A COLLECTION of portraits capturing many of the characters living and working around Ingleborough is going on display at The Folly in Settle.

Dales photographer Hilary Fenten was commissioned by charity the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to create a ‘snapshot in time’ of Ingleborough’s social history, as part of the lottery funded Stories in Stone scheme.

Having lived in Selside, Horton-in-Ribblesdale for more than 30 years, Hilary has a keen interest in Ingleborough’s unique landscape and the people who live there, commenting that ‘people, in their own environment, are fascinating - they deserve particular attention, rather than anonymity.’

For the project, Hilary met and photographed people involved in a variety of jobs, trades and events, leading to a collection of portraits which depict the area’s diverse residents and their special place in the landscape throughout the seasons.

Also on display will be a series of historical portraits and images taken from the Dales community archives, the result of another Stories in Stone project ‘Capturing the Past’, and from Back in Settle, a Facebook group for people who ‘enjoy a blast from the past’.

Debbie Boswell, Stories in Stone ‘Discover Ingleborough’ officer at YDMT, said: “The exhibition shows how people connect to the Ingleborough landscape and the communities around it, be they residents or more transitional visitors. There are lots of faces people will recognise and some lovely stories to go with the photos. It is particularly interesting to compare Hilary’s recent photographs with the older images. We look forward to working with our community to continue to capture this time in history in our very special part of the world.”

A commemorative book inspired by the exhibition will be produced. As well as featuring portraits taken by Hilary Fenten over the last two years, YDMT would like to invite others to participate in this final stage.

The exhibition opens tomorrow (Friday) at The Folly with a gathering of contributors to the project. It will remain at the Folly until September 30, after when it will move to Ribblehead Station, from October 2 to October 16; Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station, from October 17 to October 30; St Mary’s Church, Ingleton, from November 2 until November 23; Ingleborough Community Centre, from November 2 until November 23; Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, from December 4 until December 10, and Gallery on the Green, Settle, from December 10 until January 13.

This exhibition is part of Stories in Stone, a four-year programme of community and heritage projects developed by the Ingleborough Dales Landscape Partnership, which is led by YDMT and mainly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Anyone with photographs which capture the Ingleborough area and its people, that they would like to share, is asked to call the Stories in Stone team on 015242 51002 or email info@storiesinstone.org.uk.