Turn back time: the family

[BerryCheesecake]

Where did the children actually 'go' while they were shipped off to countryside? It's been baffaling me as did they just go 'out' of the experience for a few days? And if so, who took care of them?!

[Groovee]

Not got a clue

[ijgolding]

The children went on the steam train to Lakeside by lake Windermere. They were met by their grandparents and had a wonderful time. This was all filmed, but did not make the final cut. My dad for one is gutted about that!

[daenerysstormborn]

ljgolding - as in the golding family from the programme??

[chickensaresafehere]

Just watched episode 3 on iplayer.
It was great,I cried a few times and I thought it was the most interesting era to watch.
Your dh ljgolding is a lovely man.Sad to see you go though,you have been fab to watch!!

[ijgolding]

Yes it is me - and many thanks for your very kind words. We had an amazing experience and loved every minute of it - well almost every minute. I am writing a blog on the experience if you are interested - ijgolding.wordpress.com/turn-back-time-the-family/

[valiumredhead]

Oh wow - hello!

The series has been great so far, been glued to it!

Things I need to ask -

*what happened about school - were the children allowed to have time off, or did you just get stroppy and pull them out while you filmed?

• How long did filming take?
  
  
• Was there a break in between eras where you just went back to your normal lives?
  
  errrrm sure I'll think of other things to ask later!

[SwedishEdith]

Oh, I love this series (and the one about the history of London streets). I did get a bit worried that the younger children seemed genuinely a bit traumatised by the Blitz and, generally, about their parents just behaving oddly.

[ijgolding]

The filming was over Easter, so time off school was kept to a minimum. for the weeks that they did miss school, the production company were obliged to provide a tutor. The relevant local authorities for all three families were involved, and the children were provided with a license for the period of filming. The childrens schools provided the work for the tutor.

Each episode took four to five days - although the days were very intensive - often from 8am to 8pm. However, not everyone was being filmed all the time - especially the children. There was only one camera per family, so if you see a scene with one family member, the remainder of the family are not being filmed. Over 80 hours of filming was captured for each episode!

There was a break between each episode - largely because the art department had to convert the houses for the new era. The break was 3 to 4 days. We went home in between the first two episodes, but went to Bkackpool between episodes 2 and 3. It was up to us to decide what we wanted to do, but it was impossible to return back to normal until it was all over.

I hope this helps. Feel free to keep the questions coming...

[ijgolding]

The children were very upset after the air raid, so much so, our director stopped filming. They were absolutely fine once electricity was restored!

We were happy for their tears to be seen though. Their reaction highlighted just how children would have felt, and the fact that there are children elsewhere in the world who still experience bombing in 2012.

They are not traumatised, but will never forget that part of the experience.

[valiumredhead]

Oh thanks! All very interesting

What did you miss the absolute most?

Every time I see the bit where your dh tells the kids to get out of the kitchen it makes me laugh - did you twat him over the head with a rolling pin once the cameras were off?
Was he told to do that or was it just him getting into the role a bit to much?

Did you get on with the other families, you all seemed like you did?

[SwedishEdith]

Oh, I'm pleased to hear that (about the director stopping filming).

What era did you enjoy most for clothes?

[SoupDragon]

"Their reaction highlighted just how children would have felt"

Interestingly, my parents say that they weren't particularly scared at all - they were 3 and 4 at the start of the war and it was just how things were for them. I was surprised, I have to say.

Great programme though :)

[valiumredhead]

Oh bugger - sorry

Anyway - question still stands - did she twat you one?

[Emandlu]

Another one here who is loving the programme.
I've been watching it with my kids and they have really got into it.

What were the other families like that you filmed with - did you socialise with them at all, and are you staying in touch?

The air raids really hit home and it was the children's reactions that made it so real. I still remember my Nan's reaction to hearing an air-raid siren in the 80's - she was utterly terrified. I guess it would be something that really stayed with you.

[ASillyPhaseIAmGoingThrough]

Loved the show too.

[BerryCheesecake]

ijgolding are you Mr or Mrs? Hope you don't mind me asking but you mentioned the blog ( which I've read - it was fab to get an insight) which was written by Mr so just wondered if you were infant Mr or Mrs?!

The program has been absolutely fantastic and I was so sad to see you guys left last night! I know they brought in a new family for next week but just wondered why they chose to say goodbye to you guys and whether you knew beforehand that you'd only be in 3 episodes?

Plus, are you still in contact with anyone from the show? :)

[FrillyMilly]

I'm really enjoying this programme. I felt so sorry for the mums when they sent their children away and that was only for a few days. Can't imagine how it must feel to send them off not knowing if you would see them again!

[Secret7]

Absolutely loved this programme. DD's have loved it too. Learned so much about the eras that you don't get from history lessons.

The children do seem to cry alot - must have been a big lifestyle shock for them.

[SoupDragon]

I imagine the footage has been heavily edited to show the more emotional parts - like children who are upset.

[Dancergirl]

We are all loving this series, even down to 5 year old dd! It's too late to let them watch on Tuesday night but we are recording the whole series and straight after school on Wednesday they sit down to watch.

So sad when the children were sent away. It just doesn't bear thinking about really having to do it and not know when you would see them again

[daenerysstormborn]

i'm loving the programme too, dd is looking forward to the 50's/60's one, that's her favorite era.

they got their school reports on wednesday, both done well so i treated them to a take away and we all sat watching episode 2 on iplayer. we'll do episode 2 tonight, i've seen them all but the kids haven't yet.

got to ask, was it really as bad as it looked for the meadows family in the first episode? and, if this is my golding posting, how was it in the council office at at the edwardian desk surrounded by all the other staff dressed normally?

[wheredidiputit]

Me and dd1 (8YRS) love this, we wish it was on earlier in the evening.

ijgolding did you know that your family were not going to be in all the episodes.

[Dancergirl]

ijgolding - I have a question. I read a bit in your blog about the selection process. Do you know how many families applied to be on the programme and was there something particular about your family that made them choose you?

I would LOVE to be on something like this, dh however isn't keen!