EARLIER this year, a blog on the website of national disability charity Scope recommended the Beamsley Project as one of the best places for an accessible holiday in the UK. John Tomlinson looks at the scheme, which was set up nearly 20 years ago and is housed in a converted Methodist chapel alongside the A59.

THE Beamsley Project began when the dwindling congregation at the Methodist church was faced with increased costs to maintain the building.

A charitable trust was established, as an independent charity, to adapt part of the premises and make it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the wonderful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales.

The work has been so successful that the project holds a BT Countryside for All Regional Award and a Duke of York’s Community Award.

The Beamsley Project was opened in 1996 after the building had been completely refurbished with bedrooms, showers and bathrooms, a brilliant kitchen with equipment adjustable to wheelchair height and an amazing first-floor hall for recreation and chilling out.

In the early days, the project was organised entirely by volunteers, mainly the trustees and their wives.

The vision of local people including Alan East, Wesley Hydes, Philip Chadwick and the Rev Rex Owen ensured that more than £600,000 was raised to modify and equip the building.

Local companies and groups such as Rotary, Round Table and Lions along with many local churches, especially St Andrew’s, Skipton, and Christchurch, Ilkley, and individuals have helped to support the work of welcoming people with disabilities.

Groups and families come from all over the country and also from abroad. Visitors from Belgium, Netherlands and Germany have enjoyed their stay at Beamsley.

Bookings for 2015 are already looking good with many people paying return visits and groups as diverse as Leeds Church Institute, Blackburn Buddhists, Leeds Quakers, choirs, care homes, schools, and independence training through People First Keighley and Craven making full use of the excellent facilities.

Purple Patch Arts - which exists to improve the lives and life chances of people with learning disabilities - regularly enjoys visits to Beamsley where creative skills can be developed.

The adjacent cottage is an excellent place for families to get together for a welcome break in relaxing and uplifting surroundings. One visitor had not been able to leave his own home for over ten years as he could not find suitable accessible accommodation until he came across the Beamsley project.

Another regular visitor is Judy Olby, from Langbar.

She organises national holidays for Riding for Disabled Association and has been bringing groups to Beamsley for many years. The riders visit local stables at Draughton, Kilnsey and Haworth and then return to Beamsley for meals and fun.

And Judy has been such a great supporter of the project that she has recently been invited to become one of its trustees.

Linda Clay, who teaches at the Percy Hedley School, Newcastle, which offers a unique approach to teaching pupils with disabilities, has been bringing groups to the Beamsley Project for many years. One of the sixth form groups had a great time last year when the Tour de France raced past the gates at Beamsley.

Linda says that the facilities at Beamsley are excellent for a wide range of disabilities, with plenty to do in the area. The students often plan their own activities and they like the self-catering arrangements although catering can be arranged.

Another supporter is Emily Yates, a local girl, who was looking for a location for a 21st birthday party to share with her twin sister. They both have cerebral palsy and the accessibility of the venue was important.

Emily says: “Set within the Bolton Abbey Estate, this converted former Methodist chapel was to have it all; eight bedrooms to sleep 24 of our closest friends, an elevator in the centre of the venue for those who struggled with stairs, and a beautiful hall, church-like windows still intact: perfect for a great gig.”

The warden, Margaret Tomlinson, has been in post since 1999 and heads up a team of dedicated staff who organise bookings and publicity, prepare the buildings between visitors and provides a warm Yorkshire welcome to all the groups. The team has recently overseen some exciting changes as the trustees aim to update and constantly improve the facilities. Air heat pumps have been installed to provide a new heating system throughout the building, which includes individually controlled radiators in all rooms and underfloor heating in the hall and chapel.

Visitors often remark that they love to come back to Beamsley to see what changes have been made.

Currently the former chapel that was vacated when the Beamsley Methodist Church ceased to function has been added to the Project and is being converted to a super new lounge and entertainment area thanks to the generous support of the Lyndal Tree Foundation.

The Rev Rex Owen, chairman of the project, says he is pleased that the former church building has been able to welcome so many people of all ages, faiths and cultures through its doors.

In many ways it continues the work of the local people who had the vision to build the original Methodist Church in the 1850s. The Beamsley Project continues to provide an excellent location for rest, relaxation and renewal and enhances the lives of so many people with disabilities and disadvantages.