• Short Summary

    Good colour footage of Aintree race course in the run-up to the Grand National.

  • Description

    Titles read: 'EXTRA!' Item showing preparations for the Grand National at Aintree.

    This item is in colour.

    Aintree, Liverpool, Merseyside.

    Various shots of horses running in the Grand National. C/Us of paintings showing horses in the famous race in the 19th century. C/U of photograph of Edward William Topham "the famous handicapper" who established the Grand National with William Lynn.

    Several shots of the present-day organiser of the race, Mrs Mirabel Topham, sitting at a desk and looking through letters with her assistants, niece Patricia Bidwell Topham and nephew James Bidwell Topham. They all have a nice cup of tea.

    Shots of Black Prince, the last shire horse to be retired at Aintree, being led across the deserted track by a man. Mirabel Topham and James walk from a fabulous vintage car (Rolls Royce?) across to the deserted spectator stand and take in the view of the famous racecourse. Several shots of Major Gilbert Cotton watching men rebuilding the fences of the track with spruce or fir tree branches, imported from North Wales.

    Mirabel Topham sits at the head of a table during a conference with the Chief Constable of Lancashire and his police staff to discuss the crowd and traffic control on the day of the race. General views of the crowds on Grand National day. Several shots of the empty stables at the site, with plaques on the doors commemorating winning horses that 'stayed' there. Several shots of the staff party that is held each year just before the meeting. All the people are sitting at long tables. Mirabel Topham and Patricia are presented with bouquets of flowers. M/S of the Grand National trophy.

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    2097.19
    Media URN:
    57183
    Group:
    Pathe newsreels
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    24/03/1969
    Sound:
    sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Colour
    Duration:
    00:02:54:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:39:09:00 / 01:42:03:00
    Canister:
    69/25

Comments (2)

  1. Unknown user says

    "William Lynne" should read William Lynn.

    "Mirabelle Topham" should read Mirabel Topham. (Three further changes of Mirabelle to MIrabel are needed).

    "James Topham" should read James Bidwell Topham.

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  2. Unknown user says

    Thanks very much. We've made these corrections.

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