Have a Christmas Made in Otley: new festive film tells a heartfelt story of kindness, craft and community

Visit Otley’s 2025 Christmas song and film, Have a Christmas Made in Otley, has been released today (December 1), an uplifting, story-led celebration of the town’s makers, traders and generous spirit. This year, instead of a montage of merry moments, we follow a story about community, craft, and a Christmas made in Otley.

On a crisp winter day a recent widow, played by Amanda Child of Otley Players, walks with her granddaughter (Isobelle Hodgson) to feed the ducks, the swans and the town’s much-loved solitary Wharfemeadows goose.

That evening the grieving grandmother receives a curious present request, and, after an honest try online, she spots an old thank-you note to her late husband from a friendly shopkeeper. It’s the nudge she needs to step back into town. What follows is a gentle rediscovery: warm hellos, practical help, a special commission from a local maker, and the sort of neighbourly kindness that quietly rekindles her zest for life.

Alongside Amanda and Isobelle, the film features Kate Kenworthy and Gareth Walker as Isobelle’s mum and dad, relatives Meg Morton and Karen Lewis (Isobelle’s real-life mum!), and Amy Wilson, who people may recognise from Underground Bakery as “the Maker”. The Wharfemeadows goose appears, of course, as itself!  

The soundtrack is a bright new take on the Sussex Carol, with Otley-flavoured lyrics by Jen Pugh and recording/arrangement by Richard Sabey, both of Woolpack Studios.

Now in its ninth year, the Otley Christmas film was produced and directed by James Ellis of Pool-based Endure Communications and filmed and edited by Miles Charlesworth of Menston’s MChar Media. It was shot across the town with the generous help of local businesses and venues, including Cllr Jo Allen for the loan of her home, Kevin Gillespie of Functional Drinks Club for the maker space, Ian Shutt for Shadow Brewing as the party venue, and Chris Marsden of Letties for the café location.

Many local businesses appear on screen, including Orchard Florist (with owner Alishia Easthope in a key speaking role), Tansy Blackman of Menna Tansy Pearl, plus representatives of Courtyard Planters, Weegeman’s, Wilkinsons and Middlemiss butchers, Simon & Becky, Like Nana Did, Otley Mobiles, O’Deli, and more.

Chair of Otley Town Council Trade and Tourism Committee, Cllr Paul Carter, said: “Christmas in Otley is always special—twinkling lights, friendly faces, bustling shops, and this year’s film captures that feeling beautifully. It shows how a small town can wrap you up with kindness. We hope it inspires people to visit and to have a Christmas made right here in Otley.”

Katie Burnett, Chair of Otley BID, said: “Otley is a brilliant place to shop, especially at Christmas. From everyday essentials to one-off, made-here gifts (and even the occasional special request!), our independents go the extra mile. This film is a lovely reminder that when you buy local, you support real people and keep our high street thriving.”