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Another movie comes to our Estate
Gloucester Court and Hereford House will feature in 'Comfort and Joy', a new film starring Colin Firth
Our Estate is going to be used in another feature film, this time a comedy starring Colin Firth about Dr Alex Comfort, author of the famous book 'The Joy of Sex'. The film crew will get everything ready on Tuesday August 5th; on Wednesday 6th the actors will arrive for a day of filming; and on the 7th everything will be put back to normal.
The film explores the real life love triangle between Comfort, played by Colin Firth, his wife Ruth and his lover Jane Henderson. The scenes being filmed on our Estate will see the actors walking in and out of Hereford House and Gloucester Court, and a woman throwing some clothes out of a window!
It's exciting to host big stars on our Estate but there will inevitably be some disruption, especially on the 6th. Most of the action will be taking place around Gloucester Court and Hereford House, but the service roads behind the flats and the triangular lawn on the corner will be used for technical vehicles. Links Road will be closed to through traffic during filming and some parking suspended, along with a small number of bays on Queens Drive. And traffic will be halted on Queens Drive for short periods during takes (not during peak hours).
The production company is working most closely with Alun Rowlands, who chairs the flats' freehold company, on the details. But HHGERA, as the representative of residents across both houses and flats on the Estate, has a policy of supporting location work on the Estate - it raises our profile, which is potentially good for property values; it helps an important local industry; and it boosts residents association finances. So we have offered our good offices to help minimise the disruption and to be a channel of communication with the residents at large. (This time the contribution to our funds is relatively modest, as the flats are in the lead.)
Key contacts
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Alun Rowlands, flats Chair, or Ola, caretaker, are organising things for the flats (alunatHHGE@outlook.com)
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Ealing Council's film office handles road closures and parking bay suspension (0208 825 7575 / wlfo@ealing.gov.uk)
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The film company location manager is Roberto Kouyoumdjian (07912 206872 / robertoko@me.com)
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Contact the Residents Association via mail@hhgera.com.
Questions and answers
Q: How did our Estate get chosen for filming?
A: HHGERA's 2025 Annual General Meeting approved proposals on using the Estate for future location work. We are registered on Ealing Council's West London Film Office website and have a good reputation following successful filming of scenes from the feature film 'Pressure' in 2024. That brought an initial inquiry on the HHGERA website from a location scout, who we put in contact with the flats' management when it became clear the area concerned was under flats control.
Q: When exactly will be film crew be on our Estate?
A: Preparations will take place on Wednesday August 5th (8am to 6pm), filming from 12.30 to 10.30pm on Thursday 6th, and clearing up from 8am to midday on August 7th.
Q: Will I still be able to get in and out of my house/flat on Links Road during filming?
A: Yes, of course! The film crew may ask you to wait a few moments if a take is under way but that's only a relatively small part of the day. Traffic will not be able to use the southern end of Links Road on the day but there will be access for deliveries etc from the north. Obviously, an exception would be made for emergency vehicles in case of need. If in doubt, speak to the security people stationed at either end of the road.
Q: What about Queens Drive? I hear the traffic will be stopped during filming.
A: The film company has permission to halt the traffic on Queens Drive for up to two minutes at a time during filming hours, but not during peak hours when - as we know - it can be very busy. There will be people controlling this and we do not expect major disruption to result.
Q: How many parking bays are being suspended and when?
A: Watch out for the official signs but we understand the residents' bays will be suspended at the southern end of Links Road on August 6th, and five more on Queens Drive. Five bays will also be suspended on the preparation and clearing up (strike) days.
Q: Where can I park if so many residents' places are not available?
A: It's helpful that filming is taking place at the height of the holiday season, with schools on holiday. The film company estimates that only about 10 vehicles will be affected so there should be spaces available relatively nearby, on Monks Drive and Queens Drive. Please move your car in good time before the official start of filming on August 6th.
Q: Will rubbish and recycling collections be affected?
A: No, please put out your rubbish as usual. There should be no disruption to collection.
Q: Are people allowed to come and watch on filming day?
A: Yes, of course. There will be a lot of people around, doing a complicated job, so please try not to get in the way and follow any requests from the film crew. But it'll be fun and interesting to see how a film is made, and you may even get a glimpse of Colin Firth.
Q: Is the Residents Association paid for all the disruption?
A: Yes, the film company offered a modest contribution to Residents Association funds in recognition of the inconvenience caused to residents before, during and after filming. The main location fee will however go to the flats' freehold company, whose property is being used. We understand this will be spent on garden improvements which will make the Estate more attractive for us all.
Q: Will we be able to see the film when it comes out?
A: This is a major feature film with a famous director and stars. It should be shown in mainstream cinemas. But it's likely to be many months, if not years, before that happens - it was over two years for 'Pressure'. We'll keep an eye open and let people know when it comes out.
Q: Why should we have to put up with all the inconvenience when the film company will make millions out of it?
A: Film production is a risky business and not all films make money! The Residents Association is co-operating with the film company to minimise disruption. Residents will benefit from the money brought in to the flats' and HHGERA accounts, while the film will raise the profile of our Estate - and who knows, maybe even help property prices.