Young film-makers up for major award

Beacon Hill Arts, who are in line for a national award Environment Editor YOUNG film-makers with learning difficulties, autism and additional needs who worked with Newcastle Castle to bring to life the stories of characters from the fortress’s past are in line for a national award.

The team from Newcastle-based Beacon Hill Arts community interest company has been shortlisted for this year’s Historic England Angel Awards.

The awards, supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, celebrate the efforts of individuals and groups across the country which have devoted time and energy to bringing historic locations back to life.

Beacon Hill has been shortlisted in the category for Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by Young People.

Also in the running is Kenny Brunskill, for his work on repairing the early 19th-century Corbridge Bottle Kilns in Northumberland

He has been shortlisted in the Best Craftsperson or Apprentice on a Heritage Rescue or Repair Project section.

The total of 12 shortlisted candidates will be judged by a panel chaired by Webber, historian Bettany Hughes, TV’s Restoration Man George Clarke, the Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Baroness Lola Young and Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Palace Theatre in London on November 20.

While the four category winners will be decided by the judges, each project is now seeking the public’s support to win a further Historic England Followers’ award.

Voting is now open at HistoricEngland.org.uk/AngelAwards and closes on November 5.

Beacon Hill Arts produced three films in partnership with Newcastle Castle.

The team researched castle dwellers from the past, then carried out all aspects of the film-making process scriptwriting, camera work, directing, acting and editing.

The Hidden Histories films were funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Joyce Trust and Hadrian Trust. Characters in the films include: The High Sheriff of Northumberland, Sir William Heron, who was a ruthless tax collector and the most feared man in the north of England. When he died in 1258, chroniclers said his soul was “dragged straight to hell”.

Mary Bruce, younger sister of the Scottish king Robert the Bruce, who was held captive in the castle until the Scots were victorious at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Humphrey Lisle, a villain who managed to escape from the castle’s jail with his father. He went on the rampage, terrorising the borderlands by kidnapping, duelling, stealing horses and rustling cattle.

One of the aims of the project was for the young artists to make their own mark by dismantling stereotypes of disability.

The films now form part of an interactive exhibit in the castle’s visitor centre and feature on the Newcastle Castle website.

The young people also performed content from the project at The Playhouse in Whitley Bay.