With its picturesque setting alongside Fewston reservoir, and famously good cakes, Washburn Heritage Centre is a popular place to visit.

But the centre’s tranquil location belies a harrowing and less well known past that local volunteers have helped to piece together over the last decade.

In 2009 and 2010, before the centre was built alongside St Michael and St Lawrence Church, volunteers worked alongside academics and archaeologist John Buglass to investigate human remains buried in the graveyard.

Child workers were transported from London to the Washburn Valley to work on mills in Blubberhouses in Victorian times. The bodies of many lay unmarked alongside Fewston.

Sally Robinson (left) and fellow volunteer Sarah Stead outside the heritage centre.

Sally Robinson, chair of the management committee at the centre, who led the team of volunteers, said:

“We knew there were remains, but we didn’t know how many.”

The remains of 154 individuals and artefacts were discovered and now form what has become known as the Fewston assemblage.

The assemblage has assumed international significance for archeologists because of the social history it reveals.

Scientists and community volunteers analysing the skeletal remains from Fewston

An academic paper published last month detailed how the investigation led by Durham University pieced together the story of forgotten ‘pauper apprentices’ from Washburn Valley. Many were aged between eight and 20 years when they died.

Analysis showed the children were distinctive from locals because of their stunted growth and malnutrition, as well as evidence of diseases associated with hazardous labour.

Examination of the bones and teeth highlighted many had died from tuberculosis and respiratory disease associated with millwork, or from diseases of deprivation, such as rickets.

Lead author Rebecca Gowland, a professor in the department of archaeology at Durham University, said:

“This is the first bioarchaeological evidence for pauper apprentices in the past and it unequivocally highlights the toll placed on their developing bodies. To see direct evidence, written in the bones, of the hardships these children had faced was very moving.

“It was important to the scientists and the local community that these findings could provide a testimony of their short lives.”

From the excavation site in Fewston where the remains were discovered. Pic: John Buglass Archaeology

The remains were reburied in a ceremony in 2016. Artwork inspired by the analysis and an exhibition are on now on permanent display at Washburn Heritage Centre.

Ms Robinson said:

“It’s easy to forget that the Washburn valley had an industrial past given the beauty of the reservoirs that visitors see today. It was important to us to find out about the children who worked in the mills.

“They were overlooked in life and treated as a commodity — but we hope we have done them some justice by telling their stories and creating a lasting commemoration.”

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Two local councillors have said the proposed introduction of parking charges at three local reservoirs could cause “tremendous” problems for local residents and visitors.

Yesterday, Yorkshire Water announced it would be introducing parking charges at Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs on a trial basis.

Comments on social media indicate many people believe parking at these much-loved beauty spots should remain free.  Yorkshire Water has said all funds raised will be reinvested in the sites.

Harrogate Borough councillor Victoria Oldham and parish councillor, Graham Hebblethwaite, both felt the charges could put off visitors using the car parks and that they’d park on nearby roads instead.

All three reservoirs are surrounded by farmland and narrow roads. Both councillors believe increased parking on the roads would create traffic problems, be a danger to pedestrians and potentially block the road to farm machinery.

Cllr Victoria Oldham, Conservative councillor for the Washburn ward, said:

“It will cause tremendous problems. I can understand if they are planning to make improvements but these come at an expense to others.

“When you’re out walking in a beautiful environment such as the Washburn Valley you often get distracted by the scenery but putting a timer on parking means some people may miss out on what is around them.”

Cllr Oldham said she’d be willing to talk to Yorkshire Water alongside residents about the plans.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chair of Washburn Parish Council, who lives half a mile from Fewston reservoir said:

“We have white lines on the road but that doesn’t stop people parking on them, I can’t ring 101 every time a car parks on the lines there’s just not enough time. It’s an easy money maker but they don’t have to live with it, it’s locals who will experience the problems.”

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3, an all day pass for £5 and an annual pass for £30.

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The Harrogate group of ramblers often visit the reservoirs, it said in the short-term it won’t cause problems but as it looks to plan future walks the charges could mean they choose not to start from one of the reservoirs.

Keith Wadd, publicity officer for the group, said:

“Anything that discourages walking in the countryside is a retrograde step. In the longer term it is likely fewer led walks will start from one of the reservoirs.

“The Washburn Valley is virtually inaccessible on public transport so a parking charge could put some people off and makes a place of beauty less accessible.”

Those commenting on social media called for the money to be invested in refurbishing public toilets and removing fallen trees off the land. Yorkshire Water has said the money will go towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team.

The nine rangers will help visitors enjoy their stays, do maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour that poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We have thought long and hard about the introduction of these charges. We believe we’ve catered for all types of visitors we see. Whether they are looking for a day out or to visit every day to walk their dog.

“As well as improving security and safety at our sites, the parking charges will also be used to fund a variety of conservation, community, and facility improvement projects. It will also help wildlife to thrive on our sites.

“Ultimately, we hope that during the trial we will see incidents of fly tipping and antisocial behaviour decrease; making these sites safer and more enjoyable for people, and more wildlife friendly too. Likewise, we hope that the charges will encourage people to at least consider travelling via public transport, cycle paths, and walking routes rather than by car.”

This article is sponsored by Yorkshire Water.

Yorkshire Water is planning to introduce car parking charges at three reservoirs in North Yorkshire – Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross – on a trial basis.

Since making the announcement this morning Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor, wanted to explain the proposed charges, why they are being implemented and what it is hoped the trial will deliver:

“Yorkshire is blessed with fantastic outdoor spaces, including reservoirs owned and operated by Yorkshire Water.

“Over the last two years, people looked for outdoor spaces to enjoy time with their family and friends when permitted. So we’ve welcomed more people to our sites than ever before.

“Unfortunately, this period also saw an increase in anti-social behaviour at our sites. Instances of fly-tipping, the lighting of disposable barbecues, littering, vandalism are on the up.

“All of these hindered the enjoyment of our sites for visitors and posed safety risks.”

As a result, Yorkshire Water decided to introduce its first ever in-house ranger team. A total of ten rangers will be recruited to patrol, manage and maintain the reservoirs.

The rangers will be able to provide information to visitors and enhance their experience. They will also be able to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Parking charges will fund new ranger team

To fund the rangers, Yorkshire Water is trialling car parking charges at Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross. Parking charges will also be introduced at Langsett in South Yorkshire.

Mr Harvey added:

“We have thought long and hard about the introduction of these charges.

“We believe we’ve catered for all types of visitors we see. Whether they are looking for a day out or to visit every day to walk their dog.

“As well as improving security and safety at our sites, the parking charges will also be used to fund a variety of conservation, community, and facility improvement projects.

“The funds will help us increase our work with charities and community groups. It will also help wildlife to thrive on our sites.

“All of this will ensure the money visitors spend on parking is invested directly into the sites they use to further improve their experience.

“Ultimately, we hope that during the trial we will see incidents of fly tipping and antisocial behaviour decrease; making these sites safer and more enjoyable for people, and more wildlife friendly too.

“Likewise, we hope that the charges will encourage people to at least consider travelling via public transport, cycle paths, and walking routes rather than by car.”

Yorkshire Water already sponsors the Dales Bus Service, which provides a specific bus route through the Washburn Valley, on Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays.

If planning is approved for the parking meters, charges will start at £1 for an hour, £2 for 2 hours, £5 for all-day parking of £30 for an annual pass.

Yorkshire Water has revealed plans to introduce parking charges at four of its reservoirs, including Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross in North Yorkshire.

The water company has said it will apply for planning permission for parking meters this month and, if approved, they will be installed for a trial period later this year.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3, an all day pass for £5 and an annual pass for £30.

Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross are popular with walkers and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.

The company said income raised from the charges would be “reinvested across Yorkshire Water’s sites” on nature conservation projects and improvements to facilities.

Fewston Reservoir

The charges will also contribute towards the first ever in-house Yorkshire Water ranger team. The nine rangers will help visitors enjoy their stays, do maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour that poses a threat to people, wildlife and the environment.

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside advisor at Yorkshire Water said:

“We know how important our sites are to local communities and visitors alike. We have thought long and hard about the way people use our sites before implementing this trial, as well as considering approaches at similar sites around the country.

“We believe a small parking fee and increased security will help to dissuade anti-social behaviour, such as fly-tipping, at our sites but also have a long-term positive impact in terms of the projects we can deliver in the future.

“We are collaborating with local authorities and local stakeholders to ensure the introduction of these tariffs causes minimal disruption and we will be working hard to ensure all our visitors are aware of the charges before they arrive at our sites.”

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Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, have been appointed to operate the parking meters. ANPR cameras will be installed at the sites and visitors will be able to pay via card payment on site, the RingGo app and by telephone.

Those without means to pay with them can call the phone line later in the day to pay.

Swinsty reservoir

Harrogate Grammar School is inviting people to join a walk next week in memory of a student who died of suicide.

Dom Sowa died in 2017 aged 17.

The school is taking part in a month of walks in the UK called Hopewalk, which raises money in support of Papyrus — a charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

Harrogate Grammar, which has been supporting Hopewalk for the last four years, is holding a four-mile walk around Fewston reservoir on October 17 at 10am.

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It is inviting others to join in and help raise awareness of suicide prevention.

A map of the walk can be found here. The school is asking walkers to meet in the car park at point 1.