Following the success of the boat stories film series, Jo
Stewart-Smith (producer) and Simon Vacher (director of photography) formed the
partnership Butterfly Effect Films to make more powerful short films which will
fly far and wide. They've delivered their first film, 'Creating New Farm
Wetlands' for North Devon's Biosphere
The film covers the hot topic: how to prevent agricultural
runoff which can pollute the river system, force closure of fledgling shellfish
businesses in the estuary and lower water quality on bathing beaches. The teams
made a decision early on to ask the farmers to tell the story in their words
(just like Boat Stories did with the fishermen.) Jo Stewart-Smith says, "I did
wonder whether farmers working in the hills would want to talk about pollution
in the estuary, but as soon as I listened to the farmers, a different picture
emerged and I realised we rarely hear their side of the story." As Phil Morrish from Stoneyard farm,
near Barnstaple says "the last thing we want to do is lose precious sediment and
nutrients into the river. By digging a simple sediment trap, we can actually
return this nutrient-rich soil to the farm."
Jo adds, "initially the farmers may have felt outside
their comfort zone speaking on camera, but their passion for the project
overrode any worries and they were walking and talking us through like
professional presenters." As Phil digs a series of ditches, he explains "the
important thing I learned is slowing the flow of water gives the sediment and
nutrients time to settle out and at the same time reduces the flash flood risk
to nearby Barnstaple." The result is a positive, inspiring film which reveals
that creating new wetlands brings numerous other benefits to the farm like
saving electricity on the dirty water pumps or needing less bedding in the
sheds. Andrew Mather's new wildlife ponds now form one of the attractions for
caravaners visiting Hallsdown farm on the fringes of Exmoor. Tom Hynes,
biodiversity officer for the biosphere, outlines the long term gains for all of
us as the patchwork of new wetlands matures and the water quality in the estuary
improves. As Phil Morrish says "this project benefits the farm and the river
environment so it's a win win situation." Director of Photography, Simon
says, "To make the link between the
hills and the estuary we followed the course of the river Yeo weaving its way
through some of the most scenically beautiful parts of North Devon to the wide
open ocean. This area of the South West is a film-makers dream." Dawn Murphy
from Morte Wildlife Group said "I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film and was
interested to learn about the win win perspective the created wetlands have
achieved. The film has captured the ' magic ' of Boat Stories all over
again!"
Simon Vacher filming Tom Hynes & Andrew
Mather by the new pond - Photo copyright Jo Stewart-Smith (All rights reserved)
Simon Vacher filming Chris & Phil Morrish for North Devon's Biosphere
Andrew Mather in the sheep sheds and Digging the new ponds
All Photos copyright Butterfly Films (All rights reserved)
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The film can be viewed on the biosphere's estuary project page
http://www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk/estuary-project.html or on butterfly effects
http://www.butterflyeffectfilms.com
It was made to inspire other farmers to
create wetlands and take up available grants so don't forget to watch and share.
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