Bishop's Castle Charter Celebrations 1573 - 1973

Summary

A record of the celebrations conducted at Bishop's Castle in Shropshire to mark the 400th anniversary of the granting of a charter to the town.

Year:

1973

Duration:

0:30:00

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Amateur Film

Master format:

S8

Description

The film starts with a mayor making ceremony held in June 1973 in the council chamber in which Dr St John Penney is confirmed as the new mayor and the freedom of the borough is also granted to the chair of the county council. The main part of the film shows celebrations held in July 1973 for the 400th anniversary of the granting of a charter to the town. We see a procession entering St John the Baptist church and a parade of local people wearing Elizabethan costumes and a 16th century themed street market. Morris dancers also make an appearance. The next section shows arrivals at a ball held at the High School (again many people in costume). Part two begins with a display of country dancing by a group of children which includes a May pole (in the rain), children in fancy dress and a football match which includes men wearing drag. We then see a fete with stalls and an evening ox roast followed by a funfair with rides. This is followed by a wet carnival parade with decorated floats (the carnival queen is forced to carry an umbrella) followed by a marching band from the Light Infantry performing on playing fields. There is a final section showing a seated audience at the first screening of the preceding charter celebration film on 2 November 1973 including a speech by the Mayor Dr Penney.


Credits

Filmed by The Shrewsbury Cine Club
Cameras: Henry Eldred; Gill Tunna; Ian Miller; Brian Ruff; Tony Parry; Alan Yates; Fred Tunna
Produced by G.M. Tunna
Sound by H.B. Eldred