This short video looks at the past, present and future of Pelton Fell in Co. Durham, as seen through the eyes of a group of local teenagers. In the wake of the publication, One Fell Swoop, the Village Action Group set up this pilot project for young people with the help of writer Julie Ward and film maker Craig Hornby. The film opens as a group of young people gather near local woods. A girl in the group attracts attention from other members and points to something to in the distance. A...

This short video looks at the past, present and future of Pelton Fell in Co. Durham, as seen through the eyes of a group of local teenagers. In the wake of the publication, One Fell Swoop, the Village Action Group set up this pilot project for young people with the help of writer Julie Ward and film maker Craig Hornby. The film opens as a group of young people gather near local woods. A girl in the group attracts attention from other members and points to something to in the distance. A commentary explains that the group is making a video as part of a project to show the good and bad places of Pelton Fell in County Durham. The camera looks down from the group’s viewpoint showing a wooded valley. Views follow of the groups former project a book called ‘One Fell Swoop’, showing pictures of the pit head at the local colliery along with old photographs of houses and streets. Include in the sequence is a press cutting from the Chester-le-Street Chronicle reporting a pit shaft accident at Pelton Fell followed by more old photographs of families and individuals. A different group of young people head off under a bridge and walk along a path. The commentary states the path follows the route of an old railway and the station building is now a private dwelling. A brief view follows of a boarded up hotel, named the Colliery Hotel. Another group interview an older resident of the village outside a newsagents. He says that the village is not what it was and is in a state of decline. He is asked if he worked at the local colliery, he answers yes for 45 years. He describes his harsh working conditions A woman interviewed describes Pelton Fell as ‘a load of rubbish’. Another man is asked about the community spirit of the village, he concedes that there is a definite generation gap amongst the population. Some general views follow of other parts Pelton Fell. A group walk across a recreation ground where there are football pitches and swings. Some of them ride on the swings then the film cuts to another playground designed for toddlers with more suitable rides and a slide. A group of young people appear individually on camera as they stand next to a brick wall and giver their thoughts on Pelton Fell. The film moves on to a derelict area of the village which shows graffiti on a brick wall and fly-tipping. Two boys appear on camera one of them tells of waste which piles up and gives off bad smells in the summer months. There is also a problem he says with individuals glue sniffing. A pond is choking with rubbish a young man on camera says it should be cleared out. The film cuts to the start of a bicycle race in local woods. Others experience a ride on a zip wire and three or four pile on to a rope swing which swings precariously over a steep bank. Another group of young people walk along a rocky path, views follow of a polluted stream. A boy jumps fully clothed into a pool, followed by another. The remains of two cars litter the wood. The film ends as a young man sprays graffiti on scrap metal from one of the cars. Credits: Produced by: Gemma Anna, Leviss8, Kristy, Leanne, Catherine, Kim, Michelle, Ashia And: Brian Pendlington Craig Hornby Christopher Strong Julia Ward Derrick Purvis Music By: The State Fayre of Mississippi Funded By: Northern Arts & Chester-le-Street District Council A Pelton Fell Picture © 1992 To Be Continued…