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Title: NEIL ARMSTRONG VISIT TO LANGHOLM 1972

Reference number: 8768

Date: 1972

Director: filmed by Mary McKone (dec'd)

Sound: silent

Original format: std. 8mm

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 6.46 mins

Description: Amateur footage of astronaut Neil Armstrong visiting Langholm to receive the freedom of the Burgh, Reid & Taylor mills receiving the Queen's Award for Industry, and a family holiday in Blackpool.

See also ref 0536. for Border TV coverage.

Neil Armstrong was conferred the Freedom of the Burgh of Langholm at a ceremony in Langholm on 11 March 1972. As part of his visit, he went to the local tweed mill where he was presented with gifts including the “lunar tartan”. The film was made by Mary McKone, a Langholm woman who worked at the mill.

Shotlist: gvs of guests getting out of cars at Reid & Taylor textile mill in Langholm - pipers warming up - guests walking around, including Provost, staff watching from doorway as guests take seats outside - speech to guests by Lord Lieutenant, who hands over Queen's Award scroll to director - Queen's Award flag is raised, director makes speech - guests leave (1.55) gvs botanic gardens, plants, pathways and flower beds - gvs large public building in grounds (2.35) gvs beach and sea, family members posing on promenade in wind - family walking around funfair - gvs of family on beach at Blackpool, children playing in sand, girl flying a box kite - helicopter flying past (3.57) shots of Blackpool side street, trams in distance - gvs crowded beach, Blackpool Tower in distance - shots of man and woman on deck chairs, Punch & Judy show, 'Ward's Noted Oysters' cart - shot of dog in garden outside bungalow (4.38) gvs lake, probably in Lake District, launch leaving pier, pleasure boats on water, woman on pier (5.36) gvs of procession down Langholm street, led by halberdiers, followed by pipers and official cars, with Neil Armstrong in Rolls Royce - shots of guests arriving for ceremony in church, Cornet and attendants, Provost and councillors - Armstrong and his wife arrive at church in horse and carriage - Armstrong is introduced to dignitaries as press photographers crowd around - guests enter church - brass band leads procession down street, Armstrong waves to crowds - empty carriage drives away - brief shot of official car departing (6.46)