Shropshire Star

Shropshire family celebrates Oscars win

An Oscar awarded at the star-studded ceremony in Hollywood is being celebrated all the way back in Shropshire.

Published
Oscar winner Paul Austerberry, centre, with his colleagues from the Shape of Water

Paul Austerberry won the Oscar for the best production design for crafting the look of the acclaimed movie The Shape of Water, which was the big winner on the night, carrying away four Oscars, including best film.

"It's amazing - incredible," said his uncle, the Rev Preb David Austerberry, who lives at Dovaston, near Oswestry.

"It's not often you get an Oscar in your family, is it?"

Paul’s uncle Rev Preb David Austerberry

Although Paul is a Canadian who lives and works in Toronto, he has strong family roots in Shropshire and makes a point if possible of travelling up to see relatives in the county whenever passing through London on the way to film on location all over the world.

He shared the production design Oscar with colleagues Jeffrey A. Melvin and Shane Vieau - Paul crafted the design and Melvin and Vieau the set decoration.

Mr Austerberry did not watch the awards ceremony because it was in the middle of the night, British time.

"Our son-in-law managed to find a picture and sent it to me of Paul making his speech on the stage."

And while he has not spoken to Paul, he is sending an email of congratulations, and after his previous Bafta win had sent him the page of the Shropshire Star which reported on it and his local connections.

"I think I put in a note of congratulations. I thought 'Shropshire salutes you.' I sent it by snail mail, so he probably hasn't got it yet."

Paul's father Peter - David's brother - was brought up at Harlescott, Shrewsbury, and emigrated to Canada in 1964.

Born in Canada, Paul took a degree in architecture but then moved into films.

The Shape of Water, which is about a woman who falls in love with a sea creature, took the top honours at the Oscars ceremony, winning the awards for best picture, best director, best original music score, and best production design.