Hollywood calls to Bridgwater (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Hollywood calls to Bridgwater

9:06am Saturday 22nd September 2007

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AS work begins on a big budget Hollywood movie about the early years of Queen Victoria's reign, few people in Somerset will realise the key role being played by a Bridgwater organisation.

England's Shepperton Studios is playing host to a big money, Hollywood-financed film entitled Young Victoria, and film-makers are keen to ensure the historical detail is as accurate as possible.

And that's where the Bridgwater-based Woodcarvers Guild comes in.

The group, which has been run out of Bridgwater for the past ten years, has been commissioned to produce an exact copy of the elaborate, 700-year-old Coronation Throne and stool.

The original is based in Westminster Abbey was made in 1297 on the orders of Edward I, to house the Stone of Destiny, and is the oldest piece of furniture in Britain still used for its original purpose.

Woodwork on the throne is hugely intricate - hence the call to the Guild, which represents some of the finest woodcarvers around the globe.

Spokesman Baron Raymond Jenkin De Van said: "Crown Guild has many years experience producing exact replicas of complete period room film sets, period furniture and architectural fittings for film companies.

"In 2006 and 2007 The Guild supplied four-poster beds and period furniture for the £20 million American-financed blockbuster drama series The Tudors which is being filmed in the Irish Republic and is due to be seen on British television starting in October 2007."

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