(AGENPARL) – mar 03 dicembre 2024 Please find our latest news release below.
[https://ydnpa.info/images/yd-email-logo.jpg]
Andrew Fagg
Media Officer
Working hours: Mon | Tue | Fri
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
[https://ydnpa.info/images/yt.png]
[https://ydnpa.info/images/fb.png]
[https://ydnpa.info/images/in.png]
[https://ydnpa.info/images/tw.png]
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale | Bainbridge | Leyburn | DL8 3EL
News Release
[YDNPA 4cm_BLACK]
Rangers receive British Horse Society award
Bainbridge, 3 December 2024
The British Horse Society has offered its congratulations to all those involved in work to upgrade a footpath to a bridleway in lower Swaledale, and has presented an award to Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority staff at a ceremony at Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire.
In October last year, a one and a half mile (2.5km) footpath from the village of Marrick to Low Oxque – midway between Reeth and Richmond – became a bridleway, with the agreement of three local farmer landowners.
The change means that cyclists and horse riders can use the route.
Last month at the British Horse Society’s annual awards ceremony, held on 7 November in Newbury, Swaledale Area Ranger Michael Briggs and Rights of Way Officer Sheila Roberts (pictured) collected an award on behalf of the National Park Authority.
Mark Weston, Director of Access at The British Horse Society, said: “We are delighted to be able to present the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority with our Lady Elizabeth Kirk Award for the dedication of a bridleway. Their commitment to the work involved in establishing the Marrick Bridleway deserves to be recognised, and it will now be enjoyed by future generations, not only on horseback, but on foot and cycle as well.
“At the BHS, we are committed to helping create, preserve, restore and protect our country’s off-road access routes, and this would not have been possible, in this case, without the incredible support of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.”
Julia Carr, of Marrick Park Farm, one of the three farmers to agree to the change, said: “The reason I said ‘yes’ so readily is that people should be able to enjoy the countryside. Allowing bikes on the route gives people an alternative to the main road in the bottom of the dale. We also hope to welcome more cyclists and horse riders to our self-catering accommodation, The Old Vicarage, which is right next to the route and an important part of our farm business.”
Lizzie Bushby, Member Champion for Recreation Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “I would like to thank the farmers, Julia Carr, Sylvia Close and Caroline Close, who voluntarily made the bridleway creation agreement, and the British Horse Society for recognising the work of our officers.
“The new Marrick bridleway, which has beautiful views over the Swale, links to an existing bridleway, giving horse riders and cyclists another great option in lower Swaledale. It also links to the bridleway network in neighbouring Arkengarthdale. Cyclists are asked to keep an eye on their speed, however, as there are bends in the bridleway and cattle grazing either side of it.”
She added: “A new permissive footpath, connecting to the bridleway, has also opened through a newly created woodland at Marrick Park, to be known as Upper Lynchetts Wood. There is a great access and biodiversity story developing in this part of lower Swaledale.”
//ends//
Note to Newsdesk
Images:
1 National Park Authority staff Sheila Roberts and Michael Briggs, who collected the BHS award
1. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities”. The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of unitary, county and city councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge.
1. All of our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan: “Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.”