Eardisland - Portrait of Parish

This film examines the social history of the parish through the eyes of the local people who recall the changes seen in their lifetimes. It focuses on the people, places and events which have importance for the community. It shows many old skills now lost or becoming rare (such as picking hops by hand, laying hedges, plowing with horses) and some of the new ones which exist. There are young craftsman and women working in the parish, several sporting international live here, and some new traditions like the duck race and the midsummer celebration of Morris men, have developed.
The community that links its past history to the present is seen in the ancient buildings, one which has recently been identified as early 15th century, despite a modern exterior. The interiors of three historic homes and churches are examined. The re-collection of many long-term residents provide insight into the changes in daily life which have occurred in recent times. There were once two shops, a petrol station, a chapel that was well used, and a tin bath in front of the fire. There are wartime stories of the exploits of the Polish airmen and the Home Guard and unusual views of Arrows in flood and a steam train passing through Pembridge Station, (where school boys put half pennies on the line to be flattened into pennies) An old cider press is examined and the renovated wheel at Arrow Mill is seeing turning, a reminder of the one that once operated in Eardisland.
The goal is dedicated to the memory of Bill Blatchford who provided such great help and encouragement to the history group since its inception in 1993.
The film could not have been made without the help and funding support the Local Heritage Initiative. This is a national grant scheme administered by the Countryside Agency and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Nationwide Building Society
Produced by Eardisland History Group 2006 and by Squirrel Productions