TAMWORTH GALA

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 7th Year

Issue

Issue No.

12

Date Released

Aug 1954

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1AT HOME
2. 2TAMWORTH GALA
3. 3CUT & CARRY
4. 4BALLETOMINES

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: Midland miners at Tamworth Gala. Includes the dedication ceremony by the Bishop of Lichfield; crowning of the coal queen Alice Bowen; speeches by Arthur Horner of the National Union of miners and Rt. Hon James Griffiths; and the baby show.
NCB Commentary - For the first time, the Miners of the Midlands came together for their own Gala in Tamworth. The weather may have been unkind, but miners and their families flocked in their thousands to the old castle town to take part in the celebrations organised by their own folk for their own folk.
The Bishop of Lichfield conducted the dedication service in the shadow of the castle walls.
The Coal Queen, Alice Bowen, sixteen-year-old daughter of Hamstead Ambulanceman John Bowen, was crowned in ceremony after her trumphal ride.
Now it’s the turn of Arthur Horner, N.U.M. General Secretary to tell the miners that twenty-million tons would have to be in stock by next winter if the country was to keep economically solvent. "But", said he, "There must be still further drastic improvements in the miners’ working and living conditions."
The Rt. Hon. James Griffiths, one time miner and now Privy Councillor spoke as well.
At the Baby show, seven-month-old Gillian Green took the top prize. There miners’ wives took pride of place, but the men were not forgotten. The supporting events gave them a chance to show what they were made of, but once again the women folk had their opportunity of a double act.
With evening drawing on, the fun fair became the centre of attraction for the damp but undaunted crowds who had watched the darts and bowling championships, the swimming contests, and listened to the male voice choirs. The rides and side shows made a fitting end to the Midland Miners’ own day of days.

Researcher Comments

According to bfi records, this story’s budget was £59 11s 9d. Commentary recorded 2 July 1954.

Keywords

Entertainment and leisure; Children; Celebrations and festivals; Mining

Locations

England; Staffordshire; Tamworth

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.9 No.104 June 1955, p302.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Camera

John Reid

Camera

Kenneth Reeves

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Director

Stanley Goulder