This is a documentary film on being young in York, using interviews with present-day teenagers and adults who were teenagers in the 1960s, illustrated with images from archive film and photographs. It highlights the difficulties of being young and the lack of activities for young people in York today. It also shows young people out on a Saturday night and some projects for young people. Opening Credits: The content and production of this documentary was produced through the enthusiasm of...

This is a documentary film on being young in York, using interviews with present-day teenagers and adults who were teenagers in the 1960s, illustrated with images from archive film and photographs. It highlights the difficulties of being young and the lack of activities for young people in York today. It also shows young people out on a Saturday night and some projects for young people. Opening Credits: The content and production of this documentary was produced through the enthusiasm of York's young people. The film begins showing a clip of archive film of a girl ice skating on a frozen lake in Yorkshire in the 1940s. This is then interspersed with an indoor sports hall with a young man on a skateboard, and a girl looking forlorn. Title - Young Hearts and Growing Pains The introductory commentary discusses the problems of the transition from adolescence to adulthood, with images of young people in York. It highlights the way young people are made into consumers, yet claims that being able to live this lifestyle will only be available to a privileged few. There follows a potted history of youth since the war, and a series of interviews with men and women who were teenagers in the 1960s, illustrated with images from archive film and photographs, beginning with Hazel Knowles. Hazel relates how it changed for teenagers at that time compared to the immediate post-war years, especially with the new variety in fashion. Steve Cassidy observes that in the 1960s there were more freedoms and opportunities for young people than there had for their parents. Another 1960s teenager, Neal Cuppy, notes that at that time there was plenty of work available, and hence many didn't bother with their education. Dennis Winterburn states that it was much more relaxed and free and easy in the 1960s. Intertitle - The Council The commentary states that on 1st April, 1996 the City of York Council became a new unitary authority, taking responsibility for young people, and that they produced a document in 1997, Our Future. Kate Ormond gives an outlines of the document, along with Hazel Knowles. A group of boys demonstrate their skill with a yo-yo, and others at a skateboard park on a car park. One of the young campaigners who started the petition for the skateboard park is interviewed. Kate Ormond explains that it is a car park during the day, and that it is going to be developed for other purposes. Another teenager states that it is boring around where she lives in York, with others making similar complaints, whilst still others claim that York is a good place for teenagers. They discuss the activities that they can do and what they cannot do, some complaining about police behaviour. A young female campaigner and a youth worker discuss the 'Shadow' Youth Council, and the problems of youth being made into culprits. The youth worker hopes that the Council takes notice of the Youth Council, and the young female campaigner states that relations are improving. Intertitle - Music The 1960s veterans recount their young days with pop groups, whilst a group of youngsters talk of their band playing at the Barbican, and that they don't stick to the fashion conventions. Dennis Winterburn explains what it was like being a Teddy Boy and Hazel Knowles recounts what she used to wear in the 1960s. Intertitle - Saturday Night They both then explain what their Saturday nights were like in the 1960s, getting fish and chips and jiving in cafes. The commentary talks about the 'Micklegate run', showing young people in the bars. There is an interview with a doorman on one of the clubs, who states that customers are getting younger. Two 17 year olds state that they start at Brubakers and work their way through the pubs, while some young women explain what they wear and that they get drunk and have a good night out. The film shows drinks being served in nightclubs and people queuing up outside. Closing Credits: Young Hearts and Growing Pains is part of the A4E Contemporary Video Collection Produced by the Old Dairy Sound and Video Studios as part of the Yorkshire Media Consortium and the City of York Council Archived by Yorkshire Film Archive Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England All at: Fulford School, Oaklands School, Burnholme Community College, The Detached Youth Project, City of York Council, York Sixth Form College, Castlemills Skatepark Project Special thanks to: Neal Guppy, Norman Fowler, Hazel Knowles, Hugh Murry, Dennis Winterburn Produced and Directed by Binny Baker Edited by Zoe Pearson Interviews Shawn Bradley Location Technician Ian Tippet Music Rob Parker Sound Mix Phil Elliot Graphics Andy Burns The Old Dairy Studios 1999