Duke of Edinburgh Visits County Town, 1958

The Duke of Edinburgh made his second visit to Aylesbury, a three-part affair. It is not clear whether he piloted the helicopter that brought him to town. He was welcomed by an official party after it touched down on the Sports Ground of the printing firm Hazell, Watson & Viney. In an open-topped car to passed crowds as he continued to Bicester Road where the company housed its main Aylesbury operation. After the works visit, the Duke visited the new Quarrenden School for its official opening, and on the the Stoke Mandeville Games site. On leaving, the Duke is seen getting into one of the two pilot’s seats before take-off. Film features Duke travelling in an open topped Ford Zephyr Mark kII Convertible car, built by the company Carbodies in Coventry. The Stoke Mandeville Games were emerging as an international event for athletes with disabilities. The Duke saw action in wheelchair archery and wheelchair basketball.