Shillingbury Blowers, The
Date: 1980
Director: Val Guest
Production Company: ITC Entertainment for ATV
Stars: Robin Nedwell, Diane Keen, Trevor Howard, Jack Douglas
Location(s): Hertfordshire
Region(s): South East R-Z
Storyline:
A pop musician and his wife disrupt a small English village’s equilibrium when he takes over the local brass band’s conductor-ship, tasked with transforming a group of untalented yet sensitive elderly men into a cohesive unit with a unique style.
A television film, made as feature-length pilot for the series “Shillingbury Tales”.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The film's Shillingbury. An aerial view of Aldbury in Hertfordshire where the village scenes were filmed.
- Capture 2
- 19 Aug 2025
The border of Shillingbury. 46 Stocks Road, Aldbury, facing south.
Stocks Road captured by Antony Blair.
- Capture 3
- 17 Jul 2025
Looking south across the pond from Manor Cottage, Aldbury.
Antony Blair (AB) found the background obscured by greenery and the pond by a parked car.
- Capture 4
- 17 Jul 2025
Looking west from the Greyhound Inn, Aldbury. The village appears in many productions including ‘You Can’t Escape’, 'A Warm December', 'Jassy', ‘The Dirty Dozen’, ‘Inquest’, ‘Stop Press Girl’, ‘Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason’ as well as television’s ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Midsomer Murders’.
Easily recognisable. AB
- Capture 5
- 17 Jul 2025
The Oddfellows Arms, Shillingbury, played by The Greyhound Inn, Aldbury.
The reality. AB
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
The village team are playing cricket. The Aldbury cricket oval, to the north of the village.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Spectators watch the cricket match from the pavilion.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
More spectators. with Aldbury Chuch, St. John the Baptist, in the distance.
- Capture 9
- 17 Jul 2025
Equine spectators at the church.
Taken from within the churchyard. AB
- Capture 10
- 17 Jul 2025
Villagers leaving the church. seen from Station Road, Aldbury.
The same memorials. AB
- Capture 11
- 17 Jul 2025
The local tea shop. 10 Stocks Road, Aldbury.
My, the tea shop is popular! AB
- Capture 12
- 19 Aug 2025
Mowing the grass. 20 Trooper Road.
No lawn to mow now. AB
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Painting the door frame. 41 Stocks Road.
- Capture 14
- 17 Jul 2025
Washing the car. 12 Stocks Road.
Antony Blair found two clean cars.
- Capture 15
- 17 Jul 2025
Finally to Rose Cottage, where newly-arrived pop musician Peter Higgins (Robin Nedwell) is setting up home. 35 Stocks Road,
The cottage with no name. AB
- Capture 16
- 17 Jul 2025
Peter's wife Sally (Diane Keen) brings out cups of tea from the house.
As close as possible without trespass. AB
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Sally looks out onto the street. Stocks Lane.
- Capture 18
- 17 Jul 2025
The local bandleader Saltie (Trevor Howard) crosses the road to talk to the couple.
45 years later. AB
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
At a parish council meeting, it is decided to replace Saltie with Peter as the band is struggling to survive. Stephen Griffin worked on the film and recognised the Purcell School for Young Musician on Aldenham Road in Bushey, Hertfordshire, which also appears in 'Rosie Dixon Night Nurse'.
- Capture 20
- 17 Jul 2025
Peter agrees to take the job, and the village wakes up to the new arrangement. A view across Aldbury village pond facing northeast.
A cloud provides protection for the sun's glare. AB
- Capture 21
- 17 Jul 2025
...and from further back on Station Road facing northeast, with the stocks on the right.
Tree and stocks remain in place. AB
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
The bells ring at the village church. St. John the Baptist, Aldbury, viewed from the north.
- Capture 23
- 17 Jul 2025
A cow is led down the street. Station Road, Aldbury.
Antony Blair (AB) stood in the same position for this comparison.
- Capture 24
- 17 Jul 2025
After upsetting the band by telling them they are rubbish, Peter is consoled by Sally as they walk by the pond. Facing south on Stocks Road.
Reflections. AB
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
At the head of the table outside the pub, Jake (Jack Douglas) directs the band to to "work to rule" in protest. The Greyhound Inn.
- Capture 26
- 17 Jul 2025
A pony and trap emerges into Station Road.
No equine traffic in Antony Blair's view.
- Capture 27
- 17 Jul 2025
A newspaper is bought at Shillingbury Stores. Aldbury Village Stores is dressed for the part.
Undressed! AB
- Capture 28
- 17 Jul 2025
Dancing around the maypole at Shillingbury Fayre. The area in front of Aldbury Memorial Hall.
A clearer view of the Memorial Hall. AB
- Capture 29
- 17 Jul 2025
The band plays in front of the Old Manor House.
No musical accompaniment for Antony Blair.
- Capture 30
- 17 Jul 2025
Saltie crosses Station Road to take a look.
Facing the same way by AB.
- Capture 31
- 19 Jun 2026
We see the destination for the County Brass Band Championships. This is the Civic Hall that stood on Elstree Way, Borehamwood, also seen in 'Confessions of a Pop Performer'.
Now replaced by Ibis Borehamwood.
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required
The band sets off for the competition, passing the war memorial in Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire, also seen in 'Cotton Queen'.
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required
Jake has overslept at his farm and gets up in a hurry, Stephen Griffin identifies Town Farm in Aldbury, Hertfordshire adding that "it was behind the tea room but has become a small housing development".
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required
Jake sets off in his tractor. Town Farm in Aldbury located by Stephen Griffin.
- Capture 35
- 04 Apr 2026
Jake switches to a postie's bike. Back Lane, Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire, passing "The Old Rest", also seen in 'The Strange World of Planet X' and 'Scream . . . and Die!'
No bikes about now. AB
- Capture 36
- 19 Aug 2025
Jake gets a lift from a passing motorist. 41 High Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, with Brown & Merry estate agents in the background.
The same corner. AB
- Capture 37
- 19 Aug 2025
Jake is back on his bike. Facing northeast on High Street, Tring.
Pedestrianised. AB
- Capture 38
- 19 Jun 2026
Jake arrives at the Civic Hall just in time. Elstree Way, Borehamwood, with the fire station to the right.
The old library building also seen in 'The Likely Lads' still stands. It now runs a charity centre called Gratitude. Behind is the fire station, somewhat obscured by trees.