Film Number

10262

Title

KIRKBY- PORTRAIT OF A TOWN

Producer

Granada International Productions Ltd.

Date

1970

Gauge

16mm

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

27 mins 06 secs

Description

Ray Gosling takes a look at Kirkby new town which, in 1970, is already suffering the effects of poverty, unemployment and poor housing. It includes locations around the town and interviews, particularly with the local youth, which highlights the problems the area faces.

In this documentary film, Ray Gosling takes a typically idiosyncratic look at the overspill estate in Merseyside, and the social and economic issues caused by an unemployment rate of 20%. A mock city tour by bus takes us around the town, revealing the decay and lack of amenities, while the presenter talks to young people about their aspirations, concerns and desire to leave. Women recount their housing problems, while older adults despair of finding work. At the Centre 63 Club, disaffected young people gather to play pool and lark about, and the film ends in a school playground, with an open-air performance by pupils.