The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
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Selby Gala '81
Outdated gender stereotypes aside, this detailed and well-made film captures the profound competitiveness of locals at the Selby Gala.
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Overview
The small town of Selby holds a gala day of epic proportions in this sophisticated visual representation of the event. The film begins in tame fashion with a procession of honoured guests followed by a parade of handmade floats. However, we soon progress to the main events of physical endurance that sees local men battle it out for prizes presented by Olympian David Sherwood.
David Sherwood was a prolific British athlete during the 1960s and 1970s. He won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in 1968, silver at the European Championships in 1969, and gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1970.
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