A book filled with stunning pictures illustrating the changing face of one of Britain’s most treasured landscapes has been published to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Lesley Tate talks to the book’s author, Colin Speakman, one of the park’s greatest champions, about how it has developed from uncertain beginnings to face a future that may be richer in spirit than funds A fabulously illustrated book written by one of the great champions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been released in celebration of its diamond jubilee.

In The Yorkshire Dales National Park – A Celebration of 60 Years, Colin Speakman looks at the shaky beginnings of the authority through to its many present-day achievements.

Its many pictures include several evocative black-and-white photographs of early hikers, popular village events and farming folk, while later ones include stunning scenery shots.

Colin, who served on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Committee both as an officer and as a member, was also chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Society until last year when he retired.

Writing from the heart, Colin’s book is a remarkable celebration of some of the country’s most glorious landscape and its people.

The informed text breaks much new ground, particularly in his coverage of green issues – such as the need for long-distance walking and cycling routes, now increasingly popular because of the summer’s arrival in Craven of the Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

But, at the beginning, proposals to set up the park were not universally welcomed and had to go though a public inquiry procedure.

“Interestingly, the proposed designation was virulently opposed by both county councils – a classic case of local politicians and bureaucrats defending their territory, resisting any attempt to take away their power, control and influence – reactions now echoed at the present time over the issue of extending the existing Yorkshire Dales National Park boundaries northwards and eastwards,” writes Colin.

“Many rural communities in the Dales and elsewhere saw the imposition of a national park simply as the heavy hand of national government interfering with local democracy.”

There was, he adds, a view, still held by many, that national parks were all about the urban majority invading and imposing their will on rural villages.

“As one town clerk in the North Riding expressed it: ‘National parks are not generally desired, it is a scheme of fanatics, idealists and those out of touch with life in the countryside’.”

Opposition also came from the former Corporation Water Boards, who claimed public access to moorland catchment areas was a major risk to public health.

And it also came from farmers who felt the setting up of a park would be a threat to their livelihoods.

It was felt the accompanying hordes of visitors would trespass on private land, disturb livestock, spread TB to cattle, damage drystone walls and drop litter everywhere.

When the park was finally designated, in 1954, Arthur Raistrick, who was to serve for many years on the West Riding Committee of the National Park, wrote on hearing the news: “At last, the Yorkshire Dales National Park is designated and confirmed to the delight of all country lovers... we welcome the park – it offers all that we want, country for the walker... it is a paradise for the naturalist and geologist, and we who live in it and know it, believe that any right-minded person, whatever his country taste, can find satisfaction within its bounds.”

Moving on to today, Colin looks at the future of the park and calls for greater funding from central government.

“There could not be a stronger case of devolving funding decisions to the regions, and to the north of England in particular,” he writes.

He believes the global economic situation could result in Britain becoming in material terms, a poorer society.

“But in terms of spiritual values, as well as better physical and mental health, and wellbeing, a far richer and happier one.

“The Yorkshire Dales National Park will be there as a continuing inspiration, to enable such a transformation to happen.”

l The Yorkshire Dales National Park – A Celebration of 60 Years is available from all good book shops, priced £16.99.