From the Daily Echo This is Dorset NET

DAVID Essex is in Dorset shooting a film about gypsy travellers. The Seventies heart-throb was on set at a Horton farm yesterday filming scenes for Tribe, which sees his son Billy Cook take the lead role of Owen McBride. The film follows Owen, born to a gypsy father and a settled “gorgio” mother, for a year as he struggles to be accepted by either group. David joined the cast at Matchams on Saturday to shoot the opening scene, a fight. Line producer Rachel Paterson said: “It’s a real coming-of-age tale. “Owen is caught between two identities so he’s distrusted by both communities and doesn’t have a place in the world. “He gets mixed up with a bad crowd and goes on the run with a group of petty but very violent criminals.” Crews have already spent a week at derelict pub The Woodcutters Arms in Three Legged Cross, which has been transformed into a set. In the movie, out next year, it’s an old hotel that one character aspires to reopen. David plays Blackberry, the leader of the travelling community, who helps his son’s character find his identity by teaching him how to horse whisper. Speaking on set, David said: “I’m loving it, really. Owen comes and I start to teach him how to break thoroughbred horses, which is something I know a lot about in real life.” He added: “I chose this project because it’s a really powerful script. There are a lot of twists and turns.” The film’s gypsy camp scenes are shot on a 200-acre farm near Ringwood. David added: “It’s a low- budget project – we’re all staying in caravans on the farm. Everyone’s really mucking in. “This scene shows how bare-fist fighting is really part of the culture.” • Argy Films is looking for a location for a wedding scene next week.