Apple Day Hudson House
Friends of the Dales launches Eyes on the Skies campaign
The Friends of the Dales has launched a campaign called Eyes on the Skies, speaking out against the criminal killing of birds of prey. The campaign has the support of several partners including the RSPB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Birds of prey are in catastrophic decline, especially in the Yorkshire Dales which continues to be a black spot for this type of wildlife crime.
The campaign was announced shortly after the RSPB revealed a hen harrier it monitored had gone missing under “suspicious circumstances” while at a roost site on moorland between Reeth and Redmire (the 29th hen harrier to ‘suspiciously disappear’ in the National Park since 2015.) In addition, figures from the wildlife charity show that between 2015 and 2024, 67 confirmed or suspected raptor persecution incidents were recorded in or near the Yorkshire Dales National Park.Friends of the Dales is hoping its Eyes on the Skies campaign will teach people about the importance of the birds to the ecosystem and how to spot suspicious activity. Find out more on their website.
Survey reveals shortage of affordable housing in Upper Dales
A survey by the Upper Dales Community Land Trust (UDCLT) and North Yorkshire Council’s Rural Housing Enablers has concluded that 17 new homes are needed to meet demand in upper Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.
The study was conducted in a bid to formally assess the shortage of affordable, sustainable housing for people born, living or working in the Upper Dales area. The report highlights that the greatest need is for one and two-bedroom homes, suitable for local individuals, couples, and small families who are struggling to afford either market rents or house prices. Read more on the Richmondshire Today website.
Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers group to help clean up local rivers
More than £1.5m worth of fines issued to Yorkshire Water for sewage leaks will be spent on clean-up projects across the region, including £220,000 awarded to the Swaledale and Wensleydale Environmental Farmers Group (SWEF) for improving land around the Swale and Ure. Defra said the projects would “tackle pollution and support long-term plans for nature restoration.” Read more on the BBC website.
Yorkshire Dales National Park pressing ahead with plans for new Garsdale to Hawes trail
The National Park Authority is pressing ahead with plans to create an accessible trail along the disused railway line between Garsdale Station and Hawes. In 2022, over 2,300 people took part in a public consultation—one of the most engaged in the Authority’s history—with nearly 80% backing the idea of a safe, inclusive route for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and horse riders.
To keep the project moving, the dedicated Steering Group is now considering a formal Public Path Creation Order under the Highways Act 1980. This legal process would seek to establish the proposed route as a bridleway. Interested parties can submit objections to the Order at this stage. Read more on the YDNPA website.
Plans to weaken Protected Landscapes Duty quietly dropped
Plans to weaken the Protected Landscapes Duty (an essential law that requires public bodies to “seek to further” National Parks and National Landscapes) have been dropped by the government, thanks in part to lobbying by the Campaign for National Parks (CNP). Earlier this year, CNP sent a letter to the government supported by 200 organisations, including Sustainable Swaledale, to argue against the proposals. On 13th October, the government published its list of amendments for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill—the final opportunity to push through any legal changes to planning this year. To everyone’s relief, this did not include any changes to the Protected Landscape Duty. Read more on the CNP website.
Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust Photography Competition
The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) has launched a photography competition for images showcasing the beautiful rivers, streams and wildlife found in the YDRT catchment area (Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse, and associated tributaries). Selected photographs will be displayed at the Rivers4Life summer exhibition taking place at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes from 6th June to 6th September 2026, and in a future Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust calendar. The autumn stage of the competition closes on 5th December; and the winter stage on 5th March 2026. Find out more on the YDRT website.
Yorkshire Dales National Park launches new eco-friendly Management Plan
The National Park has launched its new Management Plan for 2025-30, with a strong focus on wildlife and climate—the main areas highlighted in response to the first public consultation. Along with ambitions including the ‘Finest Wildlife’ and ‘Climate Mitigation,’ its other key objectives include supporting a distinctive cultural landscape, flourishing local economy, strong, resilient communities and outstanding opportunities for visitors.
The Management Plan is a statutory requirement of every National Park Authority, reviewed every five years, and guides how it is managed, cared for and developed. Read more on the YDNPA website.
Restoring the flow at Hauxwell Estate
At Hauxwell Estate near Leyburn, a partnership with Ousewem is helping show how restoring natural processes can make landscapes more resilient to flooding and climate change.
For the first time in more than a century, a watercourse has been reconnected to its floodplain, allowing it to meander naturally once again. The project created a new nine-hectare wetland that stores around 2,992 cubic meters of water—more than an Olympic-sized swimming pool—while providing rich habitats for wading birds, insects and amphibians.
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with Ousewem on this project. The new wetland fits perfectly with our ambition to manage the estate in a more wildlife-friendly way,” said Kevin Birch, Estate Manager.
Will Dalton, of Hauxwell Estate, added: “The wetland will be transformational to the landscape and nature restoration in the heart of the estate and really enhances what we’re trying to achieve with regenerative farming and woodland creation. The Ousewem team and Kevin have worked really hard to design and create a fantastic project and I’m very grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to do this.”
Read more on the Ousewem website.
Renewables overtake coal as world’s biggest source of electricity
For the first time ever, renewables have replaced coal as the world’s leading source of electricity. However, it’s a mixed picture globally according to the data: Developing countries, especially China, led the charge in clean energy, while richer nations including the US and EU relied more than before on planet-warming fossil fuels. This divide is likely to get more pronounced as a result of the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration which are focused on increasing oil and gas exports. Read more on the BBC website.
Sign up for Sustainable Swaledale’s winter volunteer activities
Sustainable Swaledale’s winter volunteer schedule is now live and all helping hands are most welcome. Planned activities include wildflower plug planting, hedge laying, woodland maintenance, and hedge and tree planting; at a variety of lovely sites from Muker to Marske to Langthwaite, across a mix of weekend and weekday dates. Two planting sessions in Gunnerside will also be in conjunction with children from Reeth and Gunnerside Schools under full teacher supervision. Please sign up via the online spreadsheet or email info@sustainableswaledale.org with any questions.
Thank you to the Church of England churches in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale
We are grateful to the local churches in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale who nominated Sustainable Swaledale as the recipient of the monetary donations at this year’s Harvest Festival services. Thank you for both the nomination and the donations.
Group Meeting
The next meeting is on 6th November at 7pm at the Reeth Vicarage, courtesy of the Rev Canon Caroline Hewlett. The vicarage is at the end of Langhorne Drive just before you turn right to Reeth Medical Centre. The door to the vicarage is signed from the garden.