Queen Elizabeth II & The Duke of Edinburgh visit RW Crabtree & Sons, South Leeds, 1958

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II & The Duke of Edinburgh visit print machinery manufacturers RW Crabtree & Sons, Water Lane, South Leeds October 17th1958. This was filmed and narrated professionally by the Yorkshire Film Company in a newsreel style for the firm.

This remarkable, historic film was saved from destruction by employee John Grant and was recently re-discovered under the stage of The Hunslet Club, a long established youth organisation in the area and transferred to modern format thanks to Mr Adrian Sadler.

Were you one of the workers or well-wishers featured or do you have friends or family who are? We would love to hear the memories of anyone in the footage or if there are connections to The Hunslet Club. E-mail friends@hunsletclub.org.uk

http://www.twitter.com/hunsletclub

http://www.hunsletclub.org.uk

This was the first stop made by Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their two day royal visit to Leeds for the Centenary Music Festival. On arrival, the royal couple were greeted by Charles H. Crabtree, the Chairman of the company, and were then given a tour of the works by Director, Peter Crabtree. As well as visiting the Grand Theatre, Leeds University and the Town Hall for the Music Festival the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were scheduled to visit factories and an old peoples' hostel. They were staying at Harewood House. It was the first visit to Leeds since HRH Princess Elizabeth had been crowned Queen.

This footage featured on a BBC Look North news item about the film found at the Hunslet Club which you can view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFRiVq9hAg

A copy of the commemorative brochure that you can see being leafed through at the beginning of the film has been scanned and uploaded to youtube and can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FREWMBbDsQw containing a description of the visit and photographs.

Peter Jackson got in touch after seeing this film on here and says "I can remember so much that was on the film, it does not show me but in one scene The Duke can be seen addressing workers in the heavy machine shop known as 04 Dept, the workers cannot be seen as the camera angle is from a high vantage point, but I was the one he was speaking to. The day was filled with fantastic memories for me, for a while I got the nickname " Duke " being surrounded by reporters with cameras clicking was amazing, I was the centre of attention for ages, and did I like it, even today old friends always refer to it. The Duke was responsible for saving my job. 2 months prior to this, I along with some apprentices and labourers about 12 in total had been informed we had to find other jobs before Christmas, this due to a small reccesion in the industy, fortunately for me during the visit the Duke broke from the main party to speak to me, my photo was in the Evening News & Post.Next day Johnny Tidd who I was apprentice to at the time said " well you won't be leaving now" how right he was for later that day a visit from the personel manager Tom Padget who informed me that Mr Peter ( Crabtree ) had asked him to inform me I could stay. I stayed at Crabtrees for 10 years, the best bunch of workmates I ever worked with."

The Hunslet Club would love to keep in touch with former members and friends to keep you up to date with news of celebration events and upcoming reunions, please email friends@hunsletclub.org.uk to be added to our mailing list or join our facebook Former Members & Friends group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39242306870

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• Crabtree
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[Jackcantsleepful]

My great grand father's company. My mothers uncle Peter and her grandfather.Boring to some,not to others.Not to me.Thanks to whoever uploaded this.

[HunsletClub]

@Jackcantsleepful You're very welcome Jack, we are very pleased that this little window on the past has been of interest to so many people. If your family has got any other films sat in an attic somewhere, let us know, could help with getting them digitally transferred and displayed on here...

[HunsletClub]

@Derevko32 - Whereas shaky weighlifting videos are so much more interesting huh!

I think you've missed the contextual point that this was made in 1958, presumably as a bit of PR for the company to show off to their clients. Had they known that it'd be shared with the wider world over half a century later, maybe they'd have shot it differently...!

[Meganbacon1977]

Fairly certain my Mum is in this clip. She was really pleased!

[HunsletClub]

@Meganbacon1977 That's interesting, in the time this has been on here and featured on Look North etc we've only heard from one other person who's on this, where abouts is she and what does she remember of the day?

[theterrymacdonald]

@meimandytw

The company still business check out crabtreevickers.co.uk

[meimandytw]

@Jackcantsleepful

How's going this company, now ?

[popazz1]

Whether or not the queen may have been 'bored watching this' she at least would have the good grace to keep THAT kind of opinion to herself.You know who you are.

[FaerieCrone]

Lovely clip, thank you!

[oldsquashmonkey]

My dad (Harry Crane) was there, he eventually succeeded Bob Hollins as a foreman on one of the sections. He worked there from around 1940 up to his retirement in 1990.

[anaclet]

Her Majesty is always so beautiful and elegant! Long live the Queen!