For generations, the young folk around Mynydd Isa, Buckley & Mold have enjoyed playing on the local field known affectionately as "The Bonc". Now the facilities have been completely updated by the MIFFY (Mynydd Isa Field For Youth) group -and since opening, its been a resounding success.
In these cash-strapped times, its all too easy to call time on optimism but the MIFFY project shows what can be achieved when sustained voluntary community endeavour works in harmony with Local Authority resources and our National Institutions.
On the opening day HG, the Duke Of Westminster performed an official unveiling and "tree-planting". It was a thoughtful and dignified ceremony, witnessed by a large assembly of school children, their parents, the senior executive of the National Lottery Fund (Wales), leading members of our local councils -and our County High Sheriff, Lady Janet Jones JP.
My film includes informal interviews with many of those involved with the scheme. It shows how the recreational needs of young people were delivered by a combination of local community consultation, volunteer resources and availability of funding. The personal enthusiasm by His Grace, for the concept and execution of the project is evident as he delivers some stirring words of encouragement and approval.
The film was made in close collaboration with Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association. It is part of my personal, voluntary, not-for-profit, local "Community archive" effort. It took dozens of hours in the planning and compilation -and what you see here are the fruits of much hard work by my volunteer assistants. It is intended that a master copy will be deposited with the National Sound & Film Archive of Wales so that future generations might be better informed of contemporary local events of significance to our people and our times. Please contact me if you'd like a high-quality DVD of this event.
To those who wonder just why I make "back-pack" documentaries such as the MIFFY, its because of the challenge! The work is not so much "low-budget" as "NO-Budget"! Much of the equipment I use has been donated by kind people with over-burdened attics -and "recycled". Microphone stands and lighting rigs have been made of of oddments gleaned from penny-auctions and car-boot sales where impatient, imagination-challenged folk dumped them. The finest examples were crafted from bits of wood & scrap liberated from Alyn & Deeside waste skips!
The films I contribute are a personal "thank-you" to a part of Our Lovely Land which has served my family well for generations. It also gives me an opportunity to observe and reflect whilst I renew a fond acquaintance with North Wales' unique industrial, cultural and community heritage. I hope you enjoy them.
I'm happy to advise or consult an any aspect of community/heritage filmmaking-from scripting and background research to cobbling together a "chroma-key" screen. I give hands-on and (according to some) hilarious talks to societies & schools -usually for little more than a donation to the Salvation Army! I love to demonstrate to folks that anyone with a bit of easily-acquired skill can make a video that people will want to watch.
If you would like to volunteer assistance on future, similar film projects, I can always use extra pairs of willing hands! Call me...
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