Another viewing of Nick Wilding's popular film on Hebden Bridge's 700 years

Nick Wilding filming at the Blackshaw Head Fete,
photo by H Gregg as part of the After Alice Project

Fifty years ago, in 1965, both the Calder Civic Trust and the Pennine Way footpath came into being. To mark the double 2015 anniversary, on Thursday 10th September the Picture House is giving audiences a second opportunity to see the hugely successful film 'Hebden Bridge - A 700 year Story (and how it was nearly lost)', which was made by the Calder Civic Trust. The evening will also premiere Nick Wilding's new short film '50 Years of the Pennine Way, The Hebden Bridge Loop'.

Thanks to the huge popularity of the first screening of 'Hebden Bridge – A 700 Year Story' in May when the cinema was almost full, the film start time was delayed to allow those queuing entry and the Q&A session accordingly had to be cancelled. This time around, the audience will be treated to a post-film Q&A session with the members of the Calder Civic Trust and film maker of both films, Nick Wilding. Tickets for the evening may be bought in advance from www.wegottickets.com or from the cinema Box Office when the Picture House is open.

Photo:HebWeb

The new short film follows walkers on the day of the launch of the Hebden Bridge Loop earlier this year. One or two people have been reported in the press as saying that when the Pennine Way was launched, Hebden Bridge was avoided because of the slum clearance, but director Nick says this is not likely. The original route purposely avoided all large centres of population, but Nick concedes that the route through Callis has always had its critics.

The Peace Artistes lead Pennine Way Loop walkers
from Heptonstall to the New Delight. Photo:HebWeb

The main feature starts with coverage of the Tour de France last year, when 340,000 people lined the roads in Calderdale to watch the race, and continues to follow the story of Hebden Bridge from 1314 up to 1965.

Using the anniversary events in the town, the film traces the town's expansion from hamlet, through its heyday as a manufacturing hub to its decline. It looks at areas of housing that were demolished in the 1960s and the campaign of the Calder Civic Trust to save the town from further slum clearance. The film argues that there is still a need for the Calder Civic Trust today and talks to founder members of the Trust. Audience members can also join the Calder Civic Trust on the day for just £1.