Linda's Visits to Hollin Hall - June 2009

A Day in the Sun – Monday 1 June 2009 and Rain on Friday – Friday 5 June 2009

 

 

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It is so difficult to put into words how I felt when I first glimpsed Hollin Hall from the top of the hill leading down from New Laithe Farm.Then again when I stood looking at the lake and buildings that were Follyfoot Farm. I was dumbstruck for a while, not believing I was really there. The buildings are in a bad way now but the atmosphere walking around them, touching them and being in them was fantastic. It was so peaceful, the only noises being geese, ducks and sheep and I heard the odd whinny of a horse and moo of a cow. It was a strange, almost eerie feeling, knowing that I was walking where my heroes had walked all those years ago, but I could hear the distant voices and picture them there. And just when I thought I had been through every emotion, we found the hidden lake in the woods. I climbed over the stile and into the secret place. It is one of the most atmospherically, beautiful places I have ever been. The lake (larger than I imagined) surrounded by trees and hidden away, is such a magical, magical place. Of course my first thoughts were of Steve and Dora in the ‘Treasure Hunt’ episode. I could hear every word they were saying. Am I being stupid – trying to re-live my childhood? No, I don’t think so. Follyfoot was (and still is) a huge part of my life and watching it when I was 13 years old made a huge impact on my life. I’ve grown up with it and I like to think it’s true to life storylines helped me to cope with issues and situations in my own life as I grew into adulthood. That’s why I love Follyfoot now and that’s why I felt so moved at being there on hallowed ground. I wish every Follyfoot fan could visit this wonderful place and feel how I felt. It really is a dream come true for me.

Linda Hayman

 

A Day in the Sun – Monday 1 June 2009

The sign is from the village of Follifoot which was right next to the village we were staying in. At sometime the spelling was changed from a 'y' to an 'i' as in the graveyard of the church there was an old gravestone with Follyfoot spelt with a 'y'. I just wonder if they changed it when the TV used the name? I didn't want to leave and I was thrilled that we visited again on the Friday before we left Yorkshire (even though it was raining!).

 

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Rain on Friday – Friday 5 June 2009

A few in the rain now. It was windy, cold and boy did it rain! The atmosphere was different and the lakes were grey. I found myself wanting to shout "Why, oh why can't it stop raining." but I managed to control myself and actually it was good to see it in the rain. I realise now how difficult it must have been to film if the weather was bad. We were lucky that the ground was so dry because there wasn't too much mud to contend with. The rain falling onto the hidden lake made beautiful ripples - it was even more magical.

These are the last photos - the lone horse rider appeared just as we were thinking of leaving our shelter in the woods by the second lake.