Skipton

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0:00:08 > 0:00:10In a picturesque part of Britain,

0:00:10 > 0:00:13something extraordinary is happening.

0:00:14 > 0:00:18Braving the wet and windy weather, hundreds are gathering...

0:00:20 > 0:00:23..to take part in a special one-off event

0:00:23 > 0:00:25to celebrate their history and heritage...

0:00:25 > 0:00:29We're here in 21st century and we need to be put on' map.

0:00:29 > 0:00:33..and tell the story of what makes them and their town unique.

0:00:33 > 0:00:35AUCTIONEER SELLS

0:00:35 > 0:00:37- It's literally Sheep Town.- Yeah.

0:00:37 > 0:00:40Helping to bring these stories to life

0:00:40 > 0:00:43is West End choreographer Steve Elias.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45Let's dance!

0:00:45 > 0:00:47'Dance can do so much.

0:00:47 > 0:00:51'It unites, it allows people to express themselves,

0:00:51 > 0:00:53'it celebrates, it entertains.

0:00:53 > 0:00:57'Dance, I believe, has the power to be life-changing.'

0:00:58 > 0:01:00Steve's spending the summer in Yorkshire,

0:01:00 > 0:01:03where he wants to get three very different towns dancing.

0:01:03 > 0:01:05- Do you dance? - I certainly don't.- No?

0:01:05 > 0:01:09He'll be persuading everyone from beginners...

0:01:09 > 0:01:11Right, left, right, left.

0:01:11 > 0:01:13Dancing and farmers just don't go.

0:01:13 > 0:01:16..to gifted amateurs, to join together

0:01:16 > 0:01:19for the performance of a lifetime through the town's streets.

0:01:20 > 0:01:22At the end of the summer,

0:01:22 > 0:01:26Steve's master plan is to bring all three towns together in York

0:01:26 > 0:01:31to stage one final extravaganza to celebrate the whole of the county.

0:01:31 > 0:01:33Personally, I think he's raving bonkers.

0:01:33 > 0:01:36This week, Steve's in Skipton.

0:01:36 > 0:01:37Two, three.

0:01:38 > 0:01:39Shunt, shunt!

0:01:43 > 0:01:44As I thought, carnage.

0:01:47 > 0:01:49Six, seven, eight.

0:01:49 > 0:01:52And one, and two, and three, and four, and five, and a six,

0:01:52 > 0:01:53and a seven, eight.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56Da-da-da-da-da-da-ba. That's it.

0:01:56 > 0:01:58And this, just here,

0:01:58 > 0:01:59flex.

0:01:59 > 0:02:02Originally from a small town in south Wales,

0:02:02 > 0:02:05Steve Elias has spent the past 25 years

0:02:05 > 0:02:08starring in some of Britain's best-loved musicals,

0:02:08 > 0:02:10from Billy Elliot

0:02:10 > 0:02:12to Guys and Dolls.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14Five and a six, seven, eight.

0:02:14 > 0:02:17'My dad was a builder and my brothers plasterers'

0:02:17 > 0:02:21so I'm known as the black sheep of the family, affectionately.

0:02:22 > 0:02:26Steve is a highly regarded teacher and choreographer.

0:02:26 > 0:02:31'I spend my days mentoring in the best performing arts colleges.'

0:02:31 > 0:02:33I feel very privileged.

0:02:33 > 0:02:35One and two and three, four!

0:02:35 > 0:02:37'But I'm looking for the next challenge.

0:02:38 > 0:02:43'I'm drawing on things like flash mobs and viral videos online

0:02:43 > 0:02:46'and the Opening Ceremony from the Olympics.'

0:02:46 > 0:02:49That's when the country saw how dance could be used to showcase

0:02:49 > 0:02:54the history and culture and create a sense of pride and spectacle.

0:02:54 > 0:02:57I want to go to towns and give them something similar.

0:02:57 > 0:03:00Leave them with something lasting that celebrates their heritage

0:03:00 > 0:03:02and who they are.

0:03:02 > 0:03:06Steve's first attempt to unite a whole community was a triumph.

0:03:08 > 0:03:12In four weeks, he managed to corral almost 250 people keen to learn

0:03:12 > 0:03:15and take part in a dance through the streets of Barnsley.

0:03:15 > 0:03:18CHEERING

0:03:18 > 0:03:21Barnsley, we did it!

0:03:21 > 0:03:24It warms the cockles of this old man's heart.

0:03:28 > 0:03:31He's hoping for similar success on the next stop

0:03:31 > 0:03:34of his Yorkshire odyssey - Skipton.

0:03:34 > 0:03:38A small market town 27 miles north-east of Leeds.

0:03:41 > 0:03:43I don't know much about it as a town,

0:03:43 > 0:03:46only that it's famous for farming

0:03:46 > 0:03:49and has a large agricultural community

0:03:49 > 0:03:52and a market that's been there for hundreds of years.

0:03:52 > 0:03:56Apart from that, that's what I'm going to discover.

0:04:07 > 0:04:10I'm just trying to see what the lay of the land is, really.

0:04:10 > 0:04:12What makes Skipton tick.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16What really is the essence, the heartbeat of the town.

0:04:16 > 0:04:20Known as the Gateway to the Dales, Skipton grew in importance

0:04:20 > 0:04:23with the founding of its castle in the 11th century.

0:04:23 > 0:04:28Around 1300, the Holy Trinity Church was built in its shadow.

0:04:28 > 0:04:31The two have loomed over the town ever since

0:04:31 > 0:04:33as Skipton moved from medieval marketplace

0:04:33 > 0:04:35to booming trade centre

0:04:35 > 0:04:38thanks to the arrival of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the 1700s.

0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's just beautiful.

0:04:48 > 0:04:50This is the best vantage point, absolutely.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53The various iconic buildings -

0:04:53 > 0:04:56you know, we've got the castle just above, there,

0:04:56 > 0:05:00and the church behind me and then the stretch down there.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04Then you've got the hills.

0:05:04 > 0:05:08It's a great place. I'm feeling really positive about it, actually.

0:05:17 > 0:05:23Ladies, can I just ask you, easy, to describe Skipton in three words?

0:05:23 > 0:05:25First things that come into your head.

0:05:25 > 0:05:28Cobbles, castle and sheep.

0:05:29 > 0:05:30Ah, OK.

0:05:32 > 0:05:35Whatever comes to mind. Don't think about it, just go.

0:05:35 > 0:05:37Erm, traditional.

0:05:38 > 0:05:42Traditional - that's an interesting word I want to, kind of, explore.

0:05:46 > 0:05:48- Ian.- Hi.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51Steve's arranged to meet local historian, Ian.

0:05:52 > 0:05:55In the Domesday Book, it's listed as

0:05:55 > 0:05:59Skeep, which is old English for sheep,

0:05:59 > 0:06:02and ton, for town.

0:06:02 > 0:06:04Its name is literally Sheep Town, you know?

0:06:05 > 0:06:09Where I've been walking now, they used to have livestock?

0:06:09 > 0:06:11That's right. Right out here on the street.

0:06:11 > 0:06:16Some of these photographs here are turn of the 20th century.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20There's a market going alongside. There seem to be stalls.

0:06:20 > 0:06:22Stalls, yeah.

0:06:22 > 0:06:24So they were working side-by-side, really.

0:06:24 > 0:06:28If I was to represent Skipton in a performance,

0:06:28 > 0:06:30that would be something great,

0:06:30 > 0:06:32if I could somehow weave that in,

0:06:32 > 0:06:35this idea of farming and market together.

0:06:36 > 0:06:40Skipton's market dates back to 1204

0:06:40 > 0:06:43when a Royal Charter granted a weekly gathering for trade

0:06:43 > 0:06:45in sheep and woollen goods.

0:06:46 > 0:06:50For centuries, local farmers and stallholders met to buy and sell

0:06:50 > 0:06:53until the livestock trade outgrew the marketplace

0:06:53 > 0:06:55and moved out of town.

0:06:56 > 0:06:59Today, Skipton's reliance on tourism

0:06:59 > 0:07:02means it's day-trippers rather than farmers who fill the town.

0:07:07 > 0:07:09I'm here today, gone tomorro'!

0:07:11 > 0:07:14Steve's holding a town meeting in three days' time

0:07:14 > 0:07:17and he wants as many Skiptonians as possible to be there.

0:07:18 > 0:07:21I'm hoping to tap in to the market traders,

0:07:21 > 0:07:23see if I can get them involved,

0:07:23 > 0:07:26see if they can get this mission and message out,

0:07:26 > 0:07:28so here goes.

0:07:29 > 0:07:31Hi, guys. All right?

0:07:31 > 0:07:34- Can I give you one of these to have a look?- Of course you can.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Do you dance at all?- No, I don't. I do dance when I'm drunk.

0:07:39 > 0:07:44- I don't personally like dancing. - At all?- At all.

0:07:44 > 0:07:46I seem to remember somebody was telling me,

0:07:46 > 0:07:50"If you don't dance, you'll lose her, she'll leave you."

0:07:50 > 0:07:54Sadly, she's still bloody 'ere, you know, after 30 years.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Do you dance at all? - I love dancing.

0:07:59 > 0:08:02- What if I took you in a hold now and we danced here now?- I could do it.

0:08:02 > 0:08:05Come on, then. It's your birthday.

0:08:06 > 0:08:08Come on, then.

0:08:09 > 0:08:11That's it.

0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Oh, you're on Strictly! - Yeah, we're on Strictly.

0:08:15 > 0:08:16That's it!

0:08:16 > 0:08:18Oh, go on, lady!

0:08:18 > 0:08:21You've got the moves.

0:08:21 > 0:08:23Thank you very much. Cheers. Thank you.

0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Hiya.- I'm looking for Mark. - I'm Mark.

0:08:26 > 0:08:28That's right. I'm Steve.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30Mark's been a stallholder for 30 years.

0:08:30 > 0:08:32I need to galvanise the troops,

0:08:32 > 0:08:35get some market traders involved in this performance.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38We have about 56 stalls on Skipton Market.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40Monday used to be a good day when the farmers used to be down.

0:08:40 > 0:08:44With the farmers being there, it was busier, there was more characters,

0:08:44 > 0:08:46and the market thrived a lot better then.

0:08:46 > 0:08:48The performance is all about that.

0:08:48 > 0:08:51It's all about promoting, celebrating,

0:08:51 > 0:08:53community coming together.

0:08:53 > 0:08:57We really need that back, I think. Hopefully get it busy again.

0:08:57 > 0:08:59- That's what we want.- Absolutely.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02'It's hard to believe that Skipton's high street

0:09:02 > 0:09:05'was at the heart of the farming community

0:09:05 > 0:09:10'and alongside the farmers were the market traders selling their wares.'

0:09:10 > 0:09:14'And this is what I'd love to...

0:09:14 > 0:09:16'represent in dance.'

0:09:16 > 0:09:19The farmers and the market traders again as one,

0:09:19 > 0:09:21interacting, laughing together.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24So my idea's crystallising now.

0:09:26 > 0:09:28Can I give you one of these? There's a meeting.

0:09:28 > 0:09:30Can I give you one of these?

0:09:30 > 0:09:33Encouraged by the response at the market,

0:09:33 > 0:09:35Steve expands his search to the rest of Skipton.

0:09:35 > 0:09:37Can I give you one of these?

0:09:37 > 0:09:39Just in case you know of any budding dancers.

0:09:39 > 0:09:41Have a look at that.

0:09:42 > 0:09:44I'm trying to get Skipton dancing.

0:09:46 > 0:09:50It's trying to get people who've never danced before in their life,

0:09:50 > 0:09:53never thought of dancing, trying something new.

0:09:53 > 0:09:56Don't worry if you've never danced before

0:09:56 > 0:09:59or if you've got a hidden passion for dance, I'm your man.

0:09:59 > 0:10:01I'll have a go.

0:10:01 > 0:10:03As long as it's not quite the full monty -

0:10:03 > 0:10:05half monty is OK with me.

0:10:17 > 0:10:19In an effort to find farmers to take part,

0:10:19 > 0:10:21Steve heads to the cattle market,

0:10:21 > 0:10:23a mile and a half from the town centre.

0:10:24 > 0:10:30It just made sense to recruit right here at the cattle auction.

0:10:30 > 0:10:33I'm not sure that farmers are renowned for their dancing

0:10:33 > 0:10:35but I'm going to find out.

0:10:35 > 0:10:38AUCTIONEER SELLS

0:10:45 > 0:10:48400,000 sheep and 20,000 cattle

0:10:48 > 0:10:51are sold here every year.

0:10:54 > 0:10:55This is really exciting.

0:10:55 > 0:11:00I can't see anyone bidding but they must be - a flick, wink, fingers...

0:11:00 > 0:11:02It's fantastic.

0:11:02 > 0:11:05AUCTIONEER SELLS

0:11:10 > 0:11:14Hello, hello, hello. Ladies and gentlemen, I know you're very busy

0:11:14 > 0:11:16so I'm not going to take up too much of your time.

0:11:16 > 0:11:19My name's Steve and I'm in Skipton

0:11:19 > 0:11:21trying to attract, galvanise

0:11:21 > 0:11:23a cast of hundreds

0:11:23 > 0:11:27to perform in a piece which is about Skipton.

0:11:27 > 0:11:30If you've never danced before, don't worry, it's my job.

0:11:31 > 0:11:34I'm looking for volunteers, I can't do it without you.

0:11:34 > 0:11:36Simple as.

0:11:38 > 0:11:41'When farmers are in the auction ring, they're there,

0:11:41 > 0:11:46'their mind is focused about buying or selling livestock.'

0:11:46 > 0:11:48So I could tell they were, like,

0:11:48 > 0:11:52"I haven't got time to concentrate on dance, I'm here to do work."

0:11:54 > 0:11:57I know you're busy, I'm not going to take too much...

0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Can I give you one of those? Just pass the word out.- Yeah.

0:12:00 > 0:12:01Brilliant, cheers.

0:12:01 > 0:12:03Tell me about your dancing days, then.

0:12:03 > 0:12:06I met the wife at a dance and so did this chap.

0:12:06 > 0:12:10- So that was one of the perks? - And I've been married 62 years.

0:12:10 > 0:12:13- So it worked!- It did... - It worked, yes.

0:12:14 > 0:12:18I'm trying to get the farming community involved in my project.

0:12:19 > 0:12:22Do you accept farmers with two left feet and a wooden leg?

0:12:22 > 0:12:24Absolutely. That's my job.

0:12:24 > 0:12:26Meeting, 6:30pm.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29I'd love you to be there. Get the word out for me.

0:12:29 > 0:12:31- I'll do what I can for the community.- Brilliant.

0:12:31 > 0:12:34- My name's Steve. - Commonly known as Amos.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36Amos, you're a scholar.

0:12:36 > 0:12:38- I'll see you there tomorrow. - Okey doke.- Cheers.

0:12:41 > 0:12:44Here, it's very interesting.

0:12:44 > 0:12:46You've got what I call the nostalgia.

0:12:46 > 0:12:49The men in their seventies who are still here daily

0:12:49 > 0:12:52because it's such an important part

0:12:52 > 0:12:54of their life.

0:12:54 > 0:12:56Already ideas are starting to percolate

0:12:56 > 0:13:01how I can incorporate more of the nostalgic period dancing,

0:13:01 > 0:13:04bringing it up straight to modern-day.

0:13:04 > 0:13:07Yeah, it's...they're great.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09Do you want to dance?

0:13:17 > 0:13:20BELLS RING

0:13:26 > 0:13:28'It's the day of the big meeting

0:13:28 > 0:13:30'and I'm excited,'

0:13:30 > 0:13:33nervous, feeling a bit sick, actually.

0:13:33 > 0:13:35Hiya.

0:13:35 > 0:13:36Hi, there.

0:13:36 > 0:13:39- I think I'm in the right place for the meeting.- Yes.

0:13:39 > 0:13:43- I'm Lindsey. I'm the events manager. - I'm Steve. I'm the choreographer.

0:13:43 > 0:13:46Nice to meet you. We're just finishing off setting up the room.

0:13:46 > 0:13:47I'll give you a hand. Come on.

0:13:47 > 0:13:51After three days of flyering and spreading the word,

0:13:51 > 0:13:54Steve is about to see how many people from the town

0:13:54 > 0:13:56turn up for the meeting.

0:13:56 > 0:13:59'The worst-case scenario, that no-one turns up'

0:13:59 > 0:14:02or we have ten people.

0:14:02 > 0:14:06Because that means all the walking the streets

0:14:06 > 0:14:10and passing out the flyers and trying to generate interest

0:14:10 > 0:14:11hasn't worked.

0:14:11 > 0:14:14That will be hard to stomach

0:14:14 > 0:14:18because I'll have to start thinking of a Plan B.

0:14:18 > 0:14:20But, to be honest, I don't have a Plan B.

0:14:26 > 0:14:28Hiya. Come on in.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32- I'm Steve, the choreographer.- Hello. - Nice to meet you.- And you.

0:14:32 > 0:14:35- I've got a wet hand.- Don't worry. It's pouring down. Just take a seat.

0:14:35 > 0:14:39- I'm Steve, the choreographer.- Ben. - Hi, Ben.- I'm a dancer.- Brilliant!

0:14:39 > 0:14:42- I'm Steve, the choreographer. - I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you.

0:14:42 > 0:14:46- Skipton Slimming World.- Hello! - Hello!

0:14:46 > 0:14:48- Can you help?!- Of course I can!

0:14:48 > 0:14:51Hello, I'm Steve, the choreographer. Hi, Mark.

0:14:55 > 0:14:59So, I'm going to have to start putting more seats out now

0:14:59 > 0:15:02because they keep on coming.

0:15:02 > 0:15:04Join the group.

0:15:04 > 0:15:06That would be brilliant. I'm going to move some.

0:15:20 > 0:15:22'This is fantastic.'

0:15:22 > 0:15:24It's nerve-racking.

0:15:30 > 0:15:34I'm overwhelmed by the turnout from Skipton. It's incredible.

0:15:34 > 0:15:38I'm here to create a one-off, unique...

0:15:38 > 0:15:40performance piece.

0:15:40 > 0:15:44It's all about the people who live and work here.

0:15:44 > 0:15:47Think about Yorkshire pride, it's not about me.

0:15:47 > 0:15:49This performance is about you.

0:15:50 > 0:15:52What do you think?

0:15:53 > 0:15:54- LONE VOICE:- Go, Skipton!

0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Yes, shout it loud! - Go, Skipton!

0:15:57 > 0:15:59I like it. Come on. That deserves...

0:15:59 > 0:16:01APPLAUSE

0:16:04 > 0:16:06So, welcome aboard.

0:16:06 > 0:16:11Pass the message on and let's create something unique, special,

0:16:11 > 0:16:12which is all about Skipton.

0:16:12 > 0:16:14I really thank you for your time.

0:16:15 > 0:16:18A captive audience gives Steve a chance

0:16:18 > 0:16:21to get a sense of Skipton's dance potential.

0:16:21 > 0:16:23Can you just stand up, please?

0:16:25 > 0:16:31That's all I want you to do is just move your body from side to side.

0:16:31 > 0:16:34Don't worry about it, if you feel embarrassed, you can sit down,

0:16:34 > 0:16:37but it's just literally moving from side to side

0:16:37 > 0:16:40and now that's all we're going to do is just add a little click.

0:16:40 > 0:16:45MUSIC: Rolling On The River by Tina Turner

0:16:45 > 0:16:47That's it. Get into it now. That's it!

0:16:47 > 0:16:49That's it.

0:16:51 > 0:16:53Let's go. Come on, dance!

0:16:57 > 0:17:00Anything you want to do. Make it your own.

0:17:01 > 0:17:03That's it! That's it!

0:17:03 > 0:17:05Let's go.

0:17:07 > 0:17:09Let's take it in turn.

0:17:09 > 0:17:13I'm blown away. I've never experienced that reaction.

0:17:21 > 0:17:23Take a bow.

0:17:23 > 0:17:25CHEERING

0:17:25 > 0:17:28Totally not what I was expecting at all.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31I'm overwhelmed and I'm from Skipton. It's amazing.

0:17:31 > 0:17:32It's really, really brilliant.

0:17:32 > 0:17:36We thought we were going to be doing something militaristic

0:17:36 > 0:17:39rather than zumba dancing.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42I think it's a great idea but how many farmers

0:17:42 > 0:17:45are going to get involved in this, I have no idea.

0:17:45 > 0:17:47'My mind is reeling at the moment.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51'There's so much for me to process and how I can make this work.'

0:17:51 > 0:17:55Just the generosity of people tonight was incredible.

0:17:55 > 0:17:58Erm, look out, Skipton,

0:17:58 > 0:18:00because this is going to be amazing.

0:18:05 > 0:18:08Of the 250 people at the meeting,

0:18:08 > 0:18:11only a handful were from the farming community.

0:18:11 > 0:18:13One of them was Amos.

0:18:15 > 0:18:18If I can get him behind what my mission is,

0:18:18 > 0:18:23I'm sure that he can go forward and rally the troops

0:18:23 > 0:18:25from the farming communities.

0:18:27 > 0:18:32Amos' 120-acre farm lies in a scenic corner of the Dales.

0:18:33 > 0:18:36'I don't think there's a better lifestyle.

0:18:36 > 0:18:39'It's not a job, it is certainly a lifestyle.

0:18:39 > 0:18:43'Farming has actually been my life from a very early age.

0:18:43 > 0:18:47'I used to keep pigs as a kid and dogs and hens.'

0:18:47 > 0:18:50Over the last 30, 40 years,

0:18:50 > 0:18:53things have changed immensely.

0:18:53 > 0:18:55There are less farmers around.

0:18:55 > 0:18:59Townspeople haven't been brought up

0:18:59 > 0:19:01knowing any farmers.

0:19:01 > 0:19:04A lot of schoolchildren possibly now think

0:19:04 > 0:19:07that the food comes from the supermarket

0:19:07 > 0:19:10where, you know, it's really wandering around

0:19:10 > 0:19:11in the neighbouring fields.

0:19:11 > 0:19:13WHISTLE

0:19:14 > 0:19:18- Amos!- Hello.- How are you? - I'm very well, thanks. Yourself?

0:19:18 > 0:19:21Good to see you. It's brilliant.

0:19:22 > 0:19:25- It's home.- What breed are these?

0:19:25 > 0:19:27- They're actually Welsh.- Are they?

0:19:27 > 0:19:29- Balwen Welsh Mountains.- Oh!

0:19:30 > 0:19:33- The Welsh get everywhere, you see. - Don't they just.

0:19:34 > 0:19:38At the meeting, there was 250 people there,

0:19:38 > 0:19:42which was brilliant, but you were the only established farmer there.

0:19:44 > 0:19:46What does that tell you, Steve?

0:19:48 > 0:19:52Well, it tells me you're interested in what's going on in the community.

0:19:52 > 0:19:55Going back 30, 40 years,

0:19:55 > 0:19:59townspeople, well, they were more connected with farming

0:19:59 > 0:20:02either through knowing a farm worker

0:20:02 > 0:20:04or they had relatives that were farmers.

0:20:04 > 0:20:08It would be nice if we could get, you, know, this divide

0:20:08 > 0:20:13between the townspeople and the farmers, well, narrowed a bit.

0:20:13 > 0:20:17So if I can get a rehearsal, will you get the group together?

0:20:17 > 0:20:19I'll do my very best. I will.

0:20:19 > 0:20:22Once we've got them in a rehearsal room and the door is locked,

0:20:22 > 0:20:25you know, I think they will love it.

0:20:29 > 0:20:32- Which way would you go there? - Away, here.

0:20:33 > 0:20:34Away, here!

0:20:35 > 0:20:37'What I love about Amos,'

0:20:37 > 0:20:40you can see when he's passionate about something

0:20:40 > 0:20:42and when he's committed,

0:20:42 > 0:20:45he will get these people to me.

0:20:45 > 0:20:48Hook or by crook, he will deliver me, I'm sure,

0:20:48 > 0:20:50farmers.

0:20:50 > 0:20:52Do I look a prat like that in that flat cap?

0:20:57 > 0:20:59Three weeks until the performance

0:20:59 > 0:21:03and Steve's holding his first rehearsal in a local hotel.

0:21:05 > 0:21:07Hello!

0:21:08 > 0:21:11Come to Papa. Come forward.

0:21:11 > 0:21:15Sacrificing their Sunday to attend are the slimming club,

0:21:15 > 0:21:18hotel staff and a local cleaning firm.

0:21:19 > 0:21:22The section I'm going to teach you, it's fast.

0:21:22 > 0:21:25Find a space so you don't punch someone out.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29We're going to do 16 counts for nothing,

0:21:29 > 0:21:33then we go, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,

0:21:33 > 0:21:36two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:21:36 > 0:21:39It's actually called a "pimp" walk.

0:21:39 > 0:21:41LAUGHTER

0:21:41 > 0:21:45Each group Steve works with will have a routine tailored to them,

0:21:45 > 0:21:47choreographed to a specific track.

0:21:47 > 0:21:51Your body's coming forward. Think that you're a coiled spring.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54Steve wants the dance to move through the streets

0:21:54 > 0:21:57as one group takes over from another along a planned route,

0:21:57 > 0:22:00building to an impressive finale.

0:22:00 > 0:22:02Don't do just... And...

0:22:04 > 0:22:05OK, then do.

0:22:05 > 0:22:08MUSIC: Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman

0:22:21 > 0:22:24That's excellent. You've made my Sunday today.

0:22:26 > 0:22:30While rehearsing groups, Steve's also on the lookout

0:22:30 > 0:22:34for undiscovered talent who could perform as soloists or duets.

0:22:38 > 0:22:42- Ben, you've danced before.- Yeah. - So, excellent.

0:22:42 > 0:22:45Also standing out is hotel receptionist Elizabeth.

0:22:45 > 0:22:48You were at the back but you've danced before.

0:22:48 > 0:22:49OK, because I could see that.

0:22:50 > 0:22:53Here we go. And again. Let's do it once more.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55Five, six, seven, eight, step.

0:22:58 > 0:23:01'For the finale, I need a duo to lead the town

0:23:01 > 0:23:03'dancing down Sheep Street.

0:23:03 > 0:23:08'It's a classical Hollywood ending, as it were.

0:23:08 > 0:23:13'We've got Elizabeth, who works at the hotel where we're rehearsing.'

0:23:13 > 0:23:16We've got Ben. How about putting them together?

0:23:16 > 0:23:19The Skipton Fred and Ginger. Great stuff. Really happy.

0:23:25 > 0:23:29With the first volunteers signed up, Steve's plan is forming,

0:23:29 > 0:23:32but he still needs more people to achieve his vision.

0:23:32 > 0:23:36Luckily, Skipton has a thriving dance scene to tap into.

0:23:37 > 0:23:41I need a cast of hundreds, who do all different styles.

0:23:41 > 0:23:44'Skipton is a very inspirational town.

0:23:44 > 0:23:48'I'm amazed at how many established dance groups

0:23:48 > 0:23:50'turned up to the meeting.

0:23:50 > 0:23:54'I'm thinking, in some ways, they've become the spine of the performance.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56'There's so many different specialities.'

0:23:58 > 0:24:01Brilliant.

0:24:01 > 0:24:03You just go, yeah, OK, you're part of Skipton.

0:24:03 > 0:24:05This is what Skipton's about. You're in it.

0:24:08 > 0:24:13I've never danced tango, even though I'm a choreographer, but I love it.

0:24:13 > 0:24:16Wide side step, and dissociate. That's it.

0:24:16 > 0:24:20When you dissociate, you want to keep your shoulders level.

0:24:20 > 0:24:23- Right, OK.- And bring your feet together after each step.

0:24:23 > 0:24:25'I'm really in awe of them.

0:24:25 > 0:24:28'It's like that swan analogy, that calm and smoothness,

0:24:28 > 0:24:30'but there's so much going on underneath.

0:24:30 > 0:24:32'Total respect.'

0:24:32 > 0:24:37I'd love to incorporate you in the performance...somehow.

0:24:37 > 0:24:39I'm not quite sure how as yet

0:24:39 > 0:24:42but I'd love to work with you as a group.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45'One of them said, "We want to be better than any other group."'

0:24:45 > 0:24:47So, I like that fighting spirit.

0:24:47 > 0:24:51That's the type of energy you need for a performance like this.

0:25:01 > 0:25:02PHONE RINGS

0:25:02 > 0:25:05- Hello? - Hiya, Brend. It's Amos.

0:25:05 > 0:25:09Amos is doing his best to round up his fellow farmers.

0:25:09 > 0:25:12You know I mentioned to you about the dance

0:25:12 > 0:25:14that's being put on in Skipton?

0:25:15 > 0:25:19With two weeks to go, Steve still hasn't managed to get any farmers

0:25:19 > 0:25:21or market traders to attend a rehearsal.

0:25:22 > 0:25:26'Historically, it's these two groups that make Skipton tick

0:25:26 > 0:25:28'and it's crucial that I get them on board.

0:25:28 > 0:25:30'But I'm running out of time.'

0:25:32 > 0:25:36- Hello.- Hi, David, it's Amos. - Hello, Amos.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40Are you busy on Friday night?

0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Friday night?- Yes.

0:25:43 > 0:25:45Erm...

0:25:46 > 0:25:50'A lot of these farmers, they're out of their comfort zone when...

0:25:50 > 0:25:52'when they get out of their wellies.'

0:25:52 > 0:25:57Hopefully, hopefully, you know, a few of them will turn up now.

0:25:57 > 0:25:59You wouldn't want to miss out on this.

0:25:59 > 0:26:01LAUGHTER

0:26:07 > 0:26:10'For Amos, it's all about the community'

0:26:10 > 0:26:14and promoting the thing he loves, which is farming.

0:26:19 > 0:26:21Amos! How are you, mate?

0:26:21 > 0:26:24What brings you to this neck of the woods?

0:26:24 > 0:26:26I thought I'd pop in to see how you're getting on

0:26:26 > 0:26:28getting farmers on board for me.

0:26:29 > 0:26:33What struck me is, you always say, you were in the Young Farmers

0:26:33 > 0:26:37- and "they helped me" and various people have help you along the way...- Yeah.

0:26:37 > 0:26:40..and you are always thinking about,

0:26:40 > 0:26:44if there's any way I can give back or help people.

0:26:44 > 0:26:47I just feel as though if I can put a little bit back

0:26:47 > 0:26:50into the community, I'm willing to do so.

0:26:50 > 0:26:54How does that need or want to help people come from, then?

0:26:54 > 0:26:58I think, one point in my life when things were looking

0:26:58 > 0:27:00a little bit grim,

0:27:00 > 0:27:04I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 20, erm...

0:27:04 > 0:27:0527.

0:27:05 > 0:27:09My son at the time was...

0:27:09 > 0:27:11he was just six month old when I was diagnosed.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14I think when you have actually...

0:27:16 > 0:27:19..been through something...

0:27:19 > 0:27:23like cancer or, you know, any...any illness,

0:27:23 > 0:27:26I think you do take stock.

0:27:26 > 0:27:30It just keeps reminding you that

0:27:30 > 0:27:32we're not here forever.

0:27:39 > 0:27:41The groups who have signed up are perfecting

0:27:41 > 0:27:44their individual routines for the big performance.

0:27:44 > 0:27:46From the local farm shop...

0:27:46 > 0:27:50We have one, two, three, four.

0:27:50 > 0:27:52..to the hotel staff...

0:27:52 > 0:27:56Two, three, four. Get a nice position.

0:27:56 > 0:27:59That's it. And just as if you're looking over the shoulder,

0:27:59 > 0:28:01just checking that she's doing everything correct.

0:28:01 > 0:28:03That sounds like an average day!

0:28:04 > 0:28:08..and the cleaners from Steve's very first rehearsal.

0:28:08 > 0:28:10And six, and seven, eight. Brilliant.

0:28:13 > 0:28:17One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:28:17 > 0:28:20'I want them to embody girl power.'

0:28:20 > 0:28:22Women power.

0:28:22 > 0:28:24'I wanted a sense of, "We love our job,"

0:28:24 > 0:28:28'and they're just walking down the street and they're showing Skipton'

0:28:28 > 0:28:31what a great job they do, how confident they are

0:28:31 > 0:28:34and how proud they are as women helping the community.

0:28:34 > 0:28:36You've got to work your dusters.

0:28:36 > 0:28:40Ba-ba, ba-ba, ba-ba, ba-ba.

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Step, up, step, down. Brilliant.

0:28:43 > 0:28:45Slow, bach, as we say in Wales.

0:28:45 > 0:28:46Let's go from the top.

0:28:46 > 0:28:49Don't worry about it. This is big, broad brush strokes.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53'I've just spotted one of the cleaners has a dancing talent.'

0:28:53 > 0:28:56She's got fabulous chaine turns, which are those fast turns

0:28:56 > 0:29:00with the head whipping round that ballerinas are famous for.

0:29:00 > 0:29:02I'm looking for a soloist.

0:29:02 > 0:29:04You start the performance off.

0:29:04 > 0:29:06So it looks like it's just a scene

0:29:06 > 0:29:10from a film, yeah, and then chorister runs past you

0:29:10 > 0:29:13and it's as if he gives you the energy

0:29:13 > 0:29:17and we have this beautiful contemporary thing on the lawn.

0:29:17 > 0:29:20- How do you fancy that? - That would be really good, yeah.

0:29:20 > 0:29:2519-year-old student Alice is working as a cleaner over the summer.

0:29:26 > 0:29:30I can remember when I was very, very young,

0:29:30 > 0:29:33I used to watch ballets on the TV with my mum

0:29:33 > 0:29:38and I used to ask her all the time if I could start ballet classes.

0:29:38 > 0:29:41And I nagged her so much, she was, like, "OK."

0:29:41 > 0:29:44From ballet I ended up joining tap and then modern.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49The thought of opening it is really scary to me.

0:29:49 > 0:29:51I haven't performed in a while

0:29:51 > 0:29:54and I thought I was just doing the routine with Just Ask

0:29:54 > 0:29:57until Steve asked me if I wanted to do this

0:29:57 > 0:29:59but I absolutely love the routine.

0:29:59 > 0:30:03It's just so good to get back into dancing properly after so long.

0:30:04 > 0:30:05Yeah.

0:30:05 > 0:30:06Good.

0:30:09 > 0:30:12All right, mate. Cheers. See you later. Thank you.

0:30:12 > 0:30:15Still struggling to recruit market traders and farmers,

0:30:15 > 0:30:18Steve's set up a special meeting just for them.

0:30:19 > 0:30:23There's a rehearsal tonight, 5:45pm, at the working men's club.

0:30:23 > 0:30:26- See you there. - What? When's that?- Tonight.

0:30:26 > 0:30:27Oh, right. Tonight.

0:30:27 > 0:30:30Last-minute charge, rallying up the market traders.

0:30:30 > 0:30:32They'll all be tired, won't they?

0:30:32 > 0:30:36- They'll want to get home and get in bath and get to bed.- No.

0:30:36 > 0:30:37I know I will be, anyway.

0:30:38 > 0:30:40How are you doing?

0:30:40 > 0:30:44Steve hopes Martin, the mayor, can open a few doors.

0:30:44 > 0:30:47I might need a bit of help off you, if that's OK?

0:30:47 > 0:30:50This is Martin, our Lord Mayor and market trader.

0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Pleased to meet you.- Same to you. - Nice to meet you.

0:30:53 > 0:30:54Do people come to you here?

0:30:54 > 0:30:58Yes, because I'm a councillor in Skipton, from 9:30am until 4pm,

0:30:58 > 0:30:59anyone who's got problems with the

0:30:59 > 0:31:01town council try and put their views forward.

0:31:01 > 0:31:05- A unique service.- It is and we're right on the corner.- Yeah.

0:31:05 > 0:31:07What I'm asking you, if you could help me

0:31:07 > 0:31:09get some of your market traders involved.

0:31:09 > 0:31:12- That's what we'll try and do.- Yeah. - We'll sort it all out.

0:31:12 > 0:31:15- We'll try and get as many as we can together.- Cheers, Martin.

0:31:18 > 0:31:22'It's raining at the moment and everyone's packing away

0:31:22 > 0:31:24'and if I was them,'

0:31:24 > 0:31:27would I hang about until 5:45pm for a rehearsal to dance?

0:31:28 > 0:31:30I'm not sure. We'll see.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37'While I was speaking to the market traders,

0:31:37 > 0:31:40'they said that they don't see the farmers as much'

0:31:40 > 0:31:43and that relationship and banter that they used to have

0:31:43 > 0:31:45has disappeared.

0:31:45 > 0:31:49So I've invited the market traders...

0:31:49 > 0:31:52and the farmers to a rehearsal

0:31:52 > 0:31:53together.

0:31:53 > 0:31:55Hopefully that might

0:31:55 > 0:31:58generate another bit of community spirit.

0:31:58 > 0:32:00Erm..

0:32:00 > 0:32:02hopefully, if it doesn't backfire.

0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Hi, Steve. I'm Jane. - Jane, nice to meet you. Take a seat.

0:32:12 > 0:32:15First to arrive are the market traders...

0:32:15 > 0:32:17- I've brought a few props, Steve. - Excellent.

0:32:17 > 0:32:19..followed closely by the farmers.

0:32:19 > 0:32:22I'm Steve, the choreographer. Please come in.

0:32:22 > 0:32:25Come on, Amos.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Where are we going? - Just onto the floor.

0:32:28 > 0:32:30Thank you so much for coming. Evening.

0:32:34 > 0:32:37You do realise, Steve, when you've moved on,

0:32:37 > 0:32:40these lot won't speak to me ever again.

0:32:40 > 0:32:42Don't say that!

0:32:42 > 0:32:45The traders quickly get the hang of it.

0:32:47 > 0:32:48Keep on walking down.

0:32:48 > 0:32:52Four, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:32:52 > 0:32:54But the farmers take a little longer.

0:32:54 > 0:32:56Step, click, step, click.

0:32:56 > 0:32:59Left, clap, left, clap, left, clap.

0:32:59 > 0:33:03Three, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:33:03 > 0:33:06Ba-da, ba-da, ba-da, ba-da.

0:33:06 > 0:33:09Up, up, down, down.

0:33:09 > 0:33:12Up, up, down, down.

0:33:12 > 0:33:16Up, up, down, down. And that's it.

0:33:16 > 0:33:19Is that my hips or my knees that are clicking?

0:33:19 > 0:33:21What do we wear? Do we come in our wellies?

0:33:21 > 0:33:25- Or sensible shoes as opposed to your dancing shoes.- I don't do wellies!

0:33:25 > 0:33:27LAUGHTER

0:33:27 > 0:33:29I don't! This is me.

0:33:29 > 0:33:31LAUGHTER

0:33:31 > 0:33:35I think it's really nice that the farmers have all come down

0:33:35 > 0:33:37and it's the first time I've seen them in quite a number of years.

0:33:37 > 0:33:39It's got us all together.

0:33:39 > 0:33:42I sell burgers, tea, coffee, hot chocolate,

0:33:42 > 0:33:46- sheepskin rugs and slippers. - You use some of our lambs, I hope.

0:33:46 > 0:33:49So what do you do on the market?

0:33:49 > 0:33:53Oh, I sell bath bombs and stuff, so just lovely things.

0:33:53 > 0:33:56I have to say, you've done well.

0:33:57 > 0:34:01- I want to shake your hand. - That's very nice of you, Steve.

0:34:01 > 0:34:02Thank you.

0:34:02 > 0:34:06'If I hadn't stopped them, they would have talked all night.'

0:34:06 > 0:34:10I felt...for me that was a really nice poignant moment, actually.

0:34:11 > 0:34:14They're like long, lost friends, really.

0:34:14 > 0:34:16Hopefully now by doing this dance routine

0:34:16 > 0:34:19and getting to know 'em again, we can build a bond back in Skipton.

0:34:22 > 0:34:26A week to go, Steve heads to Skipton's streets

0:34:26 > 0:34:29to plan the final route for his dance.

0:34:29 > 0:34:32It's going to start at this beautiful church, here.

0:34:33 > 0:34:37From this door, I can see this solo chorister running out

0:34:37 > 0:34:39as the bells are pealing -

0:34:39 > 0:34:42a kind of quintessential British pastoral scene.

0:34:43 > 0:34:47Steve wants the performance to move into the street,

0:34:47 > 0:34:49where he hopes the farmers will join the dance.

0:34:50 > 0:34:53So that's our next visual,

0:34:53 > 0:34:56which they will lead us down...

0:34:56 > 0:34:58into the market.

0:34:59 > 0:35:02'At the meeting, there was a great representation

0:35:02 > 0:35:05'of the ex-servicemen, so what I'm thinking is,

0:35:05 > 0:35:08'for them to start at this memorial

0:35:08 > 0:35:11'and just march in pride'

0:35:11 > 0:35:16and celebration of what they've done for Skipton and the country.

0:35:17 > 0:35:20More and more dancers will surge into the marketplace,

0:35:20 > 0:35:22where they'll be joined by local traders.

0:35:22 > 0:35:25They're going to spill out, each of the market traders

0:35:25 > 0:35:27carrying their wares.

0:35:27 > 0:35:29People selling clothes.

0:35:29 > 0:35:32I'd love to see them on clothes rails being turned around.

0:35:32 > 0:35:37At this point, there should be about 100 performers lined up,

0:35:37 > 0:35:39filling the parade.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43So, once they join and once they dance, they don't disappear,

0:35:43 > 0:35:47they just join and join, so all that energy, all that colour,

0:35:47 > 0:35:51all that celebration, should make a great impact.

0:35:54 > 0:35:58The parade then heads down Skipton's historic Sheep Street.

0:36:00 > 0:36:04We could have a bottleneck where all our 200 plus cast members

0:36:04 > 0:36:07have to filter from the marketplace

0:36:07 > 0:36:10into this quite narrow...

0:36:10 > 0:36:11street.

0:36:13 > 0:36:17What I hope it will do is bring this energy just...

0:36:17 > 0:36:21snaking down of all our dance groups.

0:36:23 > 0:36:27But this, I know, is our end point.

0:36:27 > 0:36:30It's got a natural slope so...

0:36:30 > 0:36:32you'll see everyone.

0:36:32 > 0:36:35Everyone will have centre stage - their own centre stage.

0:36:35 > 0:36:38So what a fantastic place to stop.

0:36:45 > 0:36:49Skipton's finale will be led by the duet Steve's planned

0:36:49 > 0:36:51for Elizabeth and Ben.

0:36:51 > 0:36:53'I've put them together,'

0:36:53 > 0:36:57hopefully in a Fred and Ginger type of choreography.

0:36:57 > 0:36:59They're going to set the bar.

0:36:59 > 0:37:02In my head I've got this vision of quite complex stuff

0:37:02 > 0:37:04but are they up to...

0:37:04 > 0:37:06up to doing it?

0:37:06 > 0:37:08I don't know. I suppose I'll find out.

0:37:08 > 0:37:11'I think the biggest cast I've ever worked with

0:37:11 > 0:37:14'was probably when I was a dancer at Disneyland.'

0:37:14 > 0:37:17Some of the parades and shows had 80 to 100 performers in it,

0:37:17 > 0:37:20but what Steve wants to do is probably going to even surpass that.

0:37:20 > 0:37:22One, two, three four...

0:37:22 > 0:37:24Today's rehearsal is especially challenging

0:37:24 > 0:37:26for receptionist Elizabeth.

0:37:26 > 0:37:30'It's been nine years since I've done anything, any choreography'

0:37:30 > 0:37:33been in a studio, had anyone tell me what to do.

0:37:33 > 0:37:34It's been a long time.

0:37:35 > 0:37:39Nine years ago, Elizabeth was all set for a career on the stage

0:37:39 > 0:37:43after winning a place at a prestigious dance school in Essex.

0:37:44 > 0:37:48So I'd been at college, it was about eight, nine months.

0:37:48 > 0:37:53I just knew something wasn't right and I knew I didn't feel well.

0:37:53 > 0:37:56I eventually took myself to the doctors

0:37:56 > 0:38:00and about six months of tests later...

0:38:00 > 0:38:02erm, they found a tumour.

0:38:03 > 0:38:06Doctors had discovered a brain tumour.

0:38:06 > 0:38:08Symptoms included extreme fatigue,

0:38:08 > 0:38:11meaning Elizabeth could no longer take part in classes.

0:38:11 > 0:38:15'I missed out so much. I still managed to do my end of year show.

0:38:15 > 0:38:17'I did the show, packed my bags

0:38:17 > 0:38:21'and came straight back home in the car with my parents.

0:38:21 > 0:38:25'And that was sort of the end, really. It was quite abrupt.'

0:38:25 > 0:38:28It is gut-wrenching, to think that all that effort,

0:38:28 > 0:38:30all that hard work, is just...

0:38:30 > 0:38:31gone.

0:38:31 > 0:38:36One, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight. That's it.

0:38:38 > 0:38:40- Which one is it now, this way? - That way.

0:38:41 > 0:38:43I think my little brain is struggling a little bit

0:38:43 > 0:38:46just to piece it all together but it's one of them things,

0:38:46 > 0:38:49I think all of a sudden it'll just come back to me and I'll be fine.

0:38:49 > 0:38:52Seven, eight. Three, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:38:52 > 0:38:55Four, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two.

0:38:56 > 0:38:58Yeah. Boo-ba!

0:38:58 > 0:39:01So go the most economic route to get there.

0:39:03 > 0:39:07'You can see she must have been a glorious dancer in the day'

0:39:07 > 0:39:09because her technique is still there.

0:39:09 > 0:39:11What she's fighting with now

0:39:11 > 0:39:14is the brain saying one thing but the body is not in tune.

0:39:14 > 0:39:17Three, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:39:17 > 0:39:19That's it!

0:39:19 > 0:39:21Thank you. It's been good fun.

0:39:21 > 0:39:25'It's just now practice, practice, practice...'

0:39:25 > 0:39:27practice.

0:39:32 > 0:39:35'I want all of Skipton represented in the performance

0:39:35 > 0:39:37'and right now that's not the case.

0:39:37 > 0:39:40'There's a huge housing estate on the outskirts

0:39:40 > 0:39:43'and hardly anyone from there has signed up.'

0:39:43 > 0:39:47It's those people that I'm... I'm on a quest to find.

0:39:50 > 0:39:53A mile out of town is the Greatwood and Horseclose estate,

0:39:53 > 0:39:56built by the local council in the '30s and '40s

0:39:56 > 0:39:58to relieve overcrowding in Skipton.

0:39:58 > 0:40:01With bathrooms and indoor toilets,

0:40:01 > 0:40:04it boasted all the mod-cons of the time.

0:40:05 > 0:40:08Today, it's home to almost 4,000 people

0:40:08 > 0:40:13and at its heart is the community centre, run by volunteers like Ray.

0:40:13 > 0:40:16The community centre brings people out, it gets people out the house,

0:40:16 > 0:40:18not being sat at home.

0:40:18 > 0:40:21It gets people out, gets them involved in the community.

0:40:21 > 0:40:24They come in here, they have a meal, forget their problems,

0:40:24 > 0:40:26meeting their neighbours, have a natter, a catch-up.

0:40:30 > 0:40:32- Ray.- How are you?

0:40:32 > 0:40:34'How did you get involved in the community centre?'

0:40:34 > 0:40:37I arrived in Skipton five years ago.

0:40:37 > 0:40:40Not much money, out of work, went into social housing,

0:40:40 > 0:40:44got involved cooking for a few people and helping out the old folk.

0:40:44 > 0:40:46I got the feeling that they relied on me

0:40:46 > 0:40:48and that gave me a sense of purpose

0:40:48 > 0:40:51so that gave me the boost that I can go out there

0:40:51 > 0:40:54and do something even though I'm unemployed.

0:40:54 > 0:40:56- Show me around, then, Ray.- I'll show you around.

0:40:56 > 0:40:57I'll show you what's going on.

0:40:57 > 0:40:59Hello, ladies.

0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Do you mind if I join you for a minute?- Not at all.

0:41:03 > 0:41:06- I'm Steve. Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

0:41:06 > 0:41:08I'm a choreographer.

0:41:08 > 0:41:12So I'm in Skipton hoping to get Skipton dancing.

0:41:12 > 0:41:15We've got about 300 people hopefully dancing down Sheep Street.

0:41:15 > 0:41:19Ooh, I won't be one of them because my legs won't take me.

0:41:20 > 0:41:24- A lot of years since I've bopped. - Oh, you used to bop.

0:41:24 > 0:41:28I can make it so you just click in time.

0:41:28 > 0:41:29That?

0:41:29 > 0:41:31Brilliant.

0:41:31 > 0:41:34'They're of the generation of rock and roll and jive.

0:41:34 > 0:41:36'It would be great even to get them just clicking.'

0:41:36 > 0:41:38Bring them back to the good old days.

0:41:38 > 0:41:39I'm here to rehearse.

0:41:39 > 0:41:43I'm going to go outside, if anyone wants to come with me,

0:41:43 > 0:41:46just bring your dancing shoes, smile, blink and breathe.

0:41:48 > 0:41:50That's it. Brilliant.

0:41:50 > 0:41:52Jade's there and you're here.

0:41:52 > 0:41:55One, two, three, four, five... seven, eight.

0:41:55 > 0:42:00And you just loosen it up and you just run on the spot,

0:42:00 > 0:42:02five, six, seven, eight.

0:42:02 > 0:42:05So you go one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:42:06 > 0:42:09I'll have a look and see how it goes.

0:42:09 > 0:42:11All right?

0:42:12 > 0:42:14Click, step, click, step, click, step, click, step.

0:42:14 > 0:42:18Run, run, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21And up and up, up and up.

0:42:22 > 0:42:2472-year-old Barbara hasn't danced

0:42:24 > 0:42:27since her husband Geoff died eight years ago.

0:42:27 > 0:42:31When I first met Geoff, we was in the coffee shop in Skipton,

0:42:31 > 0:42:35got talking and said, "Would you like to go out?"

0:42:35 > 0:42:38And so we went to the pictures.

0:42:39 > 0:42:42I sat with my coat on all night.

0:42:42 > 0:42:45I didn't want... Every time he moved his hand, I jumped.

0:42:46 > 0:42:48He was a really good-looking fella.

0:42:49 > 0:42:52And we both loved dancing.

0:42:53 > 0:42:55You're a joint thing.

0:42:55 > 0:42:57It's just togetherness.

0:42:57 > 0:43:00You know, once he'd gone, that had gone.

0:43:01 > 0:43:03I miss him.

0:43:04 > 0:43:05Yeah.

0:43:08 > 0:43:12And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:43:12 > 0:43:15Two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:43:15 > 0:43:18Three, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

0:43:18 > 0:43:20And fall.

0:43:22 > 0:43:24- Yes!- Well done.

0:43:24 > 0:43:25Yes.

0:43:26 > 0:43:28- One more.- Give over!

0:43:28 > 0:43:29Come on!

0:43:31 > 0:43:35- You were watching there with intent.- Yes.

0:43:35 > 0:43:37- Did it look fun?- Yes, it does.

0:43:39 > 0:43:41- You said you used to jive. - I did, yes.

0:43:42 > 0:43:43Good as well.

0:43:44 > 0:43:47Can you teach me a few moves?

0:43:47 > 0:43:48Yeah!

0:43:49 > 0:43:53- Yeah, come on, then.- Come on, then. Let's have a jiving masterclass.

0:43:53 > 0:43:55Let me see if I can get you...

0:43:55 > 0:43:58- I go here and here, then I go round. - Yeah.

0:43:59 > 0:44:02- Are you going to do the shoulder bit?- Yeah.

0:44:02 > 0:44:04You're fantastic.

0:44:05 > 0:44:07And then go this way.

0:44:07 > 0:44:09'Ey up. Woohoo!

0:44:11 > 0:44:14'It's great. I've met some brilliant people, great characters,

0:44:14 > 0:44:17'and that's what this performance is all about.'

0:44:17 > 0:44:19It's...

0:44:19 > 0:44:22It's the heart and spirit of what makes Skipton unique.

0:44:25 > 0:44:26One week to go

0:44:26 > 0:44:30and today Steve's holding his first and only rehearsal

0:44:30 > 0:44:32of the entire dance.

0:44:33 > 0:44:37'It's a bit nerve-racking because it'll be the first time'

0:44:37 > 0:44:40that the people who've been rehearsing in separate

0:44:40 > 0:44:44little groups come together and they see the enormity

0:44:44 > 0:44:47of what we've been trying to achieve.

0:44:47 > 0:44:50Unable to close down the town centre before the big day,

0:44:50 > 0:44:54Steve's laid out the route to scale on a local sports field.

0:44:54 > 0:44:58'We've mapped out a mock-up of the street and the town.'

0:44:59 > 0:45:02We start here at the library, opposite the library.

0:45:02 > 0:45:03Come down with me.

0:45:03 > 0:45:08The start of the route will take in Skipton's two iconic landmarks,

0:45:08 > 0:45:11the Holy Trinity Church and the castle.

0:45:12 > 0:45:15From there, the parade moves passed the war memorial

0:45:15 > 0:45:17and down through the market,

0:45:17 > 0:45:19before the dancers spill round into Sheep Street,

0:45:19 > 0:45:22where hundreds will gather for the grand finale.

0:45:23 > 0:45:26One, and two, and three, and four, five, and six, and seven, eight.

0:45:26 > 0:45:28One, two, three, pop!

0:45:28 > 0:45:31The final complicating factor is that the entire dance

0:45:31 > 0:45:35will be captured in one continuous unedited shot.

0:45:36 > 0:45:40The difficulty is, we're moving through...

0:45:40 > 0:45:41an actual town.

0:45:41 > 0:45:44So anything can...

0:45:45 > 0:45:47..upset the camera angle,

0:45:47 > 0:45:50and if anything goes wrong choreographically,

0:45:50 > 0:45:52we've got to keep on going.

0:45:52 > 0:45:55Once the camera's passed you, you can move into position.

0:45:55 > 0:45:58Here we go. And circle, circle. Here we go.

0:45:58 > 0:45:59Brilliant.

0:45:59 > 0:46:04Despite inviting all his groups, less than half have turned up.

0:46:04 > 0:46:06Are we rehearsing everyone or just the tango?

0:46:06 > 0:46:08There's no-one else to rehearse.

0:46:08 > 0:46:13We have no market traders, no farmers, no farm shop,

0:46:13 > 0:46:15we've got no Elizabeth and Ben.

0:46:15 > 0:46:18I've literally had to run the route myself.

0:46:18 > 0:46:20You run, run, run, run.

0:46:20 > 0:46:22Walk...run with me.

0:46:23 > 0:46:26You know, it just beggars belief.

0:46:27 > 0:46:28It's hard work.

0:46:28 > 0:46:32One group who have turned up are the cleaners

0:46:32 > 0:46:34but Steve's opening soloist is missing.

0:46:34 > 0:46:37- Steve, Alice? - She's got a hip problem.

0:46:37 > 0:46:39She's on painkillers.

0:46:39 > 0:46:42It's a case of just really waiting to see how it goes.

0:46:42 > 0:46:45- She said it could be 24 hours, it could take longer, so...- OK.

0:46:48 > 0:46:50'If she can't be involved,'

0:46:50 > 0:46:53then I've got a great gap to fill and no time to fill it.

0:46:54 > 0:46:58'I've just got to hopefully wait to hear from her.'

0:46:58 > 0:47:00'It's a big worry, to be honest.'

0:47:03 > 0:47:06It's three days until Skipton dances.

0:47:07 > 0:47:10'Everyone's working towards the same goal,

0:47:10 > 0:47:13'which is just a celebration of the town they live in.'

0:47:16 > 0:47:19'The room for error is huge.

0:47:19 > 0:47:23'These are amateurs who've had only a few weeks to come together

0:47:23 > 0:47:25'as a community and dance.

0:47:26 > 0:47:29'I'm not looking for professional dancers,'

0:47:29 > 0:47:32I'm just looking for real people

0:47:32 > 0:47:35who are enjoying community spirit through dance.

0:47:36 > 0:47:38That's what it's all about.

0:47:42 > 0:47:44Tomorrow, the town is set to dance,

0:47:44 > 0:47:47and Steve still doesn't know if he has an opening soloist.

0:47:47 > 0:47:49'I seem to have lost Alice.'

0:47:49 > 0:47:51Erm...

0:47:51 > 0:47:55I know she's been injured but I haven't been able to contact her.

0:47:56 > 0:48:00Well, what is this vision I see before me?

0:48:00 > 0:48:02- How are you? - I'm all right, thank you.

0:48:02 > 0:48:05What have they diagnosed?

0:48:05 > 0:48:08I have a tear in my labrum, in my hip.

0:48:08 > 0:48:13So, in a few months, I'm having an operation to stitch it up.

0:48:13 > 0:48:16A tear is really painful.

0:48:16 > 0:48:18But I've had rest and painkillers

0:48:18 > 0:48:21so it's feeling a lot better compared to last week.

0:48:21 > 0:48:23Million-dollar question...

0:48:24 > 0:48:26Dum-dum-dum...

0:48:26 > 0:48:28Are you dancing?

0:48:28 > 0:48:30Yes, I am.

0:48:31 > 0:48:33It's a bit nerve-racking that it's tomorrow

0:48:33 > 0:48:37because it seems like it wasn't two minutes ago

0:48:37 > 0:48:39we did our first rehearsal.

0:48:39 > 0:48:43'Great to see Alice back and great to see that she's out of pain'

0:48:43 > 0:48:47and it'll be a great addition to the performance.

0:48:56 > 0:48:58It's the day of the performance.

0:48:58 > 0:49:01It's exciting, nerve-racking.

0:49:02 > 0:49:06'We've got a limited amount of time because we've closed the roads

0:49:06 > 0:49:08'into Skipton.'

0:49:08 > 0:49:10Ba-ba-ba, camera, camera, camera.

0:49:11 > 0:49:15'It's a one camera shot which means that there's no editing.

0:49:15 > 0:49:18'Once it begins, it continues till the end.'

0:49:19 > 0:49:22It's madness what we're trying to achieve.

0:49:28 > 0:49:3211:00am, and hundreds are pouring into the town centre.

0:49:32 > 0:49:36One, two, three, four, Rosie, six, seven, eight.

0:49:36 > 0:49:38One, two, three, four.

0:49:38 > 0:49:41In among them, Amos and his band of farmers.

0:49:42 > 0:49:44'I said I would help'

0:49:44 > 0:49:47and I'm going to see it through to the bitter end now

0:49:47 > 0:49:51so, you know, let's just hope things go reasonably well today.

0:49:52 > 0:49:55It's a good thing for Skipton, putting us on the map a bit.

0:49:55 > 0:49:57It's a personal achievement for me as well.

0:49:57 > 0:50:00A nice full stop on the end of what was my dancing career

0:50:00 > 0:50:04because the ending I had wasn't one I would have liked to have had.

0:50:05 > 0:50:07Yes, it's good. Good.

0:50:07 > 0:50:09I'm glad folk turned out.

0:50:09 > 0:50:12- That's what it should be all about, shouldn't it, joining in.- Yes.

0:50:14 > 0:50:18'There's a nice, nervous crackle in the air. There's anticipation.'

0:50:18 > 0:50:21I'm just hoping that the cast are ready to go, primed.

0:50:21 > 0:50:24There's nothing I can do now. It's out of my hands.

0:50:24 > 0:50:26The only thing that's worrying me is the weather

0:50:26 > 0:50:28and I can't control that.

0:50:31 > 0:50:33RUMBLE OF THUNDER

0:50:37 > 0:50:39- It's very wet.- It could be worse.

0:50:39 > 0:50:42It's typical Skipton.

0:50:43 > 0:50:45'There's no contingency with the weather.

0:50:45 > 0:50:48'Once it gets any heavier than a light drizzle,'

0:50:48 > 0:50:50we'll have to call the performance off

0:50:50 > 0:50:54because we're dancing on cobbles and once they get wet, it's...

0:50:54 > 0:50:56it becomes very dangerous.

0:50:56 > 0:50:59I'm nervous. Very nervous, to be honest.

0:50:59 > 0:51:03I'm hoping everything goes to plan and it stops raining.

0:51:04 > 0:51:08As the rain eases off, Steve grabs his chance to rally the town

0:51:08 > 0:51:11before they take to the streets.

0:51:12 > 0:51:18I just have to say what an amazing sight it is to see you all here.

0:51:19 > 0:51:22It's your performance, it's about your lives and your community.

0:51:22 > 0:51:26You have to enjoy it, relish it and live it.

0:51:26 > 0:51:31So, Skipton, are you ready to dance?

0:51:31 > 0:51:33- ALL:- Yes!

0:51:38 > 0:51:43BELLS RING

0:51:52 > 0:51:55MUSIC: Chanson de Matin by Edward Elgar

0:52:22 > 0:52:24# You fall in love

0:52:24 > 0:52:26# Zing, boom

0:52:26 > 0:52:28# The sky up above

0:52:28 > 0:52:30# Zing, boom

0:52:30 > 0:52:32# Is caving in

0:52:32 > 0:52:33# Wow, bam

0:52:33 > 0:52:36# You've never been so nuts about a guy

0:52:36 > 0:52:38# You want to laugh, you want to cry

0:52:38 > 0:52:42# You cross your heart and hope to die. #

0:52:42 > 0:52:43SHEEP BLEAT

0:52:43 > 0:52:46# Sometimes I think they must have wool in their ears

0:52:47 > 0:52:50# And when you see a cane I see a crook

0:52:51 > 0:52:55# And when you see a crowd I see a flock

0:52:55 > 0:52:59- # It's sheep we're up against - Sheep we're up against

0:52:59 > 0:53:03- # It's sheep we're up against - Sheep we're up against

0:53:03 > 0:53:05# Sheep we're up against. #

0:53:07 > 0:53:10MUSIC: MARCH OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

0:53:25 > 0:53:29MUSIC: MI CONFESION by Gotan Project

0:53:45 > 0:53:49MUSIC: Morgenblatter-Walzer Op.279 by Johann Strauss

0:54:13 > 0:54:15# Just walking along

0:54:17 > 0:54:20# My clothes are soaked right through to the skin

0:54:20 > 0:54:22# I haven't a doubt

0:54:23 > 0:54:27# That this is what life is all about

0:54:27 > 0:54:29# The sun and the rain

0:54:29 > 0:54:33# Scraps of brain washing down the drain

0:54:33 > 0:54:36# I feel the rain falling on my face

0:54:37 > 0:54:39# I can say there is no better place

0:54:39 > 0:54:43# Than standing up in the falling down

0:54:44 > 0:54:46# In so much rain I could almost drown. #

0:54:46 > 0:54:49# Oo-oh

0:54:49 > 0:54:51# Oh, baby

0:54:52 > 0:54:56# I just want you to dance with me tonight

0:54:57 > 0:55:00# Come on, oo-oh

0:55:01 > 0:55:03# Oh, baby

0:55:04 > 0:55:08# I just want you to dance with me tonight. #

0:55:09 > 0:55:12- # That's why your love - Your love keeps lifting me

0:55:12 > 0:55:14- # Keeps on lifting - Your love keeps lifting me

0:55:14 > 0:55:16# Higher

0:55:16 > 0:55:18# Higher and higher

0:55:18 > 0:55:21- # I said your love - Your love keeps lifting me

0:55:21 > 0:55:24- # Keeps on - Lifting me, lifting me

0:55:24 > 0:55:26# Lifting me

0:55:26 > 0:55:29# Higher and higher. #

0:55:33 > 0:55:36MUSIC: Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson

0:55:49 > 0:55:52MUSIC: Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman

0:56:28 > 0:56:31MUSIC: Light Cavalry by Franz von Suppe

0:56:56 > 0:56:58CHEERING

0:57:07 > 0:57:11It is the first time that I've really ever let go since Geoff died.

0:57:11 > 0:57:13Brilliant.

0:57:13 > 0:57:14Absolutely brilliant.

0:57:14 > 0:57:17Yeah, loved it.

0:57:17 > 0:57:20My Fred and Ginger of Skipton, how was that?

0:57:20 > 0:57:22- Really good fun.- Yeah? - Yeah, really, really enjoyed it.

0:57:22 > 0:57:25Don't stop, you. Yeah?

0:57:25 > 0:57:28It was brilliant. It was such a good day. I've had such a good time.

0:57:28 > 0:57:31I've always been proud to be a Yorkshireman

0:57:31 > 0:57:34and I do hope that this performance

0:57:34 > 0:57:37helps the community.

0:57:37 > 0:57:38I'm just proud.

0:57:38 > 0:57:41You could see in their eyes, they've gone on a journey.

0:57:41 > 0:57:45They're different people to where we started weeks ago.

0:57:45 > 0:57:48They've taken that challenge on and they've conquered it.

0:57:48 > 0:57:50It's Yorkshire pride at its best.

0:57:51 > 0:57:54Skipton, we danced!

0:57:54 > 0:57:56CHEERING

0:58:06 > 0:58:10Next time, Steve heads to Huddersfield...

0:58:10 > 0:58:13- I will get you dancing. - Nobody's managed it yet.

0:58:13 > 0:58:16..and gets more than he bargained for...

0:58:16 > 0:58:19- I won't hit you...- Right. - ..that hard.

0:58:19 > 0:58:22..as he attempts to pull off another grand performance.

0:58:22 > 0:58:24Seven, eight.

0:58:24 > 0:58:27It's going to be awesome. I've never done anything like this.

0:58:28 > 0:58:31Ignore the rain!

0:58:31 > 0:58:33I'm really worried. It's a nightmare.