Redditch Local History Museum

03/06/2026

Did you know that a major ITV television drama was filmed in Redditch back in 1990?

The Widowmaker, directed by future Shakespeare in Love director John Madden, used Redditch’s estates, roads and town centre as the backdrop for a dark and atmospheric crime drama starring Annabelle Apsion, Alun Armstrong and a young David Morrissey.

We’ve been researching the production for a possible future display at the Redditch Local History Museum, and the deeper we look, the more fascinating it becomes.

Local memories suggest filming took place around Woodrow, Batchley and the town centre, with some residents remembering police cars racing through Redditch’s famous New Town road system while Central Television transformed parts of the town into a huge film set.

What makes this especially interesting today is that the film now acts as an accidental time capsule of Redditch at the end of the 1980s — preserving estates, roads, shops and buildings exactly as they looked over thirty-five years ago.

We’re now trying to track down:

photographs from the filming

local newspaper coverage from 1990
memories of road closures or filming locations

stories from local residents who saw the production

anyone who appeared as an extra

Do you remember The Widowmaker being filmed in Redditch?

Did you see the crews? Recognise any locations? Or perhaps even appear in the programme yourself?

We’d love to hear your memories.

18/05/2026

Tonight I joined the paranormal team Creeping It Real to investigate 5 Market Place in Redditch — an old building at the heart of the town and home to the Redditch Local History Museum.

What began as a paranormal investigation quickly became something far more emotional. Surrounded by empty display rooms, centuries of history, and a building now facing an uncertain future, the atmosphere inside was unlike anything we expected.

Before the team had even arrived, footsteps were heard moving across the first floor along with tapping sounds from upstairs. Throughout the night, further unexplained noises continued around the building.

During experiments upstairs, responses appeared to lead toward the name “Louisa Smith” — a woman claiming to have died there many years ago.

Whether paranormal or psychological, tonight reminded us of something important:

Places like this matter.

For generations, people lived, worked, traded, and passed through 5 Market Place. And now, with the museum being forced to leave following the recent sale of the building, another piece of old Redditch risks being lost.

I'm trying to help raise funds for the museum, so I'll be creating a video about the history and the investigation. Please donate to the museum, help save our local history.

03/05/2026

It’s great to have our MP Chris Bloore on board.

He added that the museum’s role will be especially important as Redditch seeks to showcase its culture on a bigger stage.

30/04/2026

Redditch Local History Museum faces eviction by July, risking a vital part of our town’s identity.

I’ve met trustees and am working urgently with the Council to secure a new home.

As we bid for Town of Culture 2028, preserving our past isn’t optional - it’s essential.

25/04/2026

Latest item for sale in Redditch Local History Museum at the very special price of £15. These are really lovely plaques.

23/04/2026

There's a link added if anyone would like to donate to the museum

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B4C4dzKHV/