Title:NORTHERN IRELAND MATERIAL FOR THE NEWS PROGRAMME "SCENE HERE", NOVEMBER 1995 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFB 63
Other titles:NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Three (edited?) stories, plus an interview with the GOC Northern Ireland, for British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) and their news programme "Scene Here".
Description: I. "Ceasefire Soldier". Men of 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment in patrol - "a rare sight" due to the the scaling down of British army security activities in the wake of the continuing ceasefire. Soldiers at Bessbrook Mill Barracks, who have less to do, which is seen as a good thing (more time for training etc). The Irish Guards at Dungannon are also visited, who are always on alert and, although the relationship with the local community is improving, the ceasefire is uneasy and the unit must be able to mobilise immediately if necessary.
II. "Community Relations." Soldiers at Ballykinlar camp, seeing themselves as part of the community and relaxing after the ceasefire, are making some of the camp facilities - eg gymnasia - open to the local people. Interviews with Major Chris Joynson (2nd in command, 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment; also with army wife Ann Dunn, who has organised a netball team (seen in action). Interview with William James, head of the local primary school (to which some of the army children go). Men of D Company (1 Staffords) who are helping mountain warden James MacEvoy to build stone steps on the hills (which help reduce soil erosion). Interviews with Mr MacEvoy, Second Lieutenant Andrew Hetherington and Private Lee Williams.
III. "GOC". Edited interview with retiring General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland, Lieutenant-General Sir Roger Wheeler, about the changes to the army and its role in Northern Ireland fifteen months after the ceasefire, and about the pending changeover of command to Lieutenant-General Sir Rupert Smith.
IV. Incomplete unedited material of the interview with the GOC.
Alternative Title:NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: Army Information Services, Northern Ireland (Production sponsor)
SSVC (Production company)
Headquarters Land Command Mobile News Team (Production company)
