Bringing pride back to Batley with new film

A Batley man got so fed up with people moaning about his town that it inspired him to create a film about what makes it so great.
TOWN PRIDE Simon Roadnight has made a film about Batley with the help of Simon Crabtree and Jason Darrington.TOWN PRIDE Simon Roadnight has made a film about Batley with the help of Simon Crabtree and Jason Darrington.
TOWN PRIDE Simon Roadnight has made a film about Batley with the help of Simon Crabtree and Jason Darrington.

Pride of Place - A Day to Remember, was the brainchild of Simon Roadnight, who pounded the pavement filming different areas of the town.

Joined by his friends Simon Crabtree and Jason Darrington, the trio recorded more than 50 hours of footage.

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They visited a variety of landmarks as well as streets old and new to find the town’s hidden gems.

Mr Roadnight, 44, of Mortimer Street, also interviewed residents asking them to share their favourite memories.

The film will be premiered at The Frontier on Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Roadnight said: “I was fed up with folk always running the place down.

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“I have gone out and seen that it is not rubbish. We have some wonderful landscapes and a lot of streets with fond memories and heritage.”

Mr Roadnight, whose film also features Birstall, now has the tough task of editing the footage to create an hour and a half long film.

“The more I got into it the more I was inspired to do more,” he said.

“I have been sharing some pictures of when we have been out on location on Facebook and they have got a great response.

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“I just wanted to show Batley and Birstall in a positive light and what makes them so great.

“I hope everyone comes out to support the event.”

The film will be shown at the The Frontier on Sunday November 9, from 1pm to 5pm.

The afternoon will also include entertainment, stalls, displays and local artists to celebrate the heritage of Batley and Birstall.

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