An amateur film produced as a record of regeneration work taking place in the town of Loftus between 1992 and 1994. The majority of the film focuses on the building of a new housing development behind the site of the former Regal Cinema on the High Street and includes a visit to the town by His Royal Highness Prince Charles on the 30th March 1994 to open it. With a timestamp in the corner of the screening giving the date as the 13th September 1992, an older man stands beside a bench outside...

An amateur film produced as a record of regeneration work taking place in the town of Loftus between 1992 and 1994. The majority of the film focuses on the building of a new housing development behind the site of the former Regal Cinema on the High Street and includes a visit to the town by His Royal Highness Prince Charles on the 30th March 1994 to open it. With a timestamp in the corner of the screening giving the date as the 13th September 1992, an older man stands beside a bench outside the derelict Regal Cinema at 83 High Street Loftus giving details on projects to regenerate the town. As he provides details of a current project relating to a property called Council House views of said property at 25 High Street Loftus on the corner with North Road with a skip placed outside. Returning to the man outside the Regal Cinema he provides addition information on an upcoming project to demolish the cinema and replace it with shop units and housing behind to be built in association with the Pheonix Housing Association. Appearing at the derelict site behind the cinema near Dam Street the man talks about the work that will be done and that this video has been made to create a visual record of the development of these new houses. With date stamps between the 4th December 1992 and the 20th March 1993 work on the new housing development begins with the ground being prepared and the Regal Cinema being demolished. With foundation in place construction work on the new housing continues intercut with views of nearby Loftus High Street. A group of people are given a tour of the building site with a woman providing details in voiceover about what the houses will be like when they are finished. 21st January 1994 and two workmen walking past a passageway leading from the now nearly completed development onto the High Street. A tour of the new estate with builders completing finishing touches to some of the properties. A ceremony in which a young couple is given the first keys to their new home. The 30th March 1994 and a helicopter carrying Prince Charles flies over head. At the head of a convoy of cars the prince waves at the crowds lining Loftus High Street as he arrives. In the distance the prince gets out of the car making his way past the crowds while nearby a policeman on motorcycle blocks access to the town. From the crowds the prince visiting several properties along the High Street before coming to speak with some of those standing in front of the camera. As he continues to make his way along the High Street the crowd chant ‘We Want Charles!’. Standing in front of the passageway leading to the new housing development and surrounded by civic dignitaries Prince Charles unveils a plaque to the cheers of the crowd. The film ends on the prince continuing his walkabout and speaking with many of the locals who have come out to see him.