Introducing Mr Swaledale, a stunning film by former student Georgia Hird

Congratulations to Georgia Hird, former student, who has graduated with a first class honours in Film and Television Production.

For her final project, Georgia produced an exceptional documentary about John Waggett, a Swaledale farmer, whose warmth and character she perfectly captures against a backdrop of the spectacular Swaledale scenery, to show what life in the dales is really like. Georgia’s style is truly engaging with fabulous imagery, as John tells his story about what makes Swaledale so special to him, as well as sharing tips on rounding up sheep and dry-stone walling, you’ll even see a calf being born!.  You can also hear the wonderful Muker Band playing the soundtrack to the dale, ‘Swaledale’. You can enjoy the film HERE

Georgia said: ‘I wanted my final project at Teesside to be something very close to my heart and something that hadn’t been seen before. Swaledale is such a special and loved place to so many people and John Waggett is the epitome of it. He is one of few dales folk left to still speak in broad Swaledale dialect but aside from this, he is such a unique and genuine person. The two put together give you a raw take on the dales and farming, that to us, really isn’t anything out of the ordinary, it’s just our way of life. I hope that my documentary shows people what dales life and farming is really like and what a beautiful dale we live in. My thanks go to John for playing the starring role of himself and to Norman and all at Muker Band who provide the soundtrack to the dale that is Swaledale.’

Adam Boulton-Lear, Lead Teacher for Media, said: “Georgia was always a really hard-working and dedicated student and that has paid off. Her documentary is really well put together and very professional. I’m really pleased for her and can’t wait to see where her career takes her.”

Georgia attended Richmond School and Sixth Form College from Year 7 to Year 13, leaving in 2017 to start her degree at Teesside University.