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Home , Austwick, Beckermonds, Burnsall, Hawkswick, Ivelet, Malham Moor

Dales 2013

A newspaper for the residents of the Dales National Park Spring 2013 Gearing up for Support for local tourism businesses There are many ways that the National Park Authority can Le Tour help tourism businesses: as an information resource to plunder; through workshops and events; and in providing funding for sustainable initiatives. Here are a few tools you could make use of: Yorkshire Any business that wants to work with us to develop tourism in the is welcome to join the Dales Tourism Business Network. This is operated on a voluntary basis by a private sector organisation, The Tourism Network Ltd, on Our toolkit for businesses includes a free image library and behalf of the Yorkshire Dales the opportunity to use our new National Park locator logos National Park Authority and (examples of both pictured) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. and history of the National Park. There is no charge to join and no formal You’ll also find all our information on structure, just a programme of meetings sustainable tourism for businesses on the and opportunities to share ideas, dipping website at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/ in and out as you wish. Members also sustainabletourism. If you need have access to a range of marketing inspiration as to how you might improve resources including a free image library - visit www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/dtbn to your business, or you’re just interested in find out more. what others have achieved, have a look at our Brilliant Businesses - all have The Yorkshire Dales National Park logo sustainability as a common theme. provides a strong identity for this beautiful area and is a nationally- If you are interested in going green recognised brand. We’ve developed five and enhancing the eco-credentials of your new National Park logos, eye- business, we can offer advice as well as catching designs based on the familiar paying for an expert visit. ram’s head and which are free to use to Our free annual newspaper The Visitor Cycling out of (Welcome to Yorkshire) locate your business, event or product as is a must-have for any tourism business being in or of the National Park. Find out wanting to ensure their customers enjoy a fantastic achievement and great credit more at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/logo the very best experience and are left with It’s coming! goes to the team at Welcome to Yorkshire great memories that make them return. for all the hard work they put into the bid. The National Park Authority makes a pot As most people are probably aware, the of money available every year for individuals, Contact your nearest National Park world’s largest annual sporting event heads Now comes the task of ensuring that we businesses, local authorities and Centre to arrange free delivery. to the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 2014. all put on a world class event and make the community groups to fund sustainable The Visitor contains a comprehensive most of this fantastic opportunity to really While it might seem a bit unusual for the new business ideas and projects which promote the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire Dales-wide event listing, and Tour de France to come to Yorkshire, it will further National Park purposes. The a new online searchable events is actually quite normal for it to dip into This will be a chance to see the world’s top Sustainable Development Fund is calendar has also been launched on neighbouring countries and it has been to riders competing in the stunning National managed by the Yorkshire Dales our website. Britain a number of times before. Park landscape, passing many iconic locations Millennium Trust on behalf of the along the way, with the whole event Authority. For more information contact Our National Park Centres and The Grand Départ will take place in captured for a world-wide TV audience. Gillian Muir on 01524 251002 knowledgeable Information Advisors are Yorkshire on the weekend of 5 and 6 July or [email protected] or visit a great source of advice and help for 2014, with a third stage in the UK on 7 July An average of 470,000 people spectate www.ydmt.org residents and visitors alike, as well as between Cambridge and . by the roadside on a stage of the Tour de offering a range of useful leaflets. France, with this concentrated at the start The Yorkshire Dales National Stage one has the riders setting off from and finish towns and villages along the Park Authority website - Please contact the Sustainable Tourism , entering the National Park north way and on the big climbs. There is an www.yorkshiredales.org.uk - contains team to talk about the ways we can help of , travelling up the opportunity for communities to organise a huge amount of visitor information, you - call 0300 456 0030 or email over Kidstones into Bishopdale, events to make the most of this, but you including what to see and do, walks and [email protected] or entering then travelling need to remember that the roads used for cycle rides, and features on the nature [email protected] westwards to Hawes before turning north the route will be closed to motor vehicles over Buttertubs into . It then throughout the day. heads east along the Swaledale valley before Digital Dales: community broadband - p3 It is still early days in organising both the turning south through and on to actual event and the promotion around it, via and . Volunteering in the Park - centre pages and at the moment there are probably In this The second stage dips into the National more questions than answers. Park as the riders come along the A59 Going underground: removing power lines - p6 We will be offering help and support to local from Harrogate to . communities so please contact your Area edition The ups and downs of hill farming - p7 Bringing the Tour de France to Yorkshire is Ranger if you have any questions at this stage. Page 2 Dales 2013 Trails in the Dales A real experience the legality of their vehicles. It’s not every student who can spend a walks and maybe do the odd job. school day getting a taste of what it’s like “The law is quite clear - it is “On the first day I went up Buckden Pike to work outdoors in the fantastic setting illegal to drive a car or ride a with a ranger to clear paths. The next of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. motorbike on any public day Lachlan and I laid hardcore on a footpath or bridleway. This But for more than 30 years, 14 and 15 bridleway and cut back trees so that includes byways that may be years olds from secondary schools in and horse riders could pass safely. around the area have been lucky enough closed by Traffic Regulation “The third day we replaced the electronic to take up work experience placements Orders, common land and ‘loggers’ that count every vehicle and with the Authority doing just that. private land where the express type that passes on Mastiles Lane in permission of the landowner They have done everything from Malhamdale - we had to walk six miles has not been obtained. resurfacing footpaths and survey work there and back. with rangers to joining the Farm “The information can be found “We also went to a rangers meeting and Conservation Team and our National Out on patrol: joint operations between Police on our website and from looked around the Dales Countryside Park Centre staff. and National Park Authority rangers organisations like Trailwise.” Museum and even got free cake. I didn't Sergeant Stuart Grainger, of Teacher Louise Baker from Upper expect everyone to be so nice, so apart The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a Wharfedale School in said: from the rain almost every day, the week lovely place to come and relax, whatever the Leyburn and Dales Area Policing Team, said: “Dealing with illegal and “We’re delighted that the Authority takes was good and I didn't want to leave!” form you choose. a couple of our students each year. irresponsible off-roading and trail riding Lachlan,15 (pictured below), said: "Josie Some people prefer a quiet walk, while in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a “Although the Government no longer and the team made sure we had an others like to test their off-road driving key priority for . makes work placements compulsory, we entertaining week with lots of jobs to do. skills on motorbikes or in 4x4 vehicles. “This activity is a source of great concern feel you cannot put a price on what they We worked very hard but it turned out The responsible drivers stick to the for residents and visitors alike, due to the learn from being out of the classroom to be worthwhile and a great experience, ‘green lanes’ designated as being suitable damage caused to the environment, noise and gaining first-hand work experience.” one which I will never forget, and I can’t thank them enough for a brilliant time." for motorised vehicles - routes that can pollution and conflict with other users. And two of her students - Nash handle the environmental impact. Hepburne and Lachlan Irvine-Hand, who Head of Ranger Services Alan Hulme said: “Working alongside rangers, as well as spent a week with the Authority last “As a significant employer in the area we Unfortunately, some care less about the other Police teams from , summer - agree. feel it’s important to offer placements to environment, wildlife and other people , Settle and Ingleton and young people in our local communities. out enjoying the area and think they are Special Constables from Richmond and Nash, 16, said: "When I chose the above the law. Leyburn, we are determined to protect National Park I expected to go on some “We take an average of 10 pupils each Upper Wensleydale Area Ranger Matt the natural beauty and tranquility of the year. We just don’t have Neale said: “The majority of trail riders Dales. the resources to increase that number, although it and 4x4 users help us to protect this “If people drive 4x4s and trail bikes would be great if we fragile landscape by obeying the signs. illegally, we will not hesitate to take could.” “But there are always a few who think action. This can range from issuing fixed they can go where they want and they penalty notices to confiscating vehicles “They get the opportunity can cause terrible damage, churning up and even prosecution. During this winter to experience working life paths and destroying sensitive habitats.” we have already used all three of these in an environment that is options - and we will continue to do so focussed on conserving “Rangers and police officers carry out where necessary. and enhancing this very regular joint patrols where we stop and fragile and beautiful place. talk with off-road users - educating them “Any illegal activity or anti-social about the impact of their activity, advising behaviour in the National Park can be “And for us it’s a chance on where they can go, and checking over reported to North Yorkshire Police on to plant the seed that 101. Times, locations, could grow into a registration numbers potential member of staff and grid references can in future.” help us quickly locate offenders.”

least one local authority with land in a proposed extension raises an objection to a relevant variation order. Boundary review A Planning Inspector has been appointed to conduct the The proposed boundary extensions to the Yorkshire inquiry, which is expected to open in early June and last Dales and National Parks took another step approximately four weeks. on 29 January with the Government’s announcement of a The inspector will make recommendations to the public inquiry. Secretary of State as to whether he believes the proposed The inquiry will hear representations - including objections extensions meet the designation criteria as set out in the from six local authorities - on the variation orders which National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. were issued by Natural in November 2012 to The Secretary of State will then take a decision as to extend the two National Parks. whether the case for designation has been made and will Over 3,000 responses were received to the proposals. It either confirm the variation orders (with or without is a statutory requirement that a public inquiry is held if at modifications) or reject them.

Find out more about the work of the Authority at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk Page 3 Dales 2013 A warm welcome to the spring edition of ‘Dales’ Spring is always a favourite time of the year; a time when there is much that we can do to now to help local hopes and aspirations for the future are rarely higher. businesses to benefit from the interest already being This is more the case than ever simply because of the generated. Then, there are smaller initiatives such as the dreadful year we had in 2012 - economically and weather- work being done by the Dales Tourism Business wise. Network, and the opportunity to use the famous National Park logo to promote local businesses, products There’s not much that any of us can do about the and events. weather, but the efforts of so many individuals and organisations to find ways to help National Park We should also start to see some real progress in communities and businesses prosper and develop have overcoming some of the Dales’ natural disadvantages. We been hugely impressive. will be working closely with the range of bodies involved in the roll-out of high-speed broadband and mobile phone The coming year presents some real opportunities to coverage - something that our businesses and properly exploit the wonderful natural advantages of this communities desperately need. National Park to ensure a sustainable future for us all. The year ahead promises much, because the drive and The arrival of the Tour de France in July 2014 will show ingenuity of Dales’ communities knows no bounds. And David Butterworth Carl Lis off the beauty of the Dales to a global audience. But who knows, if we get the weather, the sky’s the limit. Chief Executive Chairman Digital Dales: a broadband project with community spirit By Stefan Kosciuszko, Director, Fibre Garden Fibre Garden Chairman Andrew Fleck commented that this project will mean an end Our Victorian forbears had the vision to build the Settle- to digital poverty in our Dales. Carlisle Railway, dramatically transforming communications to and from the Dales. The extraordinary effort and “The community spirit demonstrated by all to investment left a legacy that we still benefit from today. date has been truly magnificent and we look forward to connecting with, and helping build Now, that nineteenth century infrastructure may deliver the experience of, other nearby communities an equally important twenty first century communications in the future," he said. necessity - a future-proofed fibre to the home (FTTH) superfast broadband network, using backhaul from fibre What do we mean by superfast broadband? optic cables that run the length of the line. We mean a supply that everyone who wants can have, that is at full power at the flick of a The Fibre Garden project company - run by volunteer switch, that provides full participation in the directors resident in and - has been economy and leisure activities of the future working over the last two years with Defra, Broadband and where educational opportunity, health UK (BDUK), Cumbria County Council and the Yorkshire From left to right, Stefan Kosciuszko, Andrew Fleck, Tony Roberts and Anne Fleck of provision improvements and social advantage the Fibre Garden team. Dales National Park Authority, and with the help of is available to all. Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, for plans to deliver a 60km network connecting the two dales and None of this is available now to most, nor will To find out more, please contact Stefan on stefan@praetoria. over 500 homes and businesses. it be under current Cumbria County Council asia or visit fibregarden.blogspot.co.uk. A community broadband rollout plans. Our Dales are in the share offer is soon to be announced. Or you can email the It will be constructed with a community organisational and last 7% assured a minimum speed of 2Mbps - National Park Authority on [email protected] digging effort, and the community spirit of our farmers to unsatisfactory at present and totally irrelevant permit the cable to cross their land. It is fully costed to a in the future, notwithstanding any technological advances, high technical standard and will enable broadband speeds or usage, currently unforeseen. of between 30 and 100Mbps. This visionary project has challenges still to come, but Significant milestones to date are our formal recognition with the help of our communities it is an attainable and as one of the four Cumbria Rural Broadband Pilot realistic goal and an investment in our future that is schemes, becoming the first Rural Broadband Pilot second to none. nationally to receive a £157,500 Defra grant, and having the importance of this HORTON endeavour recognised by the LANDSCAPING LTD Drive less - and see more … National Park Authority with For all your groundcare requirements: Buy or Hire an Electric Bike an award of £14,900 from Landscaping Design & Creation, their Sustainable grass cutting, plant hire, horticulture, strimming and weeding A new concept in cycling and a great way to stay healthy. Development Fund. This Improve your tness levels - save grant will be critical in Cragg Hill Road, Horton in , money, keep t, reduce your carbon Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0HN helping us with the legal and footprint and enjoy life. Tel: 01729 860353 e-bikes take the hard work out of other preparatory work Mobile: 07970 545814 cycling, so you can enjoy a more essential to progress the [email protected] relaxing and sightseeing day out in the scheme to fruition. www.hortonlandscaping.co.uk countryside - and you’ll keep t too! Guided Group Tours in the Yorkshire Dales National Park using our high quality electric bikes. Bike service from key locations on tour network. Traditional, mid-range and contemporary bikes for sale. All bikes we sell have been road tested by us in the Dales. We o er the freedom of “self-hire”. Collect your e-bike for a full day’s hire at any of our bike tour ‘hubs’ and plan your day out.

CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME FOR EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS For more information contact Lee Robinson on 01539 568163 Visit our website: www.ebike-hire.com Email us at: [email protected] E-Bike Hire Ltd, Brunswick Bike Hire, Leeds Road, Otley, Wharfedale, Yorkshire LS21 1DL

Follow us at www.facebook.com/yorkshiredales and www.twitter.com/yorkshire_dales Page 4 Dales 2013 Volunteering in the National Park There are many generous people who give freely of their time to volunteer in the National Park, looking after its landscape, people and places. Just a few of them are highlighted here.

“People are so relieved and glad to see us,” explains Jill, a community To the rescue development worker who moved to from London nine years ago. Not everyone is prepared to abandon Good Will Planting “It’s very satisfying.” their Christmas turkey to don Climbing half way up a mountain to plant moorland to its original wooded waterproofs and tramp across the Jill is Fundraising Officer for the team, trees in freezing temperatures might not landscape. Almost 20,000 trees have been countryside in the dark to rescue a which relies solely on charitable be every youngster’s idea of fun in the planted since 2000. stranger. donations and grants. This is no mean school holidays. All the Young Rangers were using their feat, considering it costs £30,000 to run But Steve Clough and Jill Armstrong, But the Young Rangers, all aged 11 to 13, time to clock up volunteering hours for for a year, excluding the cost of the along with the rest of the 45-strong made light weather of their moorland their John Muir awards. And 13-year-old medically-kitted out Land Rovers. volunteer Swaledale Mountain Rescue mission above Selside. Isobel Clements was working towards Team regularly drop everything to take In addition to his day job as head of her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. They were taking part in a new National part in heroic missions. marketing and communications at a major Park Authority project to get young She said: “Humans are decreasing the city council, Steve, is Rescue Controller, Over the last six years, the couple have people involved in the countryside and its amount of trees so we need to increase taking first calls from North Yorkshire been involved in more than 50 search and protection. them by planting more, one for every one Police, sending call-outs to the team, rescues. These can range from saving that’s taken.” deciding what equipment needs to be injured people in dangerous situations to “It’s important to me,” said 12-year-old brought, and liaising with other helping residents in remote houses James Chapman, “If I have kids, I want The Authority’s Outreach Officer, emergency services. inaccessible by normal ambulances. them to live in a nice place where there Catherine Kemp, explained that the are plenty of plants and trees.” February half-term tree planting was the “One of the characteristics of a mountain The volunteers, who range in age from 18 start of an action-packed calendar for the rescue volunteer is the ability to take two Tom Riley, 13, said: “The worst thing is to 65, dedicate a minimum of five hours a Young Rangers. deep breaths and keep calm in a crisis,” week to intensive medical and equipment the cold, but if you are doing something says Steve, “For a service reliant on training - all unpaid. Why do they do it? worthwhile - like if it’s going to help “We aim to meet at least once a month charity and volunteering, the level of wildlife and increase the population of to do a different activity, from building professionalism here is extraordinary.” owls - it’s fine.” bird-boxes to mending drystone walls,” she said. Working alongside members of Natural Three rescue teams cover the Dales, England, the Young Rangers planted “The kids have been so keen and above and below ground - the other nearly 200 saplings across half an acre of committed - and this group wouldn’t run two being the Cave Rescue Organisation South House Moor. without the support of dedicated adult volunteers from Settle”. and Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Rosie Mellin, 13, Association. To volunteer you must be said: “I think it’s fit, prepared to go out in all weathers, boring to spend and have good navigation skills. your day inside. My Visit their websites to find out more. grandmother lives on a farm and I love being outside. The best bit is digging the holes because it makes a funny squelchy noise.” Full steam ahead The task formed Ruth Evans claims that hosting a visit to Her latest challenge is to survey about a part of a wider the Settle-Carlisle railway from HRH thousand features along the 72-mile scheme to restore Prince Charles was her finest moment - route. Some will be considered for some of the Dales but in 32 years of voluntary work for the conservation - for example, a dilapidated Yorkshire Dales National Park, she has plate layer’s hut near the Ribblehead many more to be proud of. viaduct is to be consolidated and enhanced with an interpretation panel for This Dales Volunteer, originally from visitors. London, has done just about everything, Dales Volunteer wins top award including drystone walling, riverbank “Network Rail and Northern Rail A volunteer who developed such a licence to handle hazel dormice so he can repair, barn surveying, butterfly spotting, support the work we do,” says Ruth, “and passion for his work that he is about to help protect this endangered species. bridleway creation and hundreds of the National Park Authority values the embark on a degree in environmental He has created an image library of tasks guided walks. fact that many visitors come to the area conservation won a national competition by public transport and this all helps to carried out by the north east team, as “I loved the conservation work,” recalls last year. keep the line open.” well as recording flora and fauna. Ruth, who was one of few women in the David Preston headed up the individual David also volunteers for a local mental eighties working on this detail. “It could Ruth, who spends four days a week on category in the UK National Park health charity. be quite daunting, but I never used my volunteering duties, says nothing much Volunteer Awards, run by the UK female status to say ‘I can’t do that’. fazes her - except, perhaps, the time when Association of National Park Authorities. David is one of 240 Dales Volunteers a dog stole her sandwiches while she was working for the Authority - people who “You really felt as though you were looking The 39-year-old from Askrigg began as a conducting surveys up on Pen-y-ghent! freely gave 4,200 days of their spare time after the environment - caring for Dales Volunteer with the Yorkshire Dales in 2012 to provide vital help in the it and putting things back as they National Park Authority in 2009 and has conservation and protection of the should be.” put in an average of 91 days a year - way National Park and its special qualities. Ruth, who came up north after above the 15 days the Authority asks marrying a Yorkshireman, volunteers to give. co-ordinates an army of 150 David began by helping Access Rangers volunteers for the Friends of the with jobs like drystone walling, hedge Settle-Carlisle Line. She’s a laying, gate hanging and repairing 20-year-long member of this self- footpaths and bridges. funded organisation, which campaigns to keep open the world He went on to train in habitat famous railway and organises management (coppicing and tree planting) guided walks around it. and is working towards obtaining a

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL. Call 0300 456 0030 or email [email protected] Page 5 Dales 2013 When the going Happier and healthier gets tough … For those who know and love the Dales it may be a School, Shakila (pictured fourth from left) also organises surprise to hear there are many people living in the trips for parents and pupils. When Roy Emmerson was struck down with a brain region’s cities who have never seen them. tumour followed by a stroke aged 24, his life changed “Last year we teamed up with the school in Kirkby dramatically. With the left hand side of his body Shakila Hanif is doing a fantastic job to change this in her and planted trees as part of an ‘Eco Warrior’ project. hometown of . Over the last five years, she has They got so much enjoyment from it, they bring their paralysed, he had to abandon his PhD in Maths and introduced scores of families to the wonders of their parents back to see the trees and want to do it again.” rethink his dreams. neighbouring countryside, through bus and train trips Shakila, 44, was originally given a day’s training in areas It has been a tough journey but now, in his forties, Roy with guided walks. such as first aid and risk assessment under the is still pursuing one of the passions he has always had: “I take groups of up to 15 to places like Malham, Settle nationwide Walking for Health project. his love of the outdoors. and Skipton,” she says. “In August I took some ladies to “It’s about your well-being, particularly when you live in Not only does Roy, who can walk with a stick, go . The river and open fields reminded them of inner-city Bradford,” she adds. “The clean air, the sailing and rambling with his partner Nicola, in a their old homes in Pakistan. They said ‘Wow!’ and scenery, wildlife - everything around you - just makes you wheelchair, but he gives much of his time over to absolutely loved it.” feel happier and healthier.” helping others with disabilities to enjoy outdoor The aim is to encourage them to return pursuits too. with their families. “When I was “Some don’t have the confidence to just able-bodied, I get up and go on their own - even was a mountain reading a bus timetable can be difficult. biker and But we’ve seen quite a few go back with windsurfer, so it’s their husbands and kids for a day out - really important it’s much cheaper than a theme park!” to me. There’s nothing better Shakila, who works as a development than getting out officer at not-for-profit organisation in the country Healthy Living Centre in Bradford, began for boosting self walking herself after she was advised the esteem and for country air could help her asthma. making you feel Now she is a dedicated rambler, has alive,” he says. conquered the Three Peaks with her two children, and feels much healthier for it. Roy has been a great asset to the National Park Authority’s Access for All project. As a Governor of Bolling Park Primary The aim is to make more of the 2,000km of footpath routes good for use by disabled people - for example, by replacing stiles with gates, and strengthening surfaces. After recent work to create a circuit around Grimwith WHO WE ARE AND Reservoir, 12km are now accessible to wheelchair users and 127km to those able to walk with a stick. WHAT WE DO Roy, who lives near , regularly attends the National park authorities have two purposes: Authority’s advisory group meetings. His current focus • to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, is on getting funding for a number of Trampers - all- wildlife and cultural heritage of the area terrain electric wheelchairs - to help more disabled • to promote opportunities for the understanding people enjoy the Dales. and enjoyment of the special qualities of the parks He hopes his campaign will gather momentum through by the public. his website, www.brainfadetv.co.uk - a forum for In carrying out these purposes, national park people with disabilities to share experiences and which authorities also have a duty to seek to foster the social features videos of outdoor activities as well as a blog. and economic well-being of local communities. To fulfill these purposes, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority offers services that provide help and advice on a wide range of issues, including environmental conservation and enhancement, We're going on planning, historic buildings and sites, tourist information and footpath and bridleway management. If you would like more information please: a barn hunt write to, or call in at, our offices... Scattered across the National Park are thousands of stone Open Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.00pm, barns that form a vital part of this farming landscape. Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm In 2010, the Authority embarked on a project to record • Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, these historic buildings - many of which are more than North Yorkshire DL8 3EL Upper . two centuries old. • Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, “The amount of work farmers and builders put into these Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 5LB Tony Harrison is just one fantastic volunteer helping us to barns is wonderful, it’s no wonder so many are still complete this huge survey, which will not only help us to telephone... standing 250 years on. understand them better, but also to identify the most 0300 456 0030 appropriate strategy for conserving them. “About half I see now are still used to shelter sheep in bad weather. Around a quarter are ruined, though, and the email... A retired scientist and businessman, Tony spends on rest are in need of some repair.” [email protected] average half a day each week walking between five and eight miles up and down dale recording details of any barn Tony, often accompanied on his walks by his wife, says the or visit... that he comes across. He takes an eight-point grid volunteering work is both a challenge and fun: “It’s not www.yorkshiredales.org.uk reference and several photographs, paying attention to always easy to take photographs of roofs when they’re features such as windows, doorframes and, where safe, under three foot of snow!” The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority aims to be widely interiors too. recognised as a centre of expertise and excellence in environmental “I have always been an outdoor person,” he concludes, “and and conservation policy and practice, and in the quality of the I’m much happier stuck on top of a hillside than in a town. The 71-year-old estimates he’s recorded 940 traditional services we deliver and in the quality of the landscape - we welcome your comments and suggestions about our work. barns across the Hawes, High Abbotside, Bainbridge and “Hopefully I’m contributing something to society, too.” Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL. Call 0300 456 0030 or email [email protected] Page 6 Dales 2013 Planning Matters housing and care for an aging population. Improved broadband and mobile Local Plan telephony were key, alongside Affordable housing consideration of an end date for By Peter Stockton, Head of Do you live in a cold, draughty house? Do housing for rent and shared ownership. aggregate quarrying and support for new you spend a large part of your income on Property is developed to meet local Sustainable Development visitor accommodation. heating? needs, with one, two and three bed homes. Last autumn we asked you what you A clear policy on the reinstatement of Do you live miles away from your family who In North Yorkshire, affordable housing is thought were going to be the most the Wensleydale Railway, a review of travel to care for you, or do you travel to advertised through Home Choice which important planning issues for the National parking, and better linkage between care for them? Would it help to live closer to acts as a virtual estate agent, although in Park over the next 15 years. planning policy and public transport were your job or to find a house that would enable some areas local estate agents are used We published a list on our website and also highlighted. you to more easily take up an employment too. You can apply online at www. discussed them at five drop-in sessions in opportunity? northyorkshirehomechoice.org.uk December, receiving written responses - no money is involved, you just say that Are you struggling to pay your rent or from a number of individuals and you are interested in a home in a mortgage? organisations. particular area. Help may be available. This consultation was part of our New homes are advertised from creation of a new Yorkshire Dales Local The National Park Authority and the Thursday morning to midnight the next Plan - the document that will guide three district councils in the area Tuesday. In order to allocate homes to development decisions and planning understand how hard it is to find suitable households a shortlist is drawn up and applications in the National Park between accommodation in North Yorkshire and interviews are requested to verify your 2015 and 2030. Cumbria. housing need and that you would meet Barn conversion into gamekeeper’s house, Hawkswick We know that you might not like to accept the local connection criteria. It will be prepared in line with the help but we would like to draw your national planning policy framework With new build schemes, a community Whilst we consider the issues we are also attention to the opportunities there may adopted by the Government last March. consultation event is usually held prior to addressing some of the gaps in our be to enable you to move to an affordable ads being placed. In , The document is likely to be more proactive evidence, particularly surrounding the home with more efficient heating. homes are currently being considered for and supportive than the current Plan, economy, visitor accommodation, flood The Authority works with South development in Hunton, and providing flexibility for local interpretation risk assessment and the need for Lakeland, Richmondshire and . of beneficial development, while still additional recreational space in the District Councils, local housing Within the National Park, other sites protecting the area’s special qualities. National Park. associations such as Broadacres, have also been allocated for a mixture of The main issues brought to our attention The next stage will be to investigate Yorkshire Housing and Two Castles, and affordable and local market housing in included support for the allocation of policy options and then work up an early councils to identify local housing fourteen towns and villages, some of new opportunity sites for business uses, draft Local Plan to consult on a more need and develop suitable sites for a which it is hoped will be built over the more residential barn conversions and substantive list of issues and a preferred range of housing solutions. This includes next five years. live/ work development, and appropriate policy option for each.

If you would like information about affordable housing, please contact: Richmondshire: Amanda Madden (Rural Housing Enabler) on 01748 828755 or 01609 767048 or [email protected] Craven: Jenny Wood on 01756 7064333 or [email protected] South Lakeland: 01539 717333 Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority: Peter Stockton on 01969 652334 or [email protected] Going underground By Tom Harland, Planning Policy Officer New business and community uses: a convenience store and health centre now occupy the former Sedbergh auction mart site. There are many things of beauty in the National Park, but I think it’s fair to Further schemes over the some challenges, whether due to cost (the higher the line say that overhead power lines aren’t next couple of years include voltage, the higher the cost), technical and logistical one of them. lines in Upper Wharfedale reasons (crossing watercourses, surface rock), wildlife, archaeology, or disruption to local communities. Fortunately, Ofgem, the regulator of (Deepdale to Beckermonds) and Ribblesdale (Swarth the electricity industry, recognises this This means we need to start planning the next set of Moor, pictured left). and ensures that an allowance is made schemes as soon as possible. Ofgem has just announced available to secure undergrounding of And dozens of prehistoric that funding will be available for schemes to take place wires in National Parks and Areas of flints hidden for thousands between 2015 and 2023, so we’d like to hear your Outstanding Natural Beauty. of years were unearthed suggestions for lines that should be targeted. during the first phase of a £300,000 project with As part of a £1.8m five-year scheme, the Authority has We can’t make any promises as it is common for any Electricity North West on the Malham Moor Estate. combination of the above challenges to undermine scheme been working with network operators to identify some of Work was put on hold so archaeological students from feasibility. However, once we’ve some ideas, we’ll sit down the highest priority schemes and explore the feasibility of Bradford University could investigate further. The Malham with the electricity companies and see which can be taken undergrounding to produce significant visual improvements. scheme will see 23 electricity poles removed and overhead forward. The first round of funding has helped secure the powerlines replaced with 2.2km of underground cable. Contact Tom on 01969 652378 or undergrounding of lines from Dent Station to Cowgill, It takes a long time to plan an undergrounding scheme. [email protected] from Grimwith to Stump Cross, and in Kingsdale. This is because it’s hard to find a line that doesn’t create Find out more about the work of the Authority at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk Page 7 Dales 2013 Helping farmers to The ups and downs of hill farming Hill farmers Tom Metcalfe and his son have meant spraying the fields and using Philip have worked hard to conserve the lots of nitrogen, which would have wiped countryside around their Swaledale home. out the hay meadows almost overnight. And once the land has been fertilised improve water quality The 260 hectares they farm at Usha Gap, heavily and re-seeded you can’t go back. By Jane le Cocq, Farm Conservation Advisor near Muker, cover some of the most stunning landscape in the Dales. They “Most people keep their boundary walls Defra’s Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative aims to reduce the amount of pollution also have grazing rights for the sheep on up and the internal ones fall into disrepair in rivers and other aquatic habitats caused by farming operations in 74 catchments the moor tops at Muker and , both because it’s uneconomic to look after around the country. of which are in Sites of Special Scientific them. And it’s the same with the little The Semerwater and Upper Lune Catchment Partnership has now been up and Interest. barns - we have about 30 but we only use six or seven of them. running since 2011 and is being delivered by the Authority’s Farm Conservation Team The family has been farming in Swaledale alongside the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust. for generations, raising flocks of pure “The ESA grants have paid for the walls It covers two catchments of Swaledale sheep. Philip’s grandfather and the barns to be repaired so they are 360 square kilometres and moved to Usha Gap in the 1930s and the in good condition and remain part of the 350 farms, which were family now also has a herd of Limousin landscape. That in turn encourages designated due to failing Cross sucklers for beef, along with a tourists to come in - the top end of bathing water quality in campsite and a holiday home. Swaledale is unique and it has been preserved like this.” Morecambe Bay and the Thanks to the father-and-son team, miles sedimentation of Lake of drystone walls have been repaired, a He and Tom, who is 70, are now going Semerwater in Raydale - a Site good cluster of barns are still standing into the Higher Level Stewardship of the of Special Scientific Interest. that would otherwise be roofless shells, new Environmental Stewardship scheme Pollution from agricultural and some vital meadows are in tip top and will be starting work fencing off some practices may be one cause, condition. gills to allow plant life to regenerate. so we’ve offered help to The incentive to do that little bit more “The knock-on effect of having the ESA address this. Over 100 Grassland and soils workshop for farmers at Braida Garth, Kingsdale came in the form of the Government’s money is that it helps the local economy farmers in the affected areas Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) - farmers are big spenders if they have have been assisted with advice, training and funding over the last two years. Scheme - a package of agri-environment the money and they buy locally and A CSF Capital Grant Scheme was introduced in 2012 to provide financial help to projects now celebrating its 25th birthday. employ local people to do the work,” Philip said. improve farm infrastructure. This included new roofs for muck and slurry storage and The Pennine Dales ESA was one of the to cover silage clamps and livestock gathering areas, new concrete yards and drainage, first to be introduced in 1987 and Tom He is hoping his sons Ben,12, and rainwater collection goods, sheep dip improvements, new tracks and watercourse signed up as soon as he could. 10-year-old James will follow in the fencing. family’s footsteps. The aim of the scheme was to offer In all, 17 farmers received grants of around £9,000 each and the scheme is being run incentives to farmers to adopt “The young one’s keen enough although again this year. agricultural practices that would the older boy isn’t yet but you never Our training courses have been popular - 17 farmers received national qualifications in safeguard and enhance parts of the know - times can change.” sheep dip practice and pesticide spraying - and a trip to the Scottish Agricultural country of particularly College dairy farm in Dumfries was thought very educational. high landscape, wildlife or historic value. Last year two demonstration farms were set up - dairy farm Semerdale Hall near Bainbridge and upland beef and sheep farm Braida Garth in Kingsdale. These were to Philip, 40, said the look at problems of soil compaction and best practice in grassland management. We’ll decision to join was easy. continue work on the trial plots this year, especially as the exceptionally wet seasons “Hill farms are the worst have caused major problems with pieces of land in terms of soil damage. quality,” he said. Future events will cover sheep “We were farming dipping and disease prevention, traditionally and it was a and issues surrounding phosphate case of either going into levels in cattle feed. Plus a new the ESA or intensive device has been purchased which farming to compete with measures the nitrogen levels in other people. cattle slurry - our team are really looking forward to using that this “We didn’t want to intensify because it would summer! Tom and Philip Metcalfe on their Swaledale farm Farmers looking at willow spiling, Semerdale Hall

For more information please contact our Farm and Countryside Service on [email protected] or 0300 456 0030 or visit www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/farmingadvice

New Management Plan on its way Work on a new Management Plan for the Yorkshire Dales National Park is now in its final stages. The five-year plan sets out the work we, and a lot of different organisations, will do over the coming years to help look after it. The document is being prepared by a partnership of local organisations, including environmental bodies, local authorities and representatives of local businesses, and will be launched in early summer. This draws together a year long process involving two public consultations which have provided a wide range of feedback from residents and visitors alike on what they think is important for the future of this special area. The objectives in the plan are structured around an ambitious vision that focuses on ensuring the National Park continues to thrive and be treasured for its stunning scenery, heritage and wildlife.

Follow us at www.facebook.com/yorkshiredales and www.twitter.com/yorkshire_dales Page 8 Dales 2013 The Great Yorkshire goes batty for wildlife By Susan Allison, Grinton Conservation Group Following on from a bleak and miserable summer, the problem of the long uncut grasses and access to graves - Biscuit Bake Off It all started with a large community of resident bats in St and some particularly cutting remarks about the lack of By Jane Sammells, Museum Project Officer Andrew's Church in Grinton, which were considered a bit cutting in the visitor book! - sprang us once more into of a nuisance. A hundred-year-old ginger biscuit recipe, as made by trying to turn a problem into a positive. Granny Preston at her Askrigg farmhouse, has been But the Reverend Caroline Hewlett had a different view - All agreed some energy needed to be put into the outside causing a stir with Hawes Primary School pupils. how about celebrating their presence? of the building, too, as it provided a resource for the Listed in the Dales Countryside Museum’s recipe book The bat bug bit. Caroline embarked on a Christian Rural community. But the proactive congregation realised that - now in its second edition and filled with delicious and Environmental Studies project and it was confirmed they had their hands full looking after the inside activities local dishes, old and new - the biscuit recipe has been that there were roosts of Common Pipistrelle, Soprano and fabric of this Grade 1 listed building. adapted by the children to reflect a sculpture on the Pipistrelle and Brown long-eared bats in the church. So the Authority’s Wildlife Conservation Officer Mark Museum’s outdoor trail. Caroline’s report is available as part of a ‘batty’ display, Hewitt helped us form a plan which includes interpretation boards put together with Most of the 7 to 11-year-olds had worked with poet help from National Park Authority staff and a grant from Mark was able to offer his assistance as part of the Parish and writer Char March on the creation of the sculpture its Sustainable Development Fund. Wildlife Project, which aims to link keen volunteers with trail and already seen their words become part of local conservation projects. A scythe was produced from something physical on it. the boot of his car. The demonstration patch of grass was They chose to replicate a piece called the ‘Wensleydale quickly dispatched with a promise - subsequently achieved vessel’ (pictured) in their baking, which the maker Anna - to come and ‘do the lot’ one Saturday morning. Whitehouse described as embodying the Over 30 people attended a scything demo day in November pavement and drystone wall landscape. 2012. They also expressed their views via postcard on a The children thought that their biscuits would also pin board as to what they thought should be happening in represent some of the trail’s hidden inkwells, each of the churchyard. The response was amazing. them different but similar - like their biscuits! Capitalising on this enthusiasm, a monthly café-style catch- Further discovery sessions - all part of the Museum’s up now takes place so that work can be discussed, species project ‘Yorkshire Dales Food: A Celebration!’ - will mapped, projects with local schools embarked upon, and see them looking at how oats would have been used grass cutting regimes decided. when first brought to the Dales by the Vikings and Those involved in this parish conservation project said that making traditional they felt immediately welcomed as part of the community Yorkshire Dales effort required - maybe it's the coffee and scones! Oatcakes. The children are Visit the parish website www.swaledalearkengarthdaleparish.org.uk also interviewing Parish Wildlife Projects can come in all shapes and sizes - contact Mark on 01756 751624 or email their relatives to [email protected] to discuss yours and find out more about how we can help. gather food memories and obtain funding via the favourite recipes Green Deal. to turn into digi- A greener deal stories and recipe The pilot project aims to books. Much of provide a model for green this material will for householders deal delivery in rural areas be incorporated focusing on sparse rural into the Museum’s People living in poorly-insulated homes in communities and displays and trail Clapham and are being given a considering solutions for via QR codes - a helping hand to stay warm. improving energy efficiency ‘barcode’ readable The villages have been picked as a pilot for a in traditionally constructed, by smartphones new initiative launched by the Department hard-to-treat buildings. and linking to of Energy and Climate Change, with 50 Anyone wanting more more detailed Fifty homes in Clapham (pictured) and Austwick are households to receive free home energy being offered free energy assessments information, or who is a information. assessments. home owner or tenant Called the Green Deal, the scheme is a new way to pay living in either village and wishes to be considered for The Dales Countryside Museum - open daily between this free offer, can phone the Yorkshire Energy 10am and 5pm - is owned and managed by the Yorkshire for eco-friendly home improvements like insulation, double glazing or installing renewable technologies. Partnership on 01904 545020 or visit www.gov.uk/ Dales National Park Authority. Its collection was green-deal-energy-saving-measures started in the 1940s and is the most comprehensive It allows householders to in the country relating to Dales heritage. Visit pay for the measures over www.dalescountrysidemuseum.org.uk time through their to find out more. electricity bill - and the repayments will be no more than a typical home KEEP IN THE HEAT! should save in energy Insulation is the best way to keep heat from escaping, creating a more comfortable costs. environment and saves money on fuel bills. Yorkshire Energy Partnership has funding to help with insulation for Village Halls, schools and homes in the Working in partnership National Park. For any building, all surveys are free and under no obligation. with the National Park WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR MY VILLAGE HALL? Authority, accredited We can o er funding of 75% of the net cost, up to £1,000 per community building. We have already helped 45 Village Halls and Churches in North ‘Green Deal’ Assessors Yorkshire, including Bolton-cum-Redmire Village Hall. Why not follow their from the Yorkshire Energy example and get the loft insulation topped up? Partnership will carry out WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR MY LOCAL SCHOOL? the assessments - normally Yorkshire Energy Partnership is working with North Yorkshire County Council on their school insulation scheme. Funding is available to help National Park school costing a minimum of £99 buildings get insulated - 50% o up to £750. Hopefully this should make a free - to identify what work survey feel all the more worthwhile. could be carried out to WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR MY HOME? make the home more We can help with cavity wall insulation, including stone cavities, and loft insulation. We can also o er funding for solid wall insulation. Whichever type energy efficient. of insulation is best for you, we can o er 50% o up to £500 per home. If the householder wants Call Rosie on 01904 545 033 or email to consider going ahead, [email protected] free help is on offer to to nd out more or to request a free survey.

Find out more about the work of the Authority at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk