Learning on ScreenBRITTISKA UTSTLININGEN
Series
- Series Name
- Mining Review 15th Year
Issue
Story
- Story No. within this Issue
- 3 / 3
- Summary
- BFI synopsis: a look at Stockholm and the British Trade Fair held there.
NCB Commentary - This is Stockholm (the city on the water), capital of one of the most prosperous countries in the world today, Stockholm is built on islands. The long hard Swedish winters make the enjoyment of every bit of sunshine a national recreation. In the older parts of the city, the narrow streets are flag-decorated to welcome the sun, and in the little squares, people just sit and enjoy the coming of Spring.
New buildings there are in plenty - a few miles out from the city itself at Vallinghy, a new town was built a few years back. The streets are decorated in a mosaic of paving stones and again the design is open.
The cars are neatly meter-parked. The traffic problem in Stockholm is considerable, in spite of junctions like the ‘sluice’.
The people of Stockholm relax in cafes set high above their city - or down by the waters edge. Skanzen - a pleasure ground and an outdoor museum of old houses, and customs.
In May, the people had a big Exhibition to see and enjoy - the BRITTISKA UTSTLININGEN - the British Trade Fair. It was helt at St. Erik’s Fairground and among the exhibitors were the National Coal Board. The rapid expansion of Sweden’s industry opens up a wider field for the sale of British coal and coke, now standing at some two-hundred thousand tons a year.
The exhibit gave a comprehensive idea of the British mining and by-products industry. There was film to be seen and a model to demonstrate the workings of a modern colliery to a people to whom deep coal mining is unknown.
The conditions and the atmosphere of the real thing were simulated in a dummy face.
Before the opening, the Chairman, Lord Robens, came to inspect the stand. Lady Robens attended to the more domestic details.
The Fair covered the complete field of British manufacture and many were the ingenious methods used to display the goods.
The opening ceremony was honoured by the presence of King Gustav and Queen Louise of Sweden.
Also in the Royal party were their daughter, Princess Sybill and grand-daughters, Margaretta and Desiree.
Early in his tour, King Gustav visited the Coal Board stand. At the coal face, Lord Robens explained the workings of a Trepanner Shearer. It was operated by John Edwards. a trainee engineer.
The Princesses had a good luck at the British cars - that’s Margaretta; luggage space claimed Desiree’s attention.
In the Exhibition Hall itself, things as old as Scotch Whiskey and as new as colour television were on show. A lot of charming Swedish girls helped in solving the language problem!
Special arrangements were made for visits by people from the other Scandinavian countries and everything seemed set well for an improvement in one of our most important export markets. A peak of twelve thousand people an hour were passing through the Coal Board stand, and young and old alike enjoyed the experience of being deep underground in Britain, while still on the surface in their own country.
The typically English pub was there - and so was the typically English copper. Even Prince Monolulu had a good tip - Buy British!
Yes, by day and by night, Sweden and its people were being made aware of what we make. The shops all over town displayed our goods. Britain’s trade, industry and customs had come to Scandinavia in no uncertain manner. - Keywords
- Exhibitions and shows; Scenery and travel
- Locations
- Stockholm; Sweden
- Written sources
- British Film Institute Databases Used for synopsis
The National Archives COAL 32 /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963
- Credits:
-
- Production Co.
- Documentary Technicians Alliance
- Sponsor
- National Coal Board
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