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CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST HARRY POTTER NEWS

Harry & His Gloucestershire Links

EVER since the producers of the Harry Potter movie franchise announced they were to do some of their filming at Gloucester Cathedral, residents have held the series very close their hearts.
Whether it's turning out in force to watch the stars, or holding parties to mark the release of the latest hit novel, Gloucestershire has become Potter county.
Pupils from The King's School have appeared in the film and more children from the city are set to appear in the latest movie in production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
And the filming is not the only reason we hold the series so dear. Author JK Rowling spent much of her childhood in the county - a fact recognised throughout the novels, in the form of Hagrid's accent, for example, or the fact that the horrid family Harry has to endure throughout his summers away from Hogwarts are called the Dursleys.

JK Rowling & Gloucestershire

JOANNE, as she was then known, moved to Tutshill when she was just nine years

old.
She attended Tutshill School and later Wyedean School.
But the death of her grandmother, Kathleen, clouded her opinion of living in the countryside - and of Tutshill School, which she said she "did not like at all".
"The move coincided almost exactly with the death of my favourite grandparent Kathleen - whose name I later took when I needed an extra initial," the author explained.
After starting at Wydean, the author met fellow pupil Sean Harris, to whom Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets is dedicated.
She said: "He was the first of my friends to learn to drive and that turquoise and white car meant freedom and no more having to ask my father to give me lifts, which is the worst thing about living in the countryside when you are a teenager.
"Some of the happiest memories of my teenage years involve zooming off into the darkness in Sean?s car.
"He was the first person with whom I really discussed my great ambition to be a writer and he was also the only person who thought I was bound to be a success at it, which meant much more to me than I ever told him at the time."
The author has also revealed that Harry's loyal best friend, Ron Weasley, was based on Sean.

Harry Potter & Gloucester Cathedral

WHEN rumours that the first Harry Potter movie was to be filmed at Gloucester Cathedral emerged - they were not entirely popular.
While fans across the county rejoiced that their favourite schoolboy wizard could be appearing, some churchgoers were not so keen.
However, campaigners could not stop the filming, which began late in 2000.
Media speculation was at boiling point when the film crews and cast members arrived to film in the cathedral's famous cloisters - which would double up as parts of Hogwarts.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and the Weasleys were among those captured taking part in filming.

Click here for slideshows featuring filming in Gloucester.

Click here to read about the return of filming to Gloucester Cathedral in January 2008

The Cast & People of Gloucestershire

WHILE Hagrid is a recognised county character in the Harry Potter story - many of the less well-known names in the movies are actually Gloucestershire folk.
Pupils from The King's School featured in the first movie as extras, playing the assembled masses at Hogwarts.
And in October 2007, casting returned to the city, with auditions being held for pupils at The King's School once again, Denmark Road High School for Girls and The Crypt School for roles in the next movie, Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince.
So while Hagrid may be our only official Gloucestershire representative - the star in the background could actually be from the county!

Click here for photos from the auditions.

Gloucestershire & Their Love of Harry Potter

WHENEVER a new book or film detailing the latest exploits of Harry and his friends is released, Gloucestershire is at the heart of events marking the occasion.
Libraries, schools and shops are among the organisations which host a range of parties and celebrations to herald the arrival of a new chapter - be it on screen or in print.

Click here for more photos from celebrations across the county over the years!

The latest Harry Potter stories from Gloucester

FILMING is starting at Gloucester Cathedral in February 2008 on the sixth Harry Potter movie; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Here are the latest stories we have done;

HARRY POTTER FILMING SET TO START - SLIDESHOW

BECOME A POTTER SPOTTER.......

NEWS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF FILMING IN GLOUCESTER - SLIDESHOW

HARRY'S BACK IN TOWN - SLIDESHOW