An Evening of Filming with Prof. Alice Roberts

Restoring Isle of Wight History & Heritage

An Evening of Filming with Prof. Alice Roberts

An Evening of Filming with Prof. Alice Roberts

Sometimes the best adventures come from an unexpected message. One Wednesday afternoon in April 2025, Jo from Restore The Story CIC received a message from Rowena at 9 of Cups Productions, a local Island film company. The question was simple but exciting: would she like to be involved in some filming for a brand-new documentary series with Professor Alice Roberts? Of course, the answer was a resounding yes. And with that, Steve was brought along too—camera in hand, naturally.

We met down at Ventnor Harbour, where Rowena, the film crew, and Alice herself arrived. Soon enough, we all climbed aboard a boat from Ventnor Bay Charters and set out to sea. The evening could not have been better for it: clear skies, calm waters, and the golden light of the setting sun casting a warm glow across the Island’s southern coastline.

For the next couple of hours, filming took place between Alice and Jo, with the boat carrying us past dramatic views near St Catherine’s Lighthouse. Steve busied himself snapping photos of the whole experience, capturing not only the work taking place but also the beauty of the evening. The gentle rise and fall of the waves, the soft breeze, and the relaxed but focused atmosphere made it an unforgettable few hours.

Once the crew had captured all they needed, we returned to the harbour. But the day wasn’t quite over yet. Together, we all headed to the Smoking Lobster for dinner—a perfect way to round off the evening. Over plates of delicious food, conversation flowed easily. We chatted about the day’s work on the boat, shared stories, and enjoyed the chance to relax after the excitement of filming.

Finally, with full stomachs and plenty of memories, we said our goodbyes to Alice and the crew before heading home. What began as a simple invitation had turned into an extraordinary day—one we’ll always remember, and one that has left us eager to see the final documentary when it airs.

Special thanks to 9 of Cups Productions and Steve for sharing some of the photos from the day.