VIDEO: Fashions have changed but old films show crossing stones always a test
MACE holds 24 short films featuring Dovedale, which illustrate how little the stepping stones and dale have changed since they were first opened up to the public some 79 years ago.
The three-mile valley has been owned by the National Trust since 1934 when it was gifted to it by local landowners with a view to making it Britain's first national park. It became part of the Peak District National Park in 1951.
Every year, it attracts 2 million visitors who enjoy crossing the iconic stepping stones, picnicking along the banks of the River Dove and walking along its paths.
Amateur film-maker Charles Horrell shot scenes of his family enjoying days out in Dovedale in 1938 and 1942, which included images of many people enjoying the scenery and river.
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Many of the visitors are in their Sunday best, although some were in more casual wear as they cycled along the river path.
Derby Evening Telegraph - Bygones: 25 February 2013 - Footage of Dovedale from 1938 to 1984 from MACE Archive on Vimeo.
All that appears to differ through the decades are the fashions of the clothing and the style of the cars.
In 1938, the dress is mainly formal or smart and this seems to continue up until the footage we have from 1965. By 1984, the dress is much less formal, with visitors wearing jeans and shorts. What remains the same, however, is the manner in which the stepping stones are negotiated: with a little caution and trepidation followed by a sense of achievement and fun.
The films we hold are a mix of home movies deposited by individuals and local news and documentaries from ATV and Central Television that were deposited at Mace by ITV in 2004. Together they create a story of how our relationship with this beautiful dale has continued.
At present none of our Dovedale films can be viewed on our website as we are a small team and we don't currently have the staff time to upload the material.
However, catalogue entries detailing all 24 titles can be read on our website at www.macearchive.org. Go to the search bar at the top of the page and type "Dovedale" to see a list of the titles we hold.
A four-minute compilation of Dovedale footage from 1938 to 1984 can be seen on Mace's archive DVD, Derbyshire on Film – The Peak District which can be bought for £14.99 on Mace's website or at Derby Quad.
With thanks to Mike Mulliner and ITV for permission to replicate images.
Do you have your own memories of visiting Dovedale from the 1930s onwards that you'd like to share with Bygones and Mace? Please write with your memories. Our contact details are on Page 2.
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