Members of Rowntrees department store at Scarborough prepare for the annual festival parade; the theme for this year is 'Carnival of Flowers'. The film opens as the camera moves towards an office doorway in Rowntree’s department store marked ‘Studio’. Inside shelves are packed with materials and next to window a woman hand paints a large notice which reads, ‘Carnival of Flowers’. A view follows of another office door, that of the ‘Promotions Manager’ Inside a man sits at a desk,...

Members of Rowntrees department store at Scarborough prepare for the annual festival parade; the theme for this year is 'Carnival of Flowers'. The film opens as the camera moves towards an office doorway in Rowntree’s department store marked ‘Studio’. Inside shelves are packed with materials and next to window a woman hand paints a large notice which reads, ‘Carnival of Flowers’. A view follows of another office door, that of the ‘Promotions Manager’ Inside a man sits at a desk, and next to him a colourful costume is draped round the head of mannequin. The man sits opposite another who standing behind the desk who presumably is the promotions manager and waves his hands enthusiastically. He checks over some materials which have been brought to him for inspection. They consult a drawing which the manager holds in his hand. The woman who brought the materials drapes length of green material over her shoulders so that she and the manager can make a judgment on its suitability for the Festival Parade. The two men continue their discussion, the man who has been meeting with the Promotions Manager holds a drawing up to the camera which presumably portrays an item which will appear in the festival parade. The promotions manager is seen making a decoration where he uses scissors to cut through some material or coloured plastic which he attaches to a flower design he has in front of him. A general view follows of a work room with an array of materials and other equipment where staff make props and costume items. A view follows, presumably in the same or another workroom of a young woman taking a ride on a swing with a decorated frame. The man who has been pushing her tries the swing for himself. A young woman is helped into a recently finished costume in a deep blue colour. Another woman poses for the camera in a costume which is bright orange. Another staff member sits in the driving seat of the altered vehicle which will power the float in the parade. Staff make finishing touches to the appearance of the float. A mechanic puts fuel in it and checks tyre pressures. The Rowntrees name is painted on part of the superstructure of the float, which is next to the driver’s seat. On another part of the float the title of the display appears; ‘Carnival of Flowers’. Festival parade participants from the store have meals in a restaurant or café but possibly the staff canteen. The promotions manager gets ready in his costume for the parade, another group of young men get ready by putting on checked leggings or tights. The promotions manager in a bright purple and pink costume applies make up. The other men apply black and white make up to their faces. The promotions manager puts finishing touches to his costume. Some children are involved and are made ready for the big event. A young woman applies make-up, others get ready in different parts of the shop. One of the younger men is dressed as a scarecrow. The promotions manager assists another man with his costume. General views follow of costume fitting and preparation. A large Rowntree’s van takes the parade participants to the start of the festivities. The promotion manager and his companion who is dressed as Neptune and both carrying tridents, take to the Scarborough streets. The other Rowntrees store participants wait patiently in the cramped van. Finally, everyone carefully steps out of the van. Other parade participants gather at the same place along with decorated vehicles and floats, including old and modern delivery vehicles from the Ringtons Tea firm and a float commemorating the television soap opera ‘Coronation Street’ The Rowntree’s parade team make some last adjustments to their costumes, and the promotions manager in costume speaks with those on the Coronation Street float. Some of the Rowntree’s team blow up balloons, the promotions manager speaks to a group of people watching them, others from the team make costume adjustments. A closer view follows of the triangular structure on the float made of decorated struts which supports the seat for a swing. One of the women dressed in a bright red costume climbs on to the float, followed by other members of the team. Adjustments are made to costumes and the participants are guided to where they will sit or stand before the float moves off. Everything seems to be ready on the float, other team members are ready, but they will walk with or ahead of the float. Judges approach the float to make their assessments including local businessman and judge Peter Jaconelli. Finally, the float and entourage move down the street, a new notice attached to the float says that the Rowntrees Carnival of Flowers float is ‘Best in the Show’. The float moves a little further down the road with the children and adults on the float waving as the film ends.