Flagstones dropped on Barden Fell for footpath

Walkers heading for Simon’s Seat in Wharfedale will find they are on firmer ground after more than 30 tonnes of stone was airlifted to the beauty spot.

Reclaimed mill floor flags from Lancashire were transported to the site on Barden Fell by helicopter, in an operation organised by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Phil Richards, the authority’s area ranger for Wharfedale and Littondale, said: “Over the years the paths leading to and from Simon’s Seat have increasingly become more popular, which, in turn, has impacted on the surrounding vegetation and underlying peat.

“In order to manage the erosion problems and protect the fragile landscape – which is important for ground nesting birds such as golden plover, merlin and red grouse – measures have to be taken to minimise the impact.”

Bolton Abbey visitor manager Moira Smith said: “The stone flags provide an all-weather, low-maintenance path for people to use which, at the same time, fits in with the surrounding character of the uplands. The idea of using flags is nothing new – they were used centuries ago, creating pack horse routes across the Pennines.’’ The airlift is part of an on-going project to restore the peat and heather and is being undertaken by the authority, supported by Bolton Abbey Estate, which owns and manages Barden Fell. The focus of work this year includes restoring the path from Simon’s Seat to Dalehead.

The airlift formed part of a much larger programme of work undertaken by the authority that included flying about 360 tonnes of materials to various locations within the National Park.

PRIORY CHURCH: The services on Sunday are 8am communion (said), 10.30am sung eucharist and evening prayer at 6.30pm. On the first Sunday of the month we hold our liquid family service at 9.15am. This service is aimed at youngsters and there are songs, activities and refreshments. Each Wednesday there is a communion service at 10am. All services are BCP. Tickets are now available for the third of the Priory Church Summer Concert Series on Friday, August 17, at 7.30pm. The Bexley Phoenix Choir is a group of 40 young people who are coming to the Priory en route to a lunchtime concert at Ripon Cathedral. They will sing a varied programme of sacred and secular music. Tickets are £10 each, which includes a glass of wine, and are available from (01756) 710586.