In this second edition of the Northern Skies series aerial views feature the spectacular countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. The film visits well known tourist venues such as Malham Cove, Castle Bolton, Aysgarth Falls and one of the many agricultural shows in this area, the Kilnsey show in Wharfedale. The film opens with commentary and general aerial views of north east places and landmarks. Aerial views follow of locations in the Dales, including Malham Cove and Bolton Castle. Title:...

In this second edition of the Northern Skies series aerial views feature the spectacular countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. The film visits well known tourist venues such as Malham Cove, Castle Bolton, Aysgarth Falls and one of the many agricultural shows in this area, the Kilnsey show in Wharfedale. The film opens with commentary and general aerial views of north east places and landmarks. Aerial views follow of locations in the Dales, including Malham Cove and Bolton Castle. Title: Northern Skies – The Dales The first aerial view takes in a typical Dales landscape with rolling hills and lines of stone walls and stone barns located in fields. The commentary states that there are 6000 barns within the national park and 5000 miles of stone wall. Sheep and lambs scurry in alarm from the encroaching helicopter. An aerial view of the village of Malham follows with tourists milling about the streets. A view follows of a sunlit Goredale Scar a limestone ravine with two waterfalls just a mile from Malham. The film follows the snake-like contours of the ravine. The film then shows the precipitous drop over the edge of Malham Cove of about 260 feet, according to the commentary. The film looks back to the horse shoe shape of the cove. The cove is the remnant of a huge waterfall on a scale similar to Niagara Falls in Canada. More views show trees and greenery in the cove’s valley. Rare plants thrive in the acid rain scarred limestone and peregrine falcons nest on the rocky ledges. The film shows general views of a lake, Malham Tarn. A feature which is a natural treasure trove of plants, animals and water creatures. The film moves on to Semer Water the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire, England, after Malham Tarn. It flows into one of the shortest named rivers in England the river Bain which after three miles joins the river Ure at Bainbridge. The camera follows the course of the river. The film moves on to a Roman road 19 miles long that runs from Bainbridge to Ingleton. The film shows the place where a Roman fort was built as a means of securing control in the area. The film goes on to show an aerial view of Bainbridge village. Through misty sunlight the imposing 14th century Bolton castle in Wensleydale comes into view. The family that built it 600 years ago still own it and live near Leyburn. A view of some of the turrets also shows the village of Castle Bolton in the distance. The view broadens out showing the setting of the castle and the ornamental and herb gardens in the grounds. A higher view shows the castle and the moorland landscape beyond. Another change of scene as the film follows the course of a meandering river is followed from a higher viewpoint Askrigg village, 12 miles west of Leyburn. A view of the church follows then the streets surrounding the church. One house is famous for being used as Skeldale House in the TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ based on the books by James Herriot, a Yorkshire vet. Another view follows showing a meandering river, then changes to sheep running alongside a drystone wall. The view is a reminder that the dales are part of a National Park which, as the commentary states gets 9 million visitors a year. More spectaculars view of the dales landscape, known and loved by residents and visitors. Many of the residents look forward to the agricultural shows. An aerial view approaches the site of Kilnsey show in Wharfedale. A travelling view shows parked cars, lots of people and pens where animals await a judge’s scrutiny. At another arena, heavy horses are led by a handler past judges who make their assessment of the animal. Elsewhere highland cattle are being presented for judging. A view from above Kilnsey Crag shows the extent of the show, one of the largest in the Dales. The film goes on to show agricultural machinery and the extent of the visitor’s car park crowded by vehicles. Next views of pens containing sheep waiting to be judged. More general views of the show follow. The film moves on to show items which will appear in the second half of the programme, including lead mining a dales industry which has long since stopped . Title: Northern Skies – End of Part One Title: Northern Skies – Part Two An aerial view shows Brimham Rocks in Nidderdale a natural park full of boulders eroded by the weather into fantastic shapes. They are now in the ownership of the National Trust and is a popular destination for visitors to the dales. A potential adventure playground for everyone, is near the market town of Pateley Bridge. The film then moves on to the Burnsall Feast which is held on meadows near the River Wharfe. The commentary states the feast has a tradition going back over centuries, it is a giant village sports day which includes the Burnsall fell race one of the oldest fell races in the country. The film moves on to Parcevall Hall Gardens near Skipton, a place of spiritual retreat. The gardens face towards the rocky outcrop of Simon’s Seat, once a sacred site and a vantage point where visitors can see much of the dales. Bolton Abbey is the next port of call and a home of the Duke of Devonshire along with Chatsworth in Derbyshire and a castle in Ireland. The aerial view approaches the remains of the abbey. Part of the abbey was saved by locals after the disillusion of the monasteries. Other bits of the structure appear in other buildings in the dale area. The grounds around the abbey attract many visitors. A view the river Wharfe nearby shows how it cuts through a narrow gorge known as the Strid and is a very dangerous body of water. The film moves on to the village of Kettlewell on the river Wharfe taking a general aerial view of the stone cottages and other buildings. The village grew because of the success of local lead mining. The film shows areas on nearby moorland which show evidence of lead mining. Views follow of the skeletal remnants of the gang mines near Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale, where small communities lived and worked. Peat from the moor provided fuel for the smelting of lead. An aerial view of Langthwaite follows one of the few settlements in Arkengarthdale. This is the most northerly of all the Dales. General views follow of the landscape of moorland, sheep and stonewalls. The tiny hamlet of Booze a place with few people and no pub! The word booze in Old English, according to the commentary means ‘the house on the curve of the hill’. The view shows the hamlet buildings bathed in a setting sun. Another stream is followed by the film flowing through lush greenery, this is Wharfedale leading towards the head of the river Wharfe. One of the highest villages in the dale is Hubberholme a typical village much admired by J B Priestley the historian and author who is buried in the local church. The film travels over Buckden Pike where the views open out to show stunning scenery. The film shows views down a narrow valley which opens out onto the village of Buckden. A Land Rover makes its way along a stony track between two stone walls as general views of dales landscapes and river courses such as the river Aysgarth and the famous waterfalls ends the programme. Credits: Aerial Photography – John Anderson Helicopter Pilot – Simon Edwards Aerial Facilities – Heli-Jet Aviation Narrated by - Pam Royle Written By – Ken Cooper Production Manager – Sally Cieslik Production Co-ordinator – Anna Payne Online Editor – Andrew Dobson Research – Brenda May Executive Producer – Clare Morrow Production – Patrick Hargreaves, Roger Keech, Mike Murray © BNT Productions 2007 BNT BNT Productions for ITV