New community film recognises forgotten Peterloo legend Sam Bamford

Radical reformer and writer, Samuel Bamford, is beyond doubt Middleton’s most famous ‘forgotten’ son, having inspired a call for an end to poverty and the beginning of democracy; and having led a group of marchers from Middleton to St Peter's Fields in August 1819, for what was subsequently known as the Peterloo Massacre.

 

 

But what relevance has Mr Bamford got for the now, as we approach the 200th anniversary of Peterloo?

Community media company, REELmcr, produced by Middleton’s Jacqui Carroll, has worked with hundreds of local people over the last two years to make a film that brings Samuel Bamford back to modern day Middleton, introducing him to a whole new generation.

The film, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, saw young people develop a script, having gone on heritage trails to learn more about Sam Bamford. And the local hero’s real words were used in the subsequent drama, which follows the story of teenager, Samantha, as she brings together the town’s young people to represent themselves in a positive way – with Sam’s encouragement that ‘there’s strength in unity lass’.

Film production took place all over Middleton and even Middleton North Councillor Kallum Nolan plays a role in the film as well as being the assistant project manager.

Councillor Nolan says: “Middleton has had many famous exports, but none more important that the radical Sam Bamford. I’ve been immensely proud to work with REELmcr in our home town, with our community.

“The journey has been special, the participants have been wonderful and we can’t wait to finally bring the finished manifestation of our project to the country.”

Chloe Killduff, 17, from Heywood, plays Samantha and says: “It was such an amazing experience with such amazing people.

“Sam Bamford is someone I never knew, but now will never forget.

“I’ve learnt how life has changed and why it did.

“I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions, from the happiest, laughing until my stomach hurts, to the most sad and angry I’ve ever felt because of how Sam got treated.

“My love for this man and this project will never die, and I think everyone should be blessed with the knowledge of his life.”

 

 

The world premiere of Our Sam – The Middleton Man was held at The Middleton Arena in April, and will tour Greater Manchester throughout the summer.  The film will also be part of an online education pack which all schools can access.

Samuel Bamford was a weaver born in Middleton on 28 February 1788 and died 13 April 1872. In 1817 he was imprisoned in the New Bailey Prison in Salford on suspicion of high treason, on account of his political activities. After Peterloo, he was arrested and found guilty of inciting a riot and sentenced to one year in Lincoln jail. He was a writer of poetry and pamphlets, including Passages in the Life of a Radical (1840-1844).

Our Sam The Middleton Man also stars award winning actor Tom Charnock as Sam Bamford... He says: “When I began this project with REELmcr I had a little knowledge about the Massacre at St Peter’s Field, but had no idea about the existence of Mr Samuel Bamford or his role in this country’s social history.

“In starting my research into this man’s life to enable me to portray him in the role, not only did I discover that he was a passionate radical Parliamentary reformer, author and rhymester but that he also had a affinity with the young people, and loved to be able to pass on his knowledge wisdom and love of the written and spoken word to them. Now, using his own words and REELmcr as a conduit, he has another chance to pass these onto another younger generation and give them a grounding in their own social history.”

REELmcr Producer, Jacqui Carroll, added: “I set out to try to get people to love Sam Bamford as much as I do.

“I actually put all the Bamford dialogue together for the script and sometimes felt he was there with me.

“For the final scene in the Old Boar’s Head, we’ve got the brilliant Scuttlers playing live, and so many people of all ages crammed into the sessions room, everyone dancing and cheering for Sam Bamford whilst our Middleton Peterloo banner was raised above us. That’s my dream come true.”

The film will be shown on Saturday 27 July 1.00pm at Touchstones, Rochdale and Wednesday 14 August at the Outdated Café Middleton, 7.00pm. Entry is free and no booking is required at either venue.