Filmmaker Warren Harrison captures the memories and experiences of people who grew up as part of a unique community at Greatham Creek, a salt-marsh near Hartlepool in the Tees Valley. One of those who’s memories are recorded is photographer Ian Macdonald whose haunting images of the creek are used in the film along with family photographs, archive film provided by the North East Film Archive and contemporary footage. Title: The Creek Title: In the early 20th century, salmon fishermen built...

Filmmaker Warren Harrison captures the memories and experiences of people who grew up as part of a unique community at Greatham Creek, a salt-marsh near Hartlepool in the Tees Valley. One of those who’s memories are recorded is photographer Ian Macdonald whose haunting images of the creek are used in the film along with family photographs, archive film provided by the North East Film Archive and contemporary footage. Title: The Creek Title: In the early 20th century, salmon fishermen built a small community of huts, cabins and boathouses along the banks of Greatham Creek, part of an intertidal salt marsh in Teesside, in the North East of England. By the early 1980’s, the site had been abandoned. Title: This is their story. Aerial of the meandering Greatham Creek with tributaries leading into it, salt marshes and birds resting on mudbanks. In the mud the skeletal remains of a boat hull, an empty glass sitting in the sandy creek. More views of the creek and surrounding landscape intercut with that of men and women talking about their memories and experiences of the creek. In the distance the industrial landscape of Teesside and the Transporter Bridge crossing the River Tees, in the foreground Greetham Creek. The voice of a man reflecting on his experiences of the creek over views of the landscape. From his studio an interview with photographer Ian Macdonald who talks about his experiences of the Greetham Creek. Eight local people talk about their memories of growing up around the creek, the houseboats, salmon fishing as well as the characters who lived and worked there and the simpler lives back then. The final section of the film discusses he decline and end of the creek as it as. For each of the subject’s discussed interviews are intercut with both a series of family photographs and images produced by Ian Macdonald as well as contemporary footage of the creek itself. Credit: Director and Producer Warren Harrison Credit: Cinematography Richard Johnston Credit Film Editor Matt Dennis Credit: Aerial Cinematography Matt McGough Credit: Dubbing Samuel Smith Credit: On-line Editor Adam Mendum Credit: Post-production Facilities Ithica Films Credit: With thanks to Dr Paul Dave, Ian Macdonald, Professor Natasha Vall, June Atkins, Dot Gale, Bill Blackwell, Anne Britton, David Donaldson, Norman Fletcher, Kenny Heslop, John Henry Marshall, Nancy Moody, Alf Bell, Dave Braithwaite, Dorothy Clark MBE, Christine Corbett, Chris Featherstone, Steve Featherstone, Arthur Fenny, Dave Parsons, Derek Smith, Raymond Steele, Gordon Waller Credit: Greatham Community Hall, North East Film Archive, Ormesby Club and Institute, River Tees Rediscovered, RSPB Saltholme, Salters Lane Community Centre, Staithes Athletic and Social Club Credit: Images courtesy of Chris Featherstone and Ian Macdonald. ‘Come in if you can get in’ Tyne Tees Television, 1982, provided by North East Film Archive. All Ian Macdonald images are copyright. End credit: Teesside University 2018