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Scarborough Bank Holiday

This rarely seen documentary takes a leisurely look back at the spring bank holiday in Scarborough and follows the events of the day from dawn preparations by street cleaners and deckchair attendants to night-time patrols by the local police. In between, we see day-trippers arrive by the coach load, traditional English breakfasts prepared by traditional seaside landladies, donkey rides, bingo, Max Jaffa, and lots and lots of ice cream.

The name of violinist and band leader Max Jaffa is synonymous with Scarborough, as he performed at the seaside resort every summer season for 25 years. The BBC regularly broadcast his concerts with the Palm Court Orchestra from Scarborough in the radio series 'Grand Hotel'.

Originally broadcast 10 September 1976

Scarborough window tax, 1971
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Scarborough window tax, 1971

"He's not entitled to receive light laterally" - a report on a rather unusual form of taxation

Bank holidays
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Bank holidays

The unique ways in which the British celebrate their precious days off

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Society and welfare

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