Records smashed in High Way Ultra
This year's Dales High Way Ultra produced some outstanding
performances - and a number of new records, including beating
the Fastest Known Time by 50 minutes!
The race start was staggered from 6 am to 9 am, with Paul
Haigh taking an early lead in the field, which he maintained to
the end. Paul finished in a remarkable time of just 19 hours 39
minutes. It looked like that might be it, but then just as dawn
broke Matthew Kennedy appeared at the top of Boroughgate in
Appleby. His later start meant he was neck-and-neck with Paul.
In the end he pipped Paul's new record by just 2 minutes!
Last year's all-round winner, Daniel Hendrickson, also broke
the old record, completing the 90-mile Dales High Way in just 19
hours 51 minutes. He went on to finish the Dales High Way Plus
(an extra knee-crunching loop around High Cup Nick adding
another 14 miles) in a new record time of 24 hours and five
minutes to become overall winner of the event for the second
year running!
Bev Holmes became the first woman veteran over 50 (FV50) to
complete the main 90-mile route, coming in with a time of 26
hours 8 minutes, alongside Andrew Clitheroe. Ultra running
legend Sharon Gayter became the first FV50 to complete the 104
mile event, in a time of 31 hours 48 minutes.
There were many other personal records set. Even those who
had to drop out before the finish enjoyed the challenge. Grant
Smalley said "I'm not bothered about medals, T-shirts and all
that jazz. It's great yeah, but I run to have fun. I had so much
fun. I might be a little gutted, but I'm experienced enough now
to not let it beat me down. To say it was tough was an
understatement. To say it was a tremendous course, is equally
so. Absolutely beautiful. Of what I saw, pound for pound it's
the toughest course I've ever done. It's also my favourite."
Picture shows Paul Haigh leaving check-point 1 at Addingham,
run by the Friends of A Dales High Way.
9 May 2022
Yorkshire Heritage Way launch
A NEW 42 mile Yorkshire Heritage Way recreational trail
between Bradford Cathedral and Ripon Cathedral was officially
launched this weekend.
The trail links the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saltaire -
also the start of A Dales High Way - and Fountains Abbey,
passing through stunning countryside in the Bradford district
and North Yorkshire.
The launch event at Bradford Cathedral on Friday attracted a
large crowd. Among the speakers were Colin Speakman - President
of the Burley Bridge Association - and the Bishop of Bradford
Nick Baines. Walkers then began a four-day walk along the route.
The route was devised by the campaigners for a footbridge
over the river Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale. The call for a
bridge dates back 125 years, but the current Burley Bridge
Association charity was formed in 1996. Planning permission for
the current design was approved in 2018 and campaigners are well
on the way to raise the required half-million pound funding.
Walkers currently have to use stepping stones at the site to
cross the river - an option only available in very dry weather. An
alternative route here is available at other times.
2 May 2022
Last chance to join High Way Ultra
There's just one week left to sign up for the ultimate long
distance Yorkshire race - the Dales High Way Ultra Marathon.
Entries close on Sunday, 24th April with the race starting
from Saltaire on Saturday morning, 7th May.
There's a choice of just running the 90-mile route of
A Dales
High Way, or adding an extra 14-mile round to the end to take in
High Cup Nick. All to be done in less than 36 hours!
The race was first run last year, with the winner Daniel
Hendriksen taking just 20 hours 56 minutes to finish.
The fastest known time for the route - 20 hours 31 minutes -
was set by supported solo runner Mark Kerry who ran the trail
just 2 days earlier.
The Friends of A Dales High Way looked after the Settle checkpoint
last year and will be once again on hand to help out.
Chris
Grogan of the Friends said: "We are very happy to be looking
after a checkpoint again this year. It's great to be part of
such a well organised event and we're all looking forward to
it."
Follow the race live from 7 am on Saturday morning
on Track Trail here.
18 Apr 2022
Return of Guided Walks
A free Guided Walks Programme along the world-famous
Settle-Carlisle railway line made a welcome return this weekend.
The walks, organised by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle
Line (Foscl), kicked off with a 6-mile circular Introductory
Walk from Settle. 26 walkers turned up for the walk, which was
led by Foscl regulars Bob and Lindy Clarke, including many who
had never walked with the Friends group before.
Foscl Walk Organisers Alice and Russ Whelan-Smith said: "Well I think we
can call that a success! We’re sure a few of the new walkers
will make an appearance on future walks. Bring on next weeks
walk."
The Foscl free walks programme had been suspended for the
last two years due to the Covid pandemic. The programme will run
every Saturday until the end of September, with a few Sunday
walks thrown in the mix as well. Walks all start and finish at a
station along the line. Anyone who wants to join just has to
turn up at the start - no booking required.
Another group - the Friends of Dales Rail (FDR) - also run a
popular programme of free guided walks along the line.
So there's plenty for keen walkers in Dales High Way country
to choose from!
4 April 2022
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 AUGUST 2022.
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
