Dales A newspaper for the residents of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Summer 2018 AMBITIOUS NATIONAL PARK PLAN TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD pollution from vehicles, agricultural emissions and heather burning. Carl Lis added: “Quite a number of the proposed objectives - for instance on peat bog restoration, tree planting and raising the standard of public rights of way - are designed to build on the successes of the past five years. “Other objectives - on supporting farming, promoting our dark skies and attracting families - are new and very ambitious. For instance, within the next three years we want to see a new, locally-tailored and locally-delivered environmental land management scheme that better rewards farmers in the National Park. “The 50 proposed objectives would be delivered by many different local bodies. For example, the County Councils will be leading on improving broadband, while the Environment Agency will lead proposals to deliver more natural flood management.” The draft National Park Management Plan includes an objective for a locally-tailored environmental land management scheme that will better reward farmers. Steering group member Dan Hudson, who is Development Strategy and Housing Manager at South Lakeland District An ambitious new plan to deliver on the 30 year vision for objectives, although, inevitably, also some very different Council, said: “The plan is the result of genuine the National Park was published for final comment this spring. views about the best way forward on certain issues.” partnership working and ‘joined-up thinking’ across public, private and voluntary organisations. There are A year in the making, the draft National Park The objectives that have received most support include some big challenges that we need to face up to but there Management Plan 2019-24 proposes detailed objectives ways to attract more families to live in the National Park, is also much in it to get excited about. I hope people will on farming and land management, economic regeneration, connection to superfast broadband, and measures to engage constructively to help us improve it further.” and public rights of way. tackle illegal persecution of birds of prey. Promotion of the area’s dark skies and cycling opportunities, working The steering group invited consultees to help deliver Shaped by an initial public consultation last summer and by with operators to provide bus services, and general some of the Plan’s objectives. That offer has kindly been the Government’s 8-point plan for England’s National Parks, support for improving biodiversity and woodland planting taken up and a number of additional organisations can the draft Plan was put together by a steering group made were also considered key. now be added to the list of implementing bodies. up of 16 public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Objectives that attracted the most divergent views The steering group is now considering all the responses Comments were received from 118 organisations, residents, included wildlife crime, the use of ‘green lanes’ by and deciding how to improve the final version of the Plan, visitors and people working in the area. These covered a recreational vehicles, and the provision of public transport. before launching it this autumn. wide range of locally critical issues, such as the future of upland farming after Brexit, responsibility for public Consultees also pointed to issues they consider to be transport, and the future sustainability of communities. missing from the Plan. It was suggested that there should To see the draft National Park Management be objectives to lobby Government to designate the Coast Carl Lis, chair of the steering group, said: “This was a Plan for 2019-24, as well as to view the to Coast route as a national trail, raise the profile of good response with lots of positive and helpful suggestions current one, visit caves and promote caving, recognise the risks of to improve the Plan. In general, there is support for its biosecurity and invasive species to wildlife, and about air www.yorkshiredalesmanagementplan.org.uk Westmorland Dales heritage celebration day marks new partnership Over 50 local people and representatives from local Senior Historic Environment Officer, Miles Johnson, said: organisations came together on a sunny Saturday in the “The Forum was a great day. People were very interested Westmorland Dales in April to learn about the area’s to see what the archaeological test pits had turned up. rich heritage. “Hopefully, this demonstration will generate interest in Orton was the backdrop to the Westmorland Dales developing similar work in the delivery phase of the Landscape Forum - a key event in the development of Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership.” the new Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership. These are exciting times in the north-west of the Morning talks, presentations and videos celebrated the National Park as the initial development phase of the features of this stunning landscape. On a walk after Partnership nears its end. lunch, experts in local history, vernacular buildings, Led by Friends of the Lake District with the support of geology and archaeology, shared their knowledge of and the National Park Authority and other partners, it enthusiasm for the area. brings together environmental, conservation, farming The walk finished at the archaeological test pit excavated and archaeological organisations. The overall aim is to by National Park Authority staff and Orton Primary reveal and protect the heritage of the Westmorland School pupils the previous day. Dales, enabling more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from this inspirational landscape. Historic Environment Apprentice, Hannah Kingsbury, said: “All the children came out on site, about 70 in all, The Partnership has already benefitted from a Pupils get dug in: excavating a test pit in Orton and had a go at both digging and sieving. development grant of over £200,000 from the Heritage (Image: Orton Primary School) Lottery Fund. The final grant application for over £2.5m “They seemed to have a great time. Interestingly, small will be submitted later this summer. Subject to a For more information on the Westmorland pieces of worked flint excavated from the test pits successful application, the delivery phase of the scheme Dales Landscape Partnership, go to suggest that prehistoric activity has taken place in the area.” is expected to run from spring 2019 to spring 2023. www.thewestmorlanddales.org.uk Page 2 Dales 2018 Welcome to this summer And they’re off! ‘Unique’ mountain edition of Dales There really is something glorious about being in the bike trail opens in Swaledale National Park at this time of year. Local school children - and their Newborn lambs, trees coming into bloom and some of parents - hit the trail at the official the finest meadows all combine to turn this place into opening in April of the National Park’s one of wonder. That’s why it continues to attract so first family friendly mountain bike route. many people and provide a source of constant inspiration. Pupils from Reeth and Gunnerside schools were joined at the ribbon- We’ve seen this recently with the Tour de Yorkshire cutting event by local B&B owners, coming to the area and also with the ‘Yorkshire Dales’ contractors and volunteers - as well as garden, carrying all before it, at the RHS Chelsea an enthusiastic group of riders from Flower Show. Stage 1 Cycles in Hawes. What a weekend that was for the cycle race; glorious The Swale Trail is a 20km (12 mile) weather and huge crowds. Particular thanks to the valley bottom route between Reeth and residents and businesses of Wharfedale and Coverdale Keld, designed specifically for young who did themselves, and the Yorkshire Dales, proud mountain bikers and families with older through their fantastic efforts. children who want to ride together. Then we had the spectacle of that Chelsea show Head of Access & Engagement Mark garden. We were delighted to sponsor it this year - The Swale Trail is designed for young mountain bikers and their Allum said: “The National Park has families who want to ride together and didn’t Mark Gregory and his design team produce plenty to offer experienced and fit cyclists, with something truly special. Certainly the many thousands challenging mountain bike trails and fantastic road cycling. who visited thought so and the garden rightly carried National Park, providing an outstanding opportunity for off an armful of awards. “But we’ve lacked an easier route for people with less people to immerse themselves in the iconic landscape of experience. Swaledale. A place that is already a mecca for cycling - Many thanks to the inspirational Sir Gary Verity and “The Swale Trail changes that. It is a unique facility in the the Tour de France Grand Départ came through here in his team at Welcome to Yorkshire for putting on both 2014. The Trail is a mix of high quality tracks and quiet events. And thanks also to David Hartley and the road sections with some lumps and bumps - this is the wonderful staff at the Wensleydale Creamery who Dales after all. were very involved in the garden. WHO WE ARE AND “And, importantly, there are plenty of ice cream stops You’ll see from this edition of Dales that there’s a lot along the way!” going on. This includes the final National Park WHAT WE DO Management Plan consultation - a process which will Dales is published twice a year by the Yorkshire Dales A Swale Trail leaflet is widely available and all the details shape the area for years to come - and updates on a National Park Authority. It reports on our work and can be found on the Authority’s revamped cycling website range of projects and activities. is delivered to over 15,000 households in the www.cyclethedales.org.uk National Park.