This amateur film records a Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) charity event taking place over a wet Whitsun weekend in May 1957, which includes a carnival parade from Monkseaton to Whitley Bay sea front, and a scooter rally (Vespa and Lambretta clubs from around Britain) on The Links to raise money for the Royal Air Force Association. The film was produced for a well-known Newcastle motorbike emporium, St Andrews Motors, whose trade float in the parade targets the new market for scooters....

This amateur film records a Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) charity event taking place over a wet Whitsun weekend in May 1957, which includes a carnival parade from Monkseaton to Whitley Bay sea front, and a scooter rally (Vespa and Lambretta clubs from around Britain) on The Links to raise money for the Royal Air Force Association. The film was produced for a well-known Newcastle motorbike emporium, St Andrews Motors, whose trade float in the parade targets the new market for scooters. This film was produced by George Cummin with a film unit from Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers' Association (ACA). Title: SAM Presents “Scooter Weekend” Credits: Produced for St Andrews Motors Ltd. By George Cummin Photography Reg. Hall Frank Beaton Geo. Cummin Two models in summer dresses are standing by a float with a scooter display carrying advertising slogans for "St Andrews Motor Ltd. Scooters for Everyone”. The two women take their seats on two of the scooters. The Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) carnival parade begins, following a route from the roundabout at the junction of Earsdon Road, Cauldwell Lane, Cauldwell Avenue in Monkseaton, and down Marine Avenue to The Links and promenade at Whitley Bay. The procession, with bands and decorated floats, heads down Marine Parade watched by spectators: an RAFA military band with drummers at the head and trumpeters following, and a pleasure boat float advertising “Players Please” walk the procession route. Back at the St Andrews Motors float, the two models chat to some of the RAFA band members. A brief shot follows of the parade route and of spectators opposite the Essolda Cinema on Marine Avenue, which is advertising a Rock Hudson film. One of the St Andrews Motors float models clashes a pair of cymbals, whilst posing with some of the RAFA band members. Back on the Cauldwell Lane roundabout, spectators watch from the kerbside as scooters - Vespas and Lambrettas - begin to arrive. At the St Andrews Motors float, the two women, joined by a man in a black formal suit, bowler and umbrella, and another man in a colourful shirt, ascend the float (on the lorry’s hydraulic lift). Groups of scooters ride past in the parade, probably heading down Cauldwell Lane towards Marine Avenue. The four men and women are now seated on scooters on the St Andrews Motors trade float. The parade is well under way with a brass band. The St Andrews Motors trade float drives by the Regal Cinema on the roundabout in Monkseaton. The parade continues with a scooter float carrying 3 figures in silver suits and a rocket model with initials LCN and a banner advertising the International Geophysical Year (IGY), a boat model float flying a St George’s flag, scooters with riders in white boiler suits and helmets (a scooter display team). A women’s jazz band play their kazoos in the parade. A road safety float drives by with banners proclaiming “Banned […} Keep Death Off the Roads” and “We Want to Live”. The parade continues with floats including the “Horror Float”, the Boldon Colliery Melody Makers Juvenile Jazz Band in blue and gold uniforms, playing kazoos and led by a drum-major, another scooter with the RAF crowned beauty queen wearing a skimpy Hawaiian outfit (?) as a pillion passenger, a woman scooter rider in pink summer frock, sunglasses and plastic mac on a decorated floral scooter. More scooters drive by, many with pillion passengers. The parade heads along The Links on Whitley Bay sea front led by the marching Boldon Colliery Melody Makers Juvenile Jazz Band. In the background on the right, the Spanish City and a Picture House are visible. Next, members of the North East Scooter Club drive by in a group, followed by scooter riders not affiliated to any club. Shot of the crowd. The St Andrews Motors trade float passes by and the parade continues, intercut with shots of the spectators. On the next day of the carnival, a misty, rainy Sunday on the coast, an RAFA charity event takes place in a field on The Links near St Mary’s Island. One of the female models on the St Andrews Motors trade float settles onto one of the scooters, wearing a red raincoat and plastic rain bonnet. Various scooters are parked up in a field. Close-up of two women riders on a scooter with the Merseyside Lambretta Club, the windscreen visor plastered with club stickers. Individual scooters advertise their club affiliation: Oldham, Tees Side Vespa Club, Blackpool Vespa Club, Vespa No. 26 Club of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Close-up of a learner driver sign. A man ties some tartan cloth and a sign that reads “Glasgow Vespa Club” around his scooter. Riders, many in white helmets, have congregated in a field, some with umbrellas, listening to the compere on the microphone A Senior Service sponsor’s van is also parked in the field. Various charity obstacle races take place on a field near The Links, the St Mary’s Island Lighthouse in the background.  Observers note down winners’ names. In one race, competitors collect a needle and thread from officials, race back to their race partners to stitch a button onto their coat lapel. A close-up follows of one of the competitors sewing. Another race involves the erection of a tent structure, delivering different members of the team to the tent. A number of men in one team get into the tent and walk it blind to another position. A Northumbrian Club rider is the winner. Getting in out of the rain, three RAF men peer out of the flap of a tent, smiling, posing for a photographer off screen. Two smiling men shake charity collection tins for the May RAFA Carnival Week. A team of four scooter riders in a display team demonstrate their skills in formation riding. The men are handed plates of food after the display. The compere announces the final event of the day. Riders compete for flags in a game based on “musical chairs”. Scooters drive round in a large circle and race to the centre to grab a diminishing number of flags to stay in the game. Unsuccessful competitors leave the field. A group of four filmmakers and photographers are recording the event, the cinematographer and camera protected from rain by an umbrella. The final event continues with competitors scrambling for the final flags, until the last two scooter riders dive for a flag. Portrait shot of the winner. The winner and his female partner hug happily amongst their friends. An RAFA officer (in dark blue hat with gold trim) hands out prizes.  All the scooter riders are now wearing rainmacs. The obstacle race team winners accept their prizes from the RAF officer.  The compere makes a final announcement on the microphone.  Group portrait of scooter club members, a woman rider posed on her scooter front centre. General view of the clear-up after the event. Title: The End