FILMING for the BBC's production of the Cranford Chronicles, starring Judi Dench, starts on Monday and the village of Lacock has been transformed for the cameras.
Set construction teams have turned The Red Lion pub in High Street into Johnson's Stores, where Dame Judi's character Miss Matty Jenkyns is expected to shop for gifts for her family. The exterior of the pub is almost unrecognisable, with its handsome new ground floor fascia painted dark grey.
High Street and Church Street will be closed from Monday to Friday to allow filming to take place, with anyone breaching the closure rule risking a fine of £1,000.
The BBC film weaves together three different Elizabeth Gaskell novels to create a comic drama about the course of ordinary lives in a small town in Cheshire during 1842.
Speaking about the filming process, Dame Judi said: "I am so excited to be doing Cranford Chronicles. A summer of fun to look forward to."
Each household in Lacock has received £100 for the inconvenience of having a major filming project take place on their doorstep.
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Villagers also had a chance to apply for jobs as extras after the tenants' association negotiated a deal with the producers. Leo Stevens, of Middle Street, Lacock, is one of those joining the cast. The 72-year-old former master mariner, who is chairman of the tenants' association, said: "I am glad that so many locals are taking part.
"It means that when filming takes place here we are a part of it instead of people just taking over the place. It's nothing new to us, seeing filming. All sorts of films have been done here."
Posted by: Jacquelyn Romagnano, New York, USA on 9:07pm Sat 21 Apr 07
Must say I envy the local residents having the opportunity to watch Dame Judi work up close and personal. She is truly one of England's greatest treasures.
Must say I envy the local residents having the opportunity to watch Dame Judi work up close and personal. She is truly one of England's greatest treasures.
Why should local business be forced to close ?
Fining them £1000 if caught opening is disgusting - im assuming that they will be compensated for their loss ?
Why should local business be forced to close ?
Fining them £1000 if caught opening is disgusting - im assuming that they will be compensated for their loss ?
Posted by: A Lacock Resident, Lacock on 8:22am Tue 24 Apr 07
Local businesses are not being forced to close. The £1000 fine is for anyone who tries to drive down the High St while it is closed for filming. The BBC has more than compensated the businesses of the village for the losses they may incur. This is a good thing for the village and the people who live here welcome the "interruption"
Local businesses are not being forced to close. The £1000 fine is for anyone who tries to drive down the High St while it is closed for filming. The BBC has more than compensated the businesses of the village for the losses they may incur. This is a good thing for the village and the people who live here welcome the "interruption"
Posted by: A Scarecrow, in a field on 7:44pm Tue 24 Apr 07
I got evicted though and now have nowhere to go! I've been in the High Street for weeks and then all of a sudden they decide I'm not needed! It's not fair.
I got evicted though and now have nowhere to go! I've been in the High Street for weeks and then all of a sudden they decide I'm not needed! It's not fair.
Posted by: An overzealous resident and part time extra!, Lacock on 10:34am Thu 3 May 07
Hey, check out the photos at: www.dhbphotography.co.uk Click 'events' and you'll see the real stars!! (That's the Lacock residents extras team!!) Their acting outshone all the professionals!
Hey, check out the photos at: www.dhbphotography.co.uk Click 'events' and you'll see the real stars!! (That's the Lacock residents extras team!!) Their acting outshone all the professionals!
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