Westcliff Regatta

The Diamond family enjoys a day out watching the rowing regatta at Westcliff-on-Sea during the summer of 1963

Ted Diamond's film starts on the beach at Westcliff-on-Sea with rowers climbing into their boats and making their way out onto the water. Then the race begins. We see various races take place as well as swimming races closer to the beach. Crowds line the beach to watch the action. As the racing continues we see girls in swimwear line-up for a beauty contest. More racing action and a rainbow ends the film.

Edward 'Ted' Diamond was born in 1908. His grandfather, Thomas Hicks, was a professional photographer and Ted acquired a love of photography. He married Grace, who appears in this film along with their daughter, Gillian. Ted processed all his own photographs in the family kitchen, using a homemade enlarger that had lenses taken from an RAF bomb-sight. Ted eventually purchased an 8mm cine-camera and, during family holidays, filmed extensively around Herne Bay and Canterbury. His films include family celebrations, many seaside scenes and cricket.