This clip is courtesy of the Yorkshire and North East Film Archive as part of their Nature Matters project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Nature Matters explores the archives through an environmental lens and includes activities such as film digitisation, events, outreach and contemporary collecting (the search for nature-based films of the last few decades). Find out more about the project: www.yfanefa.com/nature_matters
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:09 In the rocky crags of the northern Pennines rise the streams that will feed rivers in Yorkshire.
00:17 Some of them tumble over waterfalls, while others plunge into the cave system that is found in this limestone fault.
00:26 The River Ayr bubbles up at Ayr Head after its underground journey.
00:32 As it flows over its rocky bed, it is soon to become polluted as it's used in the manufacture of goods
00:39 and as a drain for the towns that have grown up along its banks.
00:43 [Music]
00:46 As the river enters the city of Leeds, turbulence caused by the wear at Newlay
00:52 gives evidence of detergents that have done their work in sinks, washing machines and baths
00:58 in thousands of homes along the way.
01:01 [Music]
01:07 Large warehouses lining the river banks in the centre of Leeds bear witness to the fact that this was at one time
01:14 a principal waterway, carrying barges full of goods to be stored here.
01:20 General dilapidation, neglect and pollution were common to cities all over Europe.
01:26 Groups of people in these cities were determined to do something to improve the situation
01:32 and the idea of a European Year of the Environment was born.
01:37 Improvements would be concentrated on one aspect and the theme 'Water and the City' was chosen.
01:45 As an incentive there would be awards for the best effort in the year.
01:51 The task was a formidable one.
01:54 It called for the enthusiasm of leaders who could motivate teams of volunteers,
01:59 the cooperation of commerce and industry and money.
02:05 The Department of the Environment and Leeds City Council were among those who,
02:10 through their funding, made the project possible.
02:14 [Music]
02:17 Here in the Kirkstall Valley a plan to create a nature reserve has resulted in a quiet retreat
02:24 close to the now demolished power station.
02:28 [Music]
02:40 A question mark stands over the future of this area,
02:44 which seems likely to be redeveloped within the next few years.
02:50 New Lake Conservation Society has been especially active.
02:55 Their enthusiasm and hard work have brought about improvements in their suburb.
03:00 A plea for volunteers to help in a Sunday morning clean-up of a plot of land close to the river
03:06 brought helpers from other parts of Leeds as well.
03:10 The owners of the site have offered to contribute towards the cost of blocking off access to fly tippers
03:16 who use it as a dumping ground.
03:19 They are also interested in the use of the site for a wildlife project.
03:24 [Music]
03:29 [Music]