Heart of the Country [Programme 166]

Description

Tony Francis visits Flash in Staffordshire which is the highest village in Britain. He meets local historians Frank and Margaret Parker who tell him stories of the village’s often notorious past (some of these are illustrated with reconstructions featuring people in costume). These include an 1834 meeting of a group of women campaigning against piece-rate pay, the murder of two Cheshire salt sellers who were allegedly fed to pigs, the Flash forgers who made coins and the legends of the Flash tea pot day, a sometimes riotous local carnival (b/w stills are shown of the carnival). There are views of the village and surrounding countryside, and Tony also sees Frank Parker’s mushroom farm and visits Luds church, a pagan church in a cavern.

Next continuing the series looking at unusual place names, Tony visits Newtown Unthank in Leicestershire. He talks to a local farmer who has a theory that the name comes from the poor quality of the local soil. Views of the small village and the nearby Kirby Muxloe castle which may also be a source of the name. Vox pops with local people.

The final report is from Ann Edwards about her home town of Northleach in Gloucestershire which is the smallest town in Britain. View of the town bypass which opened in 1984 and shots of the village including the annual Charter Day celebrations and views of the church. She talks to local historians about the history of the town which was once highly profitable due to the wool trade. She also talks to sheep farmer Angela Mason about the distinctive local breed of sheep.

Credits

Camera: Tony Freeman; Barry Gregory; David Davies
Sound: Michael O'Flynn
VT Editor: Peter Mason
Dubbing: Rob Nugent
Actors and actresses: Cotswold Countryside Collection
Research: Holly Tatham; Laura Martin; Ann Edwards
Reporters: Ann Edwards; Tony Francis
Assistant Producer: Jill Fraser
Series Producer: Tony Francis

Notes

CAR/0038/022