I had a few Norfolk Broads cine films transferred to disc a while back and amongst them were two short home movies given to me by Barry Battersby which were shot by his parents, Geoff and Barbara (Babs), either side of the Second World War. Barry has kindly given me permission to upload both films to the Broadland Memories YouTube channel and the first was added today.
Golden Eagle - Blake's 1939 Yachting List.
This rare, colour footage of the Broads was shot on 16mm cine film in 1939 when Geoff and Babs took a holiday on Leo Robinson’s Golden Eagle along with Barbara’s parents, Kitty and Rolly Dottridge and Geoff’s sister Eileen and her husband Gerald Sketch. Sadly, the film suffered from some water damage over the years but the quality does improve as the film progresses and the colour has actually survived remarkably well. The six berth Golden Eagle was 39 feet in length and was powered by a Thornycroft engine. As can be seen by the Blake’s 1939 entry for the class on the right, the cruiser cost £19 for a week’s hire during the peak period and there is some nice footage of the boat itself in the film. Also seen are Johnson’s stores and the Bell Inn at St. Olaves, the River Bure at Horning including a stop at what I think must be H.T. Percival’s boatyard, Salhouse Broad and the riverfront at Stokesby. I hope to upload the second film later this week!
