Hospital provides beds for families
CONSERVATIONISTS HAVE claimed a hunger which exists within rural communities to conserve landscapes steeped in industrial heritage must continue to be tapped into if the countryside is to be properly protected for future generations.
Managers behind a groundbreaking four-year project in North Yorkshire which draws to a close later this year have maintained that a groundswell of support to undertake major conservation projects must be capitalised on.
Backed by £1.2m in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership has engaged with a wide range of communities, including artists, archaeologists and farmers, to tell the story of how the area has been shaped by industry and those who have lived and worked there in the past.
It has also carried out conservation work at four flagship heritage sites including the nationally important Prosperous Lead Mine in the Ashfoldside valley.
Farmers have taken steps to increase biodiversity and archaeological digs have revealed new details about the area’s rich history.
In total, some 2,700 acres of farmland has been surveyed by volunteers who have dedicated, across the partnership’s wider work, more than 5,000 hours of their time.
The scheme has also delivered training to local people in skills such as masonry and dry stone walling, whilst having sought to champion rural sectors through education and the arts.
Key findings from the project’s work will be shared to inspire other communities and organisations at a major conference in Pateley Bridge.
Louise Brown, scheme manager at the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership, said: “We’ve successfully worked with the local community, farmers, land managers and a wide range of organisations to explore practical ways to safeguard and celebrate our landscape, heritage, wildlife and rural economy.
“It’s vital to use this learning for the future of our countryside and to ensure we protect it for generations to come.”
Experts from leading environmental and landscape organisations will contribute to the partnership’s forthcoming Landscape Matters conference.
Speakers include the commissioner for the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Prof David Hill, who is also the chairman of the conservation charity Plantlife; David Renwick, the regional head of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Ken Smith, the chairman of the Council for British Archaeology.
Delegates will hear how the findings of the partnership’s work are of “national significance”.
“It’s been hugely successful, showing how people can positively make an impact on our rural landscapes,” said Ms Brown as she reflected on the last four years of work with the Upper Nidderdale community.
“Whether it’s finding a space for wildlife or wildflowers, or conserving old buildings, there’s a real hunger for this work.
“It’s a bridge to the past which people really value, and importantly offers a road map for the future to ensure our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty continues to flourish.”
She added: “The learnings have national importance. Losing young people from farming and land management is one of the biggest risks to its future.
“The work we have done shows how local communities can work with organisations to benefit the countryside. We hope it will be a legacy that will continue and live on for a long time.”
The conference detailing the work undertaken by the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership will take place on Thursday, September 13, in Pateley Bridge.
Camp beds are being provided for the families of cancer patients who want to stay with their loved ones in hospital in their final days.
Nurses at Hull’s Castle Hill Hospital raised £2,800 to pay for overnight beds on Ward 30 at the Queen’s Centre, a specialist cancer facility.
Ward Sister Hayley Butler said: “I’m really proud of the team.
“The overnight equipment will make such a difference to patients and their relatives on the ward.”