Title:HMS SOMERSET VISITS SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA [Allocated Title]
Film Number:ADM 6610
Other titles:ROYAL NAVY VIDEOS: 1990s [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Unedited coverage of the goodwill visit to Saint Petersburg by the frigate HMS Somerset, May-June 1998.
Description: (Tape 1) General views of Saint Petersburg, including street scenes and shots of a sailing boat under reconstruction in "dry dock".
(Tape 2) Band of HMS Somerset in Nevsky Prospect, Saint Petersburg.
(Tape 3) Scenes of the Shtandart (a replica of Peter the Great's first ship which HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York was to christen) and cemetery scenes (Tikhvin ?) (these dubbed from ITN material).
(Tape 4) Interview with HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York, band Beating the Retreat, and further cemetery scenes (Tikhvin ?).
(Tape 5) Members of the crew of HMS Somerset at (Tikhvin ?) cemetery. FOSF (Flag Officer Surface Fleet) and company. HMS Somerset is opened to local visitors.
(Tape 6) Visitors come on board HMS Somerset in Saint Petersburg. Russian sailors inspect helicopter one of them, Alexander Kelin, is interviewed in hesitant English. Also interviewed is visitor Irene Surnakova who expresses her appreciation. Brief interview with Royal Navy rating (unidentified). Interview (through interpreter) with Admiral Vladimir Yegorov, C-in-C Baltic Fleet, who has brought his nephew to visit (bridge scenes).
(Tape 7) Members of the crew take part in a "Hearts and Minds" project - demolishing a wall and repainting a room at an orphanage in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg. Interviews with two Wrens taking part (OMC Lindsay Birkin and one not identified). Lunch in the orphanage's garden: interviews with CPO (WEA) Stuart Henderson and LWOM (AW) John Hirstwood. Crew and orphanage staff pose on the steps for a photograph. Scenes in Saint Petersburg: RN crewmen look at nesting dolls in a street market and pose with enactors in period dress.
(Tape 8) Sailors continue their visit to Saint Petersburg: shots of Aurora and interviews with crew members out and about in the city.
(Tape 9) Interview with FOSF (Flag Officer Surface Fleet). Visit to HMS Somerset by Russian Admiral (Yegorov ?). Royal Marines visit Palace.
(Tape 10) Colours ceremony. Interview with captain and with members of band. HMS Somerset departs from Saint Petersburg.
(Tape 11) Band plays on quayside as HMS Somerset passes, guided by tugs. Further general views of Saint Petersburg.
Alternative Title:ROYAL NAVY VIDEOS: 1990s [Allocated Series Title]
