A feast of film stars and crew transported Helston and Cadgwith back into the 1930s last week for the shooting of feature film "Ladies in Lavender".
Farmers and fishermen from the area got to play the roles of their ancestors as local people were invited to join oscar winning stars, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and male lead Daniel Bruhl, on set as extras.
Cadgwith fisherman Danny Philips had been on the village beach last Tuesday dressed in traditional costume since 6.15am. "The clothes are hot and there's lots of hanging around, but it's just a bit of fun," he said.
All of the Cadgwith fisherman took part, including Nigel Legge who organised the boats and fishing props for the film, including a live conger eel to be thrown at the male star.
The film is a directorial debue by Charles Dance, and is based on a story by British author William J Locke, of two Cornish sisters who take in a handsome Polish man washed up on their beach.
Nicky Jose from Cadgwith who appeared in the Helston scenes with springer spaniel "Maisy" said that she enjoyed taking part adding that Judi Dench had "made a fuss of the dog".
Local farmers and labourers also got a taste of the limelight as extras in the agricultural scenes, Colin Bonney, a farmer from Boskenwyn hoped be driving his own 1930s Standard Fordson tractor on set in the coming days. Other local farmers appearing as extras were, Brian and Nick Bonney, Mark and Billy Pearce, Arthur Temby and Regie Bray.
The filming finishes today and goes back to London
Thanks very much to Jan M for sending me this article, which appeared on the This is Cornwall website on Sept. 24, 2003.