Just in time for a new term, Museum of Liverpool presents 40 Years of Grange Hill from 7 September to 24 February 2019.
The display features original hand-written scripts resting on top of an ironing board, just the way series creator, writer and producer, Phil Redmond, worked on them in the show’s early days, alongside the original 1950s typewriter which he used to type them up.
It also includes items of uniform worn in the show and various pieces of Grange Hill memorabilia – books, annuals, on-set photographs and vinyl records.
The display explores the programme’s direct link to Liverpool through Phil, who based the early shows on his own Liverpool school days. It also covers the impact and influence of the often explosive storylines on generations of children who are now grown up.
Phil Redmond said: “Despite being a reminder of the greying hair and expanding waistline, it’s fantastic to have this display and recall those early days when I was trying to build a career as a television writer. It is also humbling to have it in the Museum of Liverpool, not least because the aim of the Museum is to tell stories, not just of Liverpool, but how its people helped shape British history.”
Museum of Liverpool curator, Clare Ahmad said: “Grange Hill was a ground breaking, award winning series, which had a major influence on children’s TV. We’re delighted to be celebrating the 40th anniversary with this spotlight display, which we hope will bring back fond memories of the programme and its most memorable characters.”