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We open with a man sitting in front of a fireplace smoking a pipe and flicking through his diary. He writes the title of the film in his diary and we then have a look back at the event. The commentary explains that the first tulip festival in Birmingham was in 1960 to mark the 400th anniversary of the introduction of tulip bulbs to Europe. We see displays of the flowers in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston and a helicopter landing bringing the Dutch television announcer Elizabeth Mooy to the festival to present a new variety of tulip called City of Birmingham to the chairman of the City of Birmingham Parks Committee Alderman Frank Price (this was in 1963).
We then see various events in the show arena including a Scottish pipe band and show jumping display. There are also shots of a display by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and speed trials for the cars at Castle Bromwich airfield (Frank Price and Lord Montagu are seen - this was in 1962). Back in Cannon Hill Park we see a motorcycle riding display, views of the boating lake and a street of Dutch style shops in the park including a look at how clogs are made by hand. We also see a hot air balloon taking off and sports displays including gymnastics, wrestling and weight-lifting followed by a fashion show and the Tulip Queen entrants. This is followed by archery and a display by dog handlers. We then see some of the cultural highlights including a sculpture show organised by the Arts Council, a display of paintings and an outdoor ballet. We end with night shots including flood-lit tennis, boating by night and firework display.
Produced by John Cope and Bernard G. Spittle