Lower Wharfedale

Based at the National Park Authority's Office in Grassington, Lower Wharfedale Area Ranger Phil Richards' area includes Wharfedale from Grassington to Beamsley including the Bolton Abbey Estate.

In addition, Phil covers the area east of the B6265 from the village of Embsay to Grassington.

He manages the rights of way network in this area as well as being involved in a variety of conservation and community projects. He's pictured here - see left - doing some tree maintenance work in the Grassington car park.

Access Ranger Richard Mainman's main role is to help manage the network of public rights of way that run through the area.

Work is sourced from a whole variety of individuals or organisations, from visitors to landowners, through to user groups, parish councils or survey findings. Improvements are then prioritised and funding secured before they are implemented on the ground.

Other duties include regular survey work along public rights of way, managing volunteer practical input and a general patrol/advice role. Here he is - see picture right - preparing for some footpath work.

Access

Dales Way footpath from Hebden to Appletreewick

The Ranger Service in Lower Wharfedale has completed repairs to nearly a kilometre of the path between the villages of Hebden and Appletreewick.

Sections of the popular riverside walk have become eroded by many trampling feet and to some degree the river Wharfe.  National Park Authority, staff working in conjunction with local contractors and volunteers, have now repaired most of worst sections using aggregate which in some cases has had to be transported using wheelbarrows due to the terrain.  In addition several old stiles have been removed and replaced with hand gates to make access easier.

More surfacing on the path is due to take place this year around the village of Appletreewick.

Simon’s Seat-Barden Fell access area.

Ranger Service staff, working in conjunction with local contractors, have recently completed path restoration work on the route between Simon’s Seat and Lord’s Seat.  Because of the inaccessibility of the area, materials had to be air-lifted onto site using a helicopter.  Materials included 35 tonnes of reclaimed mill floor flags which have been laid to create over 100 metres of new flagged path, completing the section between the two rock out crops.

The work has been undertaken as part of the access agreement between Bolton Abbey Estate and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Barden Fell and Moor
The Ranger Service has recently installed 18 access information boards provided by the National Park Authority at various entry points onto Barden Fell and Moor.  The boards will provide the public with information relating to the access agreement between Bolton Abbey Estate and the National Park and also include details of the Countryside & Right of Way Act open access.

Visitors enjoying the use of the access areas are asked to take time to read the information provided which on occasions gives details of restrictions of access in relation to fire or shooting closure.

Conservation

Both the Area and Access Rangers are working closely with Embsay Primary School to create a wildlife garden. Pupils from the school are working alongside National Park Rangers and have so far created a pond, wildflower area and have constructed footpaths, built drystone walls and planted hedges.

Work started last summer and it is hoped that by spring the garden will be finished once some benches and bird boxes have been installed.

Contact details

Phil Richards
Lower Wharfedale Area Ranger
Colvend
Grassington
Skipton
BD23 5LB

01756 751652