Memories are made of this

VETERAN film maker Ken Stephinson has linked an affectionate walk down Memory Lane with life in the 21st century.

Ken’s latest production – “Saddleworth Then and Now” – combines footage of life in the villages in the last century with up-to-date images.

The idea for the 55-minute DVD was sparked by Peter Fox, curator of Saddleworth Museum, who provided Ken and his wife Marjorie with unseen cans of home movies and faded photographs donated to the museum by well-wishers.

And, after spending hours carefully sifting and editing, the Dobcross-based couple merged them into a unique record of Saddleworth glories past and present.

Ken, who was born in the North-East, moved to Manchester more than 30 years ago with Marjorie Lofthouse, a presenter of Pebble Mill at One and Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour.

As a senior producer in the BBC Television Centre in Oxford Road, Ken was responsible for the award-winning Great Railway Journeys of the World starring Michael Palin.

He also worked on Brass Tacks, along with talent shows featuring David Essex and Freddie Starr, and talk shows hosted by Alan Whicker and Russell Harty.

But it was the couple’s new home in Saddleworth which inspired them to feature life on their own doorstep.

They were both enormously impressed by the local talent and community spirit, including the Whit Friday Walks and Band Contest, the charity Beer Walk, Rushcart and Morris Men.

So they produced two highly-successful videos – Saddleworth and The Story of Saddleworth - which have since been transferred on to DVD.

Said Ken: “In reality, 30 years on, little has changed. In fact, the annual happenings we recorded then have probably got bigger and better now.

“When Peter approached us with the historic films the museum had collated, we decided it was time to match up old Saddleworth with 21st-century images.”

The new DVD features the first Beer Walk, a fancy dress parade through Diggle after World War Two, the building of a Rushcart and a fascinating glimpse of the filming of the silver screen blockbuster, Yanks.

It includes interviews with Geoffrey Nelson, who came to Uppermill as a wartime evacuee and never left, Paul Braithwaite, president of the British Alpine Club at Dovestone, and world champion whistler Dave Morris.

And 97-year-old Clara Shaw, Delph’s oldest female resident who still lives in the same house where her family had a painting and decorating business, recalls in detail the simple joys of cinemas and fish and chips in Uppermill.

Museum curator Peter Fox said: "The film is an excellent record of our community – it is worth adding to anyone's collection."

“Saddleworth Now and Then” DVD is on sale at Saddleworth Tourist and Information Centre in the Museum and Art Gallery, High Street, Uppermill, priced at £15.

For more information, ring 01457 874093. The museum is open every day from 1pm to 4pm.