A promotional film produced by the ICI Billingham Film Unit of a visit to Stockton-on-Tees by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on the 4th of June 1956. The film begins with the arrival of the Royal yacht Britannia at Teesport and the efforts being made by local people to prepare for the visit. The Royal party arrives by train and are greeted by a Guard of Honour from the Durham Light Infantry (DLI). The Queen and Prince Philip are drive to Stockton Town Hall for the...

A promotional film produced by the ICI Billingham Film Unit of a visit to Stockton-on-Tees by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh on the 4th of June 1956. The film begins with the arrival of the Royal yacht Britannia at Teesport and the efforts being made by local people to prepare for the visit. The Royal party arrives by train and are greeted by a Guard of Honour from the Durham Light Infantry (DLI). The Queen and Prince Philip are drive to Stockton Town Hall for the unveiling of ceremonial plaque before heading to Stockton Racecourse for an inspection of the troops. The final part of the visit is to the Wilton Works of Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI) before leaving Teesside on Britannia. The Royal yacht Britannia comes into her berth at Teesport, on the quayside two dock workers in white overalls begin to tie-up the vessel supervises by an officer. Some of the crew stand at the stern of the ship, behind them on the River Tees a Royal Naval ship passes. The gangplank is lowered, and an officer disembarks. Phantom car ride past a sign pointing towards the B1446 Teesport Grangetown changes to a long queue of people snakes their way past parked cars and a marquee, all waiting for the opportunity to view Britannia docked nearby. A woman watches over two small girls taking photographs, a small boy looks through a pair of toy binoculars. A solider from the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) steps out of a tent at Stockton Racecourse carrying a pan of water. An officer standing beside a man in a suit changes to more soldiers from the DLI climbing off a bus, checking their dress uniform is in order. The march past a row of parked buses, in the foreground men in dark uniforms stand waiting. Outside Stockton railway station four men are painting the iron railing of a fence while a fifth stands on scaffolding erects a Royal Standard. A small child with a Union Jack flag changes to a man working on a decorative flowerbed. On Stockton High Street passengers wait at a stop as their bus arrives. Around town bunting and Union Jacks have been erected on a fountain and around the Odeon cinema. A large Union Jack flies from the top of the Town Hall. A young woman stands beside a market stall selling colourful flower, around her other stalls are decorated out in red, white, and blue. A stallholder in a white overall wears a Union Jack hat as he conducts business. A large image of Queen Elizabeth II hangs from the Town Hall, ‘God Save the Queen’ is on both sides of the image. Back at Stockton railway station a large crowd wait for the Royal arrival watched over by police. Men from the DLI forming a guard of honour standing to attention beside a marching band. At Norton railway station the Station Master opens a passenger train door. A group of schoolgirls in blue uniforms stand on the platform before making their way to the exit followed by another group of schoolgirls dressed in red. The band at Stockton railway station begin to play, a small boy sits on the shoulders of his father waves a small Union Jack. Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Lord Lawson of Beamish and the Mayor of Stockton exit the station. She makes her way onto a raised platform in front of the Guard of Honour. Stepping down she walk along the line of soldiers before stepping into a waiting car. The crowd’s wave as she is slowly driven past towards the High Street, she waves back. In front of the Town Hall a crowd of invited dignitaries sit on chairs waiting for the Queens arrival. All along the High Street large crowds gather, some leaning out of windows others on balconies. Queen Elizabeth arrives making her way onto a raised platform in front of the seated dignitaries. Prince Philip stands beside her as the National Anthem is played, behind them a number of flags are lowered in respect. The crowds cheer and wave Union Jacks as the Queen unveils a plaque commemorating the visit of the Town Hall wall. Carrying a bouquet, she is escorted by the mayor to a plinth on which is a visitors’ book. She and Prince Philip both sign. She waves at the crowd as she steps down off the platform, Prince Philip takes time to speak with one of the men holding a flag. She walks over to the other side of the platform before getting into her car and being driven past waving crowds. On Stockton High Street a crowd of mainly women stand behind metal barrier waiting on the arrival of the Queen. The Royal car drives past and those on the pavement wave excitedly as the Queen and Prince Philip wave from their open-top rear of the car. On the outskirts of Stockton local children stand outside a school waiting for the arrival of the Royal party. As their Queen is driven past, they and their parents wave Union Jacks enthusiastically. Again, she and Prince Philip wave back. A number of adults and children sit on a curb chatting while waiting on the Queen’s arrive, others walk past looking for a good place to stand. Most are carrying Union Jacks. Again, the Queen and Prince Philip are driven past and the crowd’s wave eagerly. The Royal party drives along Norton High Street where crowds line the route. Back on Stockton High Street an even bigger crowd now line the route as the Royal couple are driven past. Many race along the pavement trying to keep you with the cars. Outside Stockton Racecourse the Royal car comes to a stop and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip get out. She is introduced to guests from the ‘South side of the Tees’ shaking hands with the men while the women curtsey. Soldiers from the DLI march along Stockton Racecourse, their rifles slung. Crowds of onlookers watch from behind a barrier. The Queen and Prince Philip are introduced to officers from the regiment and their wives. A young girl comes over and presents a bouquet to the Queen as she makes her way towards to a raised platform looking out onto the racecourse. Soldiers from the DLI stand to attention in front of their queen as the National Anthem is played, their standards are lowered. An officer from the ranks comes forward and speaks with the Queen. Music begins to play as she and Prince Philip get into the back of an open top Land Rover. Accompanied by the officer they are driven up and down past ranks of soldiers standing to attention as well as crowd waving from the rear. Back beside the platform she and Prince Philip climb off the vehicle. Queen Elizabeth back on the platform the soldiers raise three cheers. As the solider stand to attention the officers salute the Queen, again the standards are lowered. The salute over the standards is raised again, the Queen is introduced to more dignitaries and chats with some of the officers in dress uniforms. In the background a man with a film camera records the events. The Royal car departs Stockton Racecourse passing roads lined with crowds of shouting and waving people. At the Wilton Works of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) a large stand has been erected where invited guests are sitting waiting on the arrival of the Royal party. A display relating to the operation of the works stands nearby. A group of well-dressed men and women come from behind a bus making their way towards the display area. The Royal car arrives and again a waiting crowd waves as it passes. The car comes to a stop near beside a number of dignitaries including Sir Alexander Fleck, Chairman of ICI. The Queen is introduced to the waiting guest and Directors of ICI before being shown around the display by a Sir Alexander Fleck. The Queen is led to a small table and chair where she sits to sign a visitors’ book. The Queen and Prince Philip depart the Wilton Work by car waving again at the watching crowds. An image of both of them atop a buildings with the words ‘Journey Safe’ written underneath. Back at Teesport Britannia awaits the arrive of the Royal party, The Royal Standard and Union Jacks flying from three masts. A group scrambling over rocks wave at Britannia as she sails out into the North Sea. As well as a Royal Naval ship, Britannia is accompanied out of the River Tees by a flotilla of tugboats. End credit: A Billingham Film End title: The end