News

BINGLEY MOOR OPEN DAY

15th August 2006

By kind permission of the Trustees of Bingley Moor, a guided walk will be held on Sunday 17th September at 2.00 pm, for local people who would like to find out more about why and how the moor is managed.

As a neighbour to the 500 acres of Ilkley Moor destroyed by fire last month, the afternoon will focus on how members of the public can help safeguard these beauty spots for the future, and demonstrate the year round work that grouse moor management requires.

This will be a perfect family afternoon with refreshments and free entry organised by the Countryside Alliance and the Moorland Association.

Along the one mile circular walk, Head keeper Donald McGill who himself helped to fight the blaze on Ilkley Moor, and others involved in management of Bingley, will show visitors every aspect of life on the moors - from how gamekeeper and farmer work together to maintain the rare and beautiful heather to dry stone walling and a demonstration involving working English Setters.

Gamekeepers have a wealth of knowledge about important and rare ground nesting birds and interesting moorland plants. Said Donald McGill: “Amongst other things, we will explain to visitors how we carefully burn small patches of heather in the winter months to encourage new shoots for the grouse and sheep to feed on, and how this creates a patchwork of different habitats that suits other birds like curlew, lapwing, golden plover and merlin. It also helps create natural fire breaks should an accidental summer fire start. In addition we control predators like foxes, crows, stoats and weasels to give all ground nesting birds a chance of survival.”

At the end of the guided walk the Estate will be providing a cup of tea and a sample of delicious wild grouse to taste. Bradford MBC Countryside Officers, farmers, keepers and representatives of the Estate, Countryside Alliance and Moorland Association will also be available to answer questions.

Anyone wishing to come along should book by calling Pat Colton or Tim Baynes on 01833 695749 or email enquiries@moorland-open-days.co.uk.






The Moorland Visitor’s Code is essential reading for anyone planning a moorland walk and is available free from 0870 120 6466:

The Moorland Visitor’s Code.
• Check www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk to see what is open for you (and your dog) and follow any local signs – especially Fire Warning and Closure notices in hot weather.
• Dogs must be on a short lead (less than 2 metres) during the breeding season – 1st March – 31st July.
• Never light fires on moorland, not even gas stoves or barbecues, and don’t stub cigarettes out on the ground or throw them from car windows.
• Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Consider other people – moorland keepers and farmers play a crucial role in the well being of the moors

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