The Reluctant Squire

Summary

Joe Goddard is the squire of the village of Newton Harcourt in Leicestershire. He uses poetry to express his feelings about the role and the changing face of the countryside.

Year:

1983

Duration:

0:25:55

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Documentary

Company:

Central Television

Master format:

16mm

Description

The voice over is provided by Joe Goddard who throughout the film describes his work as squire, the traditions he is trying to uphold and also he recites examples of his poetry.

There are also sections of an interview.

We first see Goddard out on a shooting party.

We see the exterior of his house at Newton Harcourt and the surrounding Leicestershire countryside.

We next see Goddard feeding pheasants, at a social function and walking with a group to a ceremonial tree planting event on his land.

Goddard is keen to keep local footpaths open and is seen walking with a village rambling group.

A pack fox hounds is seen being exercised by two handlers who run alongside. On their arrival at Goddard's house he is waiting to serve them with drinks.

The Grand Union Canal and Midland Mainline railway line run close to Newton Harcourt. We see a group of British Waterways workers using poles to move a steel hopper barge along the canal and later we see a freight train and a passenger train passing.

Goddard is next seen attending a service at the local church and then at a cattle auction.

We also the local blacksmith making a horse's shoe and Goddard felling a tree with a chainsaw.

Newton Harcourt Manor contains many antiques. We see two men removing a suit of armour for repairs.

Finally Goddard is interviewed about his responsibilities and the film ends with more countryside shots and another train passing.


Credits

Poems written and read by Joe Goddard
Cameraman - Peter Greenhalgh
Sound - Barry Pritchard
Dubbing Mixer - Tony Anscombe
Production Assistant - Carole Glover
Researcher - Sharon Goode
Film Editor - Tim Horrocks
Executive Producer - Brian Lewis
Producer - Malcolm Feuerstein
Director - Margy Kinmouth


Notes

Central Television production number 1420/82.