A ‘SOUND map’ celebrating life in Skipton has been released featuring recordings made by people in and around the town.

Sound ‘snap-shots’ have been recorded by all sorts of people over the past few months including sounds from a busy car park and Skipton Brass Band in its first post-Covid rehearsal.

The collection of around 50 minute long clips has now been released on the ‘Soundtrack to Skipton’ online one-off sound map.

Recordings submitted so far also include a medieval reenactment at Skipton Castle to the gentle sound of water lapping in Skipton Canal Basin, the clattering of a 19th century printing press to the noise of shoppers in the B&M car park, Keighley Road.

Organisers of the project, which is part of the Government’s Heritage Action Zone programme, are asking people to get out and record even more sounds.

Sounds can be collected anywhere in Skipton and can be recorded on a phone - no expensive sound equipment required.

The soundtrack will be used in a new film commissioned by Hinterlands International Rural Film Festival, and will premiere at the festival in Skipton in May next year.

Geoff Bird, artistic director of the Hinterlands festival, said recordings already submitted were ‘wonderful’.

He said: “The sounds that have been submitted to Soundtrack to Skipton so far are absolutely wonderful.

“They’re uniquely Skipton and paint such a vibrant picture of the town. My personal favourite is a recording of Skipton brass band in their first rehearsal since Covid. You’re instantly transported into the room with the players and you can feel the atmosphere - it’s electric. “

He added: “We want to work with even more Skiptonians to bring the power of sound and film together and reflect the joy of Skipton. It’s such a cinematic town, full of wonder and possibility.”

Sarah Bird and Rowan Cannon, directors of Wild Rumpus, producers of Hinterlands Festival added: “We’ve been blown away by how excited local people have been about Soundtrack to Skipton.

“So many sounds have been uploaded and it’s showing what’s really important to local people.

“Of course it’s the famous 900-year-old castle and historic cobbled High Street, but it’s also the market traders, the church bells, the waterfall in the woods, children having fun in the playground.

They added: "We want everyone in Skipton to participate in this exciting project and submit sounds of their favourite places in town.”

Sharon Sunter, Craven District Council’s Economic Development Manager, said: “We’re excited to find out what sounds the people of Skipton think remind them of home. This is a great chance for anyone to get involved with this innovative new project and we would encourage anyone to take part.”

And, Giles Proctor from Historic England said: “We are delighted to be supporting such an innovative and exciting project through the Skipton High Street Heritage Action Zone.It’s great to hear that so many local people have already contributed sound clips – I can’t wait to hear them.”

Soundtrack to Skipton is part of a £95,000 grant programme to fund a series of community-led activities on Skipton High Street over the next three years.

Historic England has awarded the grant to Craven District Council as part of the Skipton High Street Heritage Action Zone programme. Soundtrack to Skipton joins a cultural programme featuring projects spanning from music mentorship to augmented reality.

To find out more, go to: www.hinterlandsfestival.org.uk/soundtracktoskipton.