This is a film showing many of the numerous events that made up the 4th Century Charter Festival in Beverley in 1973.  It includes many activities, including horse racing at Beverley racecourse, a scout camp, a production of Noye’s Fludde, parades, Morris dancing, and a gala, as well as a visit by Princess Anne. Title – 4th Century Charter Festival Produced by the Beverley and District Photographic Society for the festival committee, 1973. Photographed by S Stephenson, D Stepehenson, T...

This is a film showing many of the numerous events that made up the 4th Century Charter Festival in Beverley in 1973.  It includes many activities, including horse racing at Beverley racecourse, a scout camp, a production of Noye’s Fludde, parades, Morris dancing, and a gala, as well as a visit by Princess Anne. Title – 4th Century Charter Festival Produced by the Beverley and District Photographic Society for the festival committee, 1973. Photographed by S Stephenson, D Stepehenson, T Carter and A Whitelam Assisted by N Green and S Milner Sound and commentary added by  S Stepehenson and T Carter Sound recordists: S Stephenson, F H Plaster and A Coates Edited by S Stephenson Title – 4th Century Charter Festival: 6th May to 24th July 1973 (granting of Charter by Elizabeth 1, 1573) The film begins showing the ceremony of the last traditional mayor, Eric Beedle, being replaced by the new ayor, and mayoress; while the narration explains background to, and the making of, the film.  After the ceremony, outside, children receive, as part of an old tradition, two penny pieces each. The film moves to the Market Square, where an award winning brass band plays in the bandstand.  Then to Beverley races, where a special Quatrième Centenary cup race is being run, showing the programme. Horses parade in the paddock and the jockeys arrive, followed by the mayor.  The four runners set off and the race is shown.  The winner, Harvest Pompous (?), is congratulated. The film moves on to the official start of the Festival on Sunday 6th May.  But first there is a photo shot of past mayors, in their entire mayoral garb.  This is followed by a service at Beverley Minster conducted by the Archbishop of York, showing the procession into the Minster.  Then the RAF, having been given the freedom of the borough, march into the Market Square, and later give a bomb disposal demonstration. Then on to the Festival of Flowers which is being held in St Marys Church for three days in May, showing the flower display.  On Sunday 3rd there is a parade of youth club uniformed organisations, including the CLB, the Brownies and the Youth Cadets,  starting out from Railway Square and ending up at the Methodist Church.    Then to Saturday 9th for Morris ring dancing in the Market Square.  On Sunday morning the dancers attend the service at the Minster, and then give another display of traditional dances afterwards in front of the Playhouse Theatre. Next on Sunday 17th the Beverley and Hornsea District Scouts have a jamboree at the racecourse.  The Hornsea and Cherry Burton troops set up their tents and other camping gear, including the 1st Molescroft group and others, each with their own name section of the field.  They all gather together in the centre of the field for flag break and morning prayers. Then on to Saturday 23rd for a performance of Noye’s Fludde at the Minster, produced by Peter Greensides and Clive Hadfield, directed by David Wigley.  The schoolchildren arrive in their self-made costumes and assemble for a photo shot inside the Minster, and are then seen outside with other members of the production and the audience. At the Walkington Hayride, the film shows all those participating and the procession through the North Bar gate.  Then to the Tudor Pageant and Market Fair, leaving Longcroft School on Saturday 30th June and arriving at Fleming House.  We see the parade as it moves past Market Square, led by the band of the Second Battalion of the Royal Green Jackets and going past the Lord Nelson pub.  At the end there are events in the park, with a brass band and other activities, such as archery and a tug of war, while many just enjoy the sunshine walking around and having refreshments.  The children watch a Punch and Judy show, followed by a children’s tug of war.  Inside there are stalls selling cakes and similar items.  Mr Avon Dixon does a demonstration of pot making, making mementoes of the Festival.  A band plays Elizabethan music with original instruments, such as crumhorns.  There is also fencing and children in a playground. Then the film switches to a cricket match between a Beverley XI and a Yorkshire XI at Norwood Park, in conjunction with Yorkshire bowler Tony Nicholson’s benefit.  After the match plaques are autographed by the players who line up for a photo shot.  Then there is an exhibition of photographs presented by the Beverley Photographic Society, opened by the mayor, followed by an Old Beverley exhibition at the borough library in July by the Beverley Civic Society.  The Kingston Strolling Players, of Hull College of Education, present the play ‘The Castel of Perseverance’ in the Saturday market on Wednesday and Thursday, 11th and 12th. Back to Beverley Market Place where the Green Howards are ‘beating the retreat’ on Tuesday 17th July.  On Saturday 21st July there is the penultimate event of the Festival, a medieval jousting tournament at the Westwood on a wet day.  Next day is the Gala on the Westwood, showing the full programme of events, starting with members of the Sealed Knot attending service at the Minster, followed by a re-enactment of the civil war. Princess Anne attends a Combined Thanksgiving Service at St Mary’s Church on 24th July, with the royal cavalcade of cars arrive passing through the town centre, with crowds gathered outside the Guildhall and the police station.  Then on to the church where there are lines of young women in uniforms, possibly nurses.  The Princess leaves with Lord Halifax.  Inside the church is shown with the organ playing, by Graham Watson, and then the Princess leaving and finishing off with a fireworks display.  Then there is an Epilogue showing the mayor and mayoress, for the last time, followed by another service at the Minster. The End