Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields (1901)

Edwardian crowds enjoy a fancy-dress swimming race.

These suited, top-hatted gentlemen make for an odd spectacle as they bob up and down with opened umbrellas in the waters of the Tyne at North Shields. The film shows the Tynemouth Amateur Swimming Club Annual Gala, with its '60 yards Comic Obstacle Race', held on 2nd September 1901. It's a delightful record of the humour and community spirit of Edwardians at play.

Contemporary local newspaper reports show that this bit of fun was shot by the exhibitor and regular Mitchell and Kenyon collaborator Mr Tweedale, and was shown as part of a two-hour programme at the Tynemouth Palace with other more serious films, including the women workers of the North Sea Fisheries, also part of the M&K collection.