Watch the premiere of ‘Routesetter’

See routesetting in a whole new light

Join us on Thu 3 July at The Arc for the premiere screening of Routesetter — a short documentary about TCA routesetter Ben Harvey, filmed right here in the southwest.

This uplifting, behind-the-scenes film offers a special glimpse into the world of indoor climbing from the perspective of the person shaping your climbs. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or completely new to the sport, Routesetter will give you a fresh appreciation of the thought, care and creativity behind every hold.

Routesetter

Routesetter is an independent British documentary offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of Ben Harvey, a dedicated routesetter for The Climbing Academy in the South West of England. With an upbeat tone and a personal lens, the film sheds light on the often-overlooked craft of setting indoor climbing problems — revealing the creativity, physicality, and precision it demands. Through Ben’s story, Routesetter explores what drives a setter to shape the climbs that challenge and inspire us, making it essential viewing for climbers and curious minds alike.

Book tickets

About the filmmaker

Steve Jones is a familiar face at The Arc, both on the walls and behind the camera. He first got into climbing here so he could belay for his daughter, but what started as a way to support his kids quickly turned into a family passion. Three years on, Steve and his wife now climb regularly at The Arc, and both their teenage children are part of the Chippenham Youth Squad.

As a professional photographer, Steve is often seen capturing the energy, people and moments that make The Arc special, working closely with The Climbing Academy to showcase the local climbing scene. The idea for this documentary came about after Steve met Ben Harvey one evening at The Arc. Ben had just finished a full day of routesetting, but was still happily sat on the mats, chatting with climbers, watching them on his routes and taking in their feedback. Even though Ben is well-known for being friendly and enthusiastic, it turned out he was pretty camera-shy. Dan, The Arc’s general manager, joked that Ben didn’t even like having his photo taken — so began three months of Steve gently persuading Ben to tell his story, which finally kicked off over a drink in the Prince of Wales pub back in December 2024.

Make a night of it

Enjoy a warm welcome with a freshly made curry (optional) at The Arc, then settle in for the film – with a post-screening Q&A from the filmmaker Steve Jones and Ben Harvey (TBC) – plus time to socialise with fellow climbers. Join us for a chat, a drink and maybe even share your own climbing stories.

• 8pm – Curry and socialising
• 9.30pm – Screening and Q&A

Everyone welcome — you don’t need to be a climber to come along.