The first of two amateur films produced by Steve Armstrong relating to Tyne Division, Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. Calliope. In this film Tyne Division take part in the commissioning ceremony of the Royal Navy River-class minesweeper HMS Orwell (M2011) taking place at their training centre or ‘stone frigate’ along the Gateshead side of the River Tyne on Saturday 22nd March 1986. A formal and religious service takes place along the quayside followed by a drinks reception and cake cutting inside...

The first of two amateur films produced by Steve Armstrong relating to Tyne Division, Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. Calliope. In this film Tyne Division take part in the commissioning ceremony of the Royal Navy River-class minesweeper HMS Orwell (M2011) taking place at their training centre or ‘stone frigate’ along the Gateshead side of the River Tyne on Saturday 22nd March 1986. A formal and religious service takes place along the quayside followed by a drinks reception and cake cutting inside HMS Calliope itself. Title: The Commission Ceremony of H.M.S. Orwell 22nd March 1986 Sailors and offices in dress uniforms arrive at HMS Calliope, a Royal Navy Reserve Unit, along the Gateshead Quayside of the River Tyne. Chairs have been set up along the quayside and guest begin to fill them, moored on the Tyne is HMS Orwell (M2011) a River-class minesweeper. As more guest arrive officers and sailors stand around chatting. Men and women in Royal Navy uniforms begin to line up along the quayside, a photographer takes pictures. With the sailors now in order a Sergeant walks away back towards HMS Calliope as more guests arrive. A military marching band marches onto the quayside, the drummers in distinctive red tunics, coming to stand in front of a Royal Navy officer with ceremonial sword and another officer also in a distinctive red tunic. A television news crew walks past the band who continue to perform a number of tunes including the theme tune from the television show ‘The A-Team’. The performance ends, a bugle is blown, and an officer walks over to the sailors standing to attention nearby. He returns to his seat followed by two women in civilian dress, several senior officers and their wives arrive and take their seats at the front of the seating area. A woman in mayoral chains gets out of car speaking with a woman in naval uniform. Three more cars pull up and the Lord Lieutenant of Newcastle Sir Ralph Harry Carr-Ellison get out and is shown to his seats on the quayside. More senior military figures and their wives arrive and are escorted to their seats, as they passed an officer standing with the sailors they salute. The band begin to perform again as a platoon of sailor’s marches onto the quayside coming to stand-at-ease beside a lectern where several officers face them. The bugle plays and they shoulder arms their rifles. Two senior offices come forward, one standing on a raised platform for a ‘general salute’ after which an inspector is carried out with the senior officer speaking with some of the men. The inspection over the senior officers returns to the lectern where one of them reads out the ‘commissioning order’ for HMS Orwell. Both a television and amateur cameraman records the speech being made. On finishing the National Anthem is played with all the naval personnel turning and saluting the ship moored on the Tyne. A second officer comes to the lectern and leads the sailors in prayer blessing both the ship and her crews. The band begin to perform the hymn ‘He Who Would Valiant Be’ after which a man in vestments leads the sailors in another prayer followed by a second man in vestments leads everyone in the Lord’s Prayer before bring the service to a close. Dignitaries and the television camera crew make their way onboard HMS Orwell for a tour while back along the quayside people begin to leave. Outside the entrance HMS Calliope cars draw up and many of the dignitaries featured in the commissioning ceremony get out and head inside. Inside a large hall drinks and food are served and guests stand around chatting listing to the band playing nearby. A large cake is cut with a ceremonial sword by a young sailor and woman. A presentation of a framed picture is made to one of the senior officers featured during the ceremony, official photographs are taken. A plaque and glass decanter are them given to the woman wo presented the picture after which another speech is made by a senior officer. Sailors, officers and their families make their way up a set of stairs in another part of HMS Calliope. In a large room several are interviewed for the media including television while other stand around chatting over drinks. The picture which was presented earlier is shown to the camera along with a gold plaque. Outside HMS Calliope parked cars and a family group leaving and walking along Hillgate towards the Tyne Bridge. The film ends on views of HMS Orwell along the Gateshead quayside.