Pathways are a film production company based in Calderdale, West Yorkshire featuring journeys highlighting the historical background and ‘Pretty Gritty’ landscapes found in the South Pennines, which is the home of the ‘Grand Depart’ of the Tour de France in July 2014.

Pathways latest production, ‘Ripponden and the Ryburn Valley,’ is the second in their series of films, ’The Valleys of Calderdale’ which celebrate the wonderful scenery of those valleys which branch off from the main Calder valley.

There are brief tours of nearby villages-Barkisland, Millbank,Soyland and Rishworth with its long established school. The present vibrant sporting scene is captured with interviews given by members of Triangle C.C. Ryburn United F.C. and West End Bowling Club.

The historic impact of the ‘Grand Depart’ on the village is captured with excellent footage both of the exciting build up and its swift passage by.

There is a detailed account of the incredible feats of engineering which created the railway branch line from Sowerby Bridge to Rishworth and brought the world much closer to the valley’s population. Now disused its track forms part of the vast network of trails which makes the valley a walkers’ paradise. The unique, annual Rushbearing Festival makes a colourful feature with troupes of Morris dancing and various folk events.

The film not only celebrates their natural beauty but also their fascinating historical past. David Cliff reflects on its industrial legacy, Anne Kirker recounts the story of the great entrepreneur Sam Hill and the Kebroyd Mills, Andy Watts outlines the Ripponden and District Motors story, Stephen Gee traces the rise and fall of the valley’s many pubs and David Glover highlights several of the grand houses. All brought to life with plenty of old photos.

The highlight of the film is a step back in time with a tour of the ancient heart of Ripponden village now a conservation area and featuring the beautiful St. Bartholomew’s Church with its magnificent spire and the Old Bridge Inn, claimed to be the oldest in West Yorkshire.

This film is one of several that we have made about the Calder Valley and the South Pennines, see, ‘Around Calderdale’ our double DVD.