Reyner: Coventry Cathedral - Bishop Gorton and Foundation Stone

Summary

A reel shot by Barnard Reyner from 1954 to 1956 showing early stages in the construction of Coventry Cathedral, the funeral of the Bishop of Coventry Dr Neville Gorton and the laying of the foundation stone in 1956.

Year:

1956

Duration:

0:24:29

Film type:

Colour / Silent

Genre:

Amateur Film

Master format:

16mm

Description

Views of the site for the new Coventry Cathedral filmed from the tower of the old cathedral. We can see that the site contained many trees. Views of a religious service to inaugurate the project (held on Whitsun 1954?) Views of the trees being cut down and cleared and shots of the removal of exhumed skeletons. This is followed by views of the foundations for the building being constructed which began around March 1955 after Laing arrive on the site. A Newspaper board indicated the death of the Bishop of Coventry Dr Neville Gorton and this is followed by views of his funeral held in the old cathedral on 5 December 1955. Construction continues in 1956 and we then see the ceremony to lay the foundation stone. Queen Elizabeth II is accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh for the event held on 23 March 1956. The Archbishop of Canterbury is also seen as are BBC outside broadcast cameras covering the event.


Credits

No credits specified