FOLLOWING the recent filming in Worthing for the Walkers crisps advert and the new BBC drama Cuffs, my mind was drawn back to the 1980s when, as a child, I recalled seeing a film unit and old fashioned yesteryear vehicles parked up on Worthing seafront one Sunday lunchtime.

Whether filming was taking place on that particular day in the town, it wasn’t clear, although, of course, shops didn’t open on Sundays back then and it would most definitely have been the quietest day of the week to temporarily close the various areas to filming, keeping disruption to traffic and pedestrians to a minimum.

It would later become apparent that this rather unusual spectacle was for a film released on July 24 1987 called Wish You Were Here.

It was written by David Leland and had a huge cast, including Emily Lloyd (Roger Lloyd Pack’s daughter), Tom Bell, Geoffrey Hutchings, Barbara Durkin, Pat Heywood and Jesse Birdsall.

It later won five global awards, including a BAFTA and Cannes Festival awards.

Being certificated a 15, I was too young to view the film and so it was several years down the line before I was able to watch it.

It was set just after the Second World War, 1951 in fact, in an unnamed English seaside town and followed 16-year-old Lynda (Emily Lloyd) who had grown up with her widowed father (Geoffrey Hutchings) and sister Margaret (Chloe Leland).

The film, which occasionally flashed back to her childhood, was a fairly low budget film, although it did very well in the cinema despite being fairly controversial for its time due to Lynda’s rebellious nature, foul language and teenage exploits.

As well as filming on the seafront, the film units took external and internal shots of Southdown’s Bus Garage (now owned by Stagecoach) in Library Place, a property at the junction of Alfred Place and York Road (Lynda’s home) and the Dome Cinema.

It is interesting to note that the woman at the box office in the film was, in fact, a real member of staff.

Many recall how odd it was to be served by her and then see her on the big screen in the same role a few minutes later.

External and internal shots were also taken at a now demolished property in Chesswood Road.

Sheltered housing now occupies the site and those with a keen eye will recognise a small part of the flint garden wall and one gate pillar.

The remainder of the wall was demolished and replaced with a modern brick-built wall.

Other locations included an alleyway off Alfred Place, Splash Point, the now demolished Warnes Hotel, the raised walkway just south of Beach House and Rowlands Road, where several shops were transformed back to 1951 appearance.

Other scenes for the film were shot on Bognor esplanade and Queen’s Park in Hove.

To this day I feel proud that this great, entertaining, one hour 32 minute comedy drama was filmed in and around Worthing, although, due to the controversial nature and content of the film, I must say that my grandmother didn’t share the same view.

I am keen to hear from anyone who may recall the filming in town or perhaps anyone who may even have any photographs of the cast and crew in action.

Please contact me on 07793 435428 or at grahamlelliott@hotmail.co.uk.

Graham Lelliott, Busticle Lane, Sompting, Lancing