Friends of the Dales is a registered membership charity. Please help us to keep the Dales special and vibrant for years to
come!
We continue to review the latest government advice about coronavirus. Our staff continue to work as normal following strict Covid-19
protocols but the office is closed to visitors. You can contact us as normal on 01756 749400 or via the usual email addresses or contact form. Our continued best wishes to all
our members and supporters.
The banner images were taken by Ann Shadrake, Executive Director, all people gave their permission.
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We really need your support to help keep the Dales special and vibrant for years to come. Thank you to all
our Friends for their support! A special thank you to everyone who joined during 2020
despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic and "lockdown". We really appreciate your support.
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Read about our campaigns and our policies on important Dales issues, and some recent comments on major planning applications affecting the Dales.
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Latest News...
38th Annual General Meeting of Friends of the Dales
Saturday 25 September 2021 at 2:15 pm
We are pleased to confirm that the 2021 AGM will take place on Saturday 25 September at 2:15 pm.
At the time of this notification (July 2021), Trustees intend to hold a blended meeting, and passed a resolution at their Council meeting of 9 June 2021 to that
effect. A physical meeting will be held, at Barbon Village Hall, with places bookable in advance. Places may be limited depending on any restrictions in force at that time. Members will also be able
to join the formal meeting by Zoom, again bookable in advance.
The content of the formal meeting will include passing formal resolutions such as elections and the adoption of the Annual Report and Accounts. As in previous
years, full papers will be available on the website for members to download, or available on request.
We will write to all members in August with the agenda, details of those standing for election, how to cast your vote if you are not able to attend, and how to join
either the physical meeting or the online option. Nearer the time we will also be uploading copies of the Annual Report and Accounts to this page.
This year a number of Trustees and Vice Presidents will reach the end of their six year terms (two consecutive terms of three years), and will retire. We are
delighted to have received nominations for the roles of Trustee or Vice President and details of these individuals will be included in the mailing in August. If you, or any one you know, is
interested in being considered for nomination please contact Ann Shadrake, Executive Director.
To register your interest in attedning the event, please email Victoria Benn, Membership
and Events officer.
Dalesbus Services - New timetable (April 2021)
Visit Dalesbus website for full information on timetables and advice. Dalesbus is a social enterprise set up
and supported by Friends of the Dales, with a core team of dedicated volunteers who secure the funding and work with bus operators to promote sustainable travel visitors and residents.
Download the timetable for Dalesbus and commercially-operated services from week starting 17 April 2021.
Most bus services are now running full timetables again. Buses and trains are all still operating with a reduced capacity in order to facilitate social
distancing. The wearing of a face covering is now compulsory on all public transport in England, other than for young children, disabled people and those with breathing
difficulties. If you are using the bus or train you should also follow social distancing and wash or sanitise your hands before and after travel.
Digital Talks - new for 2021!
This year we launched our programme of digital talks which have so far been very successful, attracting speakers from the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, Yorkshire
Wildlife Trust and North York Moors National Park - to name but a few!
You can view our forthcoming programme of digital talks via our Events page. To register for a Zoom invite, please use the Contact Form. Zoom invitations will be issued a few days before the event.
You can also view past talks on our new YouTube channel. Visit Friends of the Dales YouTube to see the talks we've converted to video so far.
View from Cray, Wharfedale: Ann Shadrake
Conference Outcome Paper and Presentations all now available!
Both days of our Green New Dales Conference were a terrific success and you can all the
conference video/powerpoint presentations and the video discussions by clicking on the individual links below.
We've also uploaded (November) the outcome paper "Green New Dales Challenges" with actions for all of us who care about the
Dales.
Outcome from the conference with suggested actions for everyone who cares about the Dales
GreenNewDales_Challenges.pdf Adobe Acrobat document [860.6 KB]
Day 1: Chair of Friends of the Dales Bruce McLeod introduces the conference, and Julie Martin chairs the Conference, introducing the speakers and panel
discussions.
Video 1: Introductions and presentation by Gary Smith YDNPA
Video 2: Introduction and presentation by Rob Atkins CDC
Video 3: Introduction and presentation by Catherine Weetman
Video 4: Questions and Panel Discussion
Day 2: John Asher, Chair of North Craven Heritage Trust introduces the Conference, chaired by Mark Corner, Member of Yorkshire Dales National Park
Authority.
Video 1: Introductions and presentation by Prof Alan Simson
Video 2: Introduction and presentation by David Evans
Video 3: Introduction and presentation by Neil Heseltine
Video 4: Introduction and presentation by Prof Rick
Battarbee
Video 5: Questions and panel discussion
We had a really successful online AGM on Saturday 19 September 2020. You can download and view the Review of the Year, as presented by our Chair Bruce
McLeod.
23 June 2020 - Objection to Planning Application at Langcliffe Quarry
We have submitted a detailed objection to an application to develop areas of the former Langcliffe Quarry due to the serious impact on the ecological, archaeological
and cultural integrity of the Hoffmann Kiln and its surrounding area. You can read our full objection by downloading below. If you wish to make a comment on the application, visit the Yorkshire Dales
National Park Authority's Planning Portal, and enter the application code C/48/615 to view the plans and submit your own comment.
Photo shows our visit to the Hoffmann Kiln at Langcliffe Quarry during our AGM in 2018 (photo credit Ann Shadrake).
8 June 2020 Tree Guards - A Growing Problem
Created by Laurence Parkin, this terrific "infographic" encapsulates our campaign for more trees in the Dales, but not more plastic!
First published in the 150th anniversary edition of the Yorkshire Dales Review, the illustration can be downloaded (below) for sharing. The key messages are relevant to planting anywhere, not just in
the Dales. With more treeplanting nationally mooted as part of the coronavirus pandemic "green recovery" we hope alternatives ways of planting trees can be explored, avoiding the use of single use
plastic where possible.
27 May 2020 - Objection to development at Hellifield Flashes
We've strongly objected to an application for development at the important wildlife and amenity site at Helllifield Flashes, and consider it entirely inappropriate
for Craven District Council to be asked to make a decision on a new proposal before the barrister’s report (they commissioned) has been received and considered, and any restoration works (to previous
works) satisfactorily carried out. See the plans, objections and comment yourself at the CDC planning portal here by entering the application number 2020/21553/OUT
Photo courtesy Save our Craven Countryside
22 April 2020
Plastic Tree Guard Collection Day
Before the coronavirus "lockdown" guidance was issued, we held a very successful day collecting plastic tree guards in a Dales woodland
for onwards recycling. Read a short report by Trustee Mark Corner and woodland owner below.
August 2019. Our updated membership leaflet is now available and we are working to
distribute copies throughout the Dales and further afield. Please do get in touch if you would like some copies to put out in your local area.
July 2019. Julian Glover, leading the Designated Landscapes Review, has issued his
interim findings in the letter below, with the final report expected in the autumn. Lots of positives, though not so much focus on the social and economic challenges facing areas like the
Dales.
We have a good track record - for over 35 years - in campaigning on issues of crucial importance to the Dales. These include affordable housing, rural bus services,
biodiversity, green lanes, Dales farming and landscape conservation - plus many others!
We keep a watching brief on what is happening in the Dales, lobby government and intervene where we believe appropriate. For example, we monitor significant planning
applications in the Dales and comment on many each year - supporting those we believe are right for the Dales
We run varied walks and talks throughout the year
Vibrant Communities - free guided visits to Dales towns and villages organised and led by local members
Dales Insights - afternoon talks and free shorter guided walks
Classic Countryside - free longer guided walks with an extra "something special"
Focus on the Dales - full day event on a topical Dales subject
Come and join us, most are free to all! See Upcoming Events
DalesBus services run on Sundays and Bank Holidays through the summer (and some in the winter) across the Yorkshire Dales, llinking into
bus and train services from across the region.
So you can enjoy the Dales in the most environmentally friendly way!
DalesBus is run by our social enterprise company the Dales & Bowland CIC. Volunteers organise, fundraise and
publicise the services, but the buses themselves are run by bus companies or community providers. Full timetables - see DalesBus
Capturing the Past is our fantastic three year project to work with people and
groups in the Ingleborough Dales area to train them to catalogue and digitise their own local history archives and make these available to the public through a new website.
Our archive project is being funded through Stories in Stone, a four year programme of conservation and community projects concentrated
on the Ingleborough area. The scheme has been developed by the Ingleborough Dales Landscape Partnership and is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Yorkshire Dales Community Archives
This website is operated by Friends of the Dales, a working name of the Yorkshire Dales Society, which is
a registered charity (Charity Number 515384) and a company limited by guarantee (Company Number
1822908).
Our Charitable Objects are 1) To promote for the benefit of the public, the conservation of the landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage of
the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and adjacent areas, and the social and economic wellbeing of its local communities;and to encourage others to engage with,understand,enjoy and protect these areas,
and 2) In pursuance of the above, to advance the education of the public.
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