A COLLECTION of portraits capturing many of the characters living and working around Ingleborough will be on public display at The Folly in Settle.

Photographer Hilary Fenten was commissioned by the Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to create a ‘snapshot in time’ of Ingleborough’s social history, as part of the Stories in Stone scheme.

Having lived for over 30 years in Selside near Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Hilary has a keen interest in Ingleborough’s landscape and characters.

"People, in their own environment, are fascinating. They deserve particular attention, rather than anonymity," she said.

For the project, Hilary met and photographed people involved in a variety of jobs, trades and events around Ingleborough, leading to a collection of portraits which depict the area’s diverse residents and their special place in the landscape throughout the seasons.

One of those featured is Jim Davis of the Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) which performs a life-saving service in the Dales. He is pictured completing a practice run near the Alum Pot cave system. The CRO has attended almost 2,000 incidents over the years, both above and below ground.

Also on display will be a series of historical portraits and images taken from the Dales Community Archives.

Debbie Boswell, Stories in Stone ‘Discover Ingleborough’ officer at YDMT, said: “The exhibition shows how people connect to the Ingleborough landscape and the communities around it, be they local residents or more transitional visitors.

"There are lots of local faces people will recognise and some lovely stories to go with the photos. It is particularly interesting to compare Hilary’s recent photographs with the older images. We look forward to working with our local community to continue to capture this time in history in our very special part of the world.”

A commemorative book inspired by the exhibition will be produced.

The exhibition opens at The Folly on September 7 and will also be displayed at St Mary's Church, Ingleton, and Ingleborough Community Centre from November 2 to 23; the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, between December 4 and 30 and Gallery on the Green, Settle, from December 10 to January 13.