Views of shop windows decorated to mark the charter celebrations. We then see the Mayor of Derby, Alec Ling leaving the Council House and travelling in a horse drawn carriage to being a tour of the town's markets. He is seen visiting firstly the indoor market through the Guild Hall and then on to the open market in the Morledge, followed by the wholesale fruit and vegetable market. The official party pauses at the Corporation Hotel before continuing on to the cattle market. The next section shows an official banquet organised by the Derby Morledge Market Committee and held in the Assembly Rooms. The comedian Benny Hill who was in theatre in Derby at the time is seen chatting to the mayor. The next section shows a parade of military units, police, fire service, civil defence, British Legion and dignitaries making their way to Derby Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving (there are brief views inside the Cathedral, a short section of which are b/w). The parade is then seen leaving the Cathedral after the service. We then see children taking part in folk dancing and physical education as part of a youth pageant held in Darley Park followed by a charity concert in front of the Mayor and Mayoress performed by children in the Arboretum Park. This is followed by a football match between Derby Boys and Leicester Boys at the Baseball Ground. The following event is a ball held in a marquee at Markeaton Park. The next day a civic parade takes place led by the Mayor travelling in a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost a parade through the streets led by the mayor riding in a vintage Rolls Royce and including vintage and modern public transport, fire fighting equipment, civil defence vehicles and trade floats along the Wardwick, Friar Gate and Ashbourne Road culminating in a carnival at Markeaton Park which includes side shows, Punch and Judy, a sheep roast and a display by the fire service. We then see a cadets parading and youth sport display (part in b/w) watched by the Mayor at the King's Hall. We then see Alderman William Raynes (a former Derby MP and Mayor) leading a parade from the Guild Hall to the Council House. Inside the Council House Raynes unveils a plaque to open a new debating chamber (part in b/w). A ceremonial presentation to four new freeman of the town follows at the Assembly Rooms (the men are all Aldermen).
Produced by Derby Education Committee
Photographed and Edited by Richard Hugh Thomas
Titles by Freda and Kenneth Hardy
Commentary by R. Christian
Script by B. J. Haslam
Directed by R. H. Thomas
Clip courtesy of Derbyshire County Council