‘Born And Bred’ TV exhibition opens in Clitheroe

Anne during the filming of Born and Bred with actors Michael French and Clive Swift. (s)

The drama, which consists of 36 episodes filmed between April 2002 and August 2005, is now playing on ITV player channel 20, Sky drama 158 and Freeview ITV channel 20.

The popular series is the story of a GP and his son. It is based in the fictional village of Ormston in the 1950s and stars “Likely Lad” James Bolam and former EastEnder Michael French. A host of guest stars include Roger Lloyd Pack and Denise Welch.

The drama attracted between seven and eight million viewers an episode when it was screened on a Sunday night and proved a real boost for local tourism.

And now a display showing some of the press attention the TV series attracted has been erected in Clitheroe’s Platform Gallery, Hudson’s Ices at Chatburn and Downham Icecreams by local author Mrs Anne Musson to coincide with the re-runs of the drama.

Anne, who was born and brought up in Downham, published her book, “My Beloved Downham: A Childhood Memory”, just as the BBC started to film “Born and Bred”.

Each time the drama is re-run on TV is an added bonus for the village and the Ribble Valley as it is for sales of Anne’s book.

During filming, sales of Anne’s book rocketed with actor Michael French and numerous crew members also buying a copy.

The front cover of Annes book, My Beloved Downham: A Childhood Memory. (s)

Anne is no stranger to the film cameras though as she remembers “Whistle Down the Wind” being made when she was a child.

Filmed in the spring of 1961 in Downham and the surrounding area it tells the captivating story of school children who mistook an escaped convict for Jesus Christ.

Copies of Anne’s book will be on sale alongside the exhibition priced at £7-50.

Alternatively buy a copy directly from Anne on 01200 425681.