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In August 1982 a production company called Lens & Co, run by ex-BBC soundman Bill Hammerton, was asked by Southampton City Council to make a film (yes, 16mm film!) to record the impact the finish of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race at Southampton made on the city.

It was presented by round-the-world yachtswoman and subsequently best selling author Clare Francis. It was shot by cameraman Ian Clarke, and directed by Focus’s Ian Ward.  Ian has some great memories of flying over the final ‘parade of sail’ in helicopters, and then working nights in the edit suite surrounded by rolls of film (‘that unique smell!’), and having a ‘real giggle’ with Clare Francis in the studio when they recorded the voiceover!

For older Southampton people this film will bring back many memories, as it features the world famous Ocean Terminal, built in 1950 and opened by the Prime Minister, Clement Atlee.  It was eventually demolished in 1983, and is  now replaced by the spectacular QEII Cruise Terminal, with Southampton once again hosting some of the most famous ships in the world.

The Tall Ships arriving in Southampton from Lisbon were, as ever, a magnificent sight in full sail, and the film starts by joining a Polish ship on its journey up Southampton Water. It later shows some of the practical arrangements the City had made for what were expected to be two million visitors to Southampton.  In the event there were probably nowhere near that number, but it was a wonderful occasion for everyone who was there.

Copies of the full film on DVD can be obtained by contacting us.