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DOVER - THE KEY TO A KINGDOM
DOVER - THE KEY TO A KINGDOM
Having spent the last year researching, scripting and scouting locations we are now nearing the completion of an hour long documenatry about Dover, in Kent. With only a few 'filler shots' to go we are well into the editing and awaiting the arrival of an original sound track.
Most people know the name, but often only as a Port, a site in the history of WWII or, of course, the home of the famous Dover Castle; but Dover is much, much more than that.
It has sites dating back to Neolithic times and has played a part in the history of both the UK and Europe through the centuries. Ours is not the story of a specific period but rather a dynamic history of Dover as a town; and what a history! It has influenced everything from dramatic historical episodes to 'pop' music, sport and film; it even appears in a console game.
If you thought Dover was just a town you passed through on your way to or from Europe, think again. Dover has everything - a world famous Castle; one of the oldest and most complicated defence systems in the country and the only triple spiral staircase in Europe.
It was, and still is, the site of fine churches with links to the Knight's Templars and the Magna Carta.
It has a beautifully preserved Bronze Age Boat in it's museum, one of the oldest museums in Kent, and was a port of call for The Discovery before it set sail for the Americas. Indeed, a replica of The Discovery resides at Westenhanger Castle (http://www.westenhangercastle.co.uk) a few miles outside of the town, a Castle that was also the home of King Canute.
It has literary links to Shakespeare, William Cobbett and Wordsworth. Ian Fleming and Noel Coward have both lived nearby. American poetess Alice Duer Miller wrote about it's White Cliffs, a poem that gave inspiration to the film The White Cliffs featuring a young Elizabeth Taylor, and Vera Lynn, Blur & the Decemberists have sung about them. Metal band Anvil recorded an album nearby and Eric Johnson won a Grammy for his recording of guitar music named for them, music now featured in the console game Guitar Heroes.
It has some 1% of the countries remaining unspoilt chalk downland and gives access to some of the finest coastal walks in the country.
It has some unusual sporting links with football and cricket.
It has seen the Bleriot's first cross channel flight and the first ship to shore and international radio transmissions.
We have covered all of the above and more, met some amazing and knowledgeable people, both historic and current residents, who have shared their knowledge and enthusiasm for the town.
Special thanks must go to James Blincow of English Heritage who guided us around Dovers' world famous Castle (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dover-castle) and to the Custodian and Staff of both the Castle and English Heritage for their help: to the Curator and Staff at Dovers' Museum (http://www.dover.gov.uk/museum.aspx) for allowing us access to both the Bronze Age Boat and The Grand Shaft; to the Staff at Dover College (http://www.dovercollege.org.uk/snrtop) who campus buildings now encompass those of the 10th Century Priory; to the Staff of St. Mary the Virgin's Church (http://www.dover-kent.co.uk/places/st_mary_virgin.htm) and to all those who have given so generously of their time and knowledge.
Dover also has a host of fine pubs (with REAL ales) and places to eat. We really have to thank, profusely, the staff at Chaplin's (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/171990-Chaplins-Dover) for allowing the crew to 'clutter up' their tables, and the Proprietor and Staff at the award winning resturant, The Allotment, (http://www.theallotmentdover.co.uk) for allowing us to take over their delightful resturant garden for filming. The superb food many coffees and friendly service from both establishments was much appreciated.
Hopefully the resulting film/DVD will bring you, the viewer, to the town to follow up our 'titbits' and pursue your own investigation into it's long and varied history.
This project was a joy to work on and you can share some of the images we have captured via this page and the 'production stills' to be viewed on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sorceress-Productions_Ltd/218634658149008)