Nidderdale Archives - Page 24 of 28

Post-Brexit grants available for Nidderdale farmers

Farmers and landowners in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can apply for land management grants.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a government-funded three-year programme to support those who manage land in AONBs and national parks across the UK.

The funding is part of the government’s agricultural transition plan after Brexit and the end of EU subsidies.

Iain Mann, manager at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“Projects will need to deliver a positive outcome in at least one of the four key areas.

“These are: climate, such as flood risk reduction or carbon storage; nature, with improved habitats for biodiversity; people, with better access or engagement with the land; and place, which includes enhancing the character of the land, its historic features, or increasing the business resilience of farms.”

Examples of suitable projects could be action to reduce carbon emissions or use of plastics on farms, enhancing habitat for wildlife, improving access on public footpaths, promoting a series of farm walks, conserving historical features on the land, or farm diversification to provide tourism activities, such as stargazing or dawn chorus walks.

All farmers and landowners within the AONB can apply – including those from the private, public and charity sector. Other organisations and individuals are eligible too, as long as they are collaborating or supporting a farmer or land manager.

AONB staff will decide which applications under £5,000 to accept.

Grant requests for over £5,000 will be assessed by a local assessment panel, made up of representatives from Nidderdale AONB, Natural England and the farming and land management community.

Mr Mann said farming was “part and parcel of what makes Nidderdale AONB’s landscape so special”.

He added:

“These new grants will help us to collaborate even more with farmers and land managers to protect the AONB’s natural beauty, tackle climate change and safeguard our wildlife and heritage, while sustaining a vibrant working landscape.”

Celebrity cycle ride set to close Nidderdale roads on Friday

A charity cycle ride covering 50 miles of North Yorkshire will cause numerous road closures in Nidderdale on Friday.

The event, which begins at 7.45am, is to be filmed by ITV and raise money for Soccer Aid for UNICEF.

The race, called On Yer Bike, will snake from Kettlewell to Pool-in-Wharfedale and will mean rolling road closures throughout the day.

The list of celebrities taking part is yet to be revealed.

The route will head towards Grassington, across to Pateley Bridge, then past Menwith Hill before heading to Pool-in-Wharfedale at about 2.30pm.

The road closures will last for between 15-25 minutes, according to North Yorkshire County Council.

Commuters can expect to be directed by police motorcycle riders and traffic management stewards.

The show is set to be broadcast on ITV on the August bank holiday weekend.

Keep an eye on our morning traffic blog for updates on the road delays.

100 water voles released in Washburn Valley this week

Yorkshire Water is to release a further 100 water voles at Timble Ings woods in the Washburn Valley this week.

Water voles are one of the fastest declining mammals in Britain, losing 97% of their former geographical range, and have been identified as a key species for conservation in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Surveys of the area suggest the 100 water voles released in September 2020 have become established in the woodland, with feeding signs, faeces and burrows all present.

These have been spotted up to 500m from the original release site, indicating the water voles are settling into their new habitat.

The project forms part of Yorkshire Water’s Water Works for Wildlife initiative, which will see £1.6m invested in 15 sites across Yorkshire in a bid to boost biodiversity, enhance habitats, benefit wildlife and engage local communities.

Lee Pitcher, head of partnerships at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We’re pleased to see evidence the water voles we released in September have settled into their habitat, with piles of nibbled grass and stems, as well as droppings spotted recently. Now they are established, we’re now moving onto the next stage – a second release in the area to further boost the population.

“We also have plans in place to extend the habitat available for the water voles later this year, with new ponds set to be created, which will allow the population to continue to expand and take advantage of the perfect habitat Timble Ings Woods provides these creatures.”

Major incident opened into River Nidd ‘disaster’

The Environment Agency has opened a category 1 major pollution incident after a 12-mile stretch of the River Nidd turned chocolate brown.

Experts are still trying to assess the extent of the damage to fish and other river life between Gouthwaite reservoir and Hampsthwaite after huge quantities of silt flowed downstream on Saturday.

Anglers and ecologists are calling for action against whoever is responsible and urging the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, which was carrying out safety work at Gouthwaite, to come up with a recovery plan.

An Environment Agency spokesman said today it “continued to investigate” the Yorkshire Water works, which is is thought may have stirred up the silt that flowed downstream on Saturday.

The spokesman added:

“Large quantities of silt in a river can harm fish and smother aquatic plants and invertebrates, starving them of light and oxygen.

“Whilst there is no longer any silt entering the river system, it may still be visible as it moves downstream. The Environment Agency continue to monitor the situation and assess the impacts to determine what further action may be necessary.”

With the water still discoloured, it remains difficult to assess the impact on river life.

The work at Gouthwaite dam

Dr. John Shillcock, president of Nidderdale Angling Club and a former ecology officer in the area, said:

“In my past experiences, quantities of sediment of this type block out light and can reduce oxygen levels in the river, harming or even killing river life including invertebrates and other organisms on which fish and other river life depend.

“We are awaiting reliable data on the level of sedimentation before we can assess what damage has been done to an extremely precious river system.

“We would like Yorkshire Water to work closely with the Environment Agency to collect as much data and samples as to work out the best course of action to minimise the immediate danger to river life, and to build a deliverable long-term strategy to enable the river to recover from this avoidable incident as quickly as possible.”

The affected stretch of the Nidd is known for grayling and trout.

One angler, who asked not to be named, said the amount of silt would harm oxygen levels on which fish depend. He added:

“There should be some sort of action against whoever is responsible for this. It is an environmental disaster.”

‘Heartbreaking to see’

Alastair Ferneley, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Dacre Banks, said:

“It’s just heartbreaking to see at the moment — it makes me feel sick in the pit of the stomach.

“As I understand it the slit could choke all the bottom dwelling invertebrates and take out the entire food chain — all the things I watch for: dippers, kingfishers, otters, most of the flying insects that spawn in the rivers, the birds and bats that feed on them.

“I’m hoping it won’t be as bad as a I fear it could be. What we need is a good flood to two to clear the silt out and quickly, but not sure that’s very likely.

“It’s a taste of how fragile the environment and everything that depends on it is.”

A Yorkshire Water spokeswoman said it had nothing to add to its statement yesterday, which said it was working with the Environment Agency to investigate what had caused the sediment in the River Nidd to be disturbed. The statement added:

“We’ve temporarily suspended some work our capital partners Mott MacDonald Bentley were doing upstream at Gouthwaite reservoir while we investigate.”

Nidderdale visitors urged to report adder sightings

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has asked visitors to keep an eye out for adders.

Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake but they are disappearing.

A recent Make the Adder Count survey found that 90% of surveyed sites had declining adder populations.

Their plight was highlighted by Countryfile on BBC One last month, which featured presenter Helen Skelton searching for adders in Nidderdale.

To help with its own conservation efforts, Nidderdale AONB has launched Adder Watch to engage people in its work.

Although it is asking visitors not to go out actively looking for the snakes, it is asking anyone seeing them on their travels to report them.

Adders like to live in moorland, heathland, open woodland glades, near old stone walls and on rocky slopes.

They hibernate over winter, often in groups. If their hibernation sites are destroyed it can have a devastating impact on their ability to survive.

When they come out of hibernation, they sunbathe to build up strength and flatten themselves to catch as many rays as possible.

Countryfile adder search in Nidderdale

Adders can be seen typically between March and October. Males are often grey with black zigzags on their backs.

Females are usually brown with dark brown zigzags on their backs. They typically range from 60 to 80cm in length.

You can report sightings on an online form here or by sending an email detailing your sighting here.

Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“It’s vital that people don’t actively go looking for adders.

“We are just asking people that if they do spot one when they are out and about to please let us know.

“Do not to share the location of any sightings on social media. It’s really important that any adders aren’t disturbed by people going to look for them.

“Adders are an excellent indicator of a healthy environment. If they are in decline, it suggests that other species who share the same habitat may also be in trouble.”

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 the high moorland of Great Whernside south and east towards the edge of the Vale of York.

Harrogate district groups invited to apply for £2,500 grants

Community groups and charities in several rural parishes in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £2,500.

Organisations in the parishes of Felliscliffe, Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Norwood, Menwith with Darley, Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw and Fewston can apply.

Applicants must show their projects meet some, or all, of the following criteria: they enhance quality of life for local residents; contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Two Ridings Community Foundation, which provides grants in north and east Yorkshire, is administering the awards on behalf of the Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

The fund, which was set up by the company RWE Renewables UK, awarded more than £22,000 in grants to 20 applicants last year.

Previous successful projects range from a scheme to create safe roadside parking at Christ Church Community Centre in Darley to improving a children’s play area at Blubberhouses Cricket Club.

Blubberhouses Cricket Club

Other recent successful projects include community planting, coronavirus response, purchase of musical instruments, eco-friendly lighting systems and a project to help people use the internet.

The fund also supports projects that are aimed at encouraging sustainable energy use, reducing carbon emissions, or are generally environmental in purpose.

Grant applications must be submitted before the closing date of May 10. Funding decisions will be made in early summer.

Jackie McCafferty, programme manager at Two Ridings Community Foundation, said:

“We are proud to be working with communities to make a difference to people in their local area, especially during what has been a particularly difficult time.”

Full details are available here.

‘It’s been superb’: Nidderdale welcomes Pateley Bridge vaccination centre

The new Pateley Bridge covid vaccination centre is set to be a vital lifeline to the people of Nidderdale.

The site at the Pateley Bridge and Bewerley Memorial Hall opened today and has the potential to vaccinate up to 400 people a day. The Stray Ferret visited to speak to some of the staff and volunteers, as well as those excited to receive their jab.

Pharmacist Samina Khan owns Pateley Bridge Pharmacy which is running the site. She said prior to the vaccine centre opening, her patients have had to travel to the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate or Ripon Racecourse, which isn’t always easy.

She said:

“Most of our patients are elderly who’ve had to rely on public transport or Nidderdale Plus to take them. Some have had to use taxis which cost a £60 round trip, or asked children to come over to take them”.

‘A huge difference’

Her comments were echoed by Pateley Bridge GP Lewis Caplin who helped set up the site with Samina. He said he knows of two people who have avoided taking the vaccine because they didn’t want to travel a long distance.

From Pateley Bridge, it’s a 26 mile round trip to the Great Yorkshire Showground site.

He said:

“It’s made a huge difference for those people to walk around the corner and get their vaccine.”

The Pateley Bridge and Bewerley Memorial Hall on Park Road

Andrew Cockroft is from the Nidderdale Plus community hub. He said over 100 local volunteers have risen to the challenge to help residents get vaccinated at Pateley Bridge as well as in Harrogate and Ripon.

He added:

“All the volunteers are keen to see centres open up that have less of a journey. What Samina has done with Lewis to set it up has been a lot of work. It’s terrific to see people come from around the corner to get their jabs.”

‘The best place on Earth’

Proud Nidderdale resident Phil White said “it means everything” to have a vaccination site near to his home in Dacre — and even walked the five miles in the sunshine to get his second jab.

He said:

“I’ve walked it here and it took two and a quarter hours too. It’s a bit of exercise in the beautiful weather and countryside and I’ve been well looked after here. It’s been superb. Nidderdale is the best place on Earth!”

Nidderdale eco-business plants 50,000th tree

The eco-business Make It Wild planted its 50,000th tree in the Harrogate district earlier today.

The tree was planted by volunteers at its Dowgill Grange site in Summerbridge, which means the company is now halfway to its goal of planting 100,000 trees in the district by 2030.

Helen and Christopher Neave, who own Make It Wild, estimate their team has planted over 11,000 in the current planting season alone, which began in November and ends soon.

The trees will contribute to the Northern Forest, a government initiative to plant 50 million trees from Liverpool to Hull.

A wide variety of native species have been planted including oak, silver birch, wild cherry, rowan and willow.

Helen said the trees are great for biodiversity and will attract a wide variety of insects and birds.

Helen said as well as capturing carbon dioxide from the amtosphere, the trees will have other benefits including drawing up water from the River Nidd to help alleviate flooding.

Make It Wild started 10 years ago when the couple bought a 26-acre plot of land near Kirk Hammerton.

More sites have been bought in Nidderdale including 111 acres at Bank Woods and a 44-acre neighbouring site known as Dowgill Grange.

Helen told the Stray Ferret they were inspired after planting 20,000 trees on the land at Kirk Hammerton. She said after waiting five years for the trees to grow, the amount of wildlife that came was “absolutely incredible”.

To fund the tree planting, Make It Wild sells tree dedications for weddings or birthdays, carbon offsetting for businesses and eco-friendly products including animal habitat boxes.

Nidderdale farmers urged to apply for EU successor grants

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale are being urged to access new grants as European Union subsidies are phased out.

Payments through the EU’s Basic Payment Scheme, which supports farmers, reduce this year and will be phased out completely by 2027.

Applying for Countryside Stewardship can maintain payments during the transition to the government’s new Environmental Land Management scheme.

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is offering free guidance to help farmers and land managers with the transition.

Marian Wilby, Nidderdale AONB land management team leader, will host four free online webinars for farmers and landowners in March, along with Farming and Wildlife Adviser, Claire Foster.

Ms Wilby said:

“It’s actually quite daunting for farmers to do their day jobs and keep up with the changes and bureaucracy.

“Our aim, via e-newsletters and free webinars, is to keep farmers fully informed and up-to-date, as well as answer any of their questions on the new grant schemes to help farmers and land managers keep payments coming in during this transition period.”

The webinars will cover Countryside Stewardship options, as well as the latest updates on the Environmental Land Management scheme, which will promote nature-friendly farming practices, and the new Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme due to launch this year.

Ms Wilby added:

“Due to this upcoming transition, our land management team is extremely busy, and it may not be possible to help everyone in the AONB on a one-to-one basis.

“Attending one of our free workshops will help you decide what options are available for you.”

These changes have an impact on all land management practices, including farming, moorland management and woodland creation and management.

Under the new schemes, farmers and land managers will be paid grants to improve the natural environment, animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale AONB can register for the webinars by calling 01768 868615 or emailing admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk

Webinar dates
March 8 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 11 7.30pm – Mixed Farming

March 15 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 18 7.30pm – Upland Focus

‘Use your conscience’ warning as sun brings visitors to Nidderdale

Locals are bracing themselves for an influx of visitors in Nidderdale as a weekend of sunny weather is forecast.

There have already been reports of large numbers of walkers, cyclists and bikers in Pateley Bridge and surrounding villages today.

Now, with the easing of lockdown restrictions in sight, fears have been raised that even more people will breach lockdown rules and descend on local communities this weekend.

Cllr Mike Holt, Mayor of Pateley Bridge, said:

“I am aware of [the number of visitors in the area today] and I am concerned about it. I have asked people to stay away if at all possible, because we aren’t out of the woods yet.”

Cllr Holt said Pateley Bridge Town Council had spoken to local police, but they had limited powers to enforce government guidance. A request for additional signage, similar to that put up along Nidderdale Greenway, had also been unsuccessful.

Even in his home village of Glasshouses, Cllr Holt said there had been a rise in the number of people visiting. He said the numbers across the area could rise further over the first weekend since the Prime Minister outlined cautious plans for easing restrictions.

Cllr Hold added:

“Why can’t we wait just a few more weeks? It’s a bit frustrating.

“Speaking personally, I’ve done all I felt I could and people are just going to have to do what feels right for their own conscience.”

The area’s busiest walking areas, including Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross reservoirs, are also preparing for a busy weekend. A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said:

“Getting out in the open and enjoying some exercise is really important for everyone at the moment. We know that our reservoirs have provided a great recreational space for lots of people during lockdown and with warmer weather on the way, our sites may start to get even busier.

“We’d ask that, as always, any visitors to our sites respect covid guidelines and social distancing wherever possible. Our carparks can get very busy during popular periods, so please make sure you park in a dedicated spot, as parking elsewhere may cause obstruction for local residents, the emergency services and our reservoir engineers.”

North Yorkshire Police said it continues to issue fixed penalty notices to people found to be outside without good reason, and having travelled away from their local area.

Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, deputy lead for North Yorkshire Police’s covid-19 response, said:

“It’s really important that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves and through irresponsible actions, jeopardise the progress we have made and need to keep making, to enable us all to move forward.

“Until the Government indicates that it is safe to move to the next stage of the road map on March 29, the current lockdown rules and regulations will stay in place and North Yorkshire Police will continue to police them. We will take the necessary enforcement action required to protect the green shoots of recovery we are starting to see and to protect all our chances of getting out of lockdown.

“So I would ask the public to keep going. We are on the right path and we are doing the right things, but we must remain vigilant to the threat of the virus. Covid-19 has not gone away, please carry on sticking to the rules, so we can continue to move towards better times ahead.”

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‘Heartbreaking to see’

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‘A huge difference’

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‘The best place on Earth’

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