FORTY-FIVE years ago, two young Jericho residents successfully applied to the BBC TV community access programme Open Door to make a film depicting the unique Oxford neighbourhood.

Now one of the original film-makers is to repeat the project.

With the backing of the Jericho Community Association, and in partnership with Film Oxford, a new community-based film is to be made, to capture the essence of Jericho’s solidarity and diversity for a different era. It could be called Our Jericho.

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Maggie Black, who with artist Lucy Willis made the original Open Door film about Jericho in 1974, said: “That film is now part of Jericho’s heritage, and every Jericho resident and devotee gets a kick out of seeing it – remembering characters and places that have changed or disappeared.

“So I thought it would be good to do a similar film bringing the story up to date, continuing the celebration of Jericho’s past and present.”

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She was delighted to learn last week that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has made a significant award towards the film project.

Other support has come from Lucy Properties, Oxford University Press, the Doris Field Trust, city councillor Susanna Pressel, and other donors. Ms Pressel was instrumental in building local enthusiasm and support.

“This is a fantastic project and I’m proud to be associated with the film,” she said.

A meeting is being held tonight at 7.15pm at the Jericho Community Centre, 33 Canal Street, to which all Jericho residents have been invited.

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Their suggestions are to be sought so that the film can genuinely respond to the community’s view of itself.

Maggie Black said: “This is what we did in 1974 but back then, there was no community centre, we used a room above a pub – a sign of how things have changed.”

Film Oxford is a local charity providing training, community projects and film production services for non-profit organisations.

Nicola Josse, of Film Oxford, said: "As a former Jericho resident, I was thrilled when Maggie approached us to do the re-make.

"We aim to keep to the strong community feel and documentary style of the original film."

A major recent transformation in Jericho has been the closing of Lucy’s foundry, and its replacement by canalside housing.

Another development, Jericho Wharf, which will include a new community centre and DIY boatyard, has been planned for several years.

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Peter Stalker, Jericho Community Association treasurer, said: “Jericho is so close to central Oxford that it acts as a magnet for developers.

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“But Jericho knows how to look after itself. Its community instinct is very strong. It has had to be.”

The film, to be called Our Jericho, is not intended to argue any particular case for conservation or planning policy.

Like its predecessor, it will convey a slice of Jericho’s life as lived by a cross-section of Jericho people at a serendipitous moment in time.

With its distinctive church, its boaters along the canal, its school, businesses, pubs, artists, singers, and the wide-ranging programme of social activities Jericho enjoys, colourful scenes await film goers.

Filming will take place over the summer, with the launch scheduled for Autumn 2019.

The first day of filming will be at the annual Jericho Street Fair, to be held on Saturday, June 8.

The street fair has now been running for over 20 years and will run from noon until 4.30pm.

This year organisers are taking the event plastic-free.

Anyone planning to run a food stall will be charged extra unless they commit to using cardboard trays and wooden utensils instead of plastic.

A full stall costs £40 but if stallholders commit to not using plastic it costs £30.

Stalls are set up in Canal Street and visitors enjoy music, beer and the market stalls.

The fair also offers a half stall for individual Jericho residents or non-commercial organisations for £5.

Jericho Community Centre, on the corner of Canal Street and Cardigan Street, hosts many local activities, including babies and toddlers club and a Saturday Community Cafe.

The Centre is run by the community association which raises income for the centre by letting out office space and also several large rooms.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund uses money raised by the National Lottery, to create positive changes for people and communities.