News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 5th Year

Issue

Issue No.

10

Date Released

Jun 1952

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. OLYMPIC POSSIBLE
• 2. TOM HILL
• 3. PERSONAL 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