Review of ‘The Magic Of The Peak District, Part 1’ by Stephen Parker

THE MAGIC OF THE PEAK DISTRICT (DVD, part one)

Forget the fog, shrug off the rain, tear up the headlines and relax with this stunning visual tour around the Peak District, created locally on DVD and with musical accompaniment by the incomparable Tideswell Male Voice Choir.

Filmed by Stephen Parker of Bakewell, the 73-minute journey covers at least 40 locations, at all times of day and in all seasons, under seemingly interminable blue skies and under equally beautiful pristine snowfalls.

Travelling around by Land Rover enables Stephen to see over the stone walls and pull up to take unexpectedly outstanding shots of wildlife. Thus we can see a barn owl catching its prey, watch a hyperactive hare rocketing across the snow; spy on bright-eyed water voles and marvel at some exceptionally rare footage of lamprey in one of our clear limestone rivers. Even farm animals (and farmers) become stars.

Stephen explains that filming for his DVDs (Vivaldi and the Peak District is still available) involves covering thousands of miles, with many journeys made twice on the same day specifically to chase the sun as it illuminates different swathes of the landscape. Our stately homes appear here on their quiter days; sometimes the photographer has apparently had the place all to himself - not always as easy as it appears. Viewers of the DVD can imagine themselves scrambling over the Roaches, clambering above the Upper Derwent Valley and rambling across the evocative prehistoric site of Stanton Moor - plus many more glorious outings besides. Footage of last year's Lancaster flypast at Ladybower is just a generous taster for the forthcoming part 2 DVD.

Meanwhile The Magic of the Peak District, Part 1 is widely available, priced £8.99.

Review by Julie Bunting