Entertainment and Hobbies in the 1950s

The Vespa Rally took place in Leeds in 1959 as people began to enjoy motoring for pleasure.  In this short film clip, we see the popularity of the moped, with a few of the enthusiasts attending the National Vespa Club of Britain's National Rally.

Students from St. Barts Primary School in Armley watched the film ''Vespa Rally''. They imagined that they were at the rally. This is what they thought they could...

See:   People riding brightly coloured scooters. People wearing different clothes/uniform and hats.  Flags, fields, trees and tents.

Hear:   The motorbike engines and people talking and cheering.

Smell:   Exhaust fumes and petrol, flowers and grass.

Taste:   Smoke from the bikes and eggs.

Touch:   Gripping the handlebars and bumps from the road.

The children were asked to use the information they had gleaned from the video to write a newspaper artical about the Vespa Rally. Two responses from St. Bart's pupils to this clip, when asked to report on the event, were;

'Today the Vespa Rally started.  They all raced well but the one who stood out was the winner, we've managed to got an interview with George Jones. "Well I never expected to win that's for sure it was one of the most important days of my life and it was very exciting and all my family were there cheering for me and I loved every second of it.  My mum was very proud, my father always wished of winning that race and I'm so happy so bye" and that's what he said he had a wonderful race.'

James and Jordan

'Today is a Vespa Rally day and it is a really good day for playing on motorbikes or scooters.  You can bet your lives that it is that fun and good or great.  There is a lot of races in the Vespa Rally, there is all sorts like races on a bike and races like egg and spoon.  The day was even nicer because it was sunny.  They are wearing a helmet.  There is people cheering and talking about it.  They go really really slow when you play on a motor bike.'

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