Shrewsbury Corporation Film No.5

Description

The film alternates between black and white and colour throughout. There are occasional descriptive intertitles. "Stepping out at the West Midlands Show". We see shots of the marquees and displays of carriage driving . "Something Different - the farm comes to town". We then see various shots of animals being walked past the grandstand, including cattle and horses some with foals. We also see judges inspecting bulls on the showground and two of the winning entries with their rosettes. We then see shots of a hunt gathered outside the Britannia Inn in Castle Foregate. This is followed by more shots of the showground, with children on ponies being led around the arena. We then see a display of riding in formation by the 'Mounties'. We also see a trophy being presented to a lady in a blue suit by another lady in grey. She shakes hands with a white-haired man and the three pose of photographs. The sequence ends with shots of a show jumping competition. "The Royal Agricultural Show Shrewsbury 1949". We see shots of marquees and pavilions at the Quarry decorated with Royal Agricultural Society signs and floral designs. "Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh". We see the royal couple entering and crossing the main showground and meeting a man in a brown suit (possibly a representative of the RAS). We see them looking at some horses and the Princess presenting long service medals to farm workers, before they are driven off in an open-topped car. "Came the cattle". We then see bulls being led around the showground. We also see sheep being inspected by judges and shots of animal sheds and turkeys in a cage. A shot of a couple sitting by the edge of a pond is followed by shots of a pig in a sty and a larger pig being driven with a stick. We also see a display by Shrewsbury Parks Department and a thatching demonstration. We then see the pavilion decorated with hanging baskets and a judge admiring floral displays inside a marquee. "Modern machinery - the farmer’s extra help". We see various shots of farm machinery including a parade of four wheel drives and tractors, the Massey Ferguson stand and a helicopter with 'Pest Control Ltd' livery on a pavilion roof. We then see shots of horses and cattle being led around the showground. The sequence ends with more general shots of the show, sheep in pens and a display of prize certificates. The following sequence shows the West Midlands Agricultural Show (1953/4?). We see the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arriving at the show and being presented to the president Lt. Col. Riche by the Mayor, James S. McNamara. We then see bulls being led around the arena and the seated Duke watching the display. We also see the royal visitors leaving. The next sequence shows a civic procession with the mayor and civic dignitaries walking through the town. We also see nurses and guides marching past the Crown Hotel. This is followed by the presentation of the County Association President’s Badge to Mr J.H.T. Smout in 1956 at Severnside Bowling Club. We see the badge being handed over by Mr J. Fulwood and Mr Smout shows it off to the camera and his colleagues. We then see shots of Princess Alexandra leaving the Castle with the Mayor, Benjamin Huckfield, and other civic dignatories. We also see the Princess being driven away to her appointment at Kingsland School. The film ends with shots of former mayors Benjamin Huckfield and Reginald Edwards relaxing at Severnside Bowling Club on Captain’s Day.

Credits

No credits specified

Notes

The Mayor attending the Royal Agricultural Society Show in 1949 was Ernest Perks (Mayor of Shrewsbury from 1949-50). James S. McNamara was Mayor from 1953-4. J.H.T. Smout became Mayor the year after he was elected as President of the County Bowling Association and served one term (1957-8). The 'former' Mayors, Benjamin Huckfield and Reginald Edwards, served from 1960-61 and 1961-62 respectively. A title credit on Shrewsbury Corporation Film No. 1 names the film maker as Mr C.A. Loosemore.