Film / News
Documentary explores class, prejudice and pride in south Bristol estate
When health standards were so poor in one suburb, social workers and doctors devised a new code to sum up a patient whose symptoms were not out of the ordinary in the area.
They would write ‘NFH’ in their notes, or ‘Normal for Hartcliffe’.
While many other parts of Bristol have prospered, areas such as Hartcliffe in south Bristol have continued to struggle with issues such as a lack of facilities, jobs and opportunities.
is needed now More than ever
Using local voices, journalist and documentary filmmaker Neil Maggs has created a short documentary to give an insight into life on the post-war estate and explore what ‘normal for Hartcliffe’ means today.
The 20-minute film, commissioned by Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership, features a host of characters who speak of their frustration at continued stereotypes that blight the area, but also their pride of living in a close-knit, welcoming place that is trying to thrive.
Bristol Ideas’ screening of ‘Normal for Hartcliffe’ included a panel discussion hosted by Maggs about the issues it raises – photo: Betty Woolerton
“NFH basically normalised people’s oppression and the discrimination that came with it,” said Paul Smith, a former Hartcliffe councillor, at a panel discussion after the film was screened on Thursday at the Watershed.
“It said effectively ‘that’s okay because they’re from Hartcliffe’. They don’t deserve the same support that other people do.”
Paul Holbrook, a writer and director who also grew up in the area, said: “I think there’s a danger we often subscribe to it ourselves sometimes as a community that stuff can be ‘normal for Hartcliffe’.
“That’s the problem. If you start having that mindset it can spread through generations.”
Kerry Bailes is a councillor and community activist – photo: Normal for Hartcliffe
Holbrook added: “The stereotype solidified for me when I left school and I started applying for jobs.
“You’d find yourself in offices where they’d hide the expensive stuff when they found out you were from Hartcliffe.”
Kerry Bailes, who grew up in Hartcliffe and is now Labour councillor for Hartcliffe and Withywood, said: “I think I am probably the stereotype that makes people think of Hartcliffe.
“I was pregnant at 16, I left school with no GCSEs and I have worked very low paid jobs. I used to clean for the council and now I’m a councillor.
“When you talk to people outside of Hartcliffe, they either don’t know where it is or they have that stereotype in their mind.
“But actually, although we didn’t do well at school, we are doing alright.”
Maggs said he plans for Normal for Hartcliffe to be screened at community venues for wider audiences.
Main photo: Normal for Hartcliffe
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