Media Release

Sherborne celebrates as release of Benedict Cumberbatch's new film puts town firmly in the spotlight!

Dorset historic town, Sherborne, is celebrating its new found fame as Benedict Cumberbatch's new film, The Imitation Game, goes on general release on 14 November 2014. The film features Sherborne School as the set for the biopic film starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the Second World War code breaker Alan Turing. Turing attended Sherborne School from 1926 and film crews were at the school in November 2013 filming scenes depicting his boyhood years.

Dominic Elliott, mayor of Sherborne during the filming, commented on the impact of the film crew and the interest in the town.

He said: "Any film crew is always welcome. We have a history of filming in this town and I am very pleased to see it continue. Like the filming for far From the Madding Crowd, this puts Sherborne back on the map.

"The filming at Sherborne School is a welcome addition to what has come before it. When these films get into the cinema people will see our town on their screens and our venues will be included in the credits.

"Most people here recognise the positive impact of filming and show an interest in it. Sherborne gets talked about and people from far parts of the world think, 'where's that?'

"I think it has the knock-on effect of making people want to come here, which can only be good for the town."

This weekend Sherborne featured in a Daily Express Travel piece which listed many of the attractions and events in the town including Oxfords Bakery, a business over 100 years old, which operates the only steam powered bakery in the world; and Sherborne Museum with its "pipe for the serious smoker" - it has seven bowls to fill with tobacco and reminds visitors of an earlier patron, Sir Walter Raleigh, who commissioned the building of Sherborne "New" Castle.

Sherborne can expect even more interest when early Spring 2015 sees the release of the much anticipated Thomas Vinterberg adaptation of Hardy's fourth novel and first major literary success Far From the Madding Crowd. Starring A-listers Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge and Mathias Schoenaerts, film locations included Sherborne Abbey, Castleton Church and Abbey Close, the streets of which were transformed into an 1870s market square located in the town of Casterbridge.

Also Sherborne School and the surrounding area will feature again in a BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel's prize winning novel featuring Homeland and Band of Brothers actor Damian Lewis as Henry VIII and Mark Rylance as Henry VIII's scheming minister Thomas Cromwell. The six-part mini-series, to be broadcast next year on BBC 2, also includes Mark Gatiss and Jonathan Pryce in the cast.

Why can't Hollywood and independent film makers keep away from Sherborne? This small market town situated on the border between Dorset and Somerset punches well above its weight in so many ways. It boasts two magnificent castles, one of which was commissioned by Sir Walter Raleigh, a big star of his day in the 16th century and with magnificent grounds later crafted by Capability Brown; the other called The Old Castle, built in the 12th century, is now an impressive ruin providing the background for many a bracing walk and the odd wedding proposal!

There is also the gothic presence of fantastic Sherborne Abbey which goes back much further than its magnificent Perpendicular arches and famous fan-vaulting suggest. Tradition has it that King Alfred the Great was schooled here, and certainly his brothers King Ethelbald and King Ethelbert were buried (AD 860 and 865) in Sherborne Abbey. In more recent years The Sherborne Abbey Festival, an annual music festival taking place at the Abbey in early May, has become a regular fixture.

More recent celebrities associated with the Town include numerous alumni from historic Sherborne School, which, like the Abbey, has compelling architecture that provides a picturesque and atmospheric setting for big and small screen alike. The 16th century School boasts old boys like actor Jeremy Irons, Coldplay's Chris Martin and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville.

Visiting actors, camera crew and film producers can choose from any number of independent coffee shops when relaxing between takes as well as the award winning Eastbury Hotel. Added to this there are many independent shops including lots of unusual boutiques and gift shops, an independent butcher, J & M Parsons which has served Sherborne since 1840, the aforementioned Oxfords bakery and although there isn't a candlestick maker there is an independent iron monger or hardware shop - Abbey Décor. Visitors to the Town in recent years have spotted Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz - both of whom live nearby - as well as Lord of the Rings actor Orlando Bloom and pop-star Will Young.

Next month there will be even more reasons to visit as the town plays host to the Sherborne Christmas Shopping Day on Sunday 7 December with entertainments including choirs, bands, orchestras and Victorian chestnut roasters, plus a Christmas Tree Festival with lots of twinkling lights. See: www.visit-dorset.com/whats-on/sherborne-festive-shopping-day.

Photo Caption: An ancient window in Sherborne School gives an atmospheric setting for soon to be broadcast Wolf Hall - photo credit Sherborne School for Boys.

Further information from: www.sherbornedorset.co.uk

High res images and further press information available from Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

November 2014 (Sherborne 03)