Knaresborough Nidd Gorge Conservation Group

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK.

What is the Nidd Gorge?

Mark and Adam

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 - 19th April 2008, 3rd May, 17th May, 31st May, we miss the 14th June due to the Knaresborough Bed Race, then start again on 28th June, 12th July, 26th July, 8th August, 23rd August 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