Business boost for Dale
NIDDERDALE is bucking the national trend thanks to a series of events boosting the local economy.
This week's Golden Oldies cricket festival has brought tourists to the area, using local guesthouses and other services.
Several events taking place over the next two months are also expected to be a boon to the district's traders.
John Corfield, chairman of the Nidderdale Business Association, said: "On August 19 local businesses are being invited to a preview to introduce The Coldstones Cut up on Greenhow Hill. I have heard this attraction described as potentially our Angel of the North and expect a lot of interest and visitors over the coming years.
"We are looking forward to a good autumn trade with the Nidderdale Show.
"At the beginning of December we have an improved and expanded St Nicholas Festival event. Tickets are available from most shops and businesses."
September brings the annual Nidderdale Show and with it the usual crowds.
David Brown, show chairman, said: "The show itself fetches people into Pateley but we also let the field right through April to October to various caravan clubs, car boot sales and other events.
"Then there's all the other events like the Rotary Nidderdale Charity Walk, the Scout camp, the Nidderdale High School Horse Show, the Young Farmers County Show and the Great Milk (stout) Ride.
"When the show is on a lot of people stop at B&Bs and hotels and on show day itself a lot of people go onto the High Street."
Before the month is out, the inaugural Pateley Bridge Walking Festival, which features 15 walks of between two and 18 miles, is expected to bring numerous outdoor enthusiasts to the area. With five days of planned walks, bookings are already flooding in for accommodation in the local area.
Entry charges for the walks start from 3 with some of the proceeds going to Wharfedale Fell Rescue.
Festival organiser Liz Simmonds, said: "Our aim is to bring walkers from across the country in to the dale thereby providing a boost for Nidderdale and its economy."
The next event starts on Saturday, August 21, when Niddart 10 opens with three art trails throughout the Dale. There are events in Ramsgill, Lofthouse and Middlesmoor, with exhibitions in upper Nidderdale. Some of the art will also be on display at How Stean Gorge.
There are open studios in Glasshouses and a display of two professional artists' work at the Yorkshire Country Wines tea room. A flower festival and displays of photography and paper cut art will be held at Bewerley Grange Chapel, with arts and crafts at Bridgehousegate Auction Market.
Pateley Bridge will have four galleries to visit, with events by the art club, the flower garden with botanical art and Minerva's Owl with contemporary textiles. The annual exhibition by the Royal British Legion will be in the High Street, with the King Street Workshops also opening its doors.
Further down the dale, rag rugging and wood art will be on offer in Hampsthwaite, with several artists offering a range of courses during the week. To find out more, email steve@boastess.co.uk or pick up a leaflet in any of the galleries or the tourist Information office. Events run from next Saturday until Monday, August 30.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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