Christchurch Mansion and a small part of Christchurch Park are set to become film stars.
Ipswich Borough Council were asked to allow filming within the Mansion and the Park quite recently and, after some negotiation, have given their agreement. The shoot is for a film called ‘Private Peaceful’ based on the Michael Morpurgo novel. The all British cast is made up of George MacKay (The Boys are Back, Birdsong), Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake, Harry Brown, Skins), Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter, The History Boys, Withnail & I), Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady), Frances De La Tour (Alice in Wonderland, The History Boys, The Book of Eli). You can read more about the film online at The Internet Movie Database.
The Mansion will be closed from the 21st to the 24th September. Filming will take place on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th September and, over those three days, an area extending from St Margaret’s church to The Boer War Memorial will also be cordoned off. The Reg Driver Centre will be used as a base for actors and extras.
Sam Pollard, Park Manager, will be meeting the director to establish the full details of what will be happening and when. However, he will ensure that public access to the Park will be maintained at the Bolton Lane, Westerfield Rd., Park Rd. etc. entrances, and through to the town centre via the Lower Fonnereau Rd. gate. However, he reports that it is inevitable that there will be some disruption around the Mansion, which he will be aiming to keep to a minimum by clearly signing routes through the Park.
Click the link to read the Ipswich Borough Council press release .