🎬British Pathé – Ordinary mortals get the chance to be cowboys and cowgirls in Hampshire. Story about the Flying G Ranch where friends and holidaymakers can enjoy "life on the range" and pretend to be cowboys. The ranch is owned by the transatlantic airline pilot Captain Leslie Gosling. C/U of a gun being loaded with bullets, cut to show man in cowboy hat and glasses (looks a bit incongruous) who is holding the gun. Horses are saddled up for a ride. Various footage of the holidaymakers riding their steeds around the ranch and out in open fields. They run into the local hunt which again looks strange - worlds colliding. Nice majestic western music accompanies shots of the riders. C/U of hamburgers being barbecued as the ramblers return for an outdoor feast. Good shots of the food being distributed and the riders enjoying their meals. A young cowboy and cowgirl polish their saddles. "We've never seen a sharpshooter in horn rimmed glasses before" quips the narrator as our friend from earlier shoots a few rounds and knocks down a few cans. The cowboys and cowgirls sit around on blankets listening to one of their group playing the guitar. I want to go. Cuts exist - see separate record

🎬A ministry film documenting 'Special Weapons' tests on the wall targets at Ashley Walk Bombing Range.

Over 3,000 acres of Ashley Walk were fenced off during the Second World War. Within this area many types of air delivered bombs were tested. Special concrete structures were built to assess the various bomb's effectiveness. There is still visible evidence of these structures and the scars remain from the largest weapons.

"Highball" was considered one of the smaller 'special weapons'. These tests were using actual size casings but without the high explosive. The footage here is thought to be from late 1942 and early 1943.

🎬British Pathé – The coffin of Commodore Sir Edgar Britten is carried aboard the tug "Calshot" to be taken and buried at sea. The Needles, Isle of Wight. Item title reads - His last voyage. Commodore Sir Edgar Britten (Captain of the "Queen Mary") buried at sea. The Needles, Isle of Wight. L/S as the camera pans across the tug "Calshot". M/S as Commodore Sir Edgar Britten's coffin is carried aboard the tug, ensigns are flown at half mast as it is lifted up in a harness then lowered onto a platform. M/S of officers watching. M/S of the coffin. M/S as crew and family come onboard, M/S as they stand on deck with the coffin. M/S's as the tug sails away into the mist

🎬British Pathé – Guest from the world of motoring attend opening of Montagu Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Titles read: "HISTORIC CARS IN NEW MUSEUM". Hampshire. L/S of Beaulieu Abbey with flowers in foreground. Various shots of guests arriving at Palace House, Beaulieu for the opening of the new Montagu Motor Museum. Lord Montagu and his fiancee Belinda Crossley greet people, including the mother of the late Mike Hawthorn, Stirling Moss and his wife Katie. Several shots of veteran cars in the exhibition hall. M/S of Sir Henry Segrave's Sunbeam car. We see the 1906 Renault that Montagu will drive to his wedding. Lord Brabazon of Tara unveils a commemorative plaque on the wall while Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks and Raymond Mays applaud. Outside Beaulieu Abbey the guests watch a drive past of several veteran cars, including an Hispano-Suiza and a Leon Bollee from 1895

🎬Gaumont British Instructional Film includes wonderful sequences of a Pony Drift 70 years ago. Plus great shots of city life that still embraced horses.

New Forest ponies shown living on the open forest. A young horse named 'Tuppence' dreams of what it's like to be grown up. He imagines all types of roles for a grown up horse.

Working Horses in London merge seamlessly with modern motor cars and lorries, as they pull all types of carriages and carts. Long distance stagecoach work along Britain's arterial road network. Royal duties, conveying kings and queens. Working on the farm, a ploughing team.

Back on the New Forest. A question and answer section to see how observant the viewer has been.

A pony roundup or Drift. A sequence that includes an enthusiastic Border Collie running with it's master. The Narrator describes 'How to catch a pony': "Ride up behind it, grab hold of its tail and give several quick circular turns. With its balance upset, it is thrown to the ground. Dismount from your horse and sit on the ponies head. You can now put a halter on the pony".... SIMPLE.

Some excellent dynamic shots of riders and ponies as they reach and gather in the pound. Commoners using poles and rope loops to select ponies for a health check.

Stabling and horse riding. The final scene is of a family out and about, riding in one of London's great parks.

Gaumont British Instructional Ltd. Production
Released by General Film Distributors
J, Arthur Rank Presentation
Released in 1950

Formed in 1933, Gaumont British Instructional made nearly 400 films for schools and Cinema Clubs to educate and entertain children. Founder, Harry Bruce Woolfe had a passion for 'Visual Education' and with the help of other recruits from the ranks of British Gaumont staff, they worked closely with education establishments to produce a raft of films over the coming years. By 1954, Gaumont British Instructional had been absorbed into the Rank Organization's main body of production.

🎬British Pathé – A look at people enjoying their holidays in Brighton and Bournemouth. Item title reads - Holiday everywhere. Brighton, Sussex and Bournemouth, Dorset. M/S's Brighton beaches and promenade. M/S beatniks walking along promenade. M/S people sat on Brighton pier. C/U woman snoozing. Pan across small girl running along holding ice lolly. M/S Brighton promenade. M/S group of young people sat on beach. M/S couple seated in deckchairs. M/S children digging in the sand. Aerial shot of people gathered round the Golden Mile. M/S sign reading 'The Silver Mile'. M/S mayors of Brighton and Hove bending to put coins down. M/S crowds watching. M/S John Turner, Ronnie Carroll and Millicent Martin bending down to put coins on the silver mile in aid of underprivileged children. L/S Tommy Cooper standing with officials. C/U Tommy. M/S crowds of people. M/S Ronnie Carroll signing autographs. M/S Ian Carmichael doing same. M/S Tommy Cooper and two ladies putting coins on the Silver Mile. L/S Barry Langford being chased towards camera by policeman and policewoman, he is holding various pieces of silverware. C/U Tommy Cooper looking on. M/S Barry putting silverware on the mile. M/S Bournemouth beach. M/S two boys playing with ball. M/S man and woman eating. M/S group seated on beach. C/U young woman sleeping. People walk in beach garb holding umbrella to protect themselves from rain. C/U rain splashing in puddle. M/S man walking along with rubber raft over his head. M/S people walking back from beach with towels over their heads. M/S of the Foster family walking from their house pushing their bicycles. M/S Mr and Mrs James Foster getting onto their four seater tandem with their son Dennis and daughter Christine. M/S as their other daughter Janet and son David get on their tandem. 4 year old twins Lynn and Shirley go in sidecar. C/U as the family pull away past camera, pan with the last of them, Susan is on her own bike. M/S family going down the road. Various shots as they cycle along. C/U man looking surprised. M/S the first four Fosters on their bike. C/U Lynn and Julie in the trailer. L/S of the family.