Breathing Space

Summary

The provision of green space within the redevelopment of Birmingham.

Year:

1964

Duration:

0:18:00

Film type:

Colour / Sound

Genre:

Documentary

Master format:

16mm

Description

The film opens with shots of terraced houses in Birmingham including back courtyards with washing hanging on the line and children playing. We then see drawings and maps of the five areas of Birmingham to be redeveloped: Nechells Green; Newtown; Ladywood; Lee Bank; and Highgate. The commentator explains that work began in December 1959 and we see an earthmover at work and roads being broken up.

The main focus of the film is the planting of mature trees in the new redevelopment sites. We see trees being moved by road from a site in Hampshire to Lee Bank and planted. Children are involved in the project with a scheme called the 'Tree Lovers League' in which local children who help out are given a badge and it is hoped will respect their new environment. We see a ceremony and plaque which marks the first Tree Lovers League site on 29 January 1960.

Art work is also provided for the new areas and we see a Mr H. Seager (?) working on a sculpture in his workshop in Harborne which is then moved by road and erected in Nechells. It is entitled 'Youth' and constructed from concrete. Several play sculptures, which are used as climbing frames and slides, designed by Brian Bluman (?) are also seen. Finally we see grass seeds being planted for new open spaces and trees being grown at the Birmingham Parks Department nursery.


Credits

Narrated by Colin Maddox
Filmed by John Cope A.R.P.S.
Directed by S.F. Scardifield
Produced by the The Public Works Dept. Birmingham
Sir Herbert J. Manzoni C.B.E. City Engineer & Surveyor


Notes

Birmingham Commercial Films label on original can although they are not credited on the film. Also marked '1st edition: Colin Maddox' suggesting that there may be another version with a different commentary.