The second of two films produced by Steve Armstrong relating to Tyne Division, Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. Calliope. In this film Tyne Division are presented with the Freedom of the City of Newcastle at a special ceremony taking place inside the Banqueting Hall at Newcastle’s Civic Centre on Saturday 26th July 1986. Following the ceremony members of Tyne Division proudly march their colour through the city as is their new right. Title: Freedom of the City Newcastle upon Tyne 26th July 1986 to...

The second of two films produced by Steve Armstrong relating to Tyne Division, Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. Calliope. In this film Tyne Division are presented with the Freedom of the City of Newcastle at a special ceremony taking place inside the Banqueting Hall at Newcastle’s Civic Centre on Saturday 26th July 1986. Following the ceremony members of Tyne Division proudly march their colour through the city as is their new right. Title: Freedom of the City Newcastle upon Tyne 26th July 1986 to H.M.S. Calliope R.N.R. The title page from the official programme for the todays event changes to men and women, some in naval dress uniforms, enter the Banqueting Hall inside the Civic Centre in Newcastle. Already in the hall standing at east several units of sailors and officers from Tyne Division, Royal Naval Reserve H.M.S. Calliope are standing at ease. Guests take their seats. On a balcony overlooking the Banqueting Hall a military brass band begins to perform. They stop and a woman in mayoral chains enters the hall accompanied by a small entourage. Once seated the members of Tyne Division all come to attention, standing in front of them a Commanding Officer. Through the Banqueting Hall doors comes the Lord Mayor of Newcastle James Peter Laing following two men carrying the cities ceremonial mace and sword. The band begins to play again as the mayor is taken on an inspection of Tyne Division. Standing on a small platform the Lord Mayor makes a speech about today’s event and the connects between the city and H.M.S. Calliope. This is followed by the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council reading out the special resolution passed by the city council to bestow the honour of the freedom of the city. The Lord Mayor hands over a scroll of said resolution to the Commander of H.M.S. Calliope who then signs the cities Roll of Honorary Freemen. The colours of H.M.S. Calliope are raised as one of the officers leading the procession takes out his ceremonial sword. The Commander of H.M.S. Calliope makes a speech with regards this honour. The ceremony over the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries leave the Banqueting Hall followed by the sailors and officers of Tyne Division. Outside the Civic Centre they march past the Lord Mayor standing in a raised platform and watched by an applauding crowd, at the rear the marching band who continue to perform as they make their way towards the starting point of the parade. On a road a short distance away from the Civic Centre a unit of sailors, their bayonets fixed, stand ready to march through the city. At the front an officer holding the framed city resolution and the marching band who begin to play and lead the procession through the centre of Newcastle ending up back outside the Civic Centre. The ceremony over the members of each unit are dismissed. Back inside the Banqueting Hall tables of food and drinks laid out with guests standing around chatting. The Commander of Tyne Division presents the Lord Mayor with two cut-glass decanters. They pose together for photographs. The film ends on a member of Tyne Division holding the framed city resolution for the camera. Credit: Cameraman Steve Armstrong Assistant Cameraman Bob Armstrong Advisor – C.P.O J. White Edited and Produced by Steve Armstrong End title: A Generation Video production