Metadata
WORK ID: NEFA 10911 (Master Record)
| Title | Year | Date |
| A WORLD OF MY OWN: DR IAN RAMSEY | 1969 | 1969-01-01 |
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Details
Original Format: 16mm Colour: Black & White Sound: Sound Duration: 23 mins 54 secs Credits: Organisations: Tyne Tees Television On-screen participant: Dr Ian Ramsay Genre: TV Documentary Subject: Working Life Religion Railways Politics Fashions Family Life |
| Summary An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series A World of My Own, probably transmitted in February 1969, which looks at the life and views of the 90th Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Dr Ian Thomas Ramsey. The programme follows him in his daily work, from his home at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, to Durham Cathedral. On a train to Leeds, he ... |
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Description
An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series A World of My Own, probably transmitted in February 1969, which looks at the life and views of the 90th Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Dr Ian Thomas Ramsey. The programme follows him in his daily work, from his home at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, to Durham Cathedral. On a train to Leeds, he discusses some of his views on politics and in a local clothing boutique in Handyside Arcade, Newcastle, he holds an impromptu discussion with...
An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series A World of My Own, probably transmitted in February 1969, which looks at the life and views of the 90th Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Dr Ian Thomas Ramsey. The programme follows him in his daily work, from his home at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, to Durham Cathedral. On a train to Leeds, he discusses some of his views on politics and in a local clothing boutique in Handyside Arcade, Newcastle, he holds an impromptu discussion with young people on fashion and protest. Dr Ramsey is also filmed conducting a wedding service and visiting prisoners in Durham Prison.
The programme begins with Dr Ian Ramsey, walking through the grounds of Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland. He goes inside the castle and into an officer where he holds a meeting with two women about his upcoming calendar of events.
A car leaves the grounds of the castle with Dr Ramsey on board making its way to Durham Cathedral. While in the car, he dictates a letter about an upcoming visit to the House of Lords. As the car crossing a bridge into Durham, the cathedral can be seen in the near distance.
Dr Ramsey and the Dean of the Cathedral walk through Bede’s Chapel inside Durham Cathedral discussing preservation work that is going to be taking place.
The film cuts to show various views of vandalism including derelict terraced housing, a vandalised telephone box and the inside of a railway carriage. Graffiti on a wall reads ‘We Hate Maggys’. A sign on a rundown railway platform reads ‘Felling’. A diesel passenger train pulls into the platform.
On board the train, Dr Ramsey speaks to camera about ‘football excursions’ and what he believes should happen to those who cause vandalism on trains.
The film cuts to a Brigadier Branson speaking to camera about the needs for church unity in the 1970’s and the ‘political gimmickry’ of Dr Ramsey. Still on the train Dr Ramsey responds to the Brigadier’s comments by saying that he can’t see how the church can’t be involved in politics in the wider sense as it is all part of us living, working and acting together. Cutting back to the Brigadier who believes Dr Ramsey is like Don Quixote and should be focusing on improving the image and support for the church rather than focusing on some of the issues he has commented on. Dr Ramsey concludes by saying that God will inspire us.
Dr Ramsey walk past the window of a modern clothing boutique. Inside the boutique, ‘Boy Meet’s Girl’ in the Bigg Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, Dr Ramsey passes a young woman wearing a mini-skirt on the stairs.
Dr Ramsey gathers a number of the young men and women in the shop around him and begins a discussion. He asks them if the fashions of today are a protest against social taboos. He asks if women who wear mini-skirts are aware, they are being ‘sexually suggestive’. The responses from the young people are favourable.
To a contemporary rendition of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” views of a young woman looking at the latest fashions on sale at ‘Boy Meets Girl’ followed by views around the shops of modern fashions. The first part of the programme ends with views of young women in different outfits walking the streets of Newcastle around the Monument area.
The second part of the programme begins with Dr Ramsey performing a marriage ceremony in a modern church. As well as view of Dr Ramsey, there are views of the bride, who is wearing a white gown with fur-trimmed hood, and the groom.
Sitting at a table in a kitchen Dr Ramsey speaks with a woman about a visit she is going to make to Oxford and him collecting a car from Leeds.
A view of Durham Cathedral from the exercise yard at Durham Prison. Dr Ramsey walks through one of the prison wings and speaks with three prisoners in a yard before walking into St Cuthbert’s Chapel inside the prison. The film cuts to the entrance of the prison and Dr Ramsey coming through the main gate.
Back at Auckland Castle Dr Ramsey, another member of the clergy and two women walk into The Chapel. They take a seat in a pew and Dr Ramsey leads them in pray.
The film cuts to show men coming away from a colliery, possibly Usworth Colliery, after a shift and walking along a road for home. The wheelhouse can be seen in the distance.
In the church yard of Usworth Holy Trinity Parish Church is the memorial to the disaster there in 1885. Views of war memorials to both World War One and World War Two which includes a stained glass window.
In a school playground children play.
The film ends with Dr Ramsey performing a christening in a chapel with the family standing around.
Context
This film was produced by Tyne Tees Television, which at the time was based within Newcastle city centre. Being relatively new, only launching a decade prior in 1959, Tyne Tees Television ran local content such as the ‘A World of My Own’ series, but also American programmes such as ‘I Love Lucy’. This content would be broadcast to the public who would be able to see the television listings via The Viewer magazine produced by News Chronicle. The network would try to emphasise regional content,...
This film was produced by Tyne Tees Television, which at the time was based within Newcastle city centre. Being relatively new, only launching a decade prior in 1959, Tyne Tees Television ran local content such as the ‘A World of My Own’ series, but also American programmes such as ‘I Love Lucy’. This content would be broadcast to the public who would be able to see the television listings via The Viewer magazine produced by News Chronicle. The network would try to emphasise regional content, such as this series, which looked at the lives of notable members of the North East such as MP Manny Shinwell, author James Mitchell, and the Bishop of Durham, Ian Thomas Ramsey. The episodes look at a wide range of topics, from poverty and depression to youth and fashion, to examine details of North East culture and society.
Britain at the time was undergoing one of its most revolutionary periods: changing ideas regarding feminism, society and fashion all shaped the landscape of British history in the 1960s. Women were becoming more independent, dressing differently and removing themselves from traditional gender roles. Up until the 60s married women were also more dependent on their husbands, however that changed with the increase in feminist ideology, as women sought to take back some independence. The 1964 Married Women’s Property Act allowed women to keep half of any savings they made, and the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 meant mutual agreement could justify divorce, rather than the blame being put on one partner. The institution of marriage to some degree began to see an increase in issues after this relaxation of law. Public opinion was also changing and not just towards women. People were turning to fashion to express themselves and demonstrate this removal from societal norms; for example, the mini skirt became popularised for women. And more extravagant or colourful patterns and colours began to appear in both male and female fashion. As a whole, society began to question the institutions and ideas which had been almost unchallenged for so long. Ramsey’s trip to the Newcastle store ‘Boy Meets Girl’ within the Bigg Market leads to a discussion with a group of young adults about fashion as a form of rebellion for the youth in terms of mini-skirts, sexual provocation and societal restrictions. Mini-skirts were one of the most iconic features of 1960s fashion and made famous by designers such as Mary Quant and models such as Twiggy; their influence was noticeable throughout Britain and they became a representation of greater freedom for women. Although no longer looking as grand due to the destruction of the Town Hall in 1973, the Bigg Market and some of its old structures remain the same to this day, however the old businesses such as ‘Boy Meets Girl’ are no longer, replaced instead with bars, clubs and restaurants. Tyne Tees Television at the time was aiming to produce content reflective of the region, which would represent the identity of the North East and their communities. An insight is given into the life and activities of the Bishop and his opinions on prison reform, contraception and football hooliganism. These topics will likely have been chosen to show the issues around the region at the time, with football hooliganism from fans of Newcastle United and Sunderland A.F.C. being of particular concern. Vandalism was significantly on the rise in the period. In the case of contraception, it was a large issue both socially and religiously due to the emergence of ‘The Pill’ allowing women greater sexual freedom. This was criticised by members of the Church who likened it to a form of abortion and challenged it on moral grounds. Nevertheless, it had an enormous effect on British society, for both men and women, and continues to this day to have impact, for example the increase in momentum for a male birth control pill as of 2019. Dr. Ian Ramsey, 90th Bishop of Durham, is seen travelling from his home of Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, through to many other notable sites, such as Durham Cathedral, Durham prison, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre. Ramsey grew up in Farnworth, a Borough of Bolton in 1915, the only child of a working-class family. He attended primary school within the area and eventually attended Farnworth Grammar School, before being awarded a scholarship to study mathematics, moral sciences and theology at Cambridge University. Before becoming Bishop of Durham, he would hold many other positions, such as Chaplain at Christ’s College, University Lecturer, Deacon in 1940, and Priest in 1941. Ramsey explains why he believes society to be in a state of ‘moral turmoil’. Images of vandalised buildings and railway carriages display the issue of hooliganism which the North East was undergoing due to a dissatisfaction with society in working class environments. The Bishop tries to appeal to the youth throughout, as the Church needed the support of a younger audience to secure their future. His use of technology via a pocket dictating machine for example portrays him as a man of the 20th century, not held back by his connection to the Church. Ian Ramsey, Bishop of Durham, passed away not long after this film was produced, in 1972. His combination of a working-class background and academic background made him a pivotal member of the Church and highly influential within the region. The Ian Ramsey Church of England Academy within Stockton-on-Tees highlights this legacy best, as an exemplary member of the North East community. Related Collections: http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/world-my-own-james-mitchell http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/world-my-own-sid-chaplin http://www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/world-my-own-manny-shinwell References: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2015/23-january/features/features/a-man-in-tune-with-his-times http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100403422 https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-1960s-The-Decade-that-Shook-Britain/ https://www.bl.uk/sisterhood/articles/marriage-and-civil-partnership https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/story-tyne-tees-tv-launched-10617170 https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/through-decades-north-east-1960-11126954 |
