Stevenage: The First New Town

1971 , Stevenage (Hertfordshire)

Profile of Stevenage, England's first new town.

This film, commissioned by the Stevenage Development Corporation, takes an optimistic look at life in the original new town. In the town centre, citizens give their opinions of life in Stevenage, before we enter the offices of the Stevenage Development Corporation, where futuristic sounds accompany a string of statistics highlighting the population, education and housing prospects in the town. Back out in the town centre, people enjoy the amenities and shop in the market whilst citizens extol the town's virtues as a great place to raise children and care for the elderly. As night falls, the town centre becomes deserted. Footage of Stevenage's bustling nightlife, with residents young and old enjoying live music, dancing, evening classes, sports, games and the theatre. As day breaks, a visit to the church is followed by a range of outdoor activities, from fishing, cycling and swimming to outdoor sports, adventure playgrounds and scout groups. With the weekend done, it's back to work and school on Monday morning, as workers head for Stevenage's many factories and children arrive bright and ready for a week of schooling.

Featured Buildings

Parish Church of St Andrew and St George, Stevenage; Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage

Keywords

New towns; Town and country planning

  • Maker : Chess Valley Films

  • Sponsor : Stevenage Development Corporation

  • Camera : Ronald E. Haddock

  • Producer : Heather M. Davies

  • Presenter : Richard Higham (production assistant)

  • Director : Gordon Ruttan

  • Production company : Chess Valley Films

Manifestations

Stevenage: The First New Town

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