Intro text
Here are a few quick updates on what we’re up to…if you’re on Facebook, please join our group and get involved in the conversations.
Did you get this email from someone else? You need your own! We send occasional emails to tell you what we’re up to and how you can get involved.
Don’t forget you can update your details and preferences – let us know which emails you’d like to receive… update your preferences here. Don’t want to hear from us? Unsubscribe!
Local Food Map
We have created a map showing local food producers who sell or deliver to the Two Dales area. The interactive map on our website shows locations and contact details.
We will do our best to keep this updated. If you’d like to suggest a local farm shop, cheesemaker, butcher, greengrocer or food producer, please email, or post in our Facebook group.
Incredible Edible Swaledale
Our Incredible Edible Swaledale project grows free local vegetables for all, on un-used bits of ground. Our new plot at Reeth Medical Centre is thriving – please feel free to plant, pick or just potter around.
For this year, just plant things wherever there is space (ideally keep all the herbs together). Please label the things you plant if they are something un-obvious!
We encourage people to pick the fruit and mature leaves, making sure you leave plenty for others too. If you’re a good weed-spotter, pull the tiny weed seedlings out before they get started!
Our plans also include signage and fruit trees.
Recently (August), a blog on our website shared tips for the garden, including making free plant food from comfrey (which bees love!)
Wildflowers
Wildflower meadows are one of the reasons people love coming to Swaledale. The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s. Dr Cliff Henry from the National Trust explains that “wildflower patches wonderful habitats that support a rich variety of insect life. In turn, other animals like hedgehogs, birds and bats need the insects to feed on. If one group of species is in decline, that can lead to the loss of many more.”
We can help wildflowers to thrive on verges, unused patches of land, in your garden and elsewhere. We can avoid strimming and weedkilling (both of which harm wildlife too!) and help Swaledale’s native wildflowers thrive.
Share your local recipes
We are collecting and sharing recipes recommended by local people. If your recipe uses local ingredients, that’s even better.
The latest comes from the family of Emma Longstaff, who grew up at White House farm, Arkengarthdale. She married Charlie Wilson and they ran the bakery and village store at Oakworth House, Reeth during the 1930s-50s. ‘Maids of Honour’ is one of the family favourites that Emma made in the shop. Find it and other recipes on our website.
We’d love to hear the stories behind your recipe – where it came from, why it’s popular in your family, maybe how you’ve improved on the original version. And a photo would be brilliant!
Please share your favourite recipes by
- Posting on our Facebook page
- Or email it to us
We’ll add them to the Recipe section on our website, and we’ll credit the recipe creator and photographer – please let us know who you are!
Core Group Meeting
Our meetings (first Thursday of the month) are online for the time being – please get in touch if you’d like to join us on Zoom.