Torquay 1955: CEA Conference

 

Talk Of Torquay - C.E.A. Special For Conference (1955) - British Pathé on YouTube

This is a little gem!

The cinema executives and their cheerful wives arrive at Torquay railway station on steam trains, and have their luggage moved by station porters.

They've obviously had a bit of worry with rail strikes, but managed to arrive on time.

"He is met by a chap who is lonely now his daughter is married..."

Then a lovely shot of the town and harbour, then a glimpse of the Imperial Hotel, before we see another executive and his smiling wife and surprisingly young son arriving by car at the Grand.

In Wales, it's quite funny watching the 80 year old cinema owner coming out of his traditional semi to be chauffer driven about in a small car. There are quite a few images of different locations in Cardiff in this section of the film.

Then we're back to Torquay, where the executives have finally left the bar and are now sitting about drinking tea, before a blustery walk on the beach with their wives.