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Filming for the second series of
ITV1's "Kingdom" (which first aired on 22 April 2007) starring Stephen
Fry as solicitor, Peter Kingdom, in the fictional Norfolk market town of
Shipborough is due to start Summer 2007. A Heacham-based business has been
approached to provide one of the "stars" of the series - a Land Rover
bicycle! "Lyle", played by Karl Davies (Robert Sugden in "Emmerdale"
is Peter Kingdom's young and keen trainee and loves his bicycle which,
when not in use, is proudly kept in his office.
John Wallis, a partner in A E Wallis - the TV, electrical and cycle
retailer in Heacham, was first asked in 2006 to supply a bicycle for a
new TV series and was given a brief on what was required. The
Producers were so pleased with the Silver Land Rover Athabasca - complete
with lock, special briefcase, powerful lights and compass - that no
further changes were needed and Lyle's bicycle was ready for lights,
camera, action!
During the filming of the last series, John, his wife Tracey and
daughter Vanessa, were invited to see some of the filming and be extras
in the "Dyke Jumping Championship" scenes; although you would
never spot them on TV they all enjoyed the day.
The cycle was returned to John at the end of filming of the first series, along
with a photo of the cast with a personal message from Stephen Fry
thanking him for his help. The bike has now been dusted down and
checked over ready for delivery on set and its next taste of fame!
Market Shipborough is a fictional market town in Norfolk. In
reality it is filmed in several parts of Norfolk but mainly in Swaffham
and Wells. The front door to Peter Kingdom's offices are in
Swaffham but the view from the back overlooks Wells Harbour. Such
is the magic of TV. Wells is also the town featured in the birdseye view
of Market Shipborough in the opening sequence of the first series.
The town sign depicting a pedlar is actually the legendary Pedlar of
Swaffham. Details of this legend can be found at
www.oldcity.org.uk/norwich/names/pedlar.php |
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