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Review 34th Year No. 7

A West Yorkshire story of rewilding wetlands in a landscape once dominated by deep coal mining

1981 10 mins

Overview

This study in contrasts keeps returning to the contract forged when the National Coal Board created a nature reserve. The ability of the land to recover from abuse is visible in the rich plant and birdlife in the sanctuary of Fairburn Ings. Meanwhile, a coal barge from Fryston Colliery passes waders on the River Aire and the cooling towers of Ferrybridge power station stand, apparently benign, over it all.

The presenter John Hillaby brings the sensibility of his 1960 book Nature and Man to the film: an enthusiasm for conservation and stewardship, couple with the local knowledge of a Yorkshireman who had walked the land north of Pontefract when it was still swathed in the smoke of the pits. His attitude mirrors the pragmatic approach of the reserve stakeholders - the NCB, RSPB and local government - which saw that nature can help heal industrial wounds, but to do it well she needs help.

Director

Gerard Bryant

Featuring

Francis Gysin and John Hillaby

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Fairburn

Language

English

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