About Us
Friends of the Dales is the new (2017) name of the Yorkshire Dales Society - a registered charity set up in 1981 to campaign for the protection and enhancement of the Dales and to encourage everyone to value and enjoy this special area.
Friends of the Dales is a significant group of people who love and care about the Dales:
- Some Friends of the Dales choose to support our charity by becoming a member - we have over a thousand members! If you love the Dales, please join us as an individual or joint member, or as a business member or group member. In return you'll receive a fantastic magazine four times a year plus free entry to our annual events programme and discounts to stores such as Cotswold Outdoor.
- Hundreds of other Friends of the Dales support us by attending our events, supporting our campaigns or Facebook page - instead of joining with an annual fee some chose to make a donation or leave a legacy to help our charitable work.
- Around 25 of our Friends are regular volunteers – local people who give up their time to lead guided walks; lobby government and organisations to keep protecting the Dales; look after the membership and finances of the charity; take up the greater responsibility of becoming a Trustee. Together these volunteers contribute over 3,000 hours per year!
- Two part-time members of staff – Ann Shadrake, our Executive Director, and Penny Lowe, Administration Assistant who together co-ordinate the Society’s many activities and supports our volunteers and Trustees from our office in Gargrave.
What does the Friends of the Dales stand for?
We are the only membership and campaigning charity for the Dales – we want to see this special area remain protected, valued, enjoyed and loved - always. We are, in essence, the friends of the dales.
How can I support the Friends of the Dales?
Please consider joining us as a member – more members gives us more clout when we stand up and campaign for the Dales. Organisations and government take more notice if we have a large membership behind us!
What benefits do I get as a Member?
Members get:
- A copy of our quarterly publication "The Yorkshire Dales Review" delivered to you through the post.
- Free access to our events
- discounts at some businesses, subject to production of your membership card
How much does it cost to become a Friend?
One person can join Friends of the Dales for £25 (from October 2018). Or two people at the same address can join for just £35 (ditton). We have special offers from time to time, including honouring earlier rates on printed leaflets if you wish, so just ask when you contact us!
If you feel able to pay a larger amount up front, you can join as a life member – see the panel for these rates. We also have Business or Group Friends – just £40 per year (from October 2018) and great publicity for your commitment.
How do I become a Friend?
Click here or ring our office on 01756 749400 – we can give you full details and advise you over the phone if you wish. Alternatively, email us .
I’m not sure membership is right for me
You will always be welcome at our events whether you sign up to membership or not. Could you consider a donation, large or small, to our charitable work? Even £5 or £10 can help our work to protect the Dales. Ask us about the easy ways to make a donation or do it directly here We rely entirely on voluntary subscriptions, donations and legacies for our charity’s running costs.
Yorkshire Dales Interactive Map - drag to move around, double click to zoom in. Our charity covers all of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and adjacent areas and also supports the protection of Nidderdale AONB.
Everyone is welcome at our events, members and non members - see Upcoming Events for more information. Our next event on Sat 19 October is a fabulous FREE day finding out about the conservation of our native crayfish in the Dales - with a great talk and two short field visits to crayfish homes! Booking essential - see our event entry. All welcome including non members.
There are many ways to Support our Charity and be a Friend of the Dales, to help keep the Dales special and vibrant for years to come.
Join us as a member
Make a donation
Leave a gift in your will
Register as a supporter
Help as a volunteer at our events
Our Business members are very valuable to us and we thank them all. For a list of all these businesses, or for more information on the benefits of business membership, click HERE
Bill Bryson, a supporter, says :
"There isn't a more glorious and beguiling landscape anywhere, or one more deserving of our support. It really is as simple as that"
Alastair Humphreys
Our Patron
says :
"it's more beautiful than you realise; the people are open and friendly and have time for you; your phone might not work which is a positive as you'll have more time - slow down and enjoy the silence".
Alastair’s quest for adventure began young. Aged 8, he completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge over 26 miles
Chair: Bruce McLeod
Registered Address:
Canal Wharf, Eshton Road, Gargrave, BD23 3PN.
Charity number 515384.Company limited by guarantee number 1822908
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