Winter Hill tribute in song and film

access to Winter Hill, a right being denied by local landowner and industrialist Colonel Ainsworth.

Local writer Dave Morgan was involved in many of the associated activities but wanted to pin down his own feelings for the well known landmark.

Dave says ‘lockdown demonstrated just what a valuable public asset the local moors and reservoirs are. Winter Hill with its transmitters,

the Pike and Pigeon Tower, are part of our identity’.

Winter Hill anniversary walk. Picture Karen Hope

So Dave wrote a tribute to the 'Hill' and asked musician friend and collaborator Kevin Bates to create an atmospheric musical soundscape for it. The result was ‘A Year on The Hill’ which they then recorded with actress Stella Blackburn at John Maycraft’s Sound Café studio, from which the hill’s summit can be clearly seen.

There was still something missing and Dave invited local artist Rachel Appleton to create an animation in response to the

soundtrack.

The piece lasts almost nine minutes and using stop motion techniques on her kitchen table, with sets and figures madof recycled scraps of material, Rachel took over 5000 individual shots to create it.

A Year on the Hill Short Animation Premier

She says ‘I wasn’t quite sure what I was letting myself in for but it was a great opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge about

filming and animation’.

Now with support from the Bolton Library and Museums Service the piece is being premiered at the Central Library’s magnificent

subterranean lecture theatre on 21 May at 2.00pm. It is suitable for all ages.

Entry is free and there will be contributions from all involved on how this collaboration in community art was created.

Refreshments will be available from 1.30pm and all are welcome.