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Three programmes on Castleford follow the huge changes taking place as the West Yorkshire town transforms itself. 

They're part of the Castleford Project which is a unique collaboration between Wakefield Council, Channel 4, key regeneration agencies and the community to develop £11 million of improvement projects in this forming mining town. The outcome will be shown in five documentaries on Channel 4 next year.
More on the Castleford Project.

Alongside the regeneration project was a community media project which helped residents chart the changes taking place in their community.  The resulting films - Making it Work, Spray Down Your Way and Cutting it at Cutsyke - start broadcasting on Community Channel on Saturday 28th October, 2006.
More on the Castleford Community Media Project... 


Making it Work
When the mines closed in Castleford, west Yorkshire, the residents were forced to come up with some new ideas for making money. This half hour film explores the growth of several unusual small businesses based at the Cultural Industries Centre in Glasshoughton – an area at the centre of massive regeneration projects. This is a different way of looking at what is meant by regeneration, as it concentrates on what is happening at a grassroots level. We hear from people like Anne Laverick, a costumier working mainly for historical re-enactment societies, Dave Burnett, a guitar teacher (one of whose ex-pupils is now a member of Kaiser Chiefs) and Jacqui Clelland who runs a business making organic bath products.

Spray Down Your Way
Two groups of young people from neighbouring estates come together to work on an unusual art project to improve the look of their local community. The youngsters from the Cutsyke and Warwick estates work with local graffiti artists to produce a series of stunning display boards for the old Market Hall in Castleford, west Yorkshire. As well as working with the artists, the children work with local film-makers to document their involvement in the graffiti art project. This film is part of a series being made in the Castleford area by community groups about issues affecting their lives.

Cutting it at Cutsyke
This film tells the story of Cutsyke, a former mining estate in Castleford, west Yorkshire, where residents have got together to improve things in their area. The film shows how the community are clearing derelict land in order to make way for a mini farm and children’s play area. As well as clearing the land, the group go and visit other projects to gain knowledge and inspiration. The message of the film is about volunteering, how all ages and people in a community can make a difference. One of the volunteers, Mark, is a former drug dealer recently out of prison. He is now been given a second chance by getting involved in this inspiring project.