THE population of a hidden Dale turned out in force for the premier of a unique film about their community which has traced the life of Coverdale over the past year.

Nearly 400 people attended the premier of the DVD made by publishers Rosalie Parker and Ray Russell , which has already made around £3,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Armed with their mini cameras the couple from Carlton spent the past year braving wind, rain, and some sunshine to record the people and places of the Coverdale, often referred to as the hidden dale because it lies between the better known Wensleydale and Wharfedale.

It has been such a hit they’ve already sold out of the 200 DVD’s produced and are having to go into extra production.

“I think the response we have had has been fantastic and so surprising, we had no idea we would sell 400 tickets to the Premier, you could hear the buzz in the room when the film was playing , and we have had some lovely comments,” said Ms Parker

The couple recorded over 130 hours of film and had to reduce that down to a finished DVD of an hour and a half, but they kept the final cut a strict secret which was revealed at the Premier held in the Garden Room at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn.

Clare Utley whose family have lived in the Dale for generations said:”It was wonderful, it’s a real history of life in the Dale for the future. I think they managed to get a little slice of all the things that make our dale special.”

Norman Johnson who appears in the film added:”I thought it was fantastic, I loved seeing the Dale on film, things that you take for granted every day come to life, some of the farms and the people, I really loved it.

“We came from Hull eight years ago and were really worried that people in Coverdale wouldn’t be friendly and wouldn’t want to know us, but they did. The film also shows a lot of things I don’t normally get involved in such as the church and the village hall and it’s really interesting, you’re seeing something you weren’t aware of.

“Coverdale is a special place, there is a lot going on and there are things that have been lost in so many other communities, and the film captures that.”

Ray Russell said they’re now being asked to look at making films in other areas.”We’re having a rest, but we have ideas of what we might be doing in the future. This evening has exceeded all expectations, we can’t thank people enough.”

Proceeds from the Premier and the DVD’s are going to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. For information go to www.coverdalefilm.com .