Crowdfunding saves ancient Cave as tourist attraction
AN ANCIENT cave threatened with closure as a tourist attraction has been saved by the might of the people as crowdfunding tops £50,000.
Stump Cross Cavern near Pateley Bridge, a network of limestone caves formed halfa-million years ago, had faced a desperate future after it was refused all recovery grants.
This week will see a sponsored storyteller share ghost stories and other tales from the Dales over 12-hours from the setting, helping to raise further funds. Now, just three weeks after the family owners shared their plight by putting up their own luxury campervan in a prize draw, they have reached their goal for the business to survive.
“We are just absolutely overwhelmed,” said co-owner Lisa Bowerman yesterday as the target drew close. “This has saved the caves for future generations.
“It would have been such a loss. To the area, to the local economy, but also to people from all over the world who come, we have had so many messages.
“It’s the power of the people that has saved us.”
Stump Cross, discovered by miners in 1860, is a site of Special Scientific Interest and a popular attraction which has seen visitor numbers fall 75 per cent.
Community backing has seen cheques posted through their letterbox over recent days, and pledges of raffle prizes from local businesses as fundraisers.
One customer David Auld, a storyteller known for his podcast series NoSleep and Shadows at the Door, will on Friday host an equinox storytelling night.
He will livestream 12 hours of ghost stories and other tales from 6pm, calling on people to sponsor him or make pledges.
There are many local legends to be told, said Ms Bowerman, recounting one tale of a ghost soldier seen marching at dusk, and dogs roaming over Tollers Gill.
“We have ghosts in the cave, we have ghosts in the kitchen, I’m sure they will come out to rumble at some point,” she said.