The Storyteller: Hollywood hits the moors

Last week, I took advantage of a brief glimpse of Autumn sunshine, in-between unending days of rain, and headed to Dartmoor for a spot of exercise, and Letterboxing.

My area of choice that day was Sherberton, Swincombe Reservoir, and Deep Swincombe. As I headed towards the parking area, I passed by the village of Holne, and out on to the open moor, crossing the dam at Venford Reservoir.

As I glanced to my right, across the Dart Valley, I could see the cluster of white shapes that have been erected at the foot of Sharp Tor. Some were vehicles, others were buildings, especially constructed for the filming of a new horror movie, starring Hollywood A-lister, Willem Dafoe, called Werwulf...no prizes guessing what this one’s about!

The film is set in 13th century England, so the set resembles a medieval village, and from the photos I’ve seen of it, it looks pretty impressive. As I drove back in the dark, after my walk, the set was well lit, so I’m guessing they were doing a night shoot. This might well be one to look out for when it gets released. Dartmoor looks stunning, in the dark, as well as in daylight!

It seems like everyone’s filming on Dartmoor at the moment...if you venture into Lustleigh village, you might well bump into characters out of the new Harry Potter TV series, as it has been turned into Godric’s Hollow...I’m sure fans of the books, and the films, will know what that’s all about...

Recently, lots of location trucks were also seen setting up camp in the Gutter Tor area, near Sheepstor village, where filming was taking place at Ditsworthy Warren Farmhouse, for a new adaptation of the Jane Austin novel, Sense and Sensibility. Movie fans will know that Steven Spielberg used the same location for his highly acclaimed film version of Warhorse, back in 2011.

He also filmed scenes on the nearby moorland, using the village church, and Burrator Reservoir as a stunning backdrop. He even went as far as saying, that Dartmoor was one of the most spectacular settings he had ever filmed in...a man after my own heart!

After parking up, and getting suited and booted, I set off down the track, passed Sherberton Farm, heading towards Swincombe Reservoir. Just as I’d left the car, I'd heard the sound of a helicopter, flying low, very close by...but I couldn’t see it. Next minute, I spotted it flying up the valley in front of me...a very impressive sight, and some skilful flying, so close to the ground. Then, it flew off into the distance. 

I hadn’t walked very far, when I heard that unmistakable sound again, of whirling rotor blades...this time I was ready for it! I took out my phone, and starting filming, just as it rose over the trees, in front of me, flying low over my head. Having travelled down the valley, it came back the same way, giving me another, low level fly past...not a sight you see so close up, on the moors, every day!

Just a bit further along the track, after that bit of excitement, I paused when I came across another scene that was immortalised on film, many years ago, back in 1982, in fact. I was standing, looking at Fairy Bridge, that spans the River Swincombe, with the ruins of John Bishop’s House, in the background...John Bishop was a dry stone waller, much of his handiwork still prominent in the vicinity, I’ve no doubt.

These locations feature in the video for David Essex’s perennial Christmas classic, A Winter’s Tale, although you wouldn’t recognise the version of the bridge, that he, and his doggie companion, sit on as he sings...those telegraph poles supporting planks of wood, that spanned the river, back then, were deemed unsafe, and eventually replaced by the one we see today, complete with wooden handrails.

After singing his bit on the bridge, and his dog is seen running across it, David then moves to the ruined house, where he sings a bit more, whilst sitting on the wall...but these aren’t the only Dartmoor locations on display in the video, something I only found out about, fairly recently, when I discovered my niece watching it on MTV, whilst visiting my brother’s house...

As I was talking to said brother, with the strains of David singing the song I know so well, in the background, I happened to glance at the telly, and, for the first time ever, I noticed he was walking over what looked to me like a Dartmoor tor. Why I’d never realised this, after all these years, I don’t know, but, as I watched, other recognisable landmarks, from the moor, appeared on screen.

Not being completely certain of their identities, I went online to seek them out, but all I could find initially, was the unhelpful fact that it was filmed somewhere in the West Country.  Undeterred, I took to Facebook, asking amongst various Dartmoor related pages, that I’ve joined over the years, whether or not my eyes were deceiving me...the responses I received, confirmed that they weren’t deceptive. 

The tor I’d spotted David walking on, was identified as Combestone Tor, one I’ve walked on myself, many times over the years. A scene of him walking up a slope, next to a stone wall, is apparently Vag Hill, that can be seen across the Dart  Valley, from Combestone.

A stroll he takes down a tree-lined road, accompanied by his faithful friend, is the driveway leading to Prince Hall Country House, as it is now known. One of the final sequences, is of David in a small boat, rowing across an expanse of water, that turns out to be Venford Reservoir. 

As I said above, although I recognised the ruins of John Bishop’s House, the bridge leading to it, known as Fairy Bridge, didn’t compute. It was only when a gentleman on one Facebook page replied, saying he had been one of the local roadies, employed to help lug the gear around on the days of the location shoots, back in 1982, and explaining how the bridge had changed over the years, but had kept the same name. He also described it as a most enjoyable experience. 

If this is all news to you, as it was to me, a few years ago, then, with another Christmas season nearly upon us, when the video is bound to be brought out of storage, dusted off, and played yet again, you will now view it with fresh eyes, recognising those locations that are right on our doorstep. This almost feels like one of the music industry's best kept secrets, and I feel quite pleased with myself, that I’m able to reveal these facts to a new audience, after all these years. 

Talking of Christmas, you’ve still got an opportunity to join me on one of my seasonal Ghost Walks, around Brixham’s Haunted Harbour, whilst admiring the towns festive display of Illuminations, for this year, on Wednesday 17th December. Book early though, as places are limited. For further details...and if you are searching for that elusive gift, that’s a bit different, try my Gift Vouchers, that can be used on next year’s itinerary of walks...contact me via email on davidtiptrips@gmail.com 

Finally, next week, we are into December already, and the lead up to the big day, when I like to let my imagination fly free, to bring you a weekly Ghost Story, fit for sitting around the fireplace, and sharing with your family and friends, on these cold, dark wintry evenings.

They are loosely based on stories, and experiences that have been shared with me throughout the year, but how much is true? And how much embellishment have I added? I've certainly got a spooky batch in store for you this year...