ACT Location Walk, Chilham, 26th August 2018
The ACT walk 2018 was very nearly a wash out but thanks to the grit and determination of ten PaPAS members it went ahead until rain stopped play. There was even time for a short cameo role by Sue Pritchard dressed as Alison just outside 'The Woolpack' pub in Chilham. Rain had been forecast from around 4pm but it certainly came earlier and the folks who gathered at Chilham Station wanted to carry on despite the weather.
Luckily there were two other ladies present who could play the role of Alison and one young lady, I am so sorry I did not get your name, made a successful acting debut as Alison and then went on to play the part of Polly Finn in the 'town square bus' scene when Alison questioned her about being a glueman victim.
We had a very welcome newcomer Robin Eyers who played the role of Bob Johnson with a startling American voice and who had been presented to play in the film in 1943 but rejected being only three years old and too small. Nevertheless Robin was able to give us plenty of background information on Chilham at that time and the subsequent lives of many of the boy actors and their families.
Other playlets included the 'roll in the grass' scene played by your guide Colin Turner and the evergreen Helen Lawson who has acted this part before and the 'pow wow' scene carried out in a dry spot under the trees near Jullieberrie Down by other PaPAS members. Incidentally this time Helen was able to show us a spot where the Bren Gun carriers whizzed past to capture Alison.
Under an awning at the rear of a crowded Woolpack pub we enacted the 'ball catch' scene because by this time the rain had increased and everybody was wet including the scripts for the playlets. After reading Colpeper's speech and a goodbye a small group then climbed up to the town square before dispersing.
I was particularly touched how far many people had travelled, particularly those from London and Hertfordshire, and thank you all for your support and for taking photographs.
I hope to be able to bring you a more successful event next year, perhaps in Canterbury, where Sue and I can lead you from café to café in sunny weather!
Best wishes to you all and remember celluloid heroes never die only the scripts get damp.
Colin Turner and Sue Pritchard
Who can catch the ball? |
A damp gathering in the Woolpack garden
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Well done one and all who attended - Steve
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