EXPERTS will bring to life the bygone industries of a Yorkshire Dales village in a series of talks that gets underway next week.

The role of the Trust Lords of Kettlewell - an historic local group that dates back hundreds of years - will also be explained during the free lectures, which begin on 25 September with an introduction to the Kettlewell's Historic Industries Project by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) Conservation Archaeologist Robert White.

The Historic Industries Project aims to consolidate and improve public access to the Kettlewell lead smelt mill and other industrial sites

Robert White - YDNPA

He will be followed by Adrian Kidd, North Yorkshire Geodiversity Partnership Project Officer, who will give an introduction to the geology of Wharfedale.

The series of talks - to be held in the Village Hall - is the last of a number of projects funded by the Local Heritage Initiative with additional support from the YDNPA.

Robert said: "The Historic Industries Project aims to consolidate and improve public access to the Kettlewell lead smelt mill and other industrial sites owned by the Trust Lords and to increase understanding of the role that industry and the Trust Lords have played in the development of the landscape of the village.

"We hope the talks will be followed by guided walks and lessons on basic archaeological survey techniques."

Last year the Trust Lords were given £18,000 boost by the Heritage Lottery Fund to continue their Historic Industries and the Trust Lords Project - which is supported by the YDNPA and aims to raise awareness of the village's industrial history and the role of the Trust Lords. The money went towards the preservation of the smelt mill.

The talks will run until 4 December and the topics covered will include the lead and lime industries, hydro-electricity and historic buildings.

• For further information, contact Robert White at the YDNPA's Yoredale offices in Bainbridge on 01969 652300.