THE Community Broadcast Company (CBC) is screening two of their period short films this weekend during August’s Kidderminster Arts Festival (KAF).

The first, ‘Deeds not Words’, has been especially created for KAF, and celebrates the centenary of women being given the right to vote, and the role Kidderminster played in this exciting part of history.

The film is in three segments, each depicting one of the colours of the suffragettes’ flag and its meaning: purple for dignity, white for purity and green for hope and three strong women connected to the area.

Most notably Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the radical Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) or Suffragettes, is shown on her visit to Kidderminster during a campaign tour to drum up support for her quest for women’s suffrage.

The film also features local lady, Helen Talbot, was so inspired by her speech that she went on to form the area’s branch the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) or more widely known as the suffragists, a more peaceful group.

Sarah Elizabeth Woodward, founder of St George’s Hall, Bewdley and one of the first female councillors in England, is also celebrated for the work she did building the Hall.

The free film showing will be at The Swan Pub courtyard, Vicar Street, Kidderminster on Saturday (August 25) and Sunday (26) from 11am to 4pm.

Coralie Hudson, Writer and Director said: “It has been humbling to create our film and to pay tribute to such strong women who fought to change society and give rise to a better and fairer world.

“I find heritage fascinating and it has been fabulous researching and writing the film and ensuring its historical accuracy. Thank you to Jean Talbot at the Museum of Carpet, and Gaynor Hill for their support.

“I have been supported by a fabulous crew and cast, and working with from other female film-makers has been so rewarding.”

The second film screening is ‘Tapestry’, sponsored and hosted by Mark Oakes of Bond Worth Carpets, which pays homage to Kidderminster’s carpet industry heritage and the importance of the community everyone shared at the time.

Featuring professional talent mainly from the local area, the film follows the life of George, an engineer in the industry – the highs and lows of his life, and what his community meant to him.

The media company created the film to fulfil their wish to preserve Wyre Forest’s social and industrial heritage so its legacy is not forgotten.

Sachia M. Mooney, Producer said: “A phrase used by different characters throughout out the film is ‘different times’- and indeed it was.

“Each factory had its own sports team and it really was a time of true community, and why our film is dedicated to those who loved and lived within it.

“It is of course sad that times changed, however we hope that our community screening will bring people together and evoke strong memories of our area’s heyday and a time to reminisce.”

The screening will take place at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday, August 25 at 7pm, with doors and bar opening from 6.15pm. Tickets are priced £3 on the door and £2.50 in advance available through their website: www.the-cbc.org.uk/tapestry