghamshire.
NCB Commentary - Welbeck Colliery, in Nottinghamshire, takes pride in the achievements of one of its budding deputies, Billy Churm, seen here with his brother Albert.
Billy is a possible Olympic star in this year’s series: his line of country, canoeing.
He trains on the river Trent with fellow members of the Midland Canoeing Club. The boathouse used to be a riverside cafe, and the club members have been doing it up in their spare time.
The racing canoes, plywood and only weighing 26 pounds, take very careful handling. A false move while you’re getting in and you’ll find yourself in the drink. Now everyone’s afloat, Billy can get down to some serious speed work with friends Tom and Sue. They’re off to a racing start. And here’s how it should be done; watch the twist of the wrist as the paddle goes into the water, the drive forward of these super-lightweight craft. This is the kind of stuff that won Billy the Bexter Cup at Copenhagen in 1950, and may well bring him fresh laurels in this year’s Olympics.
Good luck, Billy Churm - keep at it!
Researcher Comments
BFI sources suggest that this story was researched by Chambers and then filmed on the 30th April 1950. The budget was £176 4s 4d. Commentary recorded 6 May 1952.
Keywords
Sport; Education and training; Ships and boats; Mining
Written sources
British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.6 No.74 December 1952, p651.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956
Credits:
Production Co.
Documentary Technicians Alliance
Director
J. D. Chambers
Camera
John Gunn
Commentator
John Slater
Sponsor
National Coal Board
Support services
Patricia Lees
Camera
Ronald Bicker
Director
Tony Thompson

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