(AGENPARL) – Mon 09 February 2026 Please find our latest news release below.
Andrew Fagg
Media Officer
Working hours: Mon | Tue | Fri
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale | Bainbridge | Leyburn | DL8 3EL
News Release
[YDNPA 4cm_BLACK]
Lights changed on eve of Dark Skies Festival
Bainbridge, 9 February 2026
A village in Wharfedale is upgrading streetlights to be dark sky friendly just in time for the annual Dark Skies Festival, which will see events held around the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a designated International Dark Sky Reserve.
With support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Threshfield Parish Council is nearing completion of a project to install LED bulbs in 28 lampposts, which are positioned to prevent light pollution. In addition,19 of the streetlights are being programmed to go dark between midnight and 5 am each night.
Chair of Threshfield Parish Council, Cathy Bradley-Richardson, said: “The Parish Council was concerned at the rising costs of running and repairing our streetlights, so moving to LED bulbs is now helping to reduce the village’s energy bills, carbon emissions and light pollution.
“The LED lights throw a warmer white colour onto road and path surfaces, rather than into the sky, so it is kinder on the eyes and better for wildlife, whilst keeping key areas lit up.”
The Dark Skies Festival begins on Friday, running from 13 February to 1 March 2026. Events and activities include stargazing talks with astronomers and astrophysicists at some of the darkest locations in the National Park, evening hikes, astro-photography classes and canoeing in the dark.
To help promote this year’s festival, Swaledale astrophotographer Paul Clark is sharing his striking image of the milky way as seen at night at Old Gang Smelt Mill, a site which features as a location in the new “Wuthering Heights” film (see picture 1). He is also giving an illustrated talk in Askrigg.
Member Champion for Promoting Understanding at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Neil Heseltine, said: “It’s always encouraging when local communities take action to conserve our dark sky. So we are delighted to support Threshfield Parish Council – through the National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund – to upgrade their streetlights.”
“People searching for the awe and wonder of a truly dark sky can come to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and look up! And there’s no better time to do so than during the Dark Skies Festival, when events will bring people together to enjoy the dark sky and learn more about it.”
//ends//
Note to Newsdesk
Image:
1 “Old Gang and Milky Way by Paul Clark. Not stock photo. For use with YDNPA Dark Sky Festival 2026 news release only.” Credit Paul Clark
@paulastroimages
2 Threshfield Parish Councillors inspect the new dark sky friendly lighting after their meeting on 3 February 2026
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.”