A film made by R. Snowden featuring various events in Pickering, mostly centring on the local Liberal Party. Each film is preceded by an intertitle. Intertitle: 'By-Election Special April 1986' The death of local MP John Spence, who had a 1600 majority, has caused a bye-election. Elizabeth Shields, the new Liberal candidate, raises the Union Jack above the Liberal Club to celebrate the Queen's 60th birthday. A picture of the Queen is shown followed by a photo of David Lloyd...

A film made by R. Snowden featuring various events in Pickering, mostly centring on the local Liberal Party. Each film is preceded by an intertitle. Intertitle: 'By-Election Special April 1986' The death of local MP John Spence, who had a 1600 majority, has caused a bye-election. Elizabeth Shields, the new Liberal candidate, raises the Union Jack above the Liberal Club to celebrate the Queen's 60th birthday. A picture of the Queen is shown followed by a photo of David Lloyd George speaking in Pickering to a large crowd in 1931, and again speaking in Smithy Hall. Intertitle: 'David Steel's Visit April 1986' Later in April, David Steel, the Liberal Party leader, comes to Pickering. Steel speaks to a large crowd in a street. On 1st May, Steve Ross, Liberal spokesperson on Defence, and Jim Walker, Liberal spokesperson on Transport, give their support to Shields at a public meeting in the Memorial Hall. People are entering a polling station to vote. Intertitle: 'Election Day May 1986' The commentary notes that Shields won Ryedale with a 5,000 majority, and that not since 1905 had Pickering elected a Liberal MP. Intertitle: 'Elizabeth Shields Holds Surgery 1986' Shields is giving a surgery at Thursby Hall where she lives. She had once been employed there as a lecturer. Intertitle: 'Prospective SLDP Leaders Visit June 1988' On 8th June, Paddy Ashdown, on his campaign for the leadership of the joint Social Democrats and Liberal parties, visits Pickering Liberal Club. Paddy Ashdown poses for the camera with Elizabeth Shields on the steps of Pickering Liberal Club. Inside Ashdown chats with local party members before leaving. Intertitle: 'United Reformed Church Celebrates Bi-Centenary June 1988' The United Reformed Church is seen with boarded up windows and with renovation work being done to it. (It is difficult to hear commentary with the sound of traffic.) The Rev Malcolm Rogers, vicar of the church, is in his garden. He speaks to the camera to introduce the film. There is a view of the church and of a monument in the church yard. The church entrances are being decorated with flowers, and there is an exhibition of flowers inside. At the Coach house pub/restaurant, groups of people, mostly elderly, arrive for an anniversary lunch. The minister arrives on a BMW motorcycle and sidecar, from which his wife and son get out. Back at the church there is a service with the Mayor, Elizabeth Shields the new MP for Ryedale, and other dignitaries, in attendance. In a church someone sings 'Amazing Grace'.