E-newsletter 3
Issue 3: Spring 2010
Yorkshire Dales special
Kite flying in the Yorkshire Dales by Shabana Din
Dear Community Champions,
I’m happy to be writing to you at the beginning of March, looking out the window at a clear blue sky and the first hint of spring. It’s been a long and cold winter – I know that many of your braved the arctic conditions to get out to the National Parks, but I hope that we can look forward to warmer and sunnier trips over the next few months!
As for the Mosaic team, we spent some time during the cold winter finalising the new Mosaic film, which was sent out to you along with the invitation to the Annual Event. Please get in touch if you haven’t yet received the film, or if you would like more DVD copies to hand out to others. I hope you will find the film a useful tool for introducing new people to the Parks. The film is being shown to the public on the Community Channel (available on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 or Freeview 87) at 7:30am and 7:30pm this Wednesday 3 March.
We’re delighted that so many of you have submitted your booking forms and are able to attend the Annual Event on 19-21 March. I’m very much looking forward to seeing friendly returning faces and meeting many new Champions for the first time. For those of you who can’t make it to the event, I am sorry to miss you and hope to see you soon!
I hope you’ll enjoy this newsletter issue focusing on the Yorkshire Dales. It is a spectacular place and a National Park that has gone to great lengths to attract diverse audiences for many years.
As always, please get in touch with me if you have any comments and I hope to see you soon!
Nina
What makes the Yorkshire Dales special to me? By Catherine Kemp, Outreach Officer.
My first experience of the Dales was as a first year university student – I found myself going down a pothole in the early darkness of a winter’s morning, only to come out hours later, wet, muddy and very cold into crisp new snow. I don’t remember which cave it was, but I do know this was an unlikely start to many hours spent walking, climbing, camping – and sometimes even caving – in the Yorkshire Dales.
Every year I see something new or special – this year I saw my first dormouse, I got over my reluctance to use technology and went on one of our new downloadable Bluetooth walks and I saw my first wheelbarrow train.
Since that first time I have visited with friends, family and with the people I meet through my job as Outreach Officer. For me the most amazing ‘special qualities’ of the National Park are the reactions of the people I am with to its many stunning landscapes and quiet corners; and that these places are here for everyone to enjoy.
Wheelbarrow train by Catherine Kemp
The Yorkshire Dales Society and Me by Nurjahan Ali Arobi, Community Champion.
My name is Nurjahan Ali Arobi and I am a Mosaic Community Champion (CC) for the Yorkshire Dales National Park. As a result of being a CC I was approached by Colin Speakman, Vice Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Society (YDS), about sitting on the society’s Council of Management (CoM).
The aims of Mosaic are the same for the YDS – to reach out to new people from new places, in this case from around the Dales. Before I joined the CoM did not have a Black Minority Ethnic member and was mainly older in age. I am younger and from the Bangladeshi community but like my colleagues I want the same things – to protect, conserve and promote the Dales.
Being part of YDS enables me to work on both strategic and grassroots levels. I get to help make decisions about the issues that affect the Dales. National Park Societies are independent organisations that play the part of critical friends so that the National Park Authorities listen to and involve locals and like minded people in planning and decision making. This could be about affordable housing or Dales’ historical features.
For me the Dales is a breath of fresh air (literally). The sights, sounds and sense of wonderment and awe make me feel good. I love the views and the peace and quiet and the opportunity to spend time with my family concentrating on each other. I want other people to experience this so I help organise activities and events. Part of this has involved advertising the regular DalesBus and the new Dales Experience Bus which last summer was put on to enable people from Bradford to visit the Dales. This proved so successful we had to leave members of the public behind at bus stops. Luckily when one of our invited groups got left behind due to a lack of seats I was able to take some time off work and lead them on a local walk.
Recently Colin and I have started a separate events sub-committee with Mosaic Project Officer Kabeer Bostan. We are planning three events, one of which is a cultural evening in the Dales, to engage new people from different communities through a shared interest in food and music. I enjoy this responsibility. Being part of YDS has been good for me. Over a year I attend 5 full meetings and as many sub-committee and events that I can. Beyond the decision making and organising I have met people who think and act on the belief that the Yorkshire Dales belong to us all. They inspire me to help lead the quest to engage more and younger people from all communities to join the Society and to use the Yorkshire Dales.
If you live in and around the Dales why not contact YDS for information about joining email: info@yds.org.uk or visit www.yds.org.uk
Nurjahan Ali Arobi speaking at the Mosaic Launch
Caverns as big as Cathedrals by Kabeer Bostan, Mosaic Project Officer.
Hello again! I have the pleasure of writing about a National Park that not only has many great qualities and an abundance of culture and history, but it is also a place that I have promoted for a number of years as a Community Champion.
The Yorkshire Dales offers a breadth of activities to suit everybody’s needs, whether you want a casual stroll to take in waterfalls, like Janet’s Foss, or if you want to experience some of the most stunning examples of limestone in the country, including Malham Cove - the Yorkshire Dales has it all. And for the more adventurous there are miles of caves under the national park that offer as much to explore as above ground, including caverns big enough to house a Cathedral and waterfalls like Gaping Gill, which has a fall of over 300 feet!
The Yorkshire Dales is a National Park that is truly accessible for everyone. Whether you want a buggy friendly walk, or use a tramper and are less mobile or simply want to leave the car at home - try one of the many walks that are nearby the Dalesbus route, there’s definitely something to tickle your fancy.
Well what are you waiting for? Follow the link for this year’s Visitor Guide for more ideas and activities: www.bowhouse.co.uk/clients/ydnp-2010/
Kabeer Bostan at Janet's Foss, Malham
Young Champions Big it Up! by David Rolls, Mosaic Research Officer.
Despite the wind, rain and snow it appears nothing has been able to dampen the spirits of the Young Champions who continue to go from strength to strength. After a tailored training programme they have been busy promoting their local National Parks to other young people in their community.
Ash, from Bideford in Devon, was one of the leading lights in ensuring various vehicles were available so that 36 young people were able to a participate in attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of trees planted in multiple locations.
"I really enjoyed the tree planting because we arrived in style, we had borrowed an ambulance, but unfortunately we arrived late and only just got there in time to take part in the record, but we still took part and planted a couple of trees each".
Looking forward, the Young Champions are busy developing a whole host of events for the coming months. Paul, from Exeter, has planned an overnight stay at Okehampton YHA for 16 of his fellow Foyer residents.
"I am really looking forward to getting the guys out. I’ve been bigging it up a bit. Most of them haven’t been out before on to Dartmoor, though of course I have done it myself now".
In fact if you want to see Paul in action, visit the Mosaic home page www.mosaicnationalparks.org/
Elsewhere the North Devon Crew are carrying out an accredited Youth Inspection of Exmoor National Park Authority visitor services, whilst the Young Champions from Plymouth Environmental Action are celebrating after hearing their application for promoting conservation volunteering has been successful with the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund.
Paul, Javid and Ali on East Hill, Dartmoor by David Rolls
Anecdotes from Yorkshire Dales Community Champions.
Shabana Din
I have just put 24 young people through their John Muir Award*. I was able to get all the organisations I have met through being a Community Champion to work together to provide a years’ worth of activities all about the Dales. We went kite flying, visited farms, looked in ponds and learnt to read maps. We also studied some of the natural history of the Dales at our local museum, Cliffe Castle Museum, and the children helped put together a display case showing their work.
Many of the young people had never been out into the countryside before but it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm, interest and appreciation of nature grow! The children learnt many new things and have been on an amazing journey in completing the award. I am very proud of their achievements.
*The John Muir Award is a national award scheme which encourages groups to discover wild places, explore and conserve them and share their experiences.
Shabana Din and daughter by Catherine Kemp
Shakila Haniff
I’ve been a Community Champion for several years now. I have bought out groups from the Centre where I work, including this year, a group of 20 women and children who came on one of the new public service buses that now run from Bradford to the Dales in the summer holidays. This February half term I bought some of the children from the play-scheme to Clapham where we looked for witches and ghosts in some old tunnels and caves – we also got to sit in the local cave rescue ambulances!
Grange Interlink Playscheme at Clapham by Shakila Haniff
Nurjahan Ali-Arobi
I really appreciate being a Community Champion with for YDNPA as it involves practically enjoying and using the Dales in many ways such as planting trees with my daughters, but I also believe in getting involved at all levels so I am a Council member on the Yorkshire Dales Society supporting and campaigning for the Yorkshire Dales to be the best it can be.
Nurjahan Ali Arobi and family tree planting by Catherine Kemp
Events Diary
Organiser: Campaign for National Parks
Date: Wednesday 31st March
What Makes and Adventurer?: Mountaineering legend Sir Chris Bonington and writer/adventurer Ben Fogle share a personal insight into their favourite adventure. In conversation with Libby Purves they reflect on how their early experiences in the British countryside generated a spirit of exploration that has seen them succeed in the most challenging places on earth.
Venue: Royal Geographical Society, London.
Time: 19:00
Cost: £10 per ticket. To book tickets please download the booking form and return to Liz Wall, CNP, 6-7 Barnard Mews, London SW11 1QU. www.cnp.org.uk/docs/RGS_flyer1.pdf
Organiser: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 11th April
Patchwork and Quilting at Dales Countryside Museum: Drop-in and have a go. Watch Kate Trusson show how to make your own appliqué work using traditional North Country techniques. Patterns available to buy.
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Cost: Free.
Organiser: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 11th April
Join David Wellock for a short walk to meet the new born lambs, prize winning Aberdeen Angus & Rhea. This is not an Open Farm visit and children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Malham National Park Centre: 01969 652380
Meet: Hurries Farm, Otterburn.
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: Adults £ 3, children and public transport users free.
Organiser: Dalesbus Ramblers
Date: Sunday 14th March
Hebden Gill Guided Walk at Wharfedale: A walk along the River Wharfe forms the prelude to a ramble up Hebden Gill and past the former lead mines, before descending to Grassington.
Meet: Village Green at Burnsall.
Time: 10:45 - 15:00
Cost: Free.
Organiser: Dalesbus Ramblers
Date: Sunday 18th April
Public Transport Guided Walk at Wharfedale: Ramble over Thorpe Fell with its shooting tracks and industrial remains, then down to Thorpe and onward through Linton to Grassington.
Meet: Drebley Lane End
Time: 10:50 – 16:00
Cost: Free.
Organiser: Yorkshire Dales Society
Date: Saturday 17th April
Pen-y-Ghent walk: Lunch at the summit, weather permitting!! Approximately 5 miles in length with a strenuous short climb to the summit cap. We will talk about the Three Peaks Project, path maintenance issues, the summit shelter and challenge events.
Meet: YDNP car park, Horton in Ribblesdale
Time: 10:30
Cost: Free, booking essential, contact 01729 825600.
Organiser: Yorkshire Dales Society
Date: Sunday 9th May
Annual Wildflower Walk: Joint Walk as part of YDMT Festival of Flowers 2010. Through Oxenber Woods to Feizor (with refreshments at Home Barn, if desired) and back to the start. A fabulous riot of wild flowers will be seen on this truly superb walk.
Meet: Meeting place to be confirmed
Start time: 10:30
Cost: Free, booking essential, contact 01729 825600.
Organiser: Peak District National Park Authority
Date: Saturday 27th March
Map Reading for Beginners: Join the rangers for a 5 mile hilly walk to learn how to use a map and compass as an aid to navigation.
Meet: Trentabank Ranger Centre
Time: 10:30
Cost: Free, Bookings taken from 6th March and essential, call 01260 252 832.
Organiser: Friends of the Peak District
Date: Saturday 24th April
Tissington Nursery is opening specially for Friends of the Peak District to give a sneak preview of its new plantings in the old kitchen gardens, including brand new raised beds. Enjoy a fascinating short talk, followed by a gentle stroll around Tissington Village to gain an overview of this thriving, working estate.
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Cost: £5 for non members or free for Friends. Booking essential, contact Saskia Palmer on 0114 266 5822.
Organiser: Broads Authority
Date: Monday 5th April
Ant Valley Walk: Ludham Bridge to How Hill or St Benet's Abbey. As part of International Year of Biodiversity join a guided walk learning about some of the wonderfully diverse wildlife found in the Ant Valley and discovering the cultural heritage of our fantastic Broads landscape. This 3 mile circular walk either visits St Benet's Abbey or How Hill, depending on weather conditions and requests.
Time: 10:00- 13:00
Meet: Outside the shop at Ludham Bridge, NR29 5NY.
Cost: Free
Organiser: North York Moors National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 4th April
Walking with History Level 1 and Level 2 Health Walks: Join Assistant Ranger Jim Hall on these walks and discover a mediaeval village. There will be a history archive arranged in the village hall and a 15 minute presentation about what you are seeing. Tea and biscuits will be provided on your return.
Meet: Appleton-le-Moors Village Hall
Time: 10:45 – 12:00 (level 1) and 1:00pm – 15:00pm (level 2)
Cost: Free, but please book for this event 01439 772738.
Organiser: Lake District National Park Authority
Date: Thursday 1st April
Family Stroll to a Working Farm: Stroll to a traditional Lakeland working farm. Meet farm animals, including rare breeds, and learn more about agricultural life. Refreshments available to buy. Appropriate footwear required. Bring a packed lunch
Meet: Ambleside Information Centre
Start time: 11:00
Price: Free
Organiser: Northumberland National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 4th April
Hadrian’s Wall Patrol. These are longer walks by Voluntary Rangers. Please feel free to dip in and out of these
Start: National Park Centre
Time: 11:00
Organiser: Dartmoor National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 14th March
A Ridge Walk with a Beacon: Tread the highest points of the North east side of the moor and across 'The Beacon' which was so beautifully described by Eden Phillpotts in his book of the same name.
Time: 10:30
Cost: Free if you travel by public transport and show your ticket.
Organiser: Dartmoor Preservation Association
Date: Tuesday 9th March
Widgery Cross & Bleak House Guided Walk: From the Fox & Hounds we ascend to Widgery Cross on Bray Tor, erected by William Widgery for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Then on to the old peat-works at Amicombe Hill and the manager's house, Dunnagoat Cottage - now better known as Bleak House! We return via Great Links Tor. About 4-5 miles on moorland but most of this is on tracks. Magnificent views throughout. Bring something to eat with you. Afterwards, there is the opportunity to have refreshment in the Fox & Hounds.
Meet: We will meet at the Fox & Hounds pub on the A386 at SX524866
Time: 9:30
Booking: Val Barns Tel: 01837 840123 Email: valerie.barns1@btinternet.com
Organiser: Exmoor National Park Authority
Date: Saturday 1st May
Where are we? Confidence in the countryside: Improve your confidence in exploring the countryside by gaining basic map reading, navigation and compass skills and discovering what you can do where! Practical sessions on the open moor.
Time: 13:00
Cost: Free but booking essential, call 01398 323841.
Organiser: Exmoor Society
Date: Wednesday 7th April
A Circular Walk from Withypool via Landacre Bridge: Join a member of the Exmoor Society on this 5-mile circular walk from Withypool to Landacre Bridge. We return along the River Barle to an optional lunch at the Royal Oak, Withypool. Likely to be boggy in places - please wear suitable walking boots & outdoor clothing. Non-members are very welcome.
Meet: Withypool Withypool Car Park
Cost: Donation requested from non-members
Organiser: New Forest National Park Authority
Date: Sunday 25th April
Greener living show: The Greener Living Show will promote greener alternatives to all aspects of everyday living. Come along for practical advice on greener living and demonstrations of some of the latest technologies. See how you could save money and improve your health at the same time as helping the environment.
Venue: Brockenhurst College
Time: 9:30 – 16:30
Cost: Free
