Oscar winning filmmaker helps small Suffolk town

The residents of Bramfield, a small village in Suffolk with about 450 inhabitants, have come together in an ambitious bid to transform a centrally-located agricultural field into a community green space. This field, currently used as grazing land for two horses, became the subject of community attention when it was put up for sale. The villagers, led by the trustees of Bramfield Village Hall, saw an opportunity to create a shared space for events like the local primary school's sports day, village fetes, and a play area for children

Their vision for the green includes enhancing the local biodiversity by planting native hedges and setting up a small orchard. The community's dream, however, is expensive - they need to raise £70,000 to bring their vision to life. The villagers have rallied around the cause, raising about £70,000 through various fundraising efforts, including contributions from the East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council

In a surprising twist, their cause has received a major boost from an unexpected source - Charlie Mackesy, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and author who spent two years in Suffolk working on his acclaimed film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse". Hearing about the village's efforts through local channels, Mackesy has pledged his support to the fundraising campaign, expressing his love for the village and the community. As a Suffolk local, he appreciates the importance of the project and the immense positive impact it will have on the community.

In a show of support, Mackesy is planning to host a special fundraising screening of his film, which tells the heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse during the boy's search for a home. The event will take place at Thorington Theatre near Southwold on June 24. Following the screening, Mackesy plans to engage with the audience in a Q&A session and perform some live, on-screen drawing. The unique contribution from this celebrated local figure adds a layer of excitement to the community's ambitious plans and brings them one step closer to realizing their shared dream.