News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 11th Year

Issue

Issue No.

5

Date Released

Jan 1958

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. SPEECH DAY
• 2. COLLIERS COLLIEs
• 3. COAL FOR CARS

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 3

Summary

BFI synopsis: a Northumbrian miner’s hobby - the breeding of collies
NCB Commentary - Joe Fail is shop foreman at Seaton Delavel pit. In mining all his life, he came to this pit 15 years ago.
When Joe takes down his cap to go home, he’s literally going to the dogs!
He has acquired a county-side reputation in his hobby. At Nelson Village, Cramlington, Tyne, Heather and Sheila are always on hand to welcome him at the gate.
The Fails took up collie breeding 10 years ago.
Tyne - his full name is Failsmuir Golden Rustler - is the top prize winner in the present trio. He has been shown at Crufts, at Edinburgh, and all over Northumberland and Durham.
Heather and Sheila look jealous of the attention he’s getting but their turn will come.
While Joe carries on with the grooming, Mrs. Fail has to see to the inner dog.
Three beauties like that make quite a family but there’s 14 1/2 year old Brian as well in the Fail household.
In the desk, itself a prize for leek growing, are 175 prize cards Tyne has collected from various shows. The Cups are his too.
Satruday afternoon, and the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club are holding their show in Newcastle.
From all over the two counties, exhibitors congregate, many of them mine-workers like Joe. T. D. Purvis, a Deputy at South Heddon, claims to have had more prize-winning dogs than any miner.
Win or lise, though, it’s always good to meet other breeders, to exchange notes and be in the company of people who love their hobby as much as you do yourself.

Researcher Comments

Commentary recorded 9th December 1957.

Keywords

Entertainment and leisure; Dogs; 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