The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Launch of the RNLB City of Leeds
Jostling for a view, a big Cleveland crowd watch the Princess Royal christen a new lifeboat in Redcar.
From the collection of:
Overview
The camera is buffeted by a brisk wind as Princess Mary christens the first ‘City of Leeds’ lifeboat from the bandstand at Redcar seafront. The courage of these seafaring lifeboat crews are rightly still a cause for local celebration in the 50s as the large and enthusiastic Cleveland crowd assembled illustrates. The royal guest no doubt proved a big draw too. The boat, solid wood and without radar, was bought with £10,000 raised by the Leeds RNLI.
The new lifeboat was stationed at Redcar from 1951 to 1964, launched 52 times and helped save 31 lives. In her book Recollections of Redcar, a local historian and fundraiser for Redcar lifeboats since 1930 when they were powered by oars and launched by horses, Vera Robinson MBE recalls the christening of the lifeboat as the Princess Royal stood on the bandstand, with the boat opposite in Titty-Bottle Park. ‘As it was to be performed by remote control, she appeared nervous of operating the lever, with the result she said “I christen this boat,” … turning to the mayor …”Is that right? ... The City of Leeds”.’ From then on, locals always called the lifeboat ‘Is that Right?’
Related
Watch for free
Yorkshire Riviera Yorkshire Riviera
Amateur film 1958 19 mins Silent Location: Redcar
A nostalgic dip and drive around the North Yorkshire coast in the sun-kissed 50s.
Watch for free
Sand Racing at Redcar Sand Racing at Redcar
Non-Fiction 1950 18 mins Silent Location: Redcar
Walking on sandy beaches can be difficult enough, but thousands turn out to watch motorcycle riders racing around a sand circuit on two wheels.
Watch for free
4th Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment at Redcar Camp 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment at Redcar Camp
Non-Fiction 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Redcar
With war looming on the horizon, troops from the Duke still find time to relax and joke even when learning how to grapple with mortar launchers and lie flat firing anti-tank rifles.
Watch for free
Clean Air Bus Clean Air Bus
1973 1 mins Location: Redcar
Behold Teesside Municipal Transport's Clean Air Bus - a silent and vibration-free bus powered by an experimental Rolls Royce liquid propane gas engine.
Watch for free
Heritage Heritage
Amateur film 1966 8 mins Location: Stockton-on-Tees
The times they are a-changin’ in this Cleveland odyssey.
Watch for free
Redcar for Holidays Redcar for Holidays
Amateur film 1935 8 mins Silent Location: Redcar
Showmen, pitchers, a cheapjack and cellophane swimsuit are caught on camera at the Cleveland Agricultural Show and popular seaside town of Redcar.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.