‘The Great Staycation’ is a brand new BBC documentary film narrated by Adrian Chiles. It follows three family businesses in Stourport and explores how the town has evolved into a thriving holiday destination.
The documentary is the brainchild of Kidderminster’s Paul Barnett, of GOSH! TV, who has produced and directed several well-known shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. These include Come Dine With Me, Coast and Embarrassing Bodies.
Paul told The Shuttle: “I’ve visited Stourport for many, many years as both a child and a parent. So it was the first place I thought of when I pitched the idea to the BBC. What amazed me most was the history of the resort – there’s been a fairground in the town for over 100 years. And the families that run many of the attractions in Stourport go back for generations.”
Filming Locations
Paul and his team have spent most of the summer filming with Stourport’s tourist attractions, including riverboat steamer The River King. The steamer was recently taken over and refurbished by cousins Tom Moore and Jamie Dyde.
“Years ago, people used to flock to Stourport from miles around to take a trip on one of the many steamers that were based here,” said Paul. “Today the only one left is Tom and Jamie’s boat, which they’ve done a brilliant job of renovating.”
‘The Great Staycation’ also spends time at the Treasure Island fairground, which was taken over in 2007 by Henry Danter. Away from the main town, the film also spends time at Lickhill Manor Caravan Park, including a unique interview with the park owner Dennis Lloyd-Jones, whose father started the business in 1956. The film concludes on August Bank Holiday weekend, when the town was flooded with holidaymakers.
Aerial Filming
Specialist drone filming was used to show off the Stourport landscape. Producer Paul says he is keen to show Stourport from a new perspective.
“I was really surprised how different Stourport looks from the air,” said Paul. “The picturesque canal basins are surrounded by beautiful green countryside. I think people will be amazed how beautiful the town looks. It’s a warm, charming and beautiful film, full of amazing local characters. I hope this shows Stourport at its best – It’s certainly a summer I will never forget.”
Watch ‘The Great Staycation’
The Great Staycation: Stourport-On-Severn airs Monday, November 11 on BBC1 West Midlands at 7.30pm.
Source: www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk
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