A young Bishop Auckland filmmaker is set to produce a documentary of his home village.
Michael Smith, who is 16 years old and preparing to study film and photography at QE college has been gathering the materials for a film on Witton Park.
“I have spent the early part of the year collecting a vast amount of material to create a documentary film on the history of my home village, Witton Park in Bishop Auckland,” said Michael.
“In late summer, I gathered together some old timers and Witton Parker’s to discuss, reminisce and interview them for added material for my documentary,” he added.
“The day was a success with myself and my advisor for the film, Mr John McLeod, interviewing a vast array of different people with family connections and childhood memories of the hardships and triumphs of living in Witton Park.
“One of the people John interviewed was Mr Jack Allison, who is 91 and still going strong.
“His memory was phenomenal and he informed us of the environments of his upbringing and his wonderful childhood.
“I plan to do more interviews with more villagers to recall the rich history of the village I live in to create a documentary film worth watching,” said Michael, who hopes to complete the project ready for screening in the new year.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
