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Ripon, Yorkshire: Wartime Sports Day

Where troops and civilians took part in a sports day, which was screened in cinema

This unique film was made for the Ripon Palladium Cinema where it was shown in May 1916. It captures a sports day for the people of Ripon and the regiments based at the Army Camp at Ripon during World War One.

Crowds of local men, women and children, as well as the troops from various Scottish Regiments including Cameron Highlanders, pose for the camera at the event at Ripon Racecourse.

They watch a series of events including various races, a cross-country run, men jumping fences, and bayonet charging competitions

A bagpiper performs. He is followed by a Highland sword dancer. A man, dressed as Charlie Chaplin, sprints across the racecourse as a group of horses charge by. The film closes with ladies giving a show of ankles and stockings.

The film was shown again in the nightclub to active soldiers from 15 Field Squadron (Search) 36 Engineer Regiment.

Location: Matrix Nightclub, Kirkgate, Ripon (formerly the Palladium Cinema), North Yorkshire HG4 1PB
Image of a still from the film showing soldiers, courtesy of Yorkshire Film Archive
Presented by Jonty Carr from the Yorkshire Film Archive

Release date:

Duration:

2 minutes

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