Silsden has always accepted that some development is inevitable, as time moves on and social needs evolve. But there comes a moment when the threat of further erosion of our beautiful countryside not only puts at risk a special landscape but also the balance of nature and the well-being of our community.

Generations of local people have walked, enjoyed and benefitted from the grand green pastures and ancient routes that link Banklands and Hawber Cote with Brown Bank Lane, Swartha and Brunthwaite. Many more have discovered anew these delights during ‘exercise hour’ of the pandemic lockdown.

But perhaps not everyone realises that, with more than a thousand extra houses planned for our town, this much-loved stretch, with its abundant trees, hedgerows, birdlife and footpaths, remains under an active threat from large-scale unsustainable development.

Earlier this year we made a short video to highlight these special fields. It created such interest that we decided to make another film with the help of a local film maker Liam Wilson. With this expert assistance we have been able to tell this story more fully featuring familiar places and faces. We hope it brings you joy and pride in what we have on our doorstep.