By Andy Hirst

If you love nostalgia then this is an absolute must see film for anyone who lives in Huddersfield … and it’s just a click away on the internet.

It’s a colour film about the Colne Valley that was made in the 1950s by amateur film-maker Lucy Fairbank and it really is a snapshot in time to savour.

We live in a complicated, hi-tech world amid a cost-of-living crisis and this is a perfect antidote with a glimpse into a simpler past. The irony is that it’s brought right into the present thanks to the instant technology of YouTube.

The film, simply called The Camera Looks Down On Colne Valley, is set to evocative brass band music and is just under 50 minutes long.

Highlights include footage of the first pupils at the newly opened Colne Valley High School, the sad sight of Huddersfield Narrow Canal being filled in and views of places such as Crimble Clough, Bradshaw, Marsden, Linthwaite, Wessenden, Blackmoorfoot, Scapegoat Hill, Scammonden before the reservoir was built, Nont Sarah’s and Deanhead Church’s anniversary in June 1958.

It also features the marriage of Stanley Downey and Mary Crowther at St James’ Church in Slaithwaite on June 22, 1957.

  • Whitsuntide Procession in Wellhouse in 1956. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • View from Scapegoat Hill in the late 1950s. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Teachers at the newly built Colne Valley High School. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Pupils singing at the newly opened Colne Valley High School. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Slaithwaite in the 1950s. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Filling in Huddersfield Narrow Canal in the centre of Slaithwaite village in 1956. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Filling in Huddersfield Narrow Canal in the centre of Slaithwaite in 1956. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Children arriving for the anniversary at Deanhead Church, Scammonden, in June 1958. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.
  • Adults on Whitsuntide Procession in Wellhouse in 1956. Photo from film by Lucy Fairbank.

People who have seen it love it. Here are just some of the comments on the YouTube page.

Mrs Julie B gave an insight into Lucy Fairbank, saying: “Miss Fairbank used to teach my nan in the 1930s at Clough School. She said she was always filming stuff. It’s the first time I’ve seen any of her films. Love it!”

Ray RB said: “Life was lived at a slower pace. Times were hard but I for one was a much happier person. I watch these films from times past with a tear in my eye. Life moves on but that does not mean we have to like it.”

Andrew Whitehead added: “What a brilliant piece of film. Loved every minute. If only life was still like this today.”

Robert Clegg said: “This is just a classic video of what that neck of the woods around Golcar, Milnsbridge and Slaithwaite looked like 60 years ago.

“I enjoy doing a lot of walking up and down the Colne Valley and my camera comes with me so I’ve taken lots of photos of the area over the last 20 years. There’s a lot of these places that still look the same. Wonderful video.”

Mark Hirst said: “Fantastic video. I’m lucky enough and old enough to remember the valley a little bit like this before everything changed in the 1980s. Saying that, I wouldn’t go back to those times. I’ve got used to having an inside toilet and not using a tin bath.”

To watch the film go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2QX5OxNNMo

* Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting. Copyright Andy Hirst.