Observatory near Ripon offers chance to see Milky WayPeople in the Harrogate district will be given the opportunity to see the solar system and Milky Way from an observatory near Ripon next month and in March.
Lime Tree Observatory at Lime Tree Farm, at Grewelthorpe, is offering a series of tours as part of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty‘s Dark Skies Festival.
If the weather is clear, telescopes will be available to see the dark nights skies close up.
Nidderdale is home to some of the darkest skies in the country and has four dark sky discovery sites — Thruscross reservoir, Scar House reservoir, Fewston and Toft Gate — which are recognised as excellent and accessible places to stargaze.
Credit: Martin Whipp
Iain Mann, Nidderdale AONB manager, said:
“Our dark skies are part of what makes this landscape so special with the opportunity to see thousands of stars, and even at times, the Northern Lights.
“But this wondrous sight is under threat with increasing light pollution. It also threatens nocturnal wildlife, wastes energy and can even affect our own wellbeing.”
New planeterium coming
Lime Tree Observatory, which has a 24-inch reflecting telescope with a motor driven and a presentation room, is run by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis.
Nidderdale AONB recently awarded the observatory a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant to buy digital projection equipment for its new planetarium, which has been three years in the making.
Built in a converted old hay barn, the planetarium will be six and a half metres in diameter, and is set to open to the public this year.
Read more:
The three-year Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes grant programme offers financial support for one-off projects that either support nature recovery, provide better access or engagement with the land, or increases the business resilience of ‘nature friendly’ farms.
Astronomer, filmmaker and volunteer at Lime Tree Observatory, Martin Whipp, said:
“When it opens, the new planetarium will have a real wow-factor. You’ll be able to fly through the Orion Nebula, or witness simulations of galaxies colliding in this immersive experience.”
“The observatory aims to truly engage and inspire the public. Here, children can hold a meteorite that’s four billion years old. It can really fire imaginations. Space offers an exciting platform to learn physics, to inspire art, poetry and philosophy.”
The Dark Skies Festival also offers a chance to canoe under the stars at How Stean Gorge in Lofthouse.
For details and to book for the Lime Tree Observatory, click here.
Tickets are limited and booking essential.
What is Nidderdale AONB?
Nidderdale AONB, which is funded by the government, is an area of 233 square miles located on the eastern flanks of the Yorkshire Pennines stretching from Great Whernside to the edge of the Vale of York.
AONBs are designated in recognition of their national importance and to ensure that their character and qualities are protected for all to enjoy.
Four wellness retreats in the Harrogate district to re-energise mind, body and soulJanuary can be a pretty depressing month.
Our finances have usually taken a hit thanks to Christmas, we feel run-down due to the impact the festive season has had on our nutrition and sleep and the cold, gloomy days don’t help either.
Add to that the effect the pandemic has, and continues to have, on our mental health, it comes as no surprise some of us just want to lie down in a dark room and hibernate until spring.
If the past year has been a slog, these breaks focusing on nutrition, yoga and mindfulness in the Harrogate district can help restore balance, health and creativity.
Switch off at the Acorn Wellness Retreat, Brimham Rocks Road, Hartwith
With stunning views of the rolling fields of Nidderdale, this calming boutique retreat at Hartwith has a not-for-profit business ethos and uses its funds to support cancer patients. If you want to step away from the real world and completely switch off, Acorn Wellness offers a number of retreats and pop-up events. All the guests have use of the sauna and steam room and can book massages. Healing Day Retreats run regularly – including one on January 26 – and include yoga, visualisations and gong baths, as well as use of the spa. If you’re looking to escape for a few days this month, a Heart and Soul Weekend Retreat is taking place on January 29 and 30. The retreat includes a combination of yoga-nidra, somatic meditation, mindfulness, sound healing with gongs, a cacao ceremony and nourishing vegan food and is priced from £280.
Jules Cooper and Trish Nugent, who will be leading the retreat, said:
“We endeavour to give you the right balance between activity and rest so that your body is able to release tension, giving you the space to discover lightness of mind, your deep intentions and your true spirit for 2022.”
Rejuvunate at the Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing, Duchy Road, Harrogate
Founded by Anne-Marie Burford in 1986, the
Yorkshire Centre for Wellbeing specialises in yoga, pilates, meditation, Tai Chi and ayurvedic lifestyle and diet consultation, amongst other holistic therapies. The centre, in the Duchy area of Harrogate, is also known for its retreats, which take place four to five times each year and explore Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation in more depth. The next one takes place at Easter, which is billed as a “time of rebirth and renewal”. Guests will learn an Ayurvedic lifestyle can bring rejuvenation and life enhancing changes that are aimed at leading to a healthier, happier and more balanced version of you. The next retreat run from April 22 until April 24 and costs from £345 a non-residential space. Residential options also available.
Read more:
Escape from modern life at Swinton Bivouac, Masham
If you are craving somewhere away from the beaten path, the two-night wellness retreat at Swinton Bivouac could be just the ticket. Guests can completely unplug and unwind, and find space to clear the mind in an off-grid tree lodge. There is chance to relax, recuperate and recharge with a hosted programme that combines sound baths, forest baths – which are mindfulness forest walks – and reiki drumming around the campfire. This retreat is perfect if, like most of us, you are suffering from low levels of energy, or feeling anxious or stressed, and spending too much time on your screen at too fast a pace of life. The retreat also includes complimentary access to the spa at Swinton Country Club and Spa. The package cost is £375 per person, based on two sharing a tree lodge and takes place from June 26 to 28 and September 25 to 27.
Workout with a celebrity personal trainer at Grantley Hall, Ripon
Ok so this one definitely isn’t cheap. But it is at luxury hotel Grantley Hall, the playground of the rich and famous, so it’s to be expected. This is a brand new retreat that is being launched at Grantley by Pillar and features sessions with a celebrity personal trainer alongside Michelin star-quality food. It also includes a four-night stay in a deluxe room at the hotel. Taking place from January 24 to 28, the retreat costs £3,350 based on two adults sharing a room or £4,910 for single occupancy and offers a variety of activities, aimed at targeting both physical and mental health. A gut health-specific workshop with Joey O’Hare, who was a 2015 Masterchef finals contestant will also take place and there will also be a personal concierge service. It is the first retreat in the UK to be launched by Pillar, which is led by personal trainer Harry Jameson, who was hired to help Prime Minister Boris Johnson lose weight.
Paddle to the stars at Nidderdale reservoir as part of Dark Skies FestivalThe dark sky above the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of the most beautiful and darkest in the country.
Being free from light pollution, it is the perfect place for families to stargaze.
Now, visitors to one of the area’s top tourist attractions are being invited to view the stars from a canoe at Scar House Reservoir as part of the seventh Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Park Dark Skies Festival.
How Stean Gorge is hosting a series of activities and pizza nights for the festival, which is returning from February 18 until March 6 after it was forced to go virtual last year due to covid restrictions.
It comes after the Yorkshire Dales National Park was officially granted the status of an ‘International Dark Sky Reserve’ at the end of 2020, making it one of the best places in the world to view the skies above.
Astronomy lovers will be able to glide and paddle a rafted canoe on the reservoir, one of three Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the Nidderdale AONB, surrounded by the moon and the stars.
Tony Liddy, head of outdoor education and estates manager at How Stean Gorge, said:
“Scar House Reservoir is one of the darkest places in the UK because there is no light pollution. When the weather is on your side, you can go up there and it is perfect – flat and calm and not a cloud in the sky.
“We do the trips with small numbers, with 16 for each trip, which last around 90 minutes. Saturdays have been booking up fast, so we have opened bookings for Fridays.
“The canoes are rafted together and you head out in groups of six or eight with an instructor. You can then use a pre-downloaded app on your phone to look at the constellations.
“Children from age seven can do the canoeing, so it’s great to do with the kids. Families often come back and do the other activities at How Stean.”
The canoe trips, which will be weather dependent, will take place in February from 7pm until 8.30pm on Saturday 19, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 and in March on Friday 4, Saturday 5, Friday 11 and Saturday 12.
If the canoeing is unable to go ahead, alternative activities, including gorge walking or caving, will be provided.
An International Dark Sky Reserve (IDA) is defined as a ‘public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment.’
Other sites that have protected status include the Grand Canyon and Death Valley National Parks in America, Mont-Mégantic National Park in Canada and NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia.
For more information and to book click here.
Hundreds raised for charity thanks to return of Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war
Villagers raised around £800 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after the Hampsthwaite vs Birstwith tug of war competition made a welcome return.
Hundreds of people watched the annual event at Hampsthwaite cricket ground on New Year’s Day, which was cancelled last year due to covid restrictions.
The tradition dates back to the 1980s, but about eight years ago it became a competition between two pubs in the neighbouring villages; The Joiners Arms, in Hampsthwaite, and The Station Hotel, in Birstwith.
The crowd cheered as Hampsthwaite claimed the victory in both the men’s and women’s events, which were captained by Robin Hardcastle and Nicola Binns.
Hampsthwaite’s winning men’s team.
This was despite Birstwith putting up a strong fight.
Read more:
The event finished with children from the villages having a go – with a bit of help from the adults – before people headed to The Joiners Arms for pie and peas.
Rebecca Cranage, owner of the Joiners Arms, said:
“I would like to say thank you to everyone who came to the tug of war and who donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. I would also like to thank Amy Howard, who organised both the Birstwith teams.”
Ms Cranage has lived in the village for 20 years and, like many villagers, has fond memories of watching the event.
It has evolved over the years after starting as a Brits vs Americans competition featuring men from the RAF Menwith Hill base.
Hampsthwaite’s winnning women’s team.
A raffle also raised funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Knaresborough’s Boxing Day tug of war was cancelled due to covid uncertainty, but organisers have said they are hopeful the event will be able to take place this year.
Nidderdale wakes to snowHigher ground in Nidderdale experienced a white start to Boxing Day this morning.
A yellow weather warning for snow and high winds was in place from shortly after midnight and it did indeed create some treacherous conditions.
This photo shows Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge, in the early hours.
It is one of several this morning on the North Yorkshire Weather Updates Facebook page.
One showed treacherous driving conditions on the road from Blubberhouses to Greenhow Hill.
The show appears to have been confined to the west of the Harrogate district and is not expected to last long as wetter weather moves in.
Read more:
Pateley Bridge Christingle service is postponed
One of the main Christmas events in Pateley Bridge has been postponed because of covid concerns.
The annual Christingle Service, which has been held at the parish church of St Cuthbert for more than 30 years, has been put on hold until next year.
Organiser Joyce Liggins told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s disappointing, as we were all set for Christmas Eve, but we decided to postpone, because of the covid situation.
“We are now looking to re-schedule, possibly for the first week in February.
“It’s a shame, because many local people view the service as their start to the festive season and the church is usually packed.
“Over the years, the service has also raised funds for the Children’s Society and while we can’t go ahead on Christmas Eve, we hope that people will still support the society.”
Donations can be made through a newly set up JustGiving page.
Last year, with a covid lockdown in place, a virtual Christingle service from St Cuthbert’s was posted on Facebook and £750 was raised through donations.
Since 1968, Christingle services have been held across the UK to raise money for the Children’s Society charity, which helps vulnerable young people.
The Christingle tradition has, like the bringing of an evergreen tree into a house, its roots in Germany and dates back to the 18th century, when it was introduced by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville.
Read more:
Refugee support group in urgent search for a Nidderdale homeNidderdale Community Welcome is urgently seeking a house to rent in or close to Pateley Bridge to home a refugee family.
The community group has already raised more than £12,000 to help a refugee family from Syria or Afghanistan, to start a new life in the UK.
Peter Wright, NCW’s housing lead, told the Stray Ferret:
“We need a two, three or four-bedroom property with a garden, on a bus route in Nidderdale, ideally near Pateley Bridge.
“The property needs to be available to the family for a minimum of two years, but the arrangement could easily extend for much longer.
“This offers certainty for landlords and avoids the cost and disruption of changing tenants regularly.”
Nidderdale Community Welcome is taking part in a scheme originally set-up by former Prime Minister David Cameron to welcome 20,000 Syrian refugees to the UK.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in the summer, an increased number of refugees from that country have also been offered the opportunity to come to the UK.
The Home Office and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will choose a family based on the number of bedrooms in the house that is secured for rental by NCW.
As part of their resettlement package, the family is entitled to housing benefit and can pay monthly rental ranging from £663 for a two-bedroom house to £1,067 for a four-bedroom property.
Mr Wright said:
“We can provide the bond and one month’s rent in advance, if required. If we find the right home before the family arrives and is able to move in, we could potentially provide a short period of 100% rental bridging to hold the property for them.
“Our charity will provide long-term support for the family and will act as the first point of contact between them and the landlord, to ensure that all communications are well-managed.”
Landlords able to help NCW in its search for a rental property, are asked to contact Mr Wright, via email on wrightpandh@gmail.com
Read more:
Brian Cox films new BBC show at Fountains Abbey and Brimham RocksProfessor Brian Cox has filmed part of his new BBC series about the mysteries of the universe at Fountains Abbey and Brimham Rocks.
In the episode, which airs next week, the physicist explores the phenomenon of black holes whilst using the two National Trust sites as a visual backdrop.
Prof Cox walks around the ruined monastery of Fountains Abbey while discussing how black holes decay. Brimham Rocks and the Nidderdale landscape are used to emphasise the vastness of space.
The episode is due to broadcast on BBC2 next Wednesday (November 24) and is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer here.
Fountains Abbey tweeted that it was delighted to welcome the professor:
Read More:
Menwith Hill submits new plans to expandA 45-foot long ‘communications container compound’ could be built at RAF Menwith Hill.
A planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by the Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, says the new building would cover 464 square metres and help ‘meet the operational output of the station’.
There are no other details about what work would take place within the new building. The plans also include provision for a large fuel tank.
Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.
Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.
Read more:
Recent expansion
There have been several planning applications to expand the base in the past couple of years.
Last year the MoD was granted planning permission to build three more radomes.
In February, the council also approved plans for another radome as well as an electrical substation.
Separate plans were submitted to add a new visitor centre, vehicle canopy and changes to the road junction on Menwith Hill Road.
Last month, a new report alleged the base provided intelligence for American drone bombings campaigns in the Middle East, including the high-profile assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Grants of up to £150,000 available for Nidderdale farmersNidderdale farmers and land managers are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £150,000 as part of a government scheme to improve the area.
The Farming in Protected Landscapes grant programme has been running since July but the team at Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are eager for more people to apply.
The programme offers a financial boost for one-off projects that support one of four areas; nature recovery, mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing better access or engagement with the landscape or increasing the business resilience of farms.
The scheme will run for three years until March 2024.
In the first year alone, until January 2022, around £575,000 has been earmarked for projects in the Nidderdale AONB.
Matthew Trevelyan, Nidderdale AONB’s Farming in Protected Landscapes officer, said:
“Since the grant programme launched in July 2021, we’ve been able to provide support for a huge variety of projects ranging from habitat restoration to farm business diversification.”
“One of the great things about this programme is that we are able to help fund projects that fall outside the scope of existing agri-environment schemes. The best Farming in Protected Landscapes supported projects fulfil more than one of the outcomes.”
“We’re also keen to get project partners working together at a landscape level – after all wildlife doesn’t care much for where one farm stops and another starts.”
Some of the projects that have recently received funding include a group of dairy farmers monitoring soil carbon levels and experimenting with the new machinery to prevent soil becoming too thick to work with.
Another project will see several neighbouring farms working together to encourage endangered birds to nest on their land.
Read more:
The programme is open to all farmers and land managers, including from the private, public and charity sector, in the Nidderdale AONB, or where activity can bring benefit to the AONB.
Other organisations and individuals can apply but they must be working alongside a farmer or land manager.
Funding has also been set aside under the same scheme in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North York Moors National Park.
It all forms part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan.
Those wanting to apply can contact the AONB team.