Spotlight on Ingleborough 2008

IF you are batty about bats, are rapturous about rocks or would just like to know a little bit more about Ingleborough’s landscape, the Spotlight on Ingleborough Festival has the events for you.

A group of experts and enthusiasts have put together a schedule of walks and talks to celebrate this unique Yorkshire Dales site and its surroundings, which will run from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th July and they are all free to attend.

The festival offers something for everyone who is interested in exploring or learning more about the local environment, and its landscapes, wildlife and history. Paint it, walk it, listen about it, photograph it or help conserve it – the choice is yours.

The festival is being funded by Natural England and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and is supported by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA). Many local experts are also supporting the event by providing their time.

Paul Evans, Ingleborough National Nature Reserve Manager for Natural England explained: “This event is a fantastic opportunity for people to experience the wonderful landscape of this unique area and be able to learn and explore the landscape and wildlife alongside real experts in their field.“

The full programme for the week is provided below:

• 7 July: Langcliffe Quarry/Craven Lime Works walk. From 2pm to 4pm starting from B6479, 1.5 miles north of Settle between Langcliffe and Stainforth.
• 7 July: Badger watch – led by a local expert – a discovery walk, meet at Horton Car Park, 7pm. Booking essential, contact Angie Brewell on 01904 435500.
• 8 July: Landscape photography workshop with Rod and Margaret Smith. From 10 am to 4pm, Colt Park, Chapel-le Dale, contact Angie Brewell on 01904 435500 (only 15 places)
• 8 July: Ingleborough Summit via Park Fell, with YDNPA Ranger Steve Hastie, from 10.30am from Ribblehead Quarry. Distance 7.5 miles, stout footwear, waterproofs, spare layers, plenty of water and packed lunch required.
• 8 July: Wildlife of Ribblehead Quarry with Craven Conservation Group, discovery walk, From 6.30 pm outside the quarry entrance, Chapel-le-dale (Grid ref. SD 765788)
• 9 July: Limestone Cowboys – a pleasant stroll through the nature reserve from 6.30pm at Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station.
• 9 July: The rocks beneath your feet, guided walk exploring the geology of Crummackdale with YDMT’s Alex Barbour and Dave Tayler. From 10am at Clapham National Park car park. Tel: 015242 51002
• 9 July: Climate change, an illustrated talk by John Adamson of Environmental Change Network, focusing on the impact on the North Pennines. From 7.30pm, Ingleton Methodist Church.
• 10 July: Painting the scene – a landscape art workshop with artist Katharine Holmes. From 10am to 1.30pm at Colt Park, Chapel-le-Dale contact Angie Brewell on 01904 435500 (only 15 places)
• 10 July: Historic routes on Ingleborough with David Johnson and Dave Tayler from 10am at Philpin Sleights on the B6255 road, grid ref: SD 744777. Please use lay-bys to park not the Hill Inn car park.
• 10 July: The wonderful world of moths. An illustrated talk by Dr Terry Whitaker, from 7.30pm at Clapham Village Hall.
• 11 July: High country walk – a strenuous 10.5 mile (17 km) walk over the flanks of Ingleborough. Meet at 10.30am at Horton-in-Ribblesdale railway station. n.b. station parking reserved for rail users.
• 11 July: Bats about bats with experts John Altringham and David Hodgson, a slide show and walk around Clapham. Meet at 8pm at Clapham Cave Rescue HQ.
• 12 July: Family walk at Southerscales with YDMT’s Alex Barbour including kite flying, from 10am at Philpin Sleights on the B6255 road, grid ref: SD744777. Please use lay-bys to park not the Hill Inn car park.
• 12 July: Come and have a go! A chance to watch progress or take part in practical maintenance tasks such as drystone walling, thistle control etc. with Natural England and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority staff and volunteers. Taking place at Ingleborough National Nature Reserve from 10am to 4pm above the Hill Inn, call 015242 42021 for details.

There is more information in a leaflet which is available to download from YDMT’s website www.ydmt.org or Natural England’s Yorkshire and Humber page on their website at www.naturalengland.org.uk.