A film produced by Dave Cave of a visit by Anne, Princess Royal to open the new Hylton Road Block of the Sunderland District and General Hospital on Thursday 26th May 1994. Filmed entirely in the foyer of the hospital the film features invited guests waiting on the arrival of the Royal party and speaking with her over afternoon tea. The film comes with a complete commentary of the visit by John Hindhaugh of Radio Sunderland for Hospitals. The film opens in the foyer of the Sunderland &...

A film produced by Dave Cave of a visit by Anne, Princess Royal to open the new Hylton Road Block of the Sunderland District and General Hospital on Thursday 26th May 1994. Filmed entirely in the foyer of the hospital the film features invited guests waiting on the arrival of the Royal party and speaking with her over afternoon tea. The film comes with a complete commentary of the visit by John Hindhaugh of Radio Sunderland for Hospitals. The film opens in the foyer of the Sunderland & District Hospital where a number of well dressed men and women stand chatting. Around them catering staff help to set up tables with afternoon tea. Outside in the entrance a small group gather waiting for the arrival of the Royal party. Standing to one side of the foyer is John Hindhaugh of Radio Sunderland for Hospitals speaking into a microphone providing a commentary and interviewing some of those who have been involved both in the building of the new 377 bed block as well as those involved in this Royal visit.  More invited guests arrive at the hospital and stand around the foyer area waiting for the Princess Royal's arrival. Outside the Royal party arrives by car and the Princess Royal is escorted into a committee room off the foyer. She is followed by a number of dignitaries. Behind a door leading into the hospital, members of staff look out onto proceedings in the foyer. The Princess Royal and her party comes out of the committee room and are escorted through the foyer and into the hospital itself for a tour. As the Princess Royal continues her visit, guests in the foyer chat over drinks. The hospitals' Estate Manger speaks with the crowd through a microphone about what is expected of them once the Princess Royal returns. People continue chatting waiting on the return of the Princess Royal. The Princess Royal comes back into the foyer and is escorted in the Women's Voluntary Services shop where she is photographed speaking to the staff there. Back out in the foyer the Princess Royal is introduced to many of the guests and takes the opportunity to speak with a good number of them.  The Princess Royal is escorted onto a small platform and stands beside a set of red curtains. The Chairman of the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust gives an introduction after which the Princess pulls back the curtains revealing a metal plaque underneath commemorating the opening of the new wing by the Princess Royal. Following the unveiling a chaplain leads the room in prayer. A second speech is give by Andrew Gibson, Chief Executive of the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust in which he offers the Princess a piece of local glass as a gift. The three of them move over to a small table and the Princess signs the visitors book as well as a photograph of herself which will be put on display. After speaking with Andrew Gibson the Princess Royal leaves, but guests continue to enjoy their afternoon tea. People wave as the Royal cars drive away and John Hindhaugh interviews Andrew Gibson about the visit. The film ends with guests continuing to enjoy the food and drink and a closing view of the commemorative plaque.