This is a documentary which captures the varied celebrations which took place in York during the year 2000. Events include a special Mystery Plays performed in York Minster, Battle of the Bands, York’s Person of the Millennium award to Dame Judi Dench, a royal visit by the Queen, and the construction of the Millennium Bridge across the Ouse. The film opens as an animated representation of a lion walks into view. This then turns into one of the lions which appears on York’s heraldic shield....

This is a documentary which captures the varied celebrations which took place in York during the year 2000. Events include a special Mystery Plays performed in York Minster, Battle of the Bands, York’s Person of the Millennium award to Dame Judi Dench, a royal visit by the Queen, and the construction of the Millennium Bridge across the Ouse. The film opens as an animated representation of a lion walks into view. This then turns into one of the lions which appears on York’s heraldic shield. Title: York’s Millennium Year This fades out to show an evening view of a crowd waving sparklers and blowing horns as they celebrate York’s millennium. The crowd occupies the precinct near the Minster watching fireworks as the bells of the Minster ring. Title: The dawn of a new millennium broke in York. A speech to the crowds outside the Minster hopes for happiness and peace. A young child in her father’s arms holds a candle. The film shows people in the crowd brandishing sparklers and shouting. ‘Happy New Year’ and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ An electronic millennium countdown display shows the message ‘Happy New Year’. A closer view show members of the crowd lighting sparklers A photograph of a mother holding her toddler has the accompanying title: Title: 28 minutes into York’s celebrations, Chloe Stead was the first born. York’s Lord Mayor speaks on camera. Title: Councillor Shân Braund was invested as Lord Mayor for the year 2000 – 2001 On screen she outlines the events happening over the coming year to celebrate York’s Millennium. Views follow of an excerpt from one of York’s Mystery Plays. Title: The Millennium Mystery Plays were a highlight of York’s artistic year. Over 27000 people saw the amazing spectacle. An excerpt from one of the plays tells the story of Noah, where animals are guided into the ark. Title: The Mystery Plays were performed in the Minster to celebrate the millennium. Title: The cast of locals and professionals worked together to perform a critically acclaimed performance. Next an excerpt from the story of Adam and Eve where the Devil makes an appearance. Interspersed with these views are some showing the technical staff preparing the Minster for the plays and working behind the scenes. The film cuts back to a great storm battering Noah’s ark, then the film moves to final scene in one of the other plays where the cast sings, enthusiastic applause from the audience follows. The scene fades out and fades in again to shows a group standing outside a church under a banner which reads, ‘York Local Agenda 21 A Better Quality of Life’ Hugh Bayley MP for York Central explains their aims. Title: Agenda 21 was celebrated by a festival dedicated to environmental issues. Views follow of an exhibition connected with Agenda 21. Title: Millennium pledges were made by companies, schools and citizens. Hugh Bayley reads his pledge for improving energy efficiency in benefit offices. Students or schoolchildren gather round the base of a tree in a church ground. Title: Children from the local schools learnt about the importance of environmental issues in a series of workshops run at the Hospitium in the Museum Gardens. A view follow of the Hospitium in the museum gardens. Two schoolchildren climb the steps of the Hospitium and stop at the first landing, one speaks to camera. He declares that he will encourage his family not to drive everywhere. In the hospitium teachers and pupils work at tables drawing and describing archaeological items Back at the hospitium steps the second pupil declares she will use the library and recycle rubbish. The film then returns to the archaeology workshop. The mayor appears on camera where she explains how she wants to use the new millennium year to celebrate teaching and education and the connection with business in order to help young people find employment. Two other pupils sit down at the doorway of the Hospitium. The boy declares he will plant more trees and dispose of any rubbish he produces. The film cuts to a presentation where the words ‘The Citizens Pledge’ is projected onto a screen. A presenter talks to an audience to explain this new initiative. The film cuts back to the two school children and the girl commits herself to walking more often and help the elderly people who like cultivating both plants and trees. The film goes back to the presentation explaining the Citizens’ Pledge. The first point displayed on a projection screen outlines the pledge as; ‘a promise to do something as an individual that will benefit your neighbourhood community both in the present and future.’ The film moves on to a cyclist riding along a city street towards the camera, then along a newly opened cycle track in a park. Title: The White Rose cycle track was opened as part of the National Sustrans cycle route. The cyclist appears on camera in an office speaking about the benefits of cycling for the individual and the environment. A group children recite what may be another part of the citizens pledge with a commitment that individuals should look after the environment. A view of a school corridor follows and in voice over Peter Feasby introduces himself as the head teacher of the Robert Wilkinson school in Strensall. Views of groups of children in a playground as they smile at the camera. He then appears on camera speaking from his office then the film cuts to more playground antics from the children, then back to Mr Feasby who explains why he wanted to get the school involved in the citizen’s pledge. With a wave from the children the film moves on to show three workmen. One is a driver of a huge mechanical excavator and he stands on one of the large caterpillar tracks as he talks to his workmates. Title: The millennium bridge continued to make slow progress. A view of sunflowers is next which dissolves into a view of a hospice fund raising notice in the shape of a sunflower where petals show donations so far in the campaign. In the centre of the of sunflower the display reads; ‘time to care together Hospice 2000 St. Leonards hospice and the Evening Press’. The film shows a volunteer talking to people at the hospice, while a voice over describes how they help patients. Title: The pledges continued The volunteer in voice over appears on screen as she describes the work they do, and she outlines her commitment to the citizen’s pledge. She continues as the film shows different parts of the hospice, where at times she works alongside nursing staff. The film cuts to a figure dressed in yellow, who also has his face and head covered in yellow make up. He holds a card to the camera which reads; ‘st leonards hospice wear yellow day’ He makes a visit to the hospice and is seen with the mayor. He also makes himself known to members of the public who he spots wearing yellow. Title: The Yellow man helped their fundraising on a day dedicated to the sunflower. Title: So far the people of York helped to raise over £162,600 for the new annex which will provide much needed facilities. The film cuts abruptly to people dressed as Vikings shouting in a threatening way to the camera. The film shows a group of Vikings rowing a boat on the river. Title: The 12 millionth visitor sniffs the delights of a Viking village at the Jorvik center. The group enact battles and children also take part in wearing costumes appropriate to the time. More views follow of Viking boats on the river. The film moves into a church where a meeting is taking place. Title: And in another part of town… Title: The Coppergate 2 plans were revealed to much public criticism. £60 Million was the price. Members of the public walk into the meeting, a panel of officials sits at a row of tables with microphones. A view of a development plan shows the site of a proposed shopping and car park plans. An artists impression of the new Castle Park is shown. A change of scene as heavy rain falls on a lake or pond. Title: The rain began to fall The view changes to a large brick and stone built building next to the river, then cuts to close ups of part of the fabric of another building. Title: The city saw the opening of the new ‘City Screen’. The development has provided a whole new lease of life to the river front. More close views of architectural features follow. The lord mayor of York appears once more on camera talking about the importance of her work. Title: The National Centre for Early Music A still picture follows of a church tower, accompanied by a choir singing. Interior views of a church show flagstones and stained glass. Title: The Archbishop of York He delivers a speech prior to opening the medieval St Margarets Church as a concert venue, and the home of the National Centre for Early Music. Choristers and musicians perform and general views show guests celebrating the opening. The film then shows schoolchildren dressed in 17th century clothes undertaking foot drill carrying broom handles as pikes, a kind of spear. The activities teach them about life during the English civil war. Title: The Center also ran a series of innovative projects. The children are taught contemporary songs and dances of the time, accompanied by period instruments. General views follow of the children dressed in period costume listening and watching more of the civil war period cultural history. A soundtrack of early religious music accompanies the scenes. A view follows of the children enacting a military civil war gathering. Title: Beware the children of York rebel! A high angle view shows the children involved in civil war skirmishes. They march towards the camera carrying flags and led by a drummer. A complete change of scene and music as a rock band plays on stage. Title: The summer also saw and heard the aspiring bands of York commence their aural onslaught to become ‘Numero Uno’ in the Battle of the Bands. General views show people arriving at the concert venue. A band outside explain who does what for the camera. The film cuts back to the performance. A woman on camera explains how the battle of the bands benefits the participants. She then appears on stage as she talks to the audience Title: Bands from all York schools were invited to compete. One participant speaks on camera about hoping to see his name in lights. Another band performs, while a note on a door lists a room’s band occupants including ‘The Nipple Twisters, Caution 21, Vacant Goldfish and in smaller letters Room 3. Title: The Schools Battle of the Bands 2000 was won by ‘Switch’ The film goes on to show an open page of the Lord Mayor’s Visitors book which is placed on a table. The entry shows the day and date; ‘Tuesday 7th Match 2000 Luncheon for York’s Millennium Person Award’. Beneath is the signature of the recipient, Judi Dench the actor. Another change of scene shows guests gathering for the banquet. Guest of honour the film and theatre actor Judi Dench. Title: Dame Judi Dench was voted York’s person of the millennium. She gives a speech to the other guests to thank them for the award, and they in response applaud. A schoolgirl appears on camera talking about the establishment of a school garden. Next large number of cyclists cross a field. A large hoarding has a notice which declares that the 17th to the 25th of June will be the ‘Millennium Festival of Cycling’. In a field near some marquees a Cyclists Tourist Club banner reads ‘CTC [logo] Welcomes You’ The mayor gets a ride in a modern rickshaw. Title: Cycling remains very popular in York and was celebrated in style at the Millennium cycle rally. More views of cyclists follow, some on roads and cycle paths. Title: Staying green, the cyclists of York united to welcome in the new millennium. The mayor appears on stage speaking to an audience using a microphone, saying how much she enjoyed her rickshaw ride. She then officially opens the York cycle rally. Views follow of two cyclists riding a very antique machine, general views follows of other cyclists on the move while the mayor’s speech continues. More views show BMX style bikes in competition as well as general cycling and the mayor getting another rickshaw ride. [Black and White] The antique machine for two riders is shown in action. The film moves to York city wall, with a speeded-up approach towards York Minster in the evening. Title: And in another part of town… Various static views of the minster follow, along with views of the city taken from the Minster tower. The film moves to a schoolteacher talking to a group of pupils. Title: 2000 Voices for two thousand was a musical celebration of 10 decades of popular songs. The teacher tells them they will be involved in a singing concert at Rydale stadium just outside of York. As she continues talk to her pupils the film shows participants and audience members arriving at the stadium. The concert will involve the performance of 10 songs from the 20th century, one for each decade. She sings along with her class a song from the time of the First World War, ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’. This is followed by views of members of the audience at the concert joining in with the song. Back at the school rehearsal the children sing along with a 1950’s rock and roll song, ‘Rock Around the Clock’ made famous by Bill Haley. At the concert members of the audience dance to the same song. Title: Families and children braved the weather to sing their hearts out at the Ryedale stadium. At the concert the school peoples sing a song for the 1960’s made famous by the Beatles, ‘All You Need Is Love’. General views show the singing schoolchildren and audience enjoying themselves. The film moves on to an array of silk scarves or similar items displayed on a table. A sign above a doorway reads: Welcome to Foxwood Community Centre OPEN TO ALL Leisure Services’ Another notice on display reads: ‘Foxwood Community Centre presents – A Family Celebration of Asian Arts – Sunday 13 August 2.00pm to 4.00pm For All Ages’. A close view shows an artist drawing patterns on a piece of paper. Two women dress another in traditional clothing. On another table food is prepared. A notice describes the practice of making Rangoli Patterns, a form of decoration made on the ground by women outside their homes during festival of Divali. A patterned decoration is made on a girl’s arm, similar to a tattoo but using a paste squeezed from a specially designed applicator. A young boy has his face painted with a tiger’s features. The film then shows pictures and models of heads or portraits, including a photographic portrait of Jimi Hendrix, the rock guitarist. Title: The latest technology in media arts in media and arts was celebrated in an expo dedicated to interactive light and sound. The demonstration continues with abstract images and sound. A section of film follows showing the words Hands and Voices moving across a predominantly blue coloured screen. Title: Hands and Voices A diagram shows the signing technique for those with hearing impairment. A man and teenage girl walk along a footpath. The girl is introduced as Caroline Dale and she speaks on camera about using sign language in this context. Title: Noah’s Opera, performed by the unique ‘Hands and Voices’ choir was a multi-media show commissioned by York Mystery Plays and performed at the Center for Early Music’. As she speaks the film shows Caroline working with someone opposite her as she practices the signs. Outside she sits next to the man seen earlier and talks more about the project. She sings and signs one of the songs from the opera. Animated cartoons represent the animals in two’s, heading for Noah’s ark. A man and woman sit on a park bench, the man who is blind talks of his experience with the opera project. He practices lines using an audio cassette player, then continues to speak on camera about the project. We see the man working with other performers. Views follow of a performance with on screen signs. Title: A part of the Millennium Mystery Plays celebratory year, a group of young people from all over York came together to produce a play called ‘Hourglass’. Views follow of the exterior of the Theatre Royal. Inside a group of people sit at a large table at a meeting. A member at the meeting talks about how the children involved in the production have performed very well. The film shows the young people working and performing together. A view of stained-glass windows accompanies further commentary, followed by more views of the young actors in performing the new play. On screen a woman, possibly the director, talks of how the young people responded to understanding the religious elements. As she continues talking external views of a minster window follow. More views follow of the young people performing onstage. Title: it was presented at the Theatre Royal to a capacity audience. Title: Chris Bartrum Chris Bartrum speaks on camera about some of the music used in the play. Examples of some of the music performances follow. Title: Damian Cruden Damian speaks briefly about the success of the project. Title: July sees the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip. The mayor and other officials stand in anticipation of the arrival of the Queen and Prince Philip, and crowds line the streets. The royal limousine arrives and the Queen gets out, and immediately the crowds cheer as she waves. The mayor welcomes the Queen with the state sword of the city of York which allows her to enter the city gates. The mayor has a conversation with the Queen. Title: The Queen was given the sword of the city and allowed to enter through historic Micklegate. The Queen accompanied by the mayor officially enters the city Title: The City welcomed the Queen with cheering crowds…and rain. In pouring rain the royal limousine pulls up outside a large mansion style house. In front of the main door is an arch of blue and yellow balloons with a red tape going across the main uprights of the ‘arch’. Prince Philip opens an umbrella, and the Queen is given an umbrella as she and Prince leave the car and are greeted by officials. An announcement is made as the Queen is handed scissors to cut the tape, to officially open the City of York’s summer days programme. The ribbon is cut and balloons are launched into the sky. The Queen and an official walk across the lawn, to a marquee where young actors and musicians perform. Title: Young actors and musicians performed for the Queen and Duke…despite the rain. A close up view follows of the Queen and Prince Philip followed by them entering the building. Title: Summer fairs and celebrations scattered the city’s summer…dodging the rain! Title: Wiggington Fair was a delightful event General views follow of adults in period dress, a bouncy castle, children have their faces painted. Some play tabletop games. A display of old photographs shows village life during the war and at other times. Title: A group of Wiggington locals planted trees for their community millennium pledge. Some photographs show adults and children planting trees [Black & White] The film moves on to traffic making its way through floods and general views of flooded fields. [Colour] In the city a flood defence gate is closed a notice attached to it reads; ‘Access Closed Due To Flooding’ Title: In the worst floods for over four centuries the city struggled to keep its head above water. Views follow of collared doves taking an extended bath and shower! [Black & White] General views show flooded streets. [Colour] More general views show houses near the river with flood water up to doors and windows. Some take advantage of the flood waters to get around using small boats. More general views follow of flooded fields. A change of view as cranes help position the new Millennnium bridge. Title: The millennium bridge finally begins its slow journey across the Ouse. The scene changes to children painting papier maché balls Title: The Lord Mayors parade was the culmination of months of hard work. One boy holds up a painting of a flag he has finished. A large sign is being painted on the floor, it reads: ‘Snappy Tourist Board’ The film shows decorated floats taking part in the parade. Title: Preparations were city wide with over 40 floats…singing, dancing, honking and generally celebrating in true York style. School groups, marching bands, Sea scouts and other societies are in the parade and a couple dance to live music performed along the way. Title: The Lord Mayor’s parade was celebrated with millennium gusto. A couple in costume but on stilts make their way in the parade, entertaining onlookers near a branch of Woolworths. The Lord Mayor passes by in an open horse drawn coach. Silver cups are awarded to groups and individuals for their contribution to the parade. A small boy lifts a large silver cup for the camera. The view changes to a group of young people boarding a large coach bound for London. Title: A group of York’s young people went to the beleaguered Millennium Dome in London to perform a play representing the City of York. The film shows the coach driving through York and then, in a speeded-up section of film, travelling down the motorway. The coach approaches the Millennium Dome, everyone gets off all the coaches that have travelled from York and enter the dome. A notice appears on film which advertises ‘Our Town Stage’ which then shows sequences of young people dancing to a rock soundtrack. A young woman delivers lines on stage outlining the character and history of the City of York. The film cuts to a rapid series of views of familiar sights, places and the people of York, which ends the film. The animated lion which appeared at the beginning of the film appears again, as does the heraldic shield with the proclamation beneath it which reads ‘York’s Millennium Year’ Credit: Some images in this film were used with the kind permission of The Yorkshire Media Consortium and The Yorkshire Film Archive. Credit: cameras Edward G. Torsney, Andy Burns, Shaun Bradley, Chris Spence, Binny Baker. Credit: Graphics and Animation – Andy Burns Credit: Music – Will Edmondes Credit: Editor – Edward G. Torsney Credit: Director – Binny Baker Credit: The Old Dairy Sound And Video Studios © 2001