My morning with David Jason in Bradfield

Date: 03/02/2012. Story submitted by: MattD

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Being a parish councillor normally involves lots of council meetings, complaints about overgrown trees and the odd naughty duck.

So when the Bradfield Parish Council office received a phone call this week to say that David Jason of Only Fools and Horses fame had chosen Higher Bradfield as a location to film his new comedy Pearly Gates, as a local councillor I could not resist the opportunity to go and meet him.

David is directing the comedy which stars Mark Williams (from The Fast Show) as one of a family of dysfunctional undertakers.

The BBC filmed in Bradfield on Friday before moving to Huddersfield where more of the show will be recorded.

I chatted to some of the producers and location directors who very kindly allowed me to mingle around on the set and also chat with David himself.

David said: "It really is a beautiful spot here. Bradfield is a lovely village and the perfect backdrop for filming, it's just a bit cold today!"

Temperatures were still below freezing when the BBC arrived in Bradfield and David was donning a rather large fluorescent jacket and leather cap to keep him warm. But the chilly morning didn't stop a number of Bradfield villagers coming out to watch the filming.

"It's fantastic," said John, who lives in Higher Bradfield. "David Jason has talked to quite a few people in the village, he is a really nice, down to earth bloke. It's great that they have chosen our village to film in."

I spoke to David Killern, one of the location directors, who explained that they had never heard of Bradfield before.

The Pearly Gates team had been bowled over by the views across the valley, the picturesque village setting and especially St Nicholas Church which is perched on top of Higher Bradfield with a graveyard that boasts some of the finest backdrop scenes of lakes, dams and rolling hills.

St Nicholas Church was the focus of the filming. The BBC had made new signs at the front gates because the church will be called St Mary's in the comedy.

Pearly Gates will be screened on the BBC later this year.

Additional info

Address: Bradfield Rectory Bradfield South Yorkshire S6 6LG

Tags: David Jason Pearly Gates BBC Bradfield St Nicholas Church Sheffield