Retford town rolls out red carpet for heritage film premiere

18:32, 01 Oct 2007

Retford town will roll out the red carpet next week (w/c 1 October) when former Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom hosts the premiere of a short film depicting the town’s history.

The film Discovering Retford, will be previewed and launched as a DVD at Retford Town Hall Council Chamber, Market Square, Retford, on Friday 5 October, hourly from 12 noon to 2pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Simon Groom, who narrates the film, will take audiences on a journey through the town, detailing the history and stories behind local landmarks such as Carolgate, Grove Street, the Majestic Theatre and St Swithun’s Church, there is also a meeting with a surprise guest in the White Hart Yard.

The film is part of Retford Civic Society’s phase one community restoration project which has involved a series of area improvements including new information boards around the town and canal, planters, plaques, extra seating and Victorian street lighting in some areas.

Funding for the project has come from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Building Better Communities initiative (£20,000) and Nottinghamshire Rural Community Council Alliance SSP (£20,000) and the Chesterfield Canal Trust (£500).

Local Nottinghamshire County Councillor Mick Storey said: “This has been a very exciting community project which Councillor Jim Napier and I were pleased to support. We have previously supported projects with Retford Civic Society including the restoration work around the cannon and Cannon Square and are looking forward to the next phase of heritage improvements along the town.

To celebrate the launch of the DVD, Seth Ellis narrow boat will be running boat trips along the Chesterfield Canal from 10am to 4pm.

Discovering Retford will cost £9.99 and is available to buy from Friday 5 October at Morrisons, The Bay Tree, Bookworm, Ann Wilkinson, The Drawing Room, Seth Ellis Narrow Boat, Tourist Information Centre and Retford Library.

It can also be bought by post (include £1 postage and packaging) from 20 Cavendish Road, Retford, DN22 7HD. Cheques should be made payable to Retford Civic Society.

BBC is a wide ranging five-year programme which will see £25 million invested in making the county a better place to live and work.

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