Film that is a 'love letter to town' premieres

Tom MacDougall
BBC News, Yorkshire
Provided A shot from the film: Three elderly ladies are sat a table with bingo cards and daubers, drinking from beer glasses with straws. Provided
A new documentary film called The Town I Love So Well has its premiere in Barnsley

A new documentary film described as a "love letter to Barnsley" will premiere later in the town.

The Town I Love So Well has been produced as part of the council-run Storying Barnsley cultural programme, and explores local heritage and residents' memories.

The free screening takes place at the Parkway Cinema at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Its director Sam Batley said: "I feel really proud of what I've made and all the people that have worked on it."

Provided Another shot from the club, showing more people sat around tables - but no straws this time.Provided
Artist and director Sam Batley said it showcased "the people that make the town what it is"

He added: "We've been able to dig into the people that make the town what it is, all I've done is put my camera on something that already exists - a tremendous sense of community, inspiration, and expression."

Those who appear in the film discuss what the town means to them and their sense of identity and community.

Mr Batley's A Barnsley Story project also includes a "responsive" photography exhibition that curates images taken by 30 participants on disposable cameras.

They will then be displayed at the Barnsley Civic.

The project has been funded by Barnsley Council using part of an Arts Council England grant.

Mr Batley said he had "a bit of nerves, mixed with excitement" ahead of the film's premiere, after almost a year of work going into it.

"If I feel chuffed with it, hopefully some other people will feel chuffed with it."

Provided Four people at the club performing a song around a microphone. One of them is playing the guitar.Provided
Mr Batley said he was "chuffed" with the film and hoped others would be too

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