WITH the second series of period drama ‘Poldark’ now well under way on BBC1, Frome Town Council has revealed its behind-the-scenes role in helping to film in the town.
Frome’s Gentle Street appeared in the first episode of the series, which drew in over five million viewers when it aired on Sunday 4th September.
The filming of the scenes in Frome took place over a few days in early December 2015. The town council was tasked with keeping the area secure and helping with road closures.
A team from the council, including Peter Wheelhouse, Jane Llewelyn and Mark Brookes, gave the production company, Mammoth Screen, extensive help, advice and contacts which helped with secure crew parking on the edge of town and the involvement of local residents and St John’s Church, which became the hub for the production team.
Mammoth Screen had identified Gentle Street as the perfect location for a series of street scenes and in the two days before filming began, the street was taken back in time to the late eighteenth century. The former pub became a pub again and wooden boats and market stalls gave the street the finishing touches.
Planning officer Jane Llewelyn said, “Local residents were looked after by the team, with happy local children being photographed with Aiden Turner and his co-stars.
“Security was tight, not many people got past the security team but that’s just what the crew needed – a hassle-free environment where they could get the shots they needed in the time allowed.”
The filming of ‘Poldark’ in Frome happened as a result of the town council and Visit Somerset’s relationship with Creative England, a major source of location information for film and television companies.
The council’s town centre community co-ordinator, Mark Brookes said, “The working relationship with Creative England continues and also resulted in Channel 4/E4 sitcom ‘Wasted’, starring Sean Bean, being filmed in Frome.
“Film and television tourism is big business and whilst Frome doesn’t expect the increased level of interest that Poldark has brought to Cornwall, we do hope that the programme and potential filming in the future will go towards promoting Frome as a historic and fascinating town worth visiting.
“The film crews themselves also spend money in the local economy and create business for sub-contractors and work experience for young people – so working with this industry can bring important benefits to the town.”
