Our picturesque seaside town is the set of ‘Star Wars’ but we want Hollywood gone – here’s why
LOCALS living in a seaside town being used to film a new series have revealed why they want Hollywood gone.
The residents say they can understand why the nearby Winspit Quarry has been picked to shoot Star Wars spin-off Andor again, it's "beautiful".
But, that's that same reason why the people of Dorset want film crews gone, so they can have their secret spot back.
The Worth Matravers quarry was opened in the early 1800s and used as a naval and air base the decades that followed.
The National Trust-run site remains a spectacular seaside spot for locals to enjoy picnics on a summer's day, and has been dubbed a "magical place" by many.
Local Juliet Harmer, 68, is one of those.
Read more on property
She told The Sun Online: “It is a beautiful place and very other worldly so I can see why the Star Wars people picked it as a location for their filming.
“It has brought in some people who have come just to have a look at where the Star Wars series was filmed, but it is very special place for lots of local people.”
Disney used 200-year-old Winspit Quarry, then owned by a farmer, as the HQ of character Saw Gerrera for the first series in 2021, starring Diego Luna.
The site — described by nearby Swanage tourist office as “otherworldly” — has also been used to film Doctor Who.
Most read in Money
Generations have used the site to explore caves, climb rock faces or just enjoy the sights and dog walks.
Anne Simmonds, 65, lives nearby and said she's been spending time there since she was a youngster.
She said the quarry's recent attention had seen signs go up warning of its dangers - but she said locals were more than aware.
The 65-year-old said: “I’ve been coming here since I was a girl and it is a very magical place.
“People would have picnics and even campouts overnight until quite recently."
Anne added: “Signage has now gone up to say a part of the site could be dangerous but local people know not to go inside the caves.
“It’s just such a wonderful place – so different to anything else around here, it will be nice for it to return to being a forgotten place.”
Builder Steve Young, 54, was one of the many who paid the quarry a visit on a sunny day.
I’ve been coming here since I was a
Anne Simmonds
girl and it is a very magical place.
He said: “People have been coming here for years and it’s quite a beautiful place to enjoy a nice sunny day.
“If they were preparing to film a Star Wars production down there perhaps they could get Obi Won Knobi to work his magic and ensure the rocks don’t tumble on them.”
It comes after the crews were told to pack up and leave last month over health and safety fears.
Andor is the fourth Star Wars TV series created for Disney+ from the franchise.
The sci-fi program is proceeded by The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
It's not uncommon for visitors to swam seaside towns - to the annoyance of locals.
One village has been left with just 14 permanent residents as second homeowners snap up houses - leaving locals furious.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Another town has also become overrun with Londoners snapping up homes.
Others in an idyllic staycation spot now have to leave town to buy everyday essentials.
