Grove Roots Film Project

 
Grove Roots Background

Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Octavia Foundation has given 8 young west Londoners the opportunity to document the history of their local area in a film that traces the evolution of Ladbroke Grove from the 1958 race riots to the present day.

The project started in October 2008 and in just 5 months the 8 local young people researched and produced the Grove Roots documentary. The film looks at the major milestones, historical flashpoints and social landscaping of the area to capture the unique story of Ladbroke Grove.

Grove Roots Partners

Working with HISTORYtalk, Mendez Media, Oral History Society and Black Cultural Archive, the young people attended research sessions, film training, interview techniques, oral history and archive training.

Grove Roots Project

Interviewing took place throughout October/November 2008 with contributions from local film-makers, musicians, artists, community workers and residents.

The film unearths the pivotal history of the area, including the rise of the Notting Hill Carnival, the fruition of 'Frestonia' and the lives of unique local figures such as Claudia Jones who is remembered in the UK as the 'mother of Notting Hill Carnival', and notorious landlord Peter Rachmann.

Grove Roots Film Premiere

Grove Roots had its world premiere in the illustrious and iconic Electric Cinema on Portobello Road on 27 February which kicked off the London-wide screening tour of the film. The first screening was met with rapturous applause from the audience, and congratulations from the floor came from local councillors, film-makers, interviewees & proud parents. 

Press Coverage

Articles on Grove Roots appeared in the Observer, Regeneration & Renewal,  Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard and The Voice.

For the London Tonight clip of the Grove Roots premiere

For more information check the Grove Roots screenings page or contact Hayley Tripp.

This project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Octavia Foundation.