Eye on the River

The ongoing battle against pollution and work of restoration as seen in 1980s Leeds, as troops of volunteers clear away the fly tipping on the waterways and restore an old mill.

Environmental protectors at work volunteering to clean up the waterways of Leeds and the surrounding area, with the Thwaite Mill Restoration Group working to convert the old mill into a museum. The film highlights the work of volunteers keen to protect the environment, and here we see various activities, such as Newlay Conservation Society cleaning land by the River Aire, that lead to Leeds winning first prize in the 1987 European Year of the Environment competition.

This is one of a collection of highly accomplished films made by members of Leeds Mercury Movie Makers. They formed as a sub section of Leeds Cine Club in 1959 to specifically make 16 mm film. This film was made by members of the club who made many films in the 1970s and ‘80s (credited at the end). Among the local volunteer groups shown are the Newlay Conservation Society, who had recently formed, and are still going. The title gets its name from a team of local volunteers during the European Year of the Environment (EYE) in 1987, who gave their proposal the name "EYE on the Aire". The result Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve was nearly scuppered by local council corruption, but is now a thriving area for wildlife.