Blog
PUTTING THE BUILDING IN THE PICTURE
CARDIFF BAY LOCALS WANTED
A local production company, Hubbub Media, is looking for past and present residents of Cardiff Bay to come forward as interviewees for a not-for-profit documentary film about the Old NatWest Bank – the bank where the first ever million pound cheque is believed to have been presented.
The building, more formally known as 113-116 Bute Street, is currently owned by Saeed Shad, owner of Jupiter Properties, who acquired it in 2002. He said: “The architectural features are so unique and well-preserved I couldn’t resist buying it. As you step inside you really do feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.”
The film, due to be released online later this spring, is almost half way through production. Over the last few months the Hubbub team have collected footage and photographs of Cardiff Bay spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century up to the present day. However, their collection is still incomplete and they are keen to hear from anyone with information about the Old NatWest building.
The film’s director, Shaun Russell, is hoping to include as many local residents as possible in the making of the film and is looking for anyone with an interesting story to tell. He said: “We've already interviewed former NatWest employees and the present owner, but we still to speak to customers of the former bank. We hope to capture the sense of community that was an important part of the building’s character for so many years.”
The building boasts a number of distinctive architectural features including a spectacular banking hall, populated by columns of French Echaillon marble, as well as extensive underground vaults. Originally the Cardiff Docks branch of the National Provincial Bank, the building continued as NatWest until 2002, and is now used as office space for charitable and community-based organisations.
Excitingly, its unique features have also led to it being used as a filming location for a number of Doctor Who and Torchwood episodes for the BBC.
If you think you might be able to help with the making of the documentary, please contact Shaun or Justin at Hubbub Media on 029 2115 7202 or 07766 227 171.
THE BRECON CHALLENGE
Congratulations to the Safer Wales’ two Brecon Challenge Teams; both teams completed the demanding course in under 12 hours!
All the money raised by the Brecon Challenge Teams will go to support the work of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in their work in 30 of the poorest countries in the world. VSO is a key partner in the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Wales for Africa’ Programme, which supports the delivery of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals through action by Welsh people and communities.
For more information please visit www.vso.org.uk/what-we-do/
THE BUILDING IS ON TRACK
Filming has recently taken place at The Old NatWest Building for the S4C drama, Ar Y Tracs(On The Tracks). The building was dressed as a railway station and looked extremely authentic. The film is written by and features Ruth Jones (of Gavin and Stacey fame) and will be shown on Christmas Day.
The cast include:
Ruth Jones, Richard Elis, William Thomas (Belonging, Dr Who: The Unquiet Dead), Rebecca Harries, Mari Ann Bull, Mali Harries, Rhys Griffiths.
Producer: David Peet
Director: Ed Talfan
The film has been produced by Tidy Productions.
OUR JOHN GETS POLICE GONG
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We are proud to announce that John Munton, services manager at The Building With No Name, has been named the Community Safety Volunteer of the Year by South Wales Police Authority.
John received his award in recognition of his long standing involvement with Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers. John said: “I am very proud and overwhelmed to have won this award. It really is unexpected. I do not do the work for any recognition, but it warms my heart to know that I am making a difference in the community.
Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Russell Roberts, said: “John has been the epitome of a community safety volunteer. He works alongside the police in tackling local issues and is a key contact for the officers. I congratulate John on receiving this well-deserved prize.”
AN AMERICAN EYE IN BUTETOWN
BBC Two Wales is running a short 'Butetown' season, commencing with An American Eye on Butetown at 10pm on Tuesday 12th October. The programme features American director Dee Rees as she presents an outsiders view of activities in the area. Her film Butetown's Colonial Gods follows on Wednesday at 10pm.
Also this week on Thursday at 10pm is Tiger Baywatch a nostalgic look at the 1990s series, Tiger Bay.
DOCTOR WHO'S FAN FAVOURITE FILMED HERE!
The Old NatWest Building has had the honour of standing in for a police station in the episode.
Blink tells the story of Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) who unwittingly becomes involved in a race to save the Doctor (David Tennant) and his companion (Freema Agyeman) from the 'Weeping Angels'. These statue-like monsters can only move when nobody is looking, which is why the Doctor warns Sally "...the angels are coming for you but listen; your life could depend on this. Don't blink, don't even blink! Blink and you're dead. They're fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink!..'
Written by Steven Moffat, Blink was well-received by critics and won the BAFTA Craft and BAFTA Cymru awards for best writer and a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.
Doctor Who is copyright © British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 1963, 2009. No infringement of this copyright is either implied or intended.
WELCOME
Welcome to the Old NatWest Building website. We will soon be adding stories to this blog. In the meantime, why not have a look around the website.
