YDNPA Volunteers at Reeth, Swaledale - 25 February 2016

Stone slabs purchased by Reeth Parish Council in Swaledale from a stone merchant in Bradford turned out to be surplus paving which was salvaged from Bradford’s old market place during its refurbishment.

Parish councillors asked the Yorkshire Dales National Park offices in Reeth if the Dales volunteers could install them as an all-weather surface on a section of a very popular riverside walkway at the bottom end of town frequently used by residents and visitors. The path runs under the road bridge over Arkle Beck and frequently floods, making it impassable at times in the winter.

Volunteers from the north east team, including Guild members Dick Laidler and Dave Purvis, turned out under the guidance of access ranger Ian Broadwith. The 5 inch thick slabs looked heavy and challenging - which, as it turned out, they were!

Once the logistics of moving the slabs were worked out with the aid of a large sack barrow, some wooden rollers and webbing strops, the 20 metre pathway and steps soon began to take shape and the job completed in a day. Many walkers passing through were delighted with the improvement – the stones would have been passed over by many generations in Bradford market place over the years and we hope many generations of residents and visitors to Reeth will continue to enjoy them for many years to come.

Photos: Dick Laidler, Clive Herdman