Her Village Summer

A fictional account of a summer in the village of Foxearth as experienced by a teenage girl.

A fictitious film portraying the summer of a moody teenage girl in rural Essex one summer. The film shows views of the village of Foxearth, including the Post Office and Village Stores, where the 'heroine,' Susan, lives, and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. There are good interior domestic shots showing decor and effects. Susan catches a bus and there are shots of the surrounding countryside from the moving vehicle. There are houses under construction. Urban scenes and shots of a market, the latter probably shot in Sudbury. The film introduces Jeff, who lives in town. He and Susan visit the cinema to see `Tammy And The Doctor'. On another day, Sue awakes and goes to a nearby farm to collect eggs. A girl is turning a wheel-pump in the garden to draw water. There are interior scenes of the farmhouse. She returns across the corn fields to the Post Office where she sets to work. Jeff visits the house where he receives a cool reception from her mother. They walk across a field, in which a farmer sets straw to burn. They sit in a field and look moody. There are shots of waving corn, but on switching back to the 'lovers' they still look moody. Jeff tries to kiss her but she pulls away and walks off alone. He goes along the lane.The next episode shows Susan and two friends visiting Pentlow tower. They enter and climb to the top. There are views of the countryside from the top of the tower. This scene is intercut with scenes of a church service. People, including Susan and her mother, arrive at church. A woman is playing the organ. The procession of clergy and choir passes and the choir take their seats and sing. There are shots of the countryside, including a harvest scene with a horse drawn reaper and binder. Men collect the wheat with bill hooks and build stooks. The girls climb down the steps of the tower. One of the girls falls, but later they are seen leaving the tower. Back in the Post Office, Susan serves customers and then goes for a walk to a bridge. A couple are in a rowing boat. Walking on, she comes to a level crossing. A train passes. On another day, chimneys in an urban environment are outlined. There are shots of people and traffic on a street. Susan emerges onto a quieter street, where she calls on Jeff. He is in the garden stripping down a door ready for painting. Susan helps. The two of them go for a walk along a river alongside 'Clovers' Mill'. This time she lets him hold hands. They talk to an older couple on the way. Ends with shots of a horse-drawn plough.

Featured Buildings

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Foxearth; Pentlow tower

Keywords

Summer; Village life

Other Places

Pentlow, Essex; Sudbury, Suffolk

Background Information

Myra Ham was the aunt of the film maker