Dark Sky Reserve status for two national parks
Milky Way over Norber Ridge by Matt Gibson
The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors national parks have been designated International Dark Sky Reserves.
The International Dark Sky Association has granted the status to the two parks, which cover over 3,500 square kilometres.
The announcement represents one of the largest areas in Europe to be simultaneously designated.
Both national parks, as part of a co-ordinated effort, have worked hard over several years to achieve this award, gaining support from councils, parishes, landowners, businesses and astronomical experts.
Jim Bailey, chairman of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: â’It’s a wonderful thing to see a meteorite streak across the night sky, or to look up and appreciate the brilliance of the Milky Way.
As part of a coordinated approach by the two national parks, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has granted reserve status to both areas. Jim Bailey, chairman of the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “This designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve is the culmination of immense dedication and teamwork, and it will continue as we encourage more people to think carefully about our night time environment.” Neil Heseltine, chairperson of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “Designation provides a fantastic opportunity to encourage tourism in the autumn and winter months, and to work with local authorities, businesses and communities to ensure our dark skies are protected.
Sun 13 Dec 2020 04.15 EST
They can be seen for miles around, a monumental relic of Victorian industry amid the stunning beauty of the North York Moors. But almost 100 years since the Rosedale iron kilns were last fired, they are in danger of being lost.
The 16 brick arches at the end of a 12-mile railway track, hand-built by navvies and cut into valley walls, are crumbling after decades of being battered by wind and rain. Now the North York Moors National Park Authority is preparing to launch a campaign to raise £1.6m to secure this piece of industrial heritage for generations to come.
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