CRUNCH: Northumbria

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 11th Year

Issue

Issue No.

3

Date Released

Nov 1957

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1TIN MINE
2. 2CRUNCH: Northumbria
3. 3ROOF BOLTING
4. 4MARKS MANAGER

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: miner Joe Steel, world champion crisp eater.
NCB Commentary - At Choppington Colliery, Joe Steel comes off shift.
In nearby Bedlington his "Local" is the Howard Arms. With Mrs. Steel, Joe is a well-known regular, particularly well-known to landlord Crinian.
Joe has a parlour trick which brings customers from far and wide.
12.30 and the bell strikes for the "off" - for Joe Steel is Britain’s champion potato crisp-eater. His undisputed record, set up last Easter Monday, is 35 packets in 45 minutes.
In this test run for Mining Review, Joe was just ticking over, but even in low gear, Joe Steel in action is a sight to astound any casual visitors who don’t know what’s going on.
The only help he has is from his second who opens the packets for him.
Mrs. Steel says Joe won’t touch potatoes at home but in public crisp eating isn’t his only relaxation.
While a collection is taken for the local hospital, you may be surprised to learn that he’s also demolished 8 1/2 feet of raw sausage in 25 minutes, 6 1/2 lbs. of steak and kidney pudding in 29 and, just as an hors d’oeuvres, he knocked back 2lbs. of cucumber, 3 large onions and 3 black puddings inside 10 minutes.
Time’s getting on and 50 minutes is rung on the bell. This time Joe’s score was 35 packets of crisps.
He doesn’t allow himself liquid refreshment while he’s eating, but he usually ends the session by having a shot at a yard of ale provided by the genial landlord.
Joe Steel does a man’s job underground. He believes in spending his leisure in a man-sized way as well.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 10th October 1957.

Keywords

Food and cooking; Competitions; Mining

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
Film User   Vol.12 No.138 April 1958, p168.
The National Archives COAL 32   /12 Scripts for Mining Review, 1956-1960

Credits:

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Sponsor

National Coal Board