Local History

The makers of "Our Village" showed Penshurst as an idyllic rural community and drafted in local tradesmen and farmers to take part in the fourteen minute cinematic gem. The print is in remarkably good condition and will be shown on Friday March 20th in the Village Hall at 7:30pm.

Life in Penshurst in 1950

Rob Sellings, whose father converted the village's forge into a petrol station, and Ian Streeter, who worked at the garage from 1965 until 2005 met up with BBC South East's Robin Gibson to take a look at the film.

The film was rediscovered by Barry Littlechild, who had often been asked about the short film, made in 1950. His efforts to find a copy of the film had been in vain, until, after purchasing another old library of 16mm films came across a rusty can with a chinagraph scribble "Our Village" on it.