Film marks 90 years since mass trespass opened land for all
Park and Dovedale have taken centre stage in an atmospheric short film produced as part of a project to celebrate the countryside and the rights of access we have to it.
UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK has launched as the UK marks 90 years since the Kinder Scout mass trespass that led to the formation of the UK’S national parks, and dozens of people gathered at Ilam Park last month to feature in the first of a series of short films, which was released last week.
Organised by Green Space Dark Skies, a project designed to encourage people to think about how to safeguard the future of our countryside and our rights to access it, the film is set in Ilam Park and Dovedale and features an assembly of people in the National Trust beauty spots, carrying low-impact lights which create elaborate patterns as night starts to fall.
A spokesman explained: “The film is one of a series being made at rural locations across the UK for Green Space Dark Skies, a project designed to encourage people to think about how to safeguard the future of our countryside and our rights to access it.
“Members of the public can signup to take part in future events taking place around the UK in 2022 on the Green Space Dark Skies website or contribute to Green Space Stories, an archive of memories and thoughts about nature and landscape led by National Parks in collaboration with Green Space Dark Skies.”
Drone pictures, choir music and a specially-written poem provide an accompaniment to the tranquil scenes in the film, which is aimed at responding directly to the theme of land ownership and the fragility of nature.
The “Right to Roam” poem that underpins the film was written by Sophie Sparham and music is brought together by Pete Moser, who assembled brass instruments, community choirs and world music for the soundtrack.
Meanwhile, movement director Ruth Jones creates unique movement sequences with performers from a range of charities and community and professional ORILAM
ganisations from in and around Manchester - Company Chameleon, University of Salford, Dance Discovery, Afrocats and Ad Hoc Dance.
Afrocats is a Manchester-based charity that works with refugees and those facing social exclusion. Magdalen Bartlett, Afrocats chief executive, said: “Taking part in Green Space Dark Skies has provided varied and amazing experiences for the people we work, particularly the older women.”
The film can be seen at greenspacedarkskies.uk