Lottery funding gives Ilkley Moor its own development worker

8:53am Thursday 8th January 2009

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The volunteer group set up to improve and protect Ilkley Moor has taken a major step forward by naming a project officer.

The Friends of Ilkley Moor (FoIM) have appointed Tracy Gray who will carry out the role in a freelance capacity.

Bradford-based Tracy is a former project officer for Sheffield Wildlife Trust and Biodiversity Co-ordinator for West Yorkshire Ecology.

The one-day a week, two-year appointment has been made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund FoIM chairman Owen Wells said: “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 has raised about £70,000 to carry out its work on improving the moor, including the improvement of the footpath from Spicey Gill to the Swastika Stone.

The FoIM have authorised the spending of up to £10,000 for materials and plant hire to improve the path. The work will be undertaken by the Countryside Service of Bradford MDC Mr Wells said: “We hope 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 Lottery funding, this footpath improvement and improved access to the Swastika Stone would not have been possible.

“Along with capital works we will also be running a programme of activities and events for local families, schoolchildren, volunteers and residents to engage in.”

These will be organised by the new project officer and will include a social history project around the names carved on the Cow and Calf Rocks, insect identification, mini-beast hunting, bracken-bashing, fungi-spotting and moorland restoration. A series of photographic compe-titions will also be held. Anyone who would like to get involved, become a member or would like information on up-and-coming events or the work of the Friends of Ilkley Moor is invited to log on to 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 lake. Volunteers from the FoIM have again been involved in this work.