• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Monday February 19 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Award-wining director Ken Loach to attend Cathy Come Home screening in aid of Chippenham charity Doorway

Fresh from his red carpet appearance at the BAFTAs on Sunday, film director Ken Loach will be in Chippenham next month for a special screening of his landmark TV drama Cathy Come Home to mark the 20th anniversary of homelessness charity Doorway.

The ground-breaking drama, which lifted the lid on the issue of homelessness and is credited with changing peoples’ attitudes towards it, is being shown at the Neeld Hall at 7pm on Thursday, March 14, with tickets priced at £10.

Doorway, based at The Citadel in Chippenham, supports people to make positive changes to their lives, including moving from rough sleeping to permanent accommodation, increasing confidence and skills via groups and courses delivered by partner agencies.

The charity provides food, showers, clean clothes and company; it improves access to local services by making direct in-person referrals to housing, health, addiction and other professionals.

The 87-year-old director, whose latest film The Old Oak – which tells the story of a struggling pub landlord in a former mining community in County Durham where tensions rise after Syrian refugees are housed there – was nominated in the Outstanding British Film category says he plans to be at the screening.

Award-wining director Ken Loach to attend Cathy Come Home screening in aid of Chippenham charity Doorway

Doorway CEO Jo Kitching said the film showing is a fitting and powerful way to mark two decades of its work.

“Cathy Come Home ignited the debate about homelessness in 1966 and is still so relevant now, as homelessness is again on the increase not just here but throughout the country.

“While much has changed for the better since the film was made, there is still so much to be done, and here is a sharp reminder that we are all only a few steps away from homelessness ourselves.”

Ken, who lives near Bath and whose 2016 takedown of the benefits system I, Daniel Blake won the Outstanding British Film category at the BAFTAs in 2017, is a long-standing supporter of homelessness initiatives.

He hopes to be available to introduce the film and share his insights on the issues it portrays.

Jo said the audience will have the rare opportunity to hear from a prominent voice who has championed social justice through his captivating storytelling.

“We are thrilled that Ken Loach hopes to introduce the film thereby helping re-ignite an important debate,” she said. “We encourage everyone to attend this memorable event and join us in our fight against homelessness.”

The drama, starring Carol White and Ray Brooks, was first shown in 1966 as a BBC Wednesday Play and caused controversy with its no-holds-barred portrayal of a young mum caught in an impossible, inhuman housing and social services system, which leaves her homeless.

It led to public outrage, a surge in donations to the charity Shelter and the founding of the charity Crisis the following year.

Tickets are available from the Neeld Community and Arts Centre for £10 each, £8 concessions.

Latest: Wiltshire homelessness charity Doorway boosted by £3,000 donation from Persimmon Homes