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Film organisers Rebecca Hodgson, Ronit Dassa and Louise Lord at the premiere screening |
Pear-fect living! Quadrant estate has a film premiere
IT WAS a trip down memory lane for residents of Highbury Quadrant on Saturday as they attended a special film premiere of reflections on the estate’s history.
Highbury Quadrant was a model of its kind when it was first built in 1954, and remains so popular that it is believed up to 100 of its original residents still live there.
So it was no surprise that nearby Birchmore Hall was filled with residents keen to witness the first screening of Views from a Pear Tree, a collection of residents’ stories of life on the Quadrant.
Les Bailey, 76, who is one of the residents included in the film, has lived in Highbury Quadrant for 30 years.
“When my mum became ill we were transferred to Highbury Quadrant,” he said.
“I don’t think in Islington you could find an estate as good as this.
“I can find no reason for wanting to move.”
Mr Bailey, a retired Islington Council housing officer, added: “The neighbours are very nice. One gives me a shout every morning to check I’ve woken up. “It’s a sociable, friendly estate.
“I saw the film on Saturday but I’m old-fashioned, haven’t got a DVD player, so I’ll have to wait until I go to my sister’s to watch it properly.”
Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, council leader Terry Stacy and ward councillor John Gilbert were all there to join in the fun.
Highbury Quadrant residents Ronit Dassa, Louise Lord and Rebecca Hodgson organised the special screening.
Ms Dassa, who directed and produced the film, said: “When we learned that so many of our neighbours had lived on the estate since it was first built, we realised there were some important stories to be told.
“We formed the Highbury Quadrant Living History Project and, in our spare time, began to capture the everyday stories of their neighbours.
“Views From a Pear Tree weaves together residents’ stories of life on the Quadrant with local history to tell the tale of a quietly extraordinary place and its people.
“It beautifully captures the dreams and hopes of those who created Highbury Quadrant and those who made it a community.”
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