Living on the Edge (ThreeS Films)

‘Living on the Edge’ by Three S Films, Penzance. (Winner: Special Jury Award Celtic Film & TV Festival Fort William 1995) an insider’s view of a year in the life of a traveller’s camp. It follows the effort of a small group to build a home in an ancient disused quarry in Cornwall on the very edge of England. The film provides fascinating insights into the lifestyle and aspirations of these self-appointed outcasts. It is a gripping real life-drama played out between the travellers and the rural communities around them, played out in the most bewitching and atmospheric landscape in the UK.

[@helenwhite5868]

That little baby grew up to be me. I might have been young but a huge part of my life and understanding of the world we live in comes from this time. I miss you Dad. X

[@rogerd6508]

Hi Helen anyone can see from the film how well looked after you were, your parents and their friends were amazing people to make a home in such an exposed place and stay there under threat of eviction as well, I never met them but now I live near by and the whole valley is extraordinary and beautiful.

[@helenwhite5868]

Thank you, it was a wonderful dream of a life with genuine people who cared about each other and worked together for a common goal, to live a life we chose for ourselves. It had a sad ending, but people are always afraid of what they don't understand. The whole of Valley and coastline hold special, magical memories for me. Thank you for sharing this video so I can see my Dad any time I like. ☺

[@chathamrow]

@@helenwhite5868 I've just watched the film and was really moved . I spent a summer living outside alone very close to there, it was back in the early 70's and I was 16. It's such a beautiful and special area, and how fantastic that you can now see your Dad X

[@rockerrob61]

@helenwhite5868 I just watched this video and there's 5,868 views.

[@rogerd6508]

I found this film on vhs in a charity shop. I wanted more people to see it. Nice one Three S Films.

[@KingSteen]

+Eric von Braun Thanks for sharing this Eric! :)

[@barryquinnell3108]

First saw it on tv, then rented it from St Just Library. It is wonderful

[@KarrierBag]

Thank you as I lived there in 89 and it is great to see faces i havnt in many years

[@barryquinnell3108]

For anyone that knows St Just and surrounding area will know that it has a spirit all of its own, incomparable!

[@TheaWeaver55]

Rest In Peace, Steve Carroll. Thanks for uploading this, been looking for it everywhere.

[@Dancingwater9]

Miss you every day dad. I'm glad we still have this.

[@KarrierBag]

I loved Steve, I am the one who went off the cliff in Dec 1989 and when he visited me in hospital was very worried as it was him and Cedric who held me on the edge thinking i had nicked 50 quid form a bus, turned out it was a bloke called Finny who had been jailed for 5 years for theft, I went back in 1995 with my 6 month old son and Steve was parked up with Magnum and the wagon half way down the track, am so glad I got to see him again.

[@KarrierBag]

I Lived there in 89, i knew all these people, i've not been back since 1995, i loved them all.

[@rogerd6508]

I was up there a few days ago just me and a Raven, a lot of trash left by people having bbqs, you guys cared about the place and nature, the walls of a couple of benders are still solid and kept their shape as a reminder...

[@MrTrevithick]

Blimey that brought back some memories, I lived in the valley around the same time. It is a beautiful part of the world.

[@Startreader]

Old friends. Many memories. RIP Steve.

[@elizabethfifield6786]

No worries.Helenand Ari and son... he would be soooo proud.For he is truly free now .Liv e life. He is surely missed and loves you very much. Be strong and don't take any shit. Not from anybody. Much love, Liz xxxx

[@rogerd6508]

Hi Liz thanks for your posts I watched some of the film again and went up to the quarry today, I didn't know anyone who lived there but really admire them for doing it and keeping it natural, and your right you outlived the bigots.It was sad to see the place abandoned but what I guess are the remains of the benders shows how well they were built. I don't know what all the fuss was about it's no use to anyone as far as I can see, just a few walkers by, and an amazing view. In the future people will probably think it was a bronze age village like the hut circles which show up on the Penwith moors peace and love to one and all Roger

[@diabolicalartificer]

All they were trying to do, was live a different life to a normal housebound existence. The intolerance shown by some locals in this film, the same attitude, is still prevalent today in 2024. It's understandable, to a point, to be different to the norm by choice or not means you get shit. Hopefully if you are "different" you try to engage with the locals & win them over to your side: you can only try. Conflict between us & them is as old as time itself. I moved onto an old road back in 1998, a local woman zoomed up in a car, most perturbed, threatening action. Six month's later I was on friendly terms with the farming couple having alerted them to cows escaping onto the road. For them as never lived in benders & watnot, you shit in a hole, you bury it, same as folks have been doing for centuries before the invention of the toilet. Grand film, thanks for posting.

[@helenmeldon2612]

Miss you Steve Carroll xxx

[@davidjohnhull]

Lovely

[@sugarfree1894]

That wall built across the mouth of the quarry, so beautifully by Steve Carroll - it's long gone, but there's still a mark on the ground where it was. It wasn't there for long, but it left its mark.

[@KarrierBag]

Reading through the comments, I didn't know Steve had died, last time I saw him was in 95 when he was in his wagon on the track half way towards the quarry and we took our son to meet him who was six months old at the time.

[@elizabethfifield6786]

May the Gods bless us and keep us....and the light shine upon the truth .at each setting of the sun he is remembered.thank you my friend.I miss you.xx

[@seanmarsden8897]

omg i still live just a mile or 2 away from this old site i remember these guys loved them

[@thenastygoblin67]

Steve carroll was a good bloke good friend rip mate it was nice to see the old crew had many a good time down there with them guys i still see a few of them about now and then always good to see them there good people.and there kids are good people too,well the ones i know :)

[@ewell4003]

Miss you Steve

[@amandadonegan2137]

Ahhh my 💔

[@elizabethfifield7259]

Belief in life and each other. We outlived the bigots.

[@elizabethfifield6786]

So now we all know what it's like to need toilet roll.and global warming.See how you've messed up the seas, the skies.Mother.