'Forton services, Lancaster' - (2019)

Forton Services are located between junctions 32 and 33 on the M6. Designed by T.P Bennet & Son, they were the second motorway services to be opened (1965). The obvious draw of these services is the beautiful, brutalist Pennine Tower. This imposing 74 feet hexagonal structure never fails to excite me when I'm travelling this way. Interestingly, the architects wanted to recreate the look of an aircraft control tower; similarly, the architects of the Preston Bus Station designed its interior such that passengers felt they were in an airport. These were, clearly, the days when to travel by air was still a relative novelty and a fairly exclusive thing to do. The Pennine Tower once housed an upmarket restaurant and some viewing decks. It was closed in 1989 due to new fire restrictions which required two points of exit and entry.

I filmed this on Saturday 6th of July, 2019. It was around 5.am so the place was very quiet. I think (hope) that I have captured the futuristic beauty of this location. Of course it is now wonderfully dated but it stands as a monument to what were considered possible futures in the 1960s. I never tire of visiting it. Everyone should stop by here at least once. It really is a compelling structure. And there are fewer things more cathartic for small children on a long journey to do, than to run at top speed, screaming, across the bridge. Perfect.

The music was composed and constructed over three nights in conjunction with the soundtracks to two other of my films, 'Park Hill Estate, Sheffield' and 'Preston Bus Station'. I was focusing on texture rather than melody. It felt more fitting for each of the locations.