This is a film of the Beverley Festival of 1968 and included footage of a medieval procession, plays enacting the miracles of St John, and traditional dancing performed by pupils from St Mary’s Schools. The film begins showing a poster for ‘Beverley Festival: 17th April to 7th May 1968, Price Two shillings’, followed by a page from a book with the chapter heading of ‘Beverley: Thirteen Hundred Years of History’, by K A MacMahon.  It then shows people walking around a just opened photographic...

This is a film of the Beverley Festival of 1968 and included footage of a medieval procession, plays enacting the miracles of St John, and traditional dancing performed by pupils from St Mary’s Schools. The film begins showing a poster for ‘Beverley Festival: 17th April to 7th May 1968, Price Two shillings’, followed by a page from a book with the chapter heading of ‘Beverley: Thirteen Hundred Years of History’, by K A MacMahon.  It then shows people walking around a just opened photographic exhibition of Beverley at the Art Gallery, opened by Sir Richard Sykes, who sits down at a table with the Mayor and other local dignitaries.  The exhibition was put on by Beverley and District Photographic Society.  The visitors view local historical documents prepared by the local history society. At a school playing field, there is a historical pageant rehearsal, led by Mrs Newhall, with many old guilds being represented, and with Morris dancing performed by children from St Mary’s Boys School.  The participants practise the procession.  The Mayor, Alderman H Roberts, watches as final instructions are given. On May 4th, all those taking part are assembling at Fleming House.  We are informed that while the procession was in progress, three plays, written by Hector Reynolds, based on the miracles of St John, were being performed in locations in the town.  The procession sets off past the south side of the Minster and the North door.  The procession is led by the town governors followed by the children of St Olaf’s school, York, who carry the banner of St John.  The parade passes down Highgate.  The shrine of St John is carried out of the Minster to join the procession, which moves into the Wednesday Market Square and Lord Roberts Road.  The different guilds are distinguished by their dress and props. They pass Lairgate and the hospital. The film then shows a glimpse of the play about the healing of the dumb boy by St John, performed in the forecourt of St Mary’s Manor by Longcroft School.  Then it shows a glimpse of the healing the nun at Wanton, performed by the Informal Club at the same place.  The pageant goes through North Bar and on to the centre of the town, watched by crowds on the side.  There is a brief look at the play based on the healing of a servant of Earl Addi at Cherry Burton, played by the St Nicholas’ Players.  We are informed that the plays were performed at the Wednesday Market, Lairgate, the North Bar Within, and the Saturday Market, in the manner of the 15th century mystery plays.  They pass through the Saturday Market Place, packed with spectators who return to their shopping once the procession has passed.  The procession proceeds past the Lord Nelson pub, with crowds following them before returning to Fleming House. The Mayor, in his historic costume, thanks all those that have taken part, watched by Mr Lucius Humes, the pageant controller.  Inside Fleming House are stalls selling fish and medieval cakes, manned by people in medieval costume.  Outside children from St Mary’s Schools perform a maypole dance, watched by other children. There is a sign for Women of Wychwood, with the “Bowmen of Beverley”, who are putting on a display of archery.  This is followed by a tug-of-war, a judo display, and sword dancing performed by children from St Mary’s Boys School.  The film finishes briefly showing inside a tent where the collecting tins have been collected. Title – The End