Film Number

7575

Title

GRETNEY WALK TENANTS' ASSOCIATION - DR BRODY, MANCHESTER LAW CENTRE & TENANTS' MEETING

Producer

WFA

Date

1985

Gauge

U-matic LB

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

21 mins 01 secs

Description

Dr Brody, interviewed in his office, talks about health hazards surrounding cockroaches - the diseases they carry, such as hepatitis, and as carriers of pathogenic bacteria. Relates to the campaign by tenants and Manchester Housing Dept to resolve the problem of cockroach infestation in the tower blocks in Hulme, Manchester. Followed by an interview with Jane Douglas from Manchester Law Centre who talks about the numbers of people who have approached them about the infestation. Jane gives particular examples which demonstrate the unsuitability of these homes for families with children. She also talks about court action taken by tenants and how the Tenants' Group should be credited for improving the conditions.
This is followed by the first part of a Gretney Walk Tenants' Association meeting where the tenants recount the history of the infestation which started in 1980 and how they were unable to get any action as each Department shifted them on to another. They talk about Harry Sherwood starting the Tenants' Association six months ago and then how things started to change. Different tenants tell their own stories of cockroaches, mice, asbestos and flooding.

[Catalogued as part of 'Revitalising the Regions' a Screen Heritage UK project, 2011]