Community Filming

Filming project kicks off

Shaun Moore meets Peggy Russel

Filming in Gloucester Park

Gloucester Civic Trust has begun filming communities and individual residents who will have their lives and memories captured on camera.

The films, once completed, will be shown in St Michael's Tower once redevelopment work is completed in June.

Marilyn Champion who heads the Civic Trust project for St Michael's Tower said: "The films are an important part of our St Michael's Tower project.

"In addition we've also been making some short educational films around Gloucester."

So far, some filming has taken place with the Barton and Tredworth Trust and a film is also being made with the Gloucester Sea Cadets.

Meanwhile, there are also more personal films being made focusing on the lives of individuals.

"We have also made two life story films. One is called Nell's Story which tells us all about Nell. She was born in 1924. She tells us about her life working "upstairs downstairs" for Lady Raikes and Lady Marling, and her memories of when Queen Mary came to tea; and how her family coped in the 1930s."

Another film looks at the life of Peggy Russell who was born in 1919 in Albion Street, off Brunswick Square, and still lives there today.

"I'm still looking for people to film so we can record their lives ," said Marilyn Champion.

"If we don't do it now one day we may lose all our local stories.

"If anyone out there is willing to put their memories on film or if you have elderly relatives who have Gloucester stories to tell, I'd be really pleased to film them."

Some filming equipment has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as funding from City Council's Neighbourhood Pride Fund.

However, plasma TV's are still needed for when the Tower, on the Cross, opens.

If someone would like to have their neighbourhood history, or story filmed they can contact Marilyn Champion marilyn.champion@gloucestercivictrust.org