E-Newsletter 2

Issue 2: Winter 2009

North York Moors Special

Dear Community Champions,

Six months in to the Mosaic project I am happy to report that we are making great progress. The Mosaic Project Officers around the country have done a great job recruiting new Champions that represent a wide range of communities and organisations.

Over the last few months we’ve had our first weekend Group Leader Visits introducing new Champions to several of the National Parks. From the photos and feedback, it looks like much fun was had. In the Lake District 9 Champions learned how to canoe and spotted an otter, Champions in the New Forest were charmed by the ponies, and the Broads offered a somewhat rainy experience of the wetlands!

Over the next few winter months, we’ll continue to recruit Champions and also start providing training and opportunities to get more involved directly with the National Park Authorities. Then in March 2010, we’ll have our first big annual event bringing together all Champions from around the country for a big celebratory weekend in the Lake District. It should be a fun weekend, full of activities and opportunities to meet like-minded Champions from other corners of England. Please mark your calendars: 19-21 March 2010 and more details will follow.

Image: Roseberry Topping, North York Moors by Joe Cornish.

This issue of the newsletter sees us focusing on the North York Moors, a National Park that’s been a wonderful Mosaic partner for many years. It’s a beautiful place, and I hope some of you who haven’t been there before will be inspired to visit.

Enjoy this newsletter and as always, get in touch with me if you have any comments or feedback.

Nina

The Weird and Wonderful by Julie Lawrence

Director of Information, Education and Visitor Services at the North York Moors National Park Authority

So, what does make us so special?  Probably the most well known quality is that we have the largest continuous expanse of heather moorland in England.  However, we also have some weird things too as we found out this year when we tried to identify 60 things you didn’t know about the North York Moors as part of the 60th anniversary of National Parks in England and Wales.  So how about these for making us special…

•    We have the deepest mine in Europe (a 100m deep potash mine at Boulby)
•    We have approximately 1500 boundary stones and crosses and over

      700 Scheduled ancient monuments

Image: Lilla Cross, North York Moors by Mike Kipling.

•    Moorsbus (our bus service) saves over 1 million car miles every year and

     400 tons of carbon emissions.
•    You can holiday in a restored pigsty built in the 1880’s near Whitby
•    The oldest surviving Gooseberry Show in the country is held

     in Egton bridge (established in 1800)
•    If you walked all the rights of way (footpaths etc.) in the Park (1408 miles),

      it would be like walking from here to Naples!
•    And what about the most horrible job in the North York Moors?… Collecting pee for the

     Allum industry! And guess who did it…children of course! (Allum was used in dyeing cloth).

What do I personally love about the Moors?  The fact that for 60 years this weird and wonderful place is available to everyone to enjoy.

My North York Moors by Community Champion Naseem Mahmoud.

My experience of the North York Moors is unforgettable. The first time I visited I was surprised at the great landscapes and the activities that are available.  It also surprised me to find that the National Parks are open to everyone and not owned by an individual. Before I started visiting the North York Moors I was not aware of the superb facilities that were available. It is a very unique place and it has amazing, breathtaking views.

I return to the moors because of the natural beauty and because it is very peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle of the town. It is a very relaxing place and the sound of birds singing is nice and goes with the surrounding of the Moors. The waterfalls are amazing as you are able to see the natural flow of water.

The history of the moors is also very interesting and wanting to learn more about the history makes me want to visit again and again. One historical story that I remember being told was how one lady encouraged and inspired others to create and maintain the Helmsley Walled Garden which has history way back from when the Tudors lived.

I will definitely continue visiting the moors because it is peaceful and takes my mind off the normal daily routine and gives me time to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. I love walking and visiting the Moors allows me to enjoy myself as well as keeping fit and healthy.

Image: Naseem Mahmoud (left) talking to Tasnim Niaz on the North York Moors in October 2009, NYMNPA.

When I am not out visiting national parks I work part-time and I am a member of a group called Chandni ladies.  We meet at the international centre once a week and take part in different activities. 

My two favourite places are Whitby Abbey, because it is a historical building and the views from the abbey are amazing and Goathland, because it has an amazing waterfall which I absolutely adore.
 

3 reasons to visit the North York Moors by Kabeer Bostan.

Hello I’m Kabeer and I’m lucky enough to be the Mosaic Project Officer for the North York Moors.  I’d like to tell you why I think you should visit (if you haven’t already!)

1.    Travel by public transport is easy. 

By train:  There are rail links from all over the country to stations in towns surrounding the park.  If you’d like to take in the scenery the relaxing way, then there’s always the service between Middlesbrough and Whitby which takes you through the heart of the National Park. 

By bus: National Park’s own Moorsbus network operates every Sunday from Easter until the end of October from major locations, including Middlesbrough, York, Hull, Scarborough, and Thirsk.

2.    There’s lots do once you get here.

Active types can go climbing, canoeing, and walk or cycle on over 1,400 miles of paths and tracks.  If you fancy something a bit more relaxing, there’s the tranquil Helmsley Walled Garden which is set against the spectacular back drop of Helmsley Castle.  Or you could always visit the Moors Centre in Danby, which is set on the banks of the river Esk and has an excellent tearoom.

Image: Mustafa Othman (left) and Chris Jaggo (right) in front of Rievaulx Abbey by Kabeer Bostan.

3.    Stunning landscapes

The North York Moors has one of the largest areas of heather moorland in the UK, as well as a beautiful coast line, which includes many picturesque fishing villages and my personal favourite, Robin Hoods Bay.

If you need any more persuasion, please feel free to contact me, but in the meantime I hope to see you on the Moors soon (most likely in a tearoom!).

The Mosaic Young Champions go from success to success by David Rolls

Young people from across the Southwest are ‘doing it for themselves’ enjoying and promoting our wonderful National Parks to their friends and other young people. Here are just two of them giving an update on the projects they are already developing. 

‘Hi I’m Ash.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Exmoor champion weekend.  My personal highlight was the team building exercises because I met people in my local area that I never knew before, and they got me involved in a local group called Wings.  My most memorable moment was Steve nearly falling between two canoes tied together and me and George climbing trees in the dark. I am definitely looking forward to planning future events with Mosaic.'

Image: Ash Adopts a Tree on Exmoor by David Rolls.

‘I’m Steve. I want to get other young people on to Dartmoor through doing a murder mystery tour based on local myths and legends.  It has got to be accessible for all young people, including people with disabilities.  I know I can get the young people - I just need David’s (Mosaic Officer) help to get the funding and to support me planning it with the National Park.  I can do the rest!’

To learn more about the Mosaic Young Champions contact David Rolls on 07935 099 462 or email david@cnp.org.uk

Competition results

We are pleased to announce the winner of the competition set in the last newsletter.  Congratulations to Lake District Community Champion Steve Longden for submitting the winning entry.  He wins a £25 gift voucher from an outdoor retailer specialist. 

My favourite place is...Moss Dub, Ennerdale Valley in the Lake District.
I can walk around the valley with my wife and two boys, plopping stones in the River Liza, having great picnics and then just watching the dragonflies hum gently over Moss Dub.  As my son said, the last time we visited, “that was the best day of my life”. 

And if anyone is tempted to visit Steve’s favourite place in the Lake District, you might be interested to know that there is a 4 star YHA hostel right in the middle of the area in the Ennerdale Valley which costs from only £13.95 per person per night. 

Events Diary

Here is a selection of events taking place in the National Parks around the country in December 2009.  For further information or to find out about events in 2010 follow this link www.mosaicnationalparks.org/Events_in_the_National_Parks/

Organiser: North York Moors National Park Authority
Christmas Fair: Get into the Christmas spirit with food and crafts galore, a visit from Santa and children's activities.
Date:  Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th December 2009
Venue:  Sutton Bank National Park Centre
Time:  10.30 – 16.30
Cost:  Free
Booking:  01439 772738

Organiser: North York Moors National Park Authority
Star Party: Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy 2009 join York Astronomy Club for some star gazing.  Telescopes will be on site as well as experts to answer your questions.
Date: Saturday 12th December 2009
Venue: Sutton Bank National Park Centre
Time:  20.00
Cost:  Free
Booking:  01439 772738

Organiser: The Broads Authority
Ludham Guided Walk:  Join the Ludham Archive Group on a walk around the footpaths of Ludham village and visit some of its hidden places. Find out about our 1000 year history in friendly company.
Date:  Sunday 13th December 2009
Time:  14.00
Venue:  Meet at the Throwers Shop, High Street, Ludham.
Cost:  Free
Booking:  Not required

Organiser:  Dartmoor National Park Authority
Date:  Thursday 31st December 2009
Watch the Sun go Down on 2009:  3 hour circular walk taking in the valley of the becka brook and some of the high points to see the last rays of light from 2009.
Time:  14.00
Venue:  Meet at the Lower Car Park in Haytor
Cost:  Free if you travel by bus, otherwise £5.00
Booking:  Not required

Organiser:  Peak District National Park Authority
Date:  Saturday 12th December 2009
Caves, Castles and Christmas:  An easy 4 mile family walk discovering Castleton through the ages.
Time: 13:00 - 15:30
Venue:  Meet Castleton Information Centre
Booking:  booking essential, call 01433 670216.
Cost:  Free

Organiser:  Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Date:  Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th December 2009
The Original Masham Victorian Fair:  The original Victorian Fair is not to be missed. 
Venue:  Market Square
Cost:  Free

Organiser:  New Forest National Park Authority
Date:  Saturday 12th December
Children’s Christmas workshop:  Join in our children’s Christmas workshop to make a willow star decoration or pine cone pet.
Time:  10.00 am - 3.00 pm
Venue:  Lepe Country Park.
Booking:  Not required
Cost:  Pine cones £1.00, willow stars £2.00.

Organiser:  Exmoor National Park Authority
Date:  Wednesday 9th December 2009
West Somerset Mineral Railway Guided Tour:  Three hour walk taking in parts of the West Somerset Mineral Railway still visible in the scenic Brendon Hills.
Time:  10.00 - 13.00
Booking:  Essential, please call 01398 323841.
Cost:  Free

Organiser:  Lake District National Park Authority
Date:  Sunday 6th December 2009
Keswick Traditional Christmas Fayre:  Decorated charity stalls and colourful lights, and equally colourful local characters providing entertainment the event is an occasion not to be missed.
Venue: Keswick Market Square
Time:  12.00 onwards
Cost:  Free

Organiser:  Yorkshire Dales Society
Date:  Saturday 12th December 2009
Third Winter Walk and Lecture:  Join us on a walk in the hills above Settle
Time:  10.30
Venue:  Market Square, Settle
Cost:  Free to YDS members

Organiser:  Dartmoor Preservation Association
Date:  Tuesday 15th December 2009
Conservation on Stanlake Cairns:  Help to clear away the gorse so that they can be appreciated again.  Stanlake Cairns are part of the complex of Bronze Age archaeology on Leeden Hill. 
Time:  10.00
Venue:  Leeden Hill car park
Booking:  Call Paul Rendell on 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@virgin.net
Cost:  Free

Organiser:  Friends of the Lake District
Date:  Friday 4th December 2009
Christmas mince pies conservation work party: Dry stone walling, tuition is available.  Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to come along.  Everyone is welcome.
Booking:  Please contact Jan Darrall jan-darrall@fld.org.uk if you would like to attend or like more details.
Venue:  Mazonwath, Little Asby Common
Cost:  Free