IN 2024, I cast my net far and wide to gather enough stories for my new book: ‘A Tribute to Ken Loach and Kes’. But I worry that many people might be too shy to submit their story for fear of rejection, or the tales I collect might turn out to be too much alike. So, I decide to elicit the advice of trusted friends.
My colleagues in the Kes Group all say that the book is a clever idea, so, spurred on by them, I decide to make a start.
The morning after the project-launch, I receive a promising Facebook message from a woman saying: “My friend, Julia Tomson, has a fascinating story relating to ‘Kes’. I’ll get her to contact you.”
Next day, after initial introductions, Julia sends me her unusual testimony.
This is roughly what she tells me:-
In the spring of 1968, Julia’s family is living at Hunshelf Hall, near the small village of Green Moor. Julia’s away at boarding school when she receives a letter from her mother saying that some of their spare rooms are being leased to a lovely couple with two preschool boys. But Julia’s mother is vague about the reason for the family’s visit.
“I think Mr Loach makes films or something,” writes her mother.
Julia’s parents don’t take much interest in TV or politics, and so they are totally unaware of the prodigious talent that is lodging under their roof. They have no idea that Ken Loach is already familiar to millions through his TV drama-documentaries - ‘Up the Junction’ and ‘Cathy Come Home’. And the political storms that these two films caused, just two years earlier, simply passed them by.
During the summer of 1968, Lesley Loach drives her family from their temporary digs into Barnsley every day. She drops off her husband at the film-location site, then returns to the farmhouse with the boys.
“There’s always plenty to see and do at the farm to keep Lesley and her two infants interested,” writes Julia. “Because my father is more than happy to show them the cows being milked, and all the farm animals - pigs, sheep, cattle, hens, dogs and cats.”
Julia recalls the day, at the end of August, when Ken has completed filming and all his family enter the main part of Hunshelf Hall to say thank you for their stay. She particularly remembers Ken appearing shy and unassuming.
Months later, when the release of ‘Kes’ hits the headlines, the family is shocked to discover that in their midst had been one of the most illustrious film directors in the country.
Then, three years later, Julia’s family are devastated when they read in the newspaper that Mr Loach’s car has been in a motorway collision. The vehicle in front of him loses a wheel and Ken’s car finishes up smashing into a motorway bridge. His mother-in-law and son, Nicholas, are killed and Lesley is seriously injured.
After reading Julia’s story, Janet and I meet up with her and husband Dave and we hit it off instantly - soon becoming firm friends.
Julia is the daughter of Phyllis Crossland - the well known local author whose books we are already familiar with. Julia has led an interesting life and inherited her mother’s literary talents. She and her husband are a charismatic couple, and today, play a significant role in supporting and developing the arts in the Stocksbridge area.
They take Janet and me on a tour of Fox Valley showing its metamorphosis from steel production to retail, without the changes destroying any of its impressive 19th century architecture.
In addition, they introduce us to the amazing food at the adjacent Samuel’s Kitchen, and then take us to the Voyager Art Shop on Manchester Road so we can appreciate the unique local art on sale there.
Julia introduces us to the owners of both businesses and says: “I’ve already asked if they’re willing to sell your new book, Ronnie, and they’re both very happy to do so.”
The only other two places you can buy the book, incidentally, is at The Book Vault and Mike’s Famous Book Stall in town.
Discovering new stories about the background to ‘Kes’, has been great fun and resulted in me and Janet visiting many new places and making scores of new friends.
