FREE Guided Walk - Gargrave Circular

Saturday 7 August 2021

Hosted by our Trustee, Scarlett Armstrong, the eight mile circular route will begin in Gargrave at 10.30am, following fields and quiet country lanes to Airton, before returning to Gargrave via the Pennine Way. Stout footwear and a packed lunch are required. Well behaved dogs on a short lead also allowed. Please book soon as places are limited, via the button below. Full details sent on booking. Photo credit: Ann Shadrake

To register your interest please use the contact form 

Walk - Conservation, Carbon, Cattle, Climate

Wednesday 25 August 2021

A special FREE guided walk around the landscape at Mearbeck Farm, Long Preston, hosted by Dales farmer and Trustee Anthony Bradley. Learn how Anthony farms to maximise the health of his soil, grass and livestock, whilst protecting wildlife, wetlands and “locking-in” carbon. Anthony recently wrote on this topic in the Spring Yorkshire Dales Review. This will be a lovely circular walk from Long Preston with several stops and extensive views. About 4.5 miles with some hilly field paths. Bring picnic. Regret no dogs except RAD. Meeting time 10:15, return approx. 4 pm. Limited places. Details of meeting location and arrangements for the day will be confirmed after booking.

To register your interest please use the contact form 

38^th Annual General Meeting of Friends of the Dales

Saturday 25 September 2021 at 2:15 pm, Barbon Village Hall, LA6 2LL

Uniquely, this year's AGM is currently planned to be a blended meeting, combining bookable physical membership places along with a simultaneous Zoom event for those that would prefer to attend digitally. Physical places will be limited based on any restrictions in force at the time. Further details will be made available to members in August. Photo credit: Ken Humphris

To register your interest please use the contact form 

Tea Time Talk - Exploring Crummack Dale

4.30 pm Weds 20 October 2021 (c 1 hr)

In this illustrated talk, our Trustee Ken Humphris, will present ‘Exploring Crummack Dale’. Through personal photos and film footage Ken aims to share some of the history from geological time through to the recent past, and why walking in this lovely valley is so rewarding.  Photo credit: Ken Humphris

To register for a place please use the contact form . We will respond a day or two before the event with a personal Zoom invitation. Places are limited - book early!

Early Evening Talk - The Impact of the 2019 Floods on the Historic Environment of the Northern Dales

Weds 14 July 2021 (c 1 hr)

In this illustrated talk, Miles Johnson, Head of Historic Environment at The North Yorks Moors National Park, spoke about the impact of the 2019 floods on the historic and archeological environment of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, with particular referecne to its impact on the area's lead mining heritage.

Photo credit: Richmondshire Today

Early Evening Talk - Managing the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Nature Reserves 

Weds 16 June 2021 (c 1 hr)

In this illustrated talk, Graham Standring, the YWT's Living Landscapes Officer, showcased the charity's work in managing its nature reserves across the Dales.

Photo credit Mark Corner, Friends of the Dales.

Early Evening Talk - Strengthening the North's Green Heart

Weds 19 May 2021 (c 1 hr)

In this illustrated talk, our Vice Chair and Trustee, Wilf Fenten, presented a visionary but practical way to greater sustainability for protected areas across the north of England.

Photo credit Ann Shadrake, Friends of the Dales.

Tea Time Talk - Give Peat a Chance

Weds 21 April 2021 (c 1 hr)

In 'Give Peat a Chance', Jenny Sharman of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Yorkshire Peat Partnership gave a fascinating talk about peatlands in the Yorkshire Dales, why they need our help, and what the Partnership is doing to restore them.

You can now watch this talk on YouTube - click on the link: Give Peat a Chance 

Photo credit Pennine Peatlife

Tea Time Talk -

Weds 17 March 2021 (c 1 hr)

Trustee, Kyle Blue gave an engaging talk about 'Living and Roaming in the Orton Fells'. 

PDF of Kyle's talk to follow.

Photo credit Nancy Stedman, Friends of the Dales

Tea Time Talk -

Weds 24 February 2021 (c 1 hr)

Julie Martin, Trustee: "Landscapes of the Dales 2020". This talk gave an overview of the landscape character assessment work recently completed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. It included suggestions on how this comprehensive and informative set of landscape descripitions, maps and analysis can be accessed and used to help, guide and manage future landscape change.

Photo credit Ann Shadrake, Friends of the Dales

To view a pdf of the talk, click the link below

Tea Time Talk -

Weds 27 January 2021

Nancy Stedman, Trustee "Barn Conversions in the Dales - What do they Achieve?"

To view a PDF of the talk, click the link below

All content is copyright Friends of the Dales. 

A Green New Dales: Year One of the climate emergency

Saturday 3 October & Saturday 17 October 2020

An online FREE conference (by Zoom) jointly offered by Friends of the Dales and North Craven Heritage Trust.

A range of expert speakers will present on key themes such as a net-zero National Park; new thinking on planting trees in the Dales; water in the Dales; and using a "circular economy" to help businesses improve resilience and profits. 

Full details of the programme and how to book (closing date Weds 23 September) in the downloadable flyer.