Back in 2019, I released the video that STOIC had recorded at the 1980 Lord Mayor’s Show. However, that was not the first time it was covered. An earlier report was shot on 8mm colour film in 1971. Now, we are able to see the very first report covered on videotape, dating from 14 November 1979. It was featured, as always, in the weekly news programme News-Break.
The on-location STOIC reporter was Tracy Poole (Tracy Dudley). The picture is not amazing because it was recorded using an early video camera and recording system, but it did at least allow for synced audio. And of course, everything was still in black and white, although the studio had just purchased its first piece of colour equipment.
The videotape card index for STOIC’s coverage of the ‘London to Brighton run’ covers three cards, starting in November 1979. That first date would have been coverage in black and white, but today we have it in colour and on videotape. A previous 1977 run was shot on 8mm colour film, but that was silent. In this 1986 coverage we have an on-location interview with Adrian the driver of Boanerges (Bo). But what is even more interesting is footage of Sir Hugh Ford and also Lady Ford both speaking at the evening dinner event. Please note the incorrect title that STOIC gave to him, he was not a Lord. This is the only recording that we have of him, so this is yet another archive gem. He was President of the Motor Club and here, in his own words (from 2007), are his memories of that time:
“…one of my great moments was that when, having acted as President of the Motor Club for many years, the Club presented to me on the half century of Bo’s service, this delightful and most accurate silver model of our James and Brown. It took three silversmiths to achieve it: the first died on the job, the second gave up because he found it too difficult, and the third became so fascinated with the project that the Club had the greatest difficulty in getting him to surrender it in time for presentation to me at Brighton! I have decided that when I pass on, it shall be left to the City & Guilds Motor Club though, I suggest, for safety reasons, it should be housed elsewhere. Mind you, don’t expect it too soon – there are a few years in me yet!”
Sir Hugh died in May 2010 aged 96, and I’d be interested to hear about that silver model’s whereabouts now.
