Temporary Route Change at Bandley Bridge
From Monday, February 28th, the closure of Bandley Bridge, on
the approach to Appleby, will mean a temporary route change for
walkers finishing A Dales High Way.
As there is no nearby alternative to crossing Hoff Beck with
the closure of Bandley Bridge, walkers must take to the road at
Hoff, through Burrells, to finish the final stage of the walk.
Appleby Tourist Information Centre posted the news: "From
Monday 28th February the Bridleway and footpath over Bandley
Bridge will be closed for up to six weeks. This is to
replace the Bridle bridge and footbridge. Unfortunately
there is not an alternative route."
The road from Hoff to Burrells is fairly quiet. Here the road
turns left onto the busier B6260, heading for Appleby. There are
a couple of vergeless spots, so great care is needed. Join the
main route at Colby Lane beneath the castle walls for the
entrance into Appleby.
At the same time, storm damage has affected the footpath
alongside Glovershaw Beck, near the start of A Dales High Way.
Some recent revetment works have been washed away, and banking
alongside the narrow track has been weakened, The path is still
passable, but care is needed.
UPDATE: WE ARE ADVISED THAT
THIS WORK HAS BEEN DELAYED - SO BANDLEY BRIDGE IS STILL OPEN.
WORK NOW EXPECTED FOR LAST WEEK IN MAY & FIRST WEEK IN
JUNE.
27 Feb 2022
Farmer sentenced over walker's death
A Dales farmer was given a suspended prison sentence last
week after a walker was tragically trampled to death by cows on
his land.
David Tinniswood was walking with dogs on a public
right-of-way at Chapel-le-Dale in May 2020 when he was attacked
by cattle who were grazing with calves, suffering fatal
injuries. The 83-year-old’s wife was seriously injured in the
incident at Ivescar Farm.
Paul Sharpe received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for
12 months, after he pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974, at Leeds Magistrates Court. He was also
fined a total of £878 and ordered to pay £7,820 in costs.
Sharpe, a partner in the farm’s operators, admitted the offence.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Julian Franklin said: “A
number of measures could have been taken to safeguard walkers
using the path, while cattle and calves were grazing in that
field.
“Firstly, not using that field for cattle and calves. Most
farmers will have other groups of stock that can graze fields
containing rights of way, so can reduce the risk of incidents by
putting sheep in them, or they could take fodder crops from
them.
“Cattle with calves can be put in fields without rights of
way, away from members of the public, or can be segregated from
walkers. Farmers should ensure they take all reasonably
practicable precautions to protect walkers on public rights of
way, especially when they are grazing cows and calves together,
or bulls are present.”
The route of A Dales High Way passes along a track through
Ivescar Farm, but away from the field were the tragic incident
occurred.
Walkers with dogs need to be especially careful when cows
with calves are present. Fortunately such incidents are rare.
16 Feb 2022
Stormy challenge for 100-mile runners
Runners taking part in the inaugural Lady Anne's Way100 fell
race were greeted by Storm Malik as they set off from Skipton on
a dark Saturday morning.
The 100 mile race, organised by Due North Events and
NAV4
Adventure, was won by Sam Tyrer who ran into Penrith 18 hours
and 45 minutes later. He was followed in by Emma Stuart - the
first female runner - a little under an hour after. Emma's
partner James Chapman came in third.
Lady Anne's Way is a popular long-distance trail that winds
its way across the Yorkshire Dales and into Cumbria, following
in the footsteps of the remarkable medieval Lady Anne Clifford.
It shares its first section out of Skipton with A Dales High
Way, before heading off towards Wharfedale and on up to
Wensleydale and Mallerstang, meeting A Dales High Way briefly
again at Appleby.
The race had been originally planned for 2021 - the 25th
anniversary of the trail - but the Covid pandemic led to a year
long delay. Organisers were finally able to thank the 100 or so
runners who took part: "Thanks for coming and having faith in
us. You can be super proud of your achievements, especially in
such brutal winds and tricky underfoot conditions."
A Dales High Way Ultramarathon race is organised by
Punk Panthers later in May this year.
Photo shows a runner passing Brougham Castle (credit:
#wartznall).
1 Feb 2022
New life at Craven Limeworks
Work is now well under way to bring new life to a fascinating
"hidden" Victorian industrial site just south of Stainforth.
Walkers on a Dales High Way heading north from Settle towards
Little Stainforth will look east across the River Ribble at the
lovely limestone crags opposite. These crags, known as
Stainforth Scar, are not a natural feature, but largely the
result of quarrying.
Craven Limeworks and Langcliffe Quarry grew in the late
nineteenth century, making full use of the new Settle-Carlisle
Railway. Various industrial production methods were used on the
site, including perhaps the best preserved Hoffman Kiln still
existing in the country, constructed in 1873. This amazing
structure is now a scheduled Ancient Monument.
After the works finally closed in the 1930s, parts of the
site become a waste depot for the local council. In January 2021
Craven Council decided to redevelop the site, creating more than
26,000 square feet for a new business space, combining the
refurbishment of the old traditional stone buildings together
with new build to provide modern light industrial and office
space.
The £3.2 million scheme, which was given planning consent by
the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, will also support
preservation of the historic Hoffman Kiln and the wider site
through a long-term conservation management plan.
Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council,
said: “I’m pleased we have appointed a local company for the
construction phase of this important project.
“We know there is great demand for more modern, flexible
workspace for new and existing smaller businesses in Craven.
Providing much-needed additional workspace and high quality jobs
in the district is a crucial part of our plans to attract and
retain more young people and families to Craven, and ensure that
our communities continue to thrive.”
He added: “This is a tricky site to develop, but thanks to
grant funding we have been able to devise a scheme which
benefits the local economy but also protects the future of the
Hoffman Kiln.”
Dales High Way walkers stopping over at Stainforth would be
well advised to take the short walk south and explore this
amazing site.
14 Jan 2022
New Stag in Skipton Woods
A fine new addition to the willow sculptures in Skipton Woods
has made it's appearance.
The Stag is the latest work of Artist Anna & The Willow to be
exhibited in the woods, which makes a great alternative section
of A Dales High Way out of Skipton.
The walk also makes a fine circular form Skipton, leading up
to the Craven Heifer Inn at Tarn Moor.
Hidden behind one of Britain’s most popular medieval castles,
the Woodland Trust's Skipton Castle Woods is a rare ancient
woodland habitat straight off the high street.
2 Jan 2022
