When Martin is judging the music competition as the female clarinetist plays, he is staring intently ahead at her and hunched forward with his elbows on the table. Without skipping a beat in the song, when seen from behind Martin is now leaning back in his chair with his hands in his lap and nowhere near the table.
The Yellow Cab used in the film is 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice. This sequence of film took place in the first half of 1980s.
The sidewalks in London have tactile tiles for the blind pedestrians. They weren't mandated or installed until after the passage of Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This sequence of film took place in the first half of 1980s.
The train drawing into Newcastle when Martin goes to judge the competition is an Eastern European train. Anecdotally, the station used is not the real Newcastle Station.
When adults Dovidl meets Martin and Helen in the upscale restaurant, Dovidl calls Helen "Caroline".