Lights, camera, action

North Somerset’s landmarks and scenery have been used as locations for some of the nation’s best loved films and TV shows for a long time. Seeing the economic benefits that filming can bring into the area, North Somerset Council’s economy team has officially launched a registered film office and new website.

Filming generated £500,000 in revenue for the North Somerset economy in 2021-22. Recent examples include primetime BBC One hit ‘The Outlaws’, long-running children’s series ‘Tracy Beaker’ (BBC), ‘Sandition’ (ITV) and ‘Sandylands’ (Gold).

North Somerset Film Office has signed up to the Filming In England Partnership with Creative UK. Convened by Creative England, the partnership connects organisations ranging from local authorities and studios to national organisations such as British Film Commission, National Trust and English Heritage to make sure that England has the most film friendly environment possible. 26 A new website has been created where residents can offer their homes, businesses can offer catering or accommodation and crew can register their interest. It can be financially rewarding too – if your house is chosen to be used as a location, you can earn around £1,000!

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member for placemaking and economy, said online: “We have a great existing reputation for film-friendliness here in North Somerset, and I am delighted that we’re building on that by signing up to the Filming In England Partnership. I hope that this will help us to maximise the promotional opportunities created by filming and film tourism.

“Film tourism is great for our area as it showcases our rich natural and architectural assets in front of a huge audience and attracts people to visit filming locations. This is of significant benefit to the visitor economy.

“I encourage residents and local businesses to visit the new website and sign-up to get involved.”

Charlotte Wood, Production Liaison Manager (South West) at Creative England, said online: “Creative England welcomes the opportunity to work with the North Somerset Film Office through the Filming in England Partnership. Our production services team works closely with Film Offices across the English regions to facilitate the filming needs of feature film and high-end TV drama productions. “The UK Film and TV industry is booming and the South West region has a lot to offer to industry. North Somerset is within close proximity to the main production hubs and provides a fantastic addition of on location filming options, including coastal landscapes, rural villages and seaside towns. “The amount of filming that takes place in the area is testament to the film-friendly attitude of the North Somerset Film Office in welcoming production and providing a professional and efficient service to industry. ” North Somerset Film Office believes that production companies are attracted by the strong infrastructure, diversity of locations, comparatively low production costs and the positive filming experience that they have here. Over 100 filming shoots take place each year in locations across the area from Abbots Pool and Portishead to Clevedon, the Mendips and Weston-super-Mare. Jes Flay, location manager on ‘The Sixth Commandment’ TV series which recently filmed in North Somerset, said online: “On behalf of the entire production, thank you. In my 13 years in television I can honestly say, I haven't had a film office help us as quickly and efficiently as you have. You put me in touch with all the right people who answered me immediately. North Somerset Film Office truly knows how to work correctly with film crews and understands the difficulties surrounding our jobs.” To find out more about filming opportunities and support available, visit the new North Somerset Film Office website at www.nsfilmoffice.co.uk.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 garlic clove, crushed • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • 1/4 tsp chilli flakes • 1 tsp red wine vinegar • 1/2 tsp caster sugar • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper • 2 tsp capers, drained • 200g pack Greek Feta cheese • 225g pack piccolo tomatoes, halved • 1/2 cucumber, cut into 2cm chunks • 1 small red onion, finely sliced • 10 pitted black hojiblanca olives • 7 mint leaves, roughly torn

Method

1. First, make the marinade by combining the olive oil, oregano, garlic, lemon juice and zest, chilli flakes, vinegar, sugar, pepper and capers. 2. Put the Feta in a small dish and pour over the marinade.

3. Chill for at least 1 hour, or longer if you have time, turning it occasionally.

4. To serve, arrange the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and olives on a plate.

5. Position the Feta in the middle, drizzle over the marinade and scatter over the mint leaves.

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DARK & STORMY COCKTAIL ICED PEPPERMINT What you need WITH CUCUMBER • 1 lime AND MINT • 5ml dark rum What you need • 1 dash of bitters • 125ml alcoholic ginger beer • 1 peppermint infusion bag • 2 tsp caster sugar • 1 sprig fresh mint • 3 thin cucumber slices • 20g raspberries

How to make

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• Put the infusion bag in a tall, heat-safe glass and pour over 200ml boiling water • Leave to steep for 3 mins, then remove the infusion bag • Stir in the sugar until dissolved, then add the mint, cucumber and raspberries • Top up with ice to serve juice. Timing excludes freezing

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