Premiere for ‘Higham’s History, Heritage and Heroes’ film created by the ‘heroes’ keeping the town’s historic legacy alive
Known for its history, heritage and heroes, Higham Ferrers has always had ‘makers, dreamers and doers’, guests at a film premiere heard.
But ‘the real heroes are the people who keep this story alive’ the narrator continued.
And helping to keep those stories centre stage are volunteers, members of various local organisations including Higham Ferrers Tourism, who were hosting the premiere of their latest film ‘Higham’s History, Heritage and Heroes’.
The film was based on last year’s Northamptonshire Heritage Forum annual History Day which was hosted by Higham Ferrers Tourism and held in the town’s Hope Methodist Church.
With visitors descending on Higham Ferrers from around the county, the packed event proved a resounding success.
Various History Day speakers told about the town’s unique link with well-known historical and literary figures as Archbishop Henry Chichele and author HE Bates.
The visitors also heard the story of the ancient flint axe which was gifted to the tourism committee and how members and those from the Higham Ferrers Archaeological and Research Society (HiFARS) took the axe to Leicester University to be authenticated.
They also heard about the work of various groups which meet at Chichele College and the neighbouring Duchy Barn.
As the town’s history and the focus of the continuing work unfolded, the cameras rolled, capturing History Day on film.
The result – the ‘Higham’s History, Heritage and Heroes’ film – has now been screened at a premiere and afternoon tea.
The tourism committee welcomed their guests, including local members of the Serve and Social Prescription organisations along with Cllr Jennie Bone of North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).
Cllr’s Bone’s NNC empowerment grant paid for the filming and the premiere afternoon.
Premiere guests heard that such was the success of History Day that the town had received more visitors, all interested in Higham’s unique history.
As a result, several new town tour guides have since been trained to cater for the renewed interest and rhe new tour guides were among the guests at the premiere.
The film’s narrator wrapped up the movie by saying: “Higham’s fortunes have risen and fallen, but its spirit endures.
“Every discovery, every act of kindness, every memory shared - that’s another chapter.”