Peregrine chicks hatch in Yorkshire Dales National Park
Three peregrine chicks have hatched at Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The RSPB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have set up a free viewpoint with high powered telescopes so visitors can see the peregrine family.
The peregrine is the largest of British breeding falcons
Peregrines typically pair for several years and may live up to 10 years old - the oldest on record was 15 years and 6 months old
Both adult birds tend the young, which take their first flight after 5 or 6 weeks
Peregrines feed on medium sized birds, which they catch in high-speed aerial stoops – although more often than not they fail to make a kill
Peregrine numbers crashed in the 1960s due to the impact of pesticides. Peregrines have now increased in numbers to about 1300 breeding pairs in the UK.
Inquiry to be launched into plans to extend Yorkshire Dales
Plans to extend the size of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District will face a public inquiry.Natural England has announced proposals to extend the boundaries of the National Parks, which would increase their combined area by 500 square kilometres (193 square miles).
But local authorities affected by the proposals have objected, triggering an inquiry which is expected to open in June.
Over 3,000 objections, representations or expressions of support were received in responseto the proposals, including objections from five local authorities. It is a statutory requirement that a public inquiry is held if at least one local authority with land in a proposed extension raises an objection to a relevant variation order. I have therefore commissioned a public inquiry into the recommended boundary changes and an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate has been appointed to conduct the inquiry."
– Minister for the natural environment Richard Benyon
We welcome the announcement of a public inquiry into the proposed extension of the much loved Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks. This is a significant decision and it is important that it is fully and carefully considered."
Contents of historic Yorkshire Dales grocer's shop up for sale
The contents of a very old grocer's shop are to be auctioned in the Yorkshire Dales. Thompson's was run by the same family for generations - selling everything from sugar to stockings. And now those who remember the shop will be able to buy a piece of its history.
New classes planned as Kilnsey Show opens its gates
New classes have been included in this year's Kilnsey Show which takes place later. The annual Yorkshire Dales showpiece, organised by the Upper Wharfedale Agricultural Society, is now in its 115th year. More than 430 show classes will compete for 80 trophies and a total prize fund of £16,000.
The keynote livestock section itself offers £6500 in prize money, with 124 sheep classes including the new Charollais category. Equine events include local riding classes, mountain and moorland, shires and a new working hunter class, along with a fancy dress riding class for the under-14s.
As well as the livestock displays, this year's main attraction is the UK FMX Freestyle Moto-Cross team. There's also an air stunt display and birds of prey and falconry display as well as a cookery theatre showcasing the best cuisine Yorkshire has to offer. Gates open at 9am.
Thousands of peole turned out today for Settle's annual Walk for All. The rain held off for the treks around the Yorkshire Dales. The aim of the day was to raise money for the Jane Tomlison Appeal.
National Trust opens campsite in the Yorkshire Dales
Throughout August, up to 50 new pitches will be available for hire from the National Trust at Waterhouses, near Malham in North Yorkshire.
The National Trust already operates a number of campsites in the Lake District, but this will be the first in Yorkshire. Initially, set up for a month-long trial, the Trust hopes having a campsite in the countryside will help encourage people to make the most from a stay in the Dales.
The site also has three pods that can be booked. They are built out of wood and provide shelter from wind and rain. There are two different sized pods: one standard pod, which can accommodate up to two adults and one child, and two family pods that sleep two adults and three children.
Brother of Yorkshire bullying victim takes on charity trek
A brother will hike 14 miles through the Yorkshire Dales to raise funds for an anti bullying charity in memory of his sister. Richard Shaw, 26, will be joined by five friends when he strides out for BullyingUK across the Dales on August 19 with the hope of raising £1,500.
His sister Chantelle Garside suffered at the hands of bullies and took her own life. She was 16. Richard, from Castleford, but who is now based in Leeds, said: "I'm walking the Yorkshire Dales in aid of BullyingUK to highlight that children and young people don't have to suffer in silence."
The money raised from the trek will help the charity respond to challenges faced by children and young people throughout the UK and help it to continue its work supporting more than 500,000 people a year affected by bullying.
To support Richard's efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Shaw85
A report has revealed 29 sites in the Yorkshire Dales have been recommended to have new houses built. It is part of a plan for how areas for affordable housing will be released over the next 15 years.
The sites would vary in size, ranging from two houses up to 30 and potentially providing up to 236 new homes. Half would affordable homes to rent or buy, probably involving a housing association.
The rest would be available in the open market, with a legal agreement restricting them to who people who need to live or work in the National Park.
Four sites that would have provided 10 new homes in Aysgarth, Low Row, Muker and Thornton Rust have been rejected.
