Wednesday 5 February 2020

Tracking Barn Conversions in the Dales.

Our Trustee Nancy Stedman is the guest speaker at this evening talk offered by Skipton Civic Society (SCS) a noted local membership organisation with whom we share many aims and aspirations.

Nancy oversees our work on monitoring planning applications in and close to the Dales. Over the last few years, following changes to the planning rules, there’s been a big increase in applications for converting roadside barns into homes for local occupancy or short term holiday lets. What are the implications of this change in policy? Are barns being conserved? Is it resulting in more housing for local people? Join Nancy for an illuminating insight into this topical issue. 

7:30 pm Soroptimist Rooms, 28 Otley Street, Skipton, BD23 1EW.

£3 (unless you are also a member of SCS).

Good public transport links to Skipton.

No parking at venue but nearby public car park. 

Photo credit: Barn near Cray, Langstrothdale by Margaret Smith

Saturday 14 March 2020

Woodland Volunteering - near Settle

Support our “Plastic Free Dales” campaign by joining us for a few hours (11:00 am – 1 pm approx.) gentle work in removing redundant tree guards from a private woodland near Settle. Hosted by Mark Corner, Trustee.

Wear warm waterproof outdoor clothing, boots and sturdy gloves. After a sociable picnic lunch (bring your own), Mark will offer an optional guided walk of his woodland ending by 4 pm. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Meet 10:20 am at Settle Railway Station (timed for arrival of Leeds train. Or P&D parking nearby). Share cars to limited parking on access lane. Pleasant 1 mile walk to woodland entrance. Alternatively walk from Long Preston Station (2 miles) – directions available on request.

Booking essential (25 places) – contact Ann

Photo credit: Otterburn Tree Guard Recycling Day, 19 October 2019 by Sally Goodman

Thursday 26 March 2020

Capturing the Past.

Our Vice Chair Wilf Fenten and Mrs Hilary Fenten are the guest speakers at this evening talk offered by Skipton & District History Society (SDHS) a membership group showcasing local and national history.

Wilf has been a key part of our very successful archiving project over the last 4 years. Local volunteers have been trained to catalogue and digitise their community documents/photos and upload these to a bespoke website. The project is part of Stories in Stone, a scheme of conservation and community projects concentrated on the Ingleborough area led by Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

7:30 pm Swadford Centre, 32 Swadford Street, Skipton, BD23 1RD (upstairs room, lift).

£3 (unless you are also a member of SDHS).

Good public transport links to Skipton.

No parking at venue but nearby public car park. 

Photo credit: Monochrome photograph of Austwick Mothers’ Union garden party in Mrs Bacon’s garden dated 1944 © Yorkshire Dales Community Archives

Advance Notice - Ride2Stride Walking Festival

We are delighted to support this excellent walking festival once again in 2020, with free walks starting and finishing at stations on the Settle-Carlisle line.

We are offering four bespoke walks this year each lasting from mid morning to mid/late afternoon. There are many other free walks and pub music as part of the Festival programme - available via the link below or see www.ride2stride.org.uk.

Regret no dogs except RAD due to Ride2Stride policy. Bring a packed lunch on all walks. 

Photo credit: Settle & Carlisle Railway © Ride2Stride

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Hoffmann Kiln & Ribble Way

Settle Station

Starts after launch speech by Bruce McLeod which will be after the arrival of Leeds 09.19 and Carlisle 08.24 trains - at c10.22 am. 

Led by our Chair, Bruce McLeod, a lovely varied walk (c6 miles) with the highlight of the stunning well-preserved ruin of the Hoffmann Kiln, a vast industrial-scale lime kiln that you can walk inside!

Photo credit: Hoffmann Kiln visted AGM walk 2018 by Gillian Harrison

Wednesday 29 April 2020

Crummackdale & Thieves Moss

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station

Starts 10.31 am after arrival of Leeds 09.19 and Carlisle 08.24 trains. NB no toilets at Horton Station. 

Join volunteer Bernard Peel for an invigorating ramble (c7-8 miles) across open country, limestone pavement and walled tracks.

We’ll be hoping for a glorious show of Bird’s Eye Primrose and far reaching views.

Photo credit: Crummackdale Lane © Friends of the Dales 2019

Friday 1 May 2020

The Dale That Nearly Died

Garsdale Station

Starts at 10.54 am after the arrival of Leeds 09.19 train.

Dr Malcolm Petyt, a Vice President of Friends of the Dales, will lead us on an exploration of this secret little dale with its remote feel and quiet beauty.

About 6 miles – a moderate leisurely walk.

Photo credit: Garsdale railway station on the Settle to Carlisle line © Visit Cumbria

Monday 4 May 2020

Long Preston Deeps & Ribble Way

Long Preston Station

Starts 10.15 am Long Preston Station after the arrival of the Leeds 09.19 train. Or meet volunteer at Settle Station at 10.02 to take service bus (bus pass or pay) to Long Preston to join walk.

A scenic walk from Long Preston along the Ribble Way to Settle with views across the "Deeps" - an important area for wetland birds and wildflowers.

Led by Trustee Dr Tony Smith, about 7-8 miles of moderate walking.

Photo credit: R2S 2019 Along the Ribble photo by Peter Kerr

"Bus Friendly" Walks

Event: Various walks led by volunteers from Friends of Dalesbus

Description: A series of guided walks linking to the Sunday Dales Bus services supported by our Dales & Bowland CIC - full details can be found here: Friends of Dalesbus Events Programme