Sponsored by
Hardcastle Crags' starring role in new film - watch a clip
HARDCASTLE Crags is one of the most beautiful and romantic valleys in the north of England... it is visited every year by thousands of tourists from Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire.
This tribute could have been taken from a 2009 visitor guide. But it is actually taken from a guide written in 1894 – testimony to the enduring beauty of this visitor attraction, a jewel in Calderdale's crown.
Hardcastle Crags came into the stewardship of the National Trust as a result of a series of bequests in the 1950s and with 400 acres of unspoilt upland woodland to explore, it regularly features in national surveys as a paradise for families and walkers alike.
But now it is set to attract even more visitors thanks to new film, from Calderdale-based Pathways Productions.
Hardcastle Crags Past & Present is the work of Ray Riches, writer and presenter and Peter Thornton, producer and cameraman and brings to life the story of the valley throughout the year as well as showing how it has changed over time.
Click the 'play' button on the right to see a clip from the DVD
"We started filming last May after app-roaching the National Trust with the idea and it has been a real joy to see the Crags throughout all the seasons," reveals Peter.
"It has been one of those times, fortunately, where the seasons have not merged. We have had definite seasons which has made such a difference to the area. We saw it in snow, with the wonderful colours of autumn and when the bluebells were in force. Each season has brought something new," adds Ray.
Through old photographs and interviews with local residents Peter and Ray show how Hardcastle Crags has been a tourist attraction since Victorian times.
"On weekends and holidays, people swarmed from Hebden Bridge Railway Station, marching to the Crags in their thousands, all dressed in their Sunday best and all desperate to escape from the factories and enjoy some clean air. One chap we interviewed told us how the crowds were so deep you could have walked over the top of their heads to get there," says Ray.
The pair add that they have been indebted to residents of Mytholm Meadows for their wonderful old memories.
The film, which is 90 minutes long, tells the story of the Crag's industrial past featuring Gibson Mill, which lies at the heart of the valley.
It also features a tour by National Trust staff outlining its ever-changing identity from mill to "entertainment emporium" to its present status as museum and exemplar of "sustainable living".
A local historian vividly relates how a railway was created through the upper levels of the crags to build the moorland reservoirs and brought a wild-west atmosphere to Heptonstall.
The film also highlights the many activities throughout the year from bluebell walks to "Foraging for Fungi" walks.
"Fungi expert Ann Bowers was absolutely fascinating to film because she is so enthusiastic. Hardcastle Crags is loved by a lot of people," says Peter.
The film also features the trust's stewardship scheme which invited local primary schools – including Old Town – to experience the Crags as a "living classroom."
A member of the Hardcastle Crags Preservation Society also relives the drama of how on three separate occasions water companies were fought off in their attempts to flood the valley – an unimaginable idea but one which went all the way to parliament before it was defeated.
The film reveals the full and dramatic history of the crags and captures its majestic beauty in all seasons by taking audiences along some of its many and varied footpaths.
This is Pathways' sixth film. Ray and Peter have already earned themselves a growing following of fans thanks to previous works about walking the Rochdale Canal, the Leeds – Liverpool Canal, the Bronte Way (parts one and two) and the Mary Towneley Loop.
Their style has been described as "a cross between Michael Palin and the Ramblers Association" because they bring out the best in their subjects.
"We are very grateful for the support of the National Trust with this latest venture. The staff have been marvellous and so enthusiastic from the beginning," says Peter, who adds that Pathways would love to work with the Trust on further projects.
The film was officially unveiled at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre on Saturday, June 6.
It is now on general sale at Fred Wade's; Harvey's of Halifax; tourist information centres throughout Calderdale; The Bookcase, Hebden Bridge; Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags; Gordon Rigg's Garden centre, Todmorden; and Cryer's newsagents, Todmorden, at ?12.99. Hardcastle Crags is loved by a lot of people,” says Peter.
The film also features the trust’s stewardship scheme which invited local primary schools – including Old Town – to experience the Crags as a “living classroom.”
A member of the Hardcastle Crags Preservation Society also relives the drama of how on three separate occasions water companies were fought off in their attempts to flood the valley – an unimaginable idea but one which went all the way to parliament before it was defeated.
The film reveals the full and dramatic history of the crags and captures its majestic beauty in all seasons by taking audiences along some of its many and varied footpaths.
This is Pathways’ sixth film. Ray and Peter have already earned themselves a growing following of fans thanks to previous works about walking the Rochdale Canal, the Leeds – Liverpool Canal, the Bronte Way (parts one and two) and the Mary Towneley Loop.
Their style has been described as “a cross between Michael Palin and the Ramblers Association” because they bring out the best in their subjects.
“We are very grateful for the support of the National Trust with this latest venture. The staff have been marvellous and so enthusiastic from the beginning,” says Peter, who adds that Pathways would love to work with the Trust on further projects.
l The film will be officially unveiled at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre on Saturday, June 6, with a free public viewing at 2pm. (Copies available for the special price of 10.)
It will go on general sale from June 1 at Fred Wade’s; Harvey’s of Hali-fax; tourist information centres throughout Cald-erdale; The Bookcase, Hebden Bridge; Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags; Gordon Rigg’s Garden centre, Todmorden; and Cryer’s newsagents, Todmorden, at 12.99.
Email to a friend
Print this page- A58 crash UPDATE: road now re-open after man hit by car earlier this morning
- Crash on the A58 in Halifax this morning UPDATE: Man in hospital with several broken bones
- Taxi worker dies aged 35 after finishing his shift
- Man suffers serious injuries in accident on M62
- How the new Halifax Central Library will look
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
