Knaresborough Nidd Gorge Conservation Group

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK.

What is the Nidd Gorge?

Andrew on our new footbridge in Mackintosh Park.

Junior Soldiers from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate help us from time to time.

Who we are

Our group was formed in September 2005. The group exists to serve the interests of Knaresborough residents and visitors in protecting, enhancing and preserving the rural characteristics, natural amenities and physical environment of the Nidd Gorge through Knaresborough.'

Contact us

email knaresborough.nidd.gorge@hotmail.co.uk

or phone David or Pat Tankard on 01423 866400

What we do
We meet fortnightly to do practical work and footpath repairs in the Knaresborough section of the Nidd Gorge. We are currently working on and around footpaths through Bilton Fields, Foolish Wood and Mackintosh Park.

DATES... You are welcome to join us at 9am on alternate Saturdays - in 2009 the dates will be…
24th January, 7th February, 21st February, 7th March, 21st March, 4th April, 18th April, 2nd May, 16th May, 30th May, 13th June, etc. We meet in the car park at Henshaws on Bond End, Knaresborough. For directions phone 07885 543453

We enjoy the exercise and the fresh air. Volunteers make new friends, and we feel we give something back to our local
community, while working in such beautiful surroundings. Why not join us and develop new skills in countryside conservation?

What is the Nidd Gorge?
More than 15 miles of footpaths can be enjoyed through the farmland, riverside and woods of the very special place called the Nidd Gorge. During the last ice age, the river Nidd was blocked by ice and filled with glacial debris near Knaresborough. At the end of the ice age 12,000 years ago, this gorge was formed by the overflowing of a huge lake cutting through the magnesian limestone ridge.

Today the river is in a fast flowing channel up to 200 feet below the surrounding fields. The wildlife and heritage are very much valued by local people who work to conserve it. The native woodland is mainly oak and ash together with hazel, holly, cherry and field maple. These ancient woodland areas also contain a diverse flora and many birds can be seen and heard in this area. There is evidence of almost continuous human activity here from pre history to the 21st century.

What is Conservation?
If nothing was done our countryside would not stay the same, it would return to dense woodland, with less diversity. Nature conservation is the careful management of our natural resources to ensure we protect the plant and animal species as well as their habitat for the future. Consideration is given to the existing biodiversity of the surrounding environment and by preventing the degredation of habitats we preserve the future of plants and animals.

The Knaresborough Nidd Gorge Conservation Group plant trees, hedges, shrubs and wildflowers. Together with hedgelaying, pond clearance, and footpath construction this creates a pleasant environment for the enjoyment of all. You can see green and greater spotted woodpeckers, sparrowhawks and kingfishers. You might see roe deer, badgers and foxes. There are bluebells, wood anenome, herb paris and yellow archangel. Several types of orchid can also be seen.

Please take care on the footpaths in wet or icy weather and avoid the riverbanks during flood. Leaflets to help with the walks are available from Knaresborough Tourist Information centre in the Castle Courtyard. Also useful to walkers is the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map Number 297.

Links
Knaresborough Festival feva

Bilton Conservation Group

Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club

Knaresborough Post