Film projects

Hidden Histories: Swanley Young People’s Film & Heritage Project

A group of young people in Swanley have created the film ‘Swanley’s Hidden Histories’, marking the climax of several years’ work by youngsters who decided they wanted to research the history of their town.

The journey from a small idea to the big screen involved planning, research, interviews with local people, script writing, performance workshops and film-making as the young people realised their ambition of showcasing their town. Winning a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme made this work possible.

They said that they wanted to show Swanley in a better light, and the film uncovered some fascinating aspects of a town whose past includes a thriving horticultural industry and strong railway connections.

One of the things the young people found particularly interesting was the influence of Gypsy/Traveller culture in Swanley and the shared history of white British and settled Gypsy/Traveller families.

Their film has had a local premiere event and the photographs shared with the project are being exhibited at Swanley Library and Lullingstone Castle. To find out more or arrange a screening of the film, please contact us by calling 01732 749420.

Although led by Sue Lelliott from Real Strategies Community Interest Company and supported by West Kent’s community development charity West Kent Extra, the project was very much shaped by the teenagers themselves. They were also supported by film-makers Fugitive Images, West Kent, Councillor Robert Brookbank, the Hart Dyke family, Swanley Town Council, Kent Libraries and Archives and Kent County Council’s Minority Communities Achievement Service.