The film features historian Ian Dewhirst MBE, whose reputation as a wit and raconteur earned him the rare privilege this year of having a steam train named after him.

Many people enjoyed his contribution to Nick's 'Hebden Royd at the Movies', last year.

He will guide the audience through an astonishing array of Christmas fare, songs, stories and funny monologues.

There will be also be some humour from Cragg Vale's Doris Hirst, whose much-praised rendering of "A Farmer's visit to see 'The Messiah' " is a visual treat.

It illustrates Doris's story with Mike Bryson's cartoons and with the choir of St Michaels Church in Mytholmroyd.

It also features Lloyd Greenwood in his last theatrical performance as 'the farmer'.

As well as this, there is some archive film of the 1947 snow and some interesting reminiscences from local people with one or two poignant memories of Christmas past.

In the film, there is carol singing in St George's Square on Christmas Eve, some outrageous pantomime moments and some mysterious mumming scenes.

The result is what Nick describes a festive feast of frolics that culminates with Colden School's rendition of the song 'Christmas in Hebden Bridge', whose musical score was written by local musician Charlie Mckenna. The film will tell you how this came to be recorded by Canadian recording artist Tia Mcgraff, last year.

Nick describes it as a catchy Christmas song that the kids really enjoyed singing. Some CDs of the song will be on sale in the foyer of the cinema on the night of the launch.

Finally, together with Norman Bailey, of Heptonstall, who used to join in the festivities in the 1950s, Nick re-enacts one of the Calder Valley's ancient New Year traditions.

He argues that it is just possible that a ritual still practised spasmodically in the Calder Valley only 30 years ago may have originally led to many of the New Year folk play traditions still present in parts of Britain today.

On the night there is an opportunity to buy the DVD of 'A Calder Valley Christmas' in the foyer for cinema ticket holders at a £3 discount.