Description: Film 1. Community Life in Southwark

(footage of a local market and shoppers) – Voiceover explains that as Southwark residents they wanted to meet other residents to explore the past present and future of Southwark life. Footage of residents explaining what community means to them.

Film visits Southwark’s Brandon Estate (built in the late 50’s) to see how community life has changed. Old black and white and colour footage of the estate. Elderly contributors talk about how friendly the community on the estate was initially but community activities died out.

Modern footage of the estate with contributors saying there is a lack of community activities now and what sort of activities they would like to see.

The Brandon Library (built 1960) was a central focus for the community. Current library worker discusses the library today but explains that it isn’t used by many young people.

Elderly residents say that trying to bring the different cultures on the estate together is difficult. Library worker discussed the fact that now the community doesn’t look after the children in the way it used to. Voiceover states the idea of a close knit community has changed amongst young people.

Residents talk about how they think things will change in the future.

Film is followed by edited films from the Brandon Estate Cine Club:

Brandon Estate Cine Club Presents - 1962

Starts Black and white and colour cine film footage of the Brandon Estate from 1962: tower blocks, sculpture, grounds, cars, play area, children, Brandon Library.

Cine Club outing to Stratford on Avon 1962. Black and white footage of a bar, orchestra, dancing, residents on the trip, Nicholas Parsons comparing.

Sports Day 1962. Colour footage of setting up the day, residents, children taking part in races.

The Baby Show 1962. Colour footage of babies and families.

Kiddies Xmas Party 1962. Black and white footage of lots of children sitting at tables to eat at the party, party hats, party clothes (many young boys with ties on), Christmas show with magician, accordion player, balloon act, Father Christmas.

Film 2. Passport to the Future

Starts (xx )

Passport to the Future. Black and White footage from a programme discussing the advantages of boys undertaking design and being good with their hands. Modern footage of school children. Voiceover discusses education’s role in preparing us for life.

Contributors discussing how education prepared them for life. Voice of Lord Harris of Peckham (founder of the Harris Corporation) stating being captain of sporting teams gave him responsibility. Picture of Bermondsey Secondary School for girls. Then Southwark resident, Anne Felton, says it gave her an interest in finding out things and reading so she later became a librarian. Southwark resident Brenda Watkinson said the Alwyn school helped her develop her talent for English.

Contributors currently in education discuss how it prepares them for life. Safiyyah Luqman (16), says it gives her the knowledge to do what she wants to do next. Ellen Stafford (15), feels that she has to cover too many subjects rather than focusing on the ones that would prepare her best. Dylan Lancaster (17), says it prepares him to know how to get a job to get where he wants to be. Georgina Cross (16) says that external business mentors taught her more about how to move forward to university than school.

Contributors discuss how education should prepare young people for life. Brenda Watkinson says she set up her own business helping authors and her English from school helped. Says you should develop your best talent rather than trying to be good at everything. Lord Harris says you need a good grounding in English and Maths. That children should find out what they are good and not so good at and bring both up to the same standard and that motivation is important as well as education. Safiyyah Luqman says basic domestic life skills are important. Dylan Lancaster says people should be taken on more trips to see the reality of what’s available.

Film concludes with a Malcolm X quote about the importance of education.

Film is followed by edited film from 'St Olave’s on Horselydown'

States that the film was produced for the Governors of St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School Foundation with the co-operation of the headmaster, Dr R.C. Carrington, and the staff and boys of the school. Subtitles throughout. Black and White footage of the outside of the school, a classroom with geography teacher, Mr G.M. Chapman and students, an advanced chemistry class taught by T.G. Stevens. Narrator discusses that there are many careers in which chemistry is needed including the ‘newer’ career of biochemistry.

Footage of biology class taught by A.G. Buck including rat dissection. Film discusses the school’s connection with Guys and St Thomas’s hospitals and the careers biology can be used in. Footage of Tower Bridge from the biology lab. Footage of an art class taught by K.L. Sleiman. Footage of school brass band taught by Raymond Allen, trumpeter in the Covent Garden Orchestra. Film discusses clubs and activities at the school.

Footage of the library. Footage of students leaving the school at the end of the day. Views of the local area, including Tower Bridge with traffic and an old No. 78 bus. Ends with a panning shot of the river Thames including Monument, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London.

(Film ends at 22' 46"”)