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Boat Trip

1962 , Felixstowe (Suffolk)

Cat no. 1694

A reporter interviews a sea boat cruise operator and his passengers, to find out what is causing the decline in seaside pleasure boating.

An establishing shot of Felixstowe beach and harbour, before the reporter, Ralph Tuck, comes into view, announcing how popular the boats trips used to be here, but now the arrival of other attractions have reduced their appeal. He then speaks to Fred Earthroll, captain of a pleasure cruise boat, who in a talking head interview laments that bingo, aquacars and pedaloes have taken his business. He says that the most popular period was 1946/7, when children first came to the seaside after the war, but now that many people have cars, they do not stay in one place very long. Fred then invites the reporter on a voyage around the lightship in Felixstowe harbour. A shot from the boat, as the reporter and Fred board. Next, as 'Barnacle Bill' plays on the soundtrack, is a montage of the boat's passengers, as well as the ship's name: LADY MAUD, FELIXSTOWE, on a life ring. Fred is seen talking to the passengers and taking payment from them. A shot of the lightship, with the word 'CORK' painted on its hull. The reporter chats to a young man from Bedford, who admits that the majority of his generation prefer to holiday abroad, but that he himself enjoys the sea air. An old man says the see breeze is good for his bronchial chest, whilst another gives the age-old opinion that today's youngsters are 'spoonfed' luxuries and do not know how to enjoy simple pleasures. A middle-aged woman- cradling a young girl, says that youngsters, including her 21-year old son, would find the trip too 'quiet', and that in her day young people would take banjos and accordions on board for a jolly singalong. The boat returns to shore and moors up, and the passengers disembark. The reporter remarks on what a good trip he has had, and announces that it is teatime, as he is hungry.

Keywords

Boats; Holidays; Leisure; Pleasure boats; Seaside; Tourism

Manifestations

Boat Trip

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