Over the next nine weeks www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk is teaming up with writer, filmaker and former Feltham School pupil, Paolo Sedazzari, for a special web project sharing his memories of life, friendship and music from the area.
Paolo's online novel, 'Feltham Made Me', is a fictional account of the people, atmosphere and places of his childhood in Feltham, based on hours of interviews with real people. The 'book', to be serialised every Monday, charts the relationship of three friends from Feltham School over three decades, from their school days in 1960s, through the punk and Acid House scenes.
The aim is to give a fresh view of Feltham, banish some of the stereotypes attached to its name and shine a light on the lives of ordinary people, the 44-year-old says.
"Feltham has a bad reputation, but my aim was to show working-class people and the positive things that come out of our culture," says Paolo. Feltham is still known as an intimidating place but once you spend a few years there it becomes part of you.
The serialisation pieces together quotes from friends, family, teachers and employers and is littered with references to popular culture of the era. The Young Ones, The Smiths, Subbuteo and John Peel all make an appearance. But Paolo says the novel is not just for those who were there and will also appeal to younger generations.
"Feltham Made Me is an oral history about the relationship between the friends and how they change over the years, there's a lasting value in that, he adds. But it's also set against the cultural landscape of Britain at that time, culminating in the Punk and Acid House scenes. It's a bit of social history, showing the remarkable things about ordinary people starting and ending in Feltham.
Read an extract of the first instalment 'Kicking Off' today in our Lifestyle section [Contains strong language]
How has Feltham made you? Let us know in the box below or email lucyproctor@trinitysouth.co.uk
