Central Lobby: 29.11.1984: Clatter Village

Summary

The Liberal MP for Montgomery, Alex Carlile, reports from Clatter near Newtown in Wales about the decline in rural communities caused by a lack of amenities.

Year:

1984

Duration:

0:08:55

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Company:

Central Television

Master format:

16mm

Description

We open with views of Welsh countryside (accompanied by a male voice choir) and shots of abandoned buildings (including a chapel). Alex Carlile MP introduces his report with a piece to camera and we see views of a small local farm. Carlile talks about the issues faced by small communities - should they just become dormitory area for larger towns (in this case Newtown) or provide holiday homes for outsiders.

Interview with local councillor Frank Thomas about the importance of small farming to the local community. Views of Clatter school which now only has four pupils. Alex Carlile piece to camera outside the school which is under threat of closure. Interviews with villagers including a woman who remembers when the school opened in 1908. Alex Carlile piece to camera next to Clatter village sign. He then hitches a lift to illustrate the transport problems. Views of the now closed railway station. Interview with retired railwayman, Emrys Wilson who reminisces about life working on the station. Exterior of the village shop which has also closed. Interview with local GP, Doctor Gail Walbank who talks about the community spirt that has survived.

Carlile piece to camera in London outside the House of Commons about the need for government aid for rural communities.


Credits

No credits specified


Notes