NOTTINGHAM ROYAL

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 9th Year

Issue

Issue No.

2

Date Released

Oct 1955

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1NOTTINGHAM ROYAL
2. 2SHAKE-dOWN
3. 3INVITATION DANCE

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: Pit ponies and mining machinery at the Royal Show at Nottingham
NCB Commentary - At collieries around Nottingham, pit ponies come up for a breath of fresh air and for the final grooming to prepare them for their part in this year’s Royal Show.
Ireland, Williamthorpe and Plesseley were among the collieries that contributed their prize animals. An appropriate gesture since this year’s Royal was held at Nottingham, centre of the East Midlands coalfield.
With the Duke of Gloucester inspecting the ponies was Bill Griffiths, Area Chief Horsekeeper in the West Midlands. Thirty-five years at his job, he has to-day 290 ponies in his charge.
The Coal Board stand at the show made a feature of exhibiting up-to-date mining machinery and of showing some of the sciences that’s in the backroom of modern mining. The Coal Utilisation Council exhibited modern domestic heating appliances.
It’s a show which attracts spectators from all over. Interested in farm implements was a Russian delegation.
Demonstrating his skill was Blacksmith Sam Lodge from New Monkton Colliery. Four times shoeing champion of Yorkshire in the last five years, he has a collection of firsts to testify to his prowess.
The Coal Board Clydesdales get a final grooming before entering the show ring. First prize in the three-year-old class went to Monty.
For the Queen, making her customary visit to England’s major agricultural event, the mining and farming folk of the East Midlands proved worthy hosts.

Researcher Comments

Originally called ‘Royal Show story’. Commentary recorded on 13 August 1955.

Keywords

Horses; Mining; Engineering; Exhibitions and shows

Locations

England; Nottingham

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board