Pess Release

Friends of Ilkley Moor

The Friends of Ilkley Moor have appointed a free lance project officer, Tracy Gray. Tracy has a huge range of experience as a former project officer for  Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Biodiversity Co-ordinator for West Yorkshire Ecology. This appointment has only been possible because of financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund

Owen Wells, Chair of FoIM said "This appointment represents a step change in the activities of the Friends of Ilkley Moor. We have been extremely fortunate in securing a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and now, with Tracy in post we are confident that users of Ilkley Moor will soon see the results of our activities."

So far the FoIM have raised about £70,000. The winter is not the best time to start work on the Moor, but one of the FoIM projects; the improvement of the footpath from Spicey Gill to the Swastika Stone, which is currently a boggy morass, is due to start. The FoIM have authorised the spending of up to £10,000 for materials and plant hire to improve this path. The work will be undertaken by the Countryside Service of Bradford MDC. "We hope" say Owen Wells "that this will be the first of many collaborative ventures between the FoIM and the Countryside Service that will lead to real improvements on the Moor. Once again we have to acknowledge that without HLF funding, this footpath improvement and improved access to the Swastika Stone would be not have been possible."

Along with capital works we will also be running a programme of activities and events for local families, school children, volunteers, and residents to engage in.  This will include for example a social history project around the carved names on the Cow and Calf Rocks, insect identification / ‘mini-beasting’, bracken bashing, fungi spotting, and moorland restoration.  A series of photographic competitions will also be held covering a variety of themes.  If you would like to get involved, become a member or would like to obtain further information on up and coming events or the work of the Friends of Ilkley Moor please log onto www.ilkleymoor.org.

Meanwhile the FoIM have been involved in the planning of the improvements to the Tarn and visitors will already have been able to appreciate the improved views that have been opened up by the reduction in the number of trees around the tarn. Volunteers from the FoIM have been involved in this work alongside the Countryside Service.

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK.  Website: www.hlf.org.uk