Sixties NI - Episode 6

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The sixth episode of Sixties NI takes a look at changing times in the famous industries of Northern Ireland while also showcasing the memorable visits to Belfast of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Heavy industry had been one of the pillars of the Northern Irish economy and in the early 60s the UTV cameras followed one worker as he set about his day at the Shorts aircraft factory. He is followed from his house to the workplace with the busy streets teeming with workmen.

However, hard times were just round the corner for the near neighbour of Shorts at the shipyards of Harland and Wolff. The most famous shipyard in the world, home of the Titanic, was facing an uncertain future with the workforce slashed from 20,000 to 10,000 in the early 60s. UTV reported from the yard about its prospects.

Another nearby industry of rope making is also featured, along with the wave of industrial disputes and unrest which were sweeping across the sector. Workers took to the streets worried about job security as demand for the traditional industries began to fall.

However, other emerging technologies began to spring up and the UTV cameras recorded a host of them including a turbine factory in Larne, a cable company in Netwonabbey, a hosiery manufacturer in Newtownards and a jigsaw factory in Portrush.

One of UTV’s most popular presenters of the 60s was Tommy James with his nightly musical request show Teatime with Tommy. Tommy visited a transformer factory in Portadown to speak to the staff and hear their requests and also visited the world-famous Gallaher’s tobacco factory in Belfast.

Gender roles were at last beginning to change in the 60s, however slowly and not before time. The UTV cameras followed one young lady as she left her North Belfast house and travelled down the Antrim Road on a trolleybus to Donegall Street and her job in an advertising department. We see her daily routine, including her lunchbreak meet up with her friend who worked in Smyths for Records and their outing to the newly opened Wimpy Bar.

Of course, any study of the life of Northern Ireland in the 1960s would not be complete without footage of the two most famous rock and roll bands of all-time – the Beatles and the Rolling Stones – passing through Belfast. The Fab Four were interviewed by UTV crossing the border from a gig in Dublin and are then seen checking out the ABC Cinema venue in Belfast. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones arrive at Aldergrove airport and are seen turning up at the Ulster Hall for a gig which was abandoned after just twelve minutes due to crowd fainting!

We end the series with a heartwarming look at Willie Campbell, the musical saw player who sat and busked at Belfast City Hall each day. A final snapshot of the daily life of the 1960s in Northern Ireland.