It looks as if this video clip is not available online yet.
Use the enquiry button on the right and we’ll get back to you to discuss the quickest way for you to view it.
We open with views of streets of terraced houses in the St Ann's area of Nottingham. We cut to a school playground and then a classroom where the children are asked to give their impressions of the area and told that members of the St Ann's Community Craft Centre will be visiting to explain their alternative way of living. We then see members of the craft centre group (who provide a commentary) beginning with street scenes showing two members attempting to fly a kite before we see them in the kitchen of the house they live in. They explain how they are trying to start a new form of society based on helping people to help themselves, sharing skills and providing community services on a not-for-profit (or if possible free from money altogether) basis. One man is then seen going out to clean the chimney of a house whilst others visit shops in Nottingham to ask for donations of food for the community. One woman also visits Pearson's department store to ask for scrap display items that can be used for the local playgroup. Back at the house they share we see a group of children helping with repairs and then see the commune members helping to move furniture into one of the newly built St Ann's houses. This is followed by views of the children's play centre they run and a meals service for the older residents as well as visiting an older resident in her home. The members of the group then visit the school seen at the start for a discussion session with the sceptical pupils about their vision of a new society plus a similar session at Clifton College. We also see craft centre member Jill hitchhiking back to her parent's home at Broadstairs in Kent and walking along the town’s beach. The final section shows the group in St Ann's continuing to clear scrap and rubbish from the area.
Music composed by David Fanshawe
Sound: Christian Wangler; Mike Billing
Photography by Ray Orton; Jimmy Dibling
Film Editor: Colin Slade
Produced and Directed by Chris Menges
The copy held by the archive orginates from a VHS source and is not broadcast quality.