Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)

Messing about in boats on the River Dee - fine frocks and frolics at Chester Regatta.

1901's Chester regatta (established 1733) was reported in the local press as "a brilliant success indeed", although there was also an odd, apparently disapproving reference to the "decadence of first-class oarsmanship." Regardless, on this evidence, most of the onlookers had a grand day out, and there was also the opportunity for some romantic boat trips to secluded spots away from the bustle.

The filmmakers made some confusing editing and camera positioning decisions by today's standards, with the direction of travel along the river apparently changing between different shots. There is some uncertainty over which order each of the four short rolls were intended to be seen - they may even have been intended to be screened as four separate films.