Having a Wonderful Time

Registered:10th December 1958
Duration: 23 minutes
Feet: 2433 feet
Board of Trade Certificate number: AFF059118
Production Company: Harold Baim Productions Limited

A look at comedy and music stars who have performed at Great Yarmouth.

Title and Credits:
HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME
  
Story Told by : David Gell
Photographed in Eastmancolor by: Eric Owen
Research: John Kinnersley. Geoffrey Flaxman
Continuity: Glenda Baim
Music: De Wolfe
Editing : G. Levy, D. Lanning
Recordists: Bob Allen, John Cape
Produced and Directed by: Harold Baim

SCRIPT

They come by rail, they come by air and they come overland into the east coast playground of Britain. A town rich in history, situated at the mouth of the River Yare, and the county of Norfolk, Great Yarmouth.

But first of all, let's look at the frame in which Great Yarmouth is set. A few miles away, near the village of Somerleyton stands Somerlayton House.

The Somerleyton Estate comprises, including the village itself, some 6000 acres, and the house, though of no great age, was built by Sir Morton Peto, the railway pioneer, on the site of a hall belonging to the Lords of Lothingland 500 years ago.

Somerleyton Hall is the home of Lord Somerleyton, and the 17th century historian said of this enchanting place that 'here summer is to be seen in the depths of winter, in the pleasant walks beset on both sides with fir trees, green all the year long'.

The Norfolk coast was, of course, a favourite landing point for the Danes who, a thousand years ago, made constant raids upon it. Here they most probably had a permanent camp, and the name Somerleyton is said to have its origin from those times.

Today, the magnificent house and grounds are, from time to time, thrown open to the great number of people who make the worthwhile and rewarding journey.

No watchman today walks the battlements of the ancient castle at Caister. Built by Sir John Fastolf, Caister Castle now stands as a monument to that great soldier who spent his last years of life here, some 500 years ago.

Formerly part of the Somerleyton Estate was Fritton Decoy, one of the loveliest lakes in Britain. It's about two and a half miles long and more than a quarter of a mile wide. The lake is full of large pike and eels, which one fisherman once described as thick as my legs, and they bark like dogs.

Fritton Decoy is, of course, a centre for the catching of ducks, and for those who are not inclined toward this type of sport, there are always the other pastimes of spotting birds like the jay, heron, bittern and owl. Apart from the thrill of fishing, the finest pike lake in England.

A statue of Saint Peter, a patron saint of fishermen, stands guard over the fishermen's almshouses at Great Yarmouth.

A carving of Charity dominates the courtyard, around which is built this haven for the reapers of the sea.

Of great antiquity,the 13th century tollhouse has a unique stairway.

Called the Nelson Monument, the figure on the summit is actually of Britannia. Her back is to the sea. The man who made this error is said to have killed himself.

Great Yarmouth is extremely old and, in common with many other British towns, had a heavily fortified wall intersected by towers. This is what remains of the northwest tower, preserved in excellent condition for all to see.

The walls were seven feet thick and the populace lived completely within them.

In the northeast corner of the marketplace stands the house of the famous novelist Ann Sewell, author of the well-known children's book Black Beauty.

Originally, as all the people lived inside the walls, there was not too much space, and rows were constructed on a peculiar plan. There were once 145 of these rows, each named after some person living there.

The 300 year old Merchant's House once occupied a site in row 117. Today it's been absorbed into the modern housing estate nearby, creating a wonderful impression of ancient and modern.

Of all the ancient crafts, that of the basket maker is one which in these days of mechanization seems still to live on, and the uses for which are indeed many and varied.

The hand basket had its origins in the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where it was known as the Goose Basket, and was used for carrying broody hens to market.

Basket making is an art, handed down through generations, and here at Great Yarmouth, some of the finest creations in this particular field can be seen.

Locally grown material is used in the making, and the demand for them is so great that they are hard put indeed to fill all the orders which reach them from all over the world.

No less than six miles of quays make up the waterfront of Great Yarmouth, and the wide navigable river is used by ships of all countries.

In 1913, so important was Great Yarmouth that no less than 163 trawlers unloaded 2.5 million hundredweight of fish in that one year. The outbreak of the last war did much to disperse the fleets, but today the fishing industry here is making astonishing strides to recapture the pre-eminent position it once held.

Development of the town proceeds apace, and diversified industries now have their homes here.

Yarmouth boasts of the largest open air markets in the country. You can buy just about everything here. Two special market days are held in each week, on a Wednesday and Saturday.

This boy knows what he's talking about. She doesn't believe a word of it.

Yes, the marketplace has its full complement of colour and fascination, and certainly well worth a visit, if only to further the intriguing study of the people who will sell anything from a pin to these magnificent Persian carpets.

Regent Road is a first class shopping centre. The stores are gay and bright. There's always an overall air of gaiety as you walk down Yarmouth's Golden Mile.

Let's take a short journey down the River Yare, which is Yarmouth's main artery, and keep our eyes open for the hundreds of different river scenes.

The quay sides where huge cargoes of timber are being unloaded. The yards of Trinity House where lights and boys are being overhauled. A kaleidoscope of colour and activity.

Across the river is the compact, friendly and self-contained resort of Gorleston-on-Sea, with an individual attraction all its own.

Quieter, perhaps, than its partner, great Yarmouth, it has nevertheless a peculiar enchantment, with its wide expanses of golden beach and lovely promenades.

Floral rock gardens lead to parades where bowls, tennis, golf and putting can be played, against the background of sun and sea.

Yarmouth's Member of Parliament, Anthony Fell, leaves for a stroll, and indeed there's no lack of variety wherever he may choose to go.

The promenades are some of the most impressive in Europe. A great majestic sweep, six miles in length, presenting a colourful and animated spectacle.

Nothing seems to have been forgotten. Every possible taste has been catered for, and one has the feeling that everyone is having a wonderful time.

The question of 'what shall we do now never' arises. Bowling greens, 18 hole golf courses, hard and soft tennis courts, swimming pools, boating lakes, piers, dancing to well-known orchestras, roller skating, horse racing, cinemas and theatres all contribute their share.

The children too, are not forgotten, and can prove that the speed of a snail is just a fairy story.

Others, with motor racing ambitions, can also find their feet here.

Keep your eye on number six. He definitely shows promise. You haven't studied the Highway Code.

Water speed records may also be set up here. On the magnificent Venetian waterways, however, the keynote is peace and tranquility. The 15 minute journey makes you feel as if you were floating on a cloud. But the electrically driven boats are free from vibration.

Gliding smoothly over the water, through rustic archways, passing banks planted with semi-tropical flowers, and places an absolute riot of colours, it's almost unreal.

Some people just let the world go by, and others stroll through the beautifully laid out miniature park as our boat returns for us to disembark.

The more energetic prefer to see the sights by tandem, with seats placed side by side to achieve the maximum drive and power. But horsepower will never be outdone, and the thrill of the speedboat will stay in your memory forever.

The wonderful miles of soft golden sands are always there, for in Great Yarmouth, the tide runs coastwise.

The bracing air and temperate climate combine to make life really worth living.

Maybe Charles Dickens did exaggerate a little when he said that 'upon the whole, Yarmouth is the finest place in the universe'for he could not have visualized space travel at that time. However, he evidently must have been completely charmed and captivated by what he saw.

Off the coast, is the Scroby sandbank. Boat trips can be taken to see the seals which bask in the sun there. As the boats near, however, the seals usually disappear into the water, and to prove that they really are there, we took an aeroplane to see them from the air.

And there they are below us. The black outlines you can see are hundreds of seals lying and disporting themselves on the beach.

A large caravan site is close to North Beach and contains every possible convenience for those who like the great outdoors. It's fun when you're young and even when you're not quite as young as you were.

The Norfolk Broads are close at hand and provide another type of outdoor vacation on 200 miles of inland waterways where you can cruise or laze the hours and days away.

Yarmouth Race Meeting is one of the main seasonal events in Great Britain. Here famous jockeys and horses win money for the visitor, if he's clever enough to be able to pick the winner.

And they line up for the start. They're off!

Comedian Charlie Chester looks for his horse.

And it's as thrilling as every race can be when your horse is way out in front.

Throughout the entire season, there's always a choice of first class entertainment, and at the open air roller skating rink on the Wellington Pier, enthusiastic amateurs stage weekly shows. The cast is drawn from residents and the company is entirely self-supporting.

Professional skaters are responsible for the choreography and training of these amateurs, who acquit themselves admirably.

Tommy Cooper and Ruby Murray take time out to watch the proceedings.

The participants, known as the Wonder Wheels, are all members of the Great Yarmouth Roller Skating Club.

A great deal of patience and rehearsal is needed to bring the routines up to the required standard.

The resident professionals, Ken Hookham and Margaret Derbyshire, who select and train the amateur talent, come from Yorkshire and Leicestershire respectively. Miss Derbyshire has just returned from a South American tour with the famous American roller skating show Skating Vanities. It's she who designs the costumes used in the shows.

Tommy Cooper seems to have bitten off a little more than he can chew. He shouldn't buy such cold ice cream. Ruby Murray takes a bite to see if it's as cold as he makes out.

It's here that young and old alike show that where there's a will, there's a way. And it's certainly great fun. All you need is a sense of balance. For some it's heavy going, for others.. Well, you know how it is when you're pretty good.

Sometimes it's just as well to enlist a little support of one kind or another.

I don't believe it! If they can do it, I suppose he thinks he can. Ready for anything with a couple of cushions tied back in front, Tommy takes to the ring.

He's appearing at the Wellington Pier with Ruby Murray. I hope he makes his performance in one piece.

Vic Oliver arrives at the Royal Aquarium Theatre. What an autograph hunter's paradise this is. Joan Turner is here, too. She's appearing at the Britannia Pier.

Here, Benny Hill seems to have run into a little trouble. He cannot get into the theatre for his own show. Where's the attendant being hiding if he doesn't recognize one of Britain's greatest funny men?

Sure-shot Charlie Chester is a very good marksman. Missed. Right in the eye, that's more like it!

The development of the Pleasure Beach is symbolic of the demand for thrills and excitement in what we may call this restless age. Showman Alf Barton has catered for this demand in no small measure. He controls one of the finest pleasure grounds ever constructed. It's thrills, thrills and more thrills all along the line.

This must be the original rock and roll. But it's a dance with a difference with no feet on the ground. Besides shooting up and over, This contraption makes certain you like it by causing the cars to revolve at the same time.

Oh, boy! That's it, let's get out of here! strange, everything's going round. Wonder why?

It's all the fun of the fair, even if you're not exactly a crack shot. And if it isn't Derek Roy playing truant from the Windmill Theatre. His Saint Bernard waits patiently. Where he goes, I go to. Have a good trip? Glad to see you.

Always the main attraction, a roller coaster ride is just what the doctor ordered. If he's that kind of doctor.

Hold on there.

It's just as well there's nothing coming in the opposite direction.

Well, who's for another one? Not me. I'll just sit this one out, knowing that everyone else is having a wonderful time.
.

[End Credit]