Upper Wharfedale Field Society is launching a new series of lectures in memory of former member Richard Harland, who died in November 2013 at the age of 93. Deputy editor Lindsey Moore looks back at the man who proved such an inspiration.

RICHARD Harland loved open spaces and local history.

It was small wonder then that when he moved to Grassington with his wife, Elma, in 1959, he should become a leading light in the Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

Its aim was - and indeed still is - to increase the enjoyment derived from the area by deepening and widening understanding of its many and various elements.

Although Richard - a qualified solicitor - never held any office within the society, he was a loyal member and many aspects of his life intersected with issues of interest to the group.

His particular passion was vernacular buildings.

After becoming a Quaker in 1961, he helped to carry out a detailed survey of the Friends' Meeting House in Skipton for the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group and completed a history paper, The Living Stones of the Skipton Quaker Meeting.

And when the Airton Meeting planned a £290,000 refurbishment project, he advised them "to do things as simply as possible".

But he was not just researcher and historian, he was also an activist and campaigner.

He served on the national executives of the Open Spaces Society and Ramblers' Association and helped local communities to register common land and village greens.

He helped to write the first draft of the 'freedom to roam', which became the Country and Rights of Way Act 2000, and spearheaded the fight to keep Mastiles Lane, above Malham, as non-vehicular byway.

A pacifist, he registered as a conscientious objector in 1941 (he was subsequently rejected for military service on health grounds) and after the war worked in Germany, helping to resettle refugees, and caught the last bus out before the Soviet blockade.

He returned to England and took up a job in local government. But, after joining the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, found promotions blocked by his peace work. So, in 1959, he took up a job as solicitor for the Craven Water Board and moved his family to Grassington. It seemed to him the best job in Yorkshire - until the threat of privatisation. He retired in 1985.

He and Elma helped to form the Grassington and District Peace Group in 1981 and in retirement Richard continued his work for peace, and supported Elma in making links beyond the iron curtain.

Richard was generous in sharing his time and knowledge.

Now, just over a year after he died at the age of 93, the field society is to launch a new series of biennial lectures in his name, which will focus on vernacular architecture.

The initial lectures will be funded by the £500 donated in lieu of flowers at his funeral.

And they will alternate with the Arthur Raistrick lectures which look at archaeology.

It is an appropriate 'marriage' as the two men were great friends and, together, formed the Friends of Craven Museum.

Richard's daughter, Kate Harland, said: "The field society was one of my father’s first involvements when he arrived in the Dales, with his very good friend Arthur Raistrick.

"We are delighted that a new lecture series is possible and especially that the lectures will focus on vernacular architecture which was a particular passion. We thank the society for progressing this venture in his name."

The first lecture will be delivered by David Cant, chairman and archivist of the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group.

He said: "Having read Richard's obituary in the Guardian, I am sorry not to have known him. He was someone whose passionate interest in local history and deeply held beliefs guided his life."

The study group is currently drawing up a picture of the different styles of local architecture and has already recorded more than 1,800 buildings, including The Folly at Settle, the Fleece at Addingham, Austwick Hall, Barden Tower Chapel, Cowside in Langstrothdale, the Swan at Carleton, Kilnsey Old Hall and the Friends Meeting House in Skipton.

For his lecture, Mr Cant will look at the belief that many buildings were erected using timber from old ships.

"It is very appropriate that the first lecture will be given by David Cant, of the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group," said society vice-president Dr Josephine Drake. "He will help to dispel some myths about the wood coming from ships timbers and help us to understand more about how to read the history of the houses from the remaining buildings."

The lecture will take place in the Octagon Theatre of Grassington Town Hall on Monday at 7.30pm and all are welcome.