MORE than 200 people braved the cold weather to watch a unique new film of Northallerton last weekend.

Northallerton councillor David Blades (left) and film writer
Adam Strickson.

They stood in the High Street to watch an open air screening of the film which chronicles the history of Northallerton’s hidden corners.

It tells the story of local lad, Johnny, who lived in a house off the High Street until it was demolished in the 1960s. He travels through time to celebrate the town’s hidden yards and alleyways through the years – and ends by looking at some of those that have been refurbished and those that could be improved.

The film - which has been made as part of a project by the Northallerton and Villages Community Forum – has seen artist Lucy Bergman and writer Adam Strickson not only delving into the town’s history but also looking to the future. They have spent time with members of the town’s local history society, Northallerton in Bloom, the town council and local young people.

The film gives a vision of what some of the hidden corners of Northallerton could look like – including Flag Yard and Walkers Yard and celebrates others including Wheldon’s Terrace, Market Row and Zion Yard.

The event demonstrated the tremendous potential the Town Square has to offer and gave an indication as to what can be achieved if enhancements to the area
are carried out

Sally Anderson - Northallerton and Villages Community Forum

“We had some very positive comments from local residents and from people who once lived in these yards,” said Hambleton’s Community Link Officer, Peter Cole.

“One of the yards in the town will be chosen for improvement – and we will be looking for more input from local people in the future to help us choose where that is.”

And Sally Anderson, Chair of the Forum, added: 'The event demonstrated the tremendous potential the Town Square has to offer and gave an indication as to what can be achieved if enhancements to the area are carried out.”

Images from ‘The Hidden Yards and Corners of Northallerton’ will be shown on www.northallertonweb.co.uk over the coming months and a DVD of the film will be available for community groups. For more information about the Northallerton and Villages Community Forum contact Peter Cole on 01609 767212 or email: peter.cole@hambleton.gov.uk