December 2004

Paul Wooding
Movies & Mince Pies
Report - J.G.Virco

Paul Wooding’s “Movies & Mince Pies” — the latter supplied by Barry Boyd — was equally entertaining. Motor Cycle Trials In the 1950’s, Keighley Camera Club’s footage of their town centre with Bristol Lodekas in Cavendish Street and Hanson’s (of Huddorsfleld) 08’s on works trip duties. A promotional film for Firestone Tyres, featuring Stanley Unwin and Raymond Baxter — with a Ford Cortina — was a favourite enjoyed again. Other promotional films were screened before the break and those present washed down the mince pies with tea or coffee.

After the break, a Laurel & Hardy silent film rounded off the evening’s entertainment. The boys featured in “Wrong Again” — as stable lads at the Ripping Rock Riding Academy. The usual chaos ensued as the plot revealed a mix-up with Gainsboroughs Blue Boy painting and an actual horse of the same name. The duo was detailed to deliver Blue Boy (the painting) to a private address but, of course, they took along the horse. Rather cleverly, with a lot of effort they managed to get the horse on to the grand piano and needless to say, when the mistake should have been rectified, the Blue Boy painting ended its days over Ollie’s head.

My thanks to our guest speakers for providing a full 2005 programme and for the entertaining (and enlightening) meetings- the 2006 programme is nearing completion also. David Oyston deserves our thanks for his donations to funds and Fred Karno, aka Robert Womersley, also for his tireless efforts with the raffle. And we must not forget those that toil behind the scenes like Frank Long and Tom Storah, with Barry Boyd oiling the wheels. But our main thank you goes to yourselves — have a happy and prosperous New Year!