Learning Limestone Country Project Steering Group

The summer rain did not manage to dampen the spirits of friends and colleagues coming together to celebrate the completion of the Learning in Limestone Country Project. For many of the people who had been involved with the three year project the rain had been an integral part of their outings to the great outdoors in the Yorkshire Dales, so in some ways seemed quite fitting.

The celebration, held in the beautiful setting of Broughton Hall’s award-winning UTOPIA, was a chance for the team based at Clapham’s Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to thank community leaders, support workers, school representatives and funders for their unfailing support for the project.

Learning in Limestone Country project was launched by YDMT in 2005 and was made possible by the main grant of £290,000 awarded by Heritage Lottery fund (HLF). Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and the Humber said “We are proud to have been able to support such a successful project. Over the past 3 years this project has enabled a wide range of people to learn about, and experience this magnificent landscape. It is wonderful to hear that although this project has come to an end, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust will continue to build on the benefits that have been achieved.”

Dave Tayler, LILC Project Manager made a heartfelt speech during the course of the afternoon and praised everyone who had been involved. As well as thanking HLF he expressed thanks to all key partners, including Natural England of whom he said, “The staff at Ingleborough National Nature Reserve have been fantastic. The enthusiasm and support of Paul Evans the recent Reserve Manager and practical help, equipment and group supervision by John Osborne and Andrew Hind have been invaluable.”

Over the past 3 years this project has enabled a wide range of people to learn about, and experience this magnificent landscape.

Fiona Spiers - Heritage Lottery Fund

Dave also thanked the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) for their involvement and support; particularly Bill Wood Outreach and Education Manager and the Ribblesdale Area Rangers who had provided practical activities for a wide range of groups.

The Field Studies Council at Malham Tarn supported the project by providing equipment and expertise. The Centre also hosted a range of residential courses for youngsters from the Bradford area. The 3 Valleys Schools Cluster sent large multicultural groups for a heritage experience of the highest quality on ‘Our Heritage in the Dales’ courses.

Special mention was given to Judy Rogers, Community Worker and Alex Barbour, Education Officer at the Trust. For them the celebration was tinged with a hint of sadness as their work over the last three years was nearing an end and over that time they had worked with many people from community groups and schools, providing wonderful opportunities to explore the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales.

Dave described Judy as an outstanding force in seeking out deserving groups to benefit from the project. Judy’s work brought groups from within the Dales area and particularly West Yorkshire and North Lancashire to experience the Yorkshire Dales countryside. Over 150 groups and 1750 individual experiences involved people with disabilities, low income families and a wide range of ethnic minority groups. Latterly innovative work and an emphasis on refugees had provided a fascinating and invaluable focus. All their activities had been physically challenging with a definite aim of enjoying heritage.

Alex’s work with school groups local to Ingleborough and further a field had introduced over 3000 young people to this fabulous location. Experiences involved exploring the landscape, historic sites and wildlife of the area. Outings were based on good safety for the youngsters, but also challenging them in an outdoor learning environment. Alex has also been a tremendous asset in the development of teachers who will hopefully have discovered new places, information and learning experiences while growing in confidence working with Alex outdoors with a group.

The aim of the project has been to inspire people to enjoy, understand and value this wonderful place. The project team have had a totally fulfilling three years enabling people to discover the magic of Limestone Country. Meanwhile YDMT is working on new projects to continue the achievements of this scheme.