Sizewell Hero Video and online campaign launched

Locals and campaigners create ‘Sizewell Hero’ – a tribute to the film ‘Local Hero’ – to launch a new online campaign, urging EDF to change its approach

[SUFFOLK] Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell [TEAGS] today launched a new video and online campaign. Made by local people, it is aimed at increasing awareness and concern about the impacts of the proposed Sizewell C&D nuclear power station to audiences beyond east Suffolk. EDF launched its Stage 3 consultations on the twin-reactor development last week.

‘Sizewell Hero, hosted on YouTube and Facebook, [1] is a three-minute homage to the award-winning 1980s film ‘Local Hero’, and shows a company executive transformed and inspired by the beauty of Minsmere and the coast at Sizewell to think again about the company’s plans. The video is entirely a local initiative, starring Middleton actor Simon Bridge and featuring other residents from Theberton and Middleton. [2] The film was shot and produced by Steve Sutton and crew from UK Aerial Photography Ltd, based in Peasenhall [3]. Permission to use the famous ‘Local Hero’ theme music was kindly granted by Mark Knopfler’s management, Crockford Management [4] and the project was made possible by a grant from Lush Charity Pot. [5] Stills and ‘making of’ photos are available.

“I was delighted to take part in ‘Sizewell Hero’ and help the campaign to highlight the threats from Sizewell C&D,” said Simon Bridge. “Living in Middleton, this is an issue both close to home and close to my heart. Sometimes it seems like no-one outside east Suffolk knows what is happening here, so it’s my hope that the film will help to raise awareness and build support from all over the country.”

Steve Sutton of UK Aerial Photography added: “It was a privilege to film on the stunning Heritage Coast and at RSPB Minsmere. I am pleased that the film does justice to the surroundings, particularly in the aerial shots, and I hope it will convey a powerful message to all that view it and show people just how much is at stake here. I’d like to thank the Director of Photography (DOP) Laurence Scott and Assistant DOP Tom Newman for their great work on the film.”

The film links to www.sizewellhero.org, an online action via which supporters can send a personalised message to EDF urging them “Don’t Wreck East Suffolk”. The digital campaign is hosted by global consumer group SumOfUs, [6] “fighting for people over profits”.

Alison Downes, Co Chair of Theberton and Eastbridge Action on Sizewell (TEAGS) said “Touring parishes with our mobile exhibition [7] in recent days, we’ve seen a great deal of shock among local communities, especially about EDF’s transport proposals. It’s taken the company far too long to decide that a marine-led strategy is not possible, so residents are now being shown completely new road routes for the very first time, at what is the final stage of public consultations. We hope that our efforts to raise awareness across the UK of our situation will be a small straw of hope for some of those affected.”

Notes
[1] YouTube: https://youtu.be/4ryXQD5qUgE and also on www.facebook.com/stopsizewellc.org

[2] The video also features Theberton residents Julia Brown and Nicholas Cooper, and Tom Macdowell from Middleton.

[3] UK Aerial Photography Ltd. https://www.uk-aerial-photos.co.uk/, @ukaerialphotos. Steve Sutton is available for comment. Please contact Alison if you wish to speak to him.

[4] We are indebted to Crockford Management https://www.crockfordmanagement.com/

[5] Lush Charity Pot, https://uk.lush.com/tag/charity-pot

[6] SumOfUs https://actions.sumofus.org/a/edf-don-t-wreck-east-suffolk/

[7] The remaining ‘Sizewell Concerns’ locations are: (see also www.stopsizewellc.org/exhibition)
Saxmundham, Saturday 12 January, 10am – 4pm, St John’s Church
Middleton, Wednesday 16 January, 11am – 7pm, Holy Trinity Church
Southwold, Tuesday 17 January, 11am – 5pm, United Reformed Church Hall, High Street
Aldeburgh, Friday 18 January, 1pm – 5.45pm, Aldeburgh Church Hall