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Trains, Memories & Filmmakers

Creativity Work is excited to be working in collaboration with Bath City Football Club Foundation and AgeUKBaNES on a Railways Memory project funded by Great Western Railway [GWR] and supported by internationally acclaimed film director Ken Loach.

Working with two local groups of elders in Midsomer Norton and Twerton, the project has two aims: To produce a short film highlighting the historical and social value of the railway for people in Bath and for the film to be made by the members of those groups who are being trained in the art of film making with the support of filmmaking students from Bath Spa University. You are never too old to learn a new skill!

Ken Loach said:

“Most of us have early memories of train journeys. What better way to share them than by recording them on film? This is a great project by the foundation. I look forward to hearing the stories. Maybe I’m not the only kid who got told off for lowering the carriage window on its old leather strap.”

To begin the process of unearthing the train travel memories, Creativity Works commissioned Artist Deborah Aguirre Jones to facilitate three creative sessions over the course of three weeks, using a range of maps and key questions to bring out the stories that will form the basis of the film.

During the second session, one of the Midsomer Norton group commented that ‘taking part in this project has inspired me to go on a train journey – so I’ve asked my Son to come with me and we’re now thinking about where we’d like to go!’

The next stage is to begin filming, which has started this week at Bath Spa Train station, so if you happen to be in the area – you might see the budding film makers at work!

Deborah said – “Meeting the two groups involved in the GWR reminiscence project has been a pleasure. There was a richness of memories shared, filling each occasion with characters, places and journeys from the past which felt both familiar and extraordinary. These groups are welcoming and friendly, with a good dose of mischief and humour mixed in.”

 


Images L-R: Members of Reconnecting Twerton Group at BCFC, Deborah at Orchard Hall in Midsomer Norton with some of the AgeUK group and just one of the many memories that has come up so far as part of this fascinating project.

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