BACK in June, 1993, The Prince of Wales visited the Dales to open a new national nature reserve at Ingleborough. Lesley Tate reports.

IT was 25 years ago, in 1993, when the Prince of Wales stopped off in the Yorkshire Dales to officially open the new Ingleborough National Nature Reserve, then to be managed by English Nature, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

His Royal Highness, dressed in a suit and tie, switched to hiking boots before tackling a steep climb to Philpin Sleights near Chapel-le-dale, and carried a traditional shepherd’s hook.

“The Prince of Wales proved he was tough as old boots when he climbed a steep slope to enjoy the breath-taking Dales landscape, “ reported the Craven Herald at the time.

“His Royal Highness, sporting brown suede hiking boots, and carrying a traditional shepherd’s hook, made light work of the ascent up to the spectacular limestone pavement in Southerscales, near Chapel-le-dale.”

The Prince was already known for his love of the ‘great outdoors’ and talked of how rural partnerships were vital in the preservation of landscapes.

“The reserve here will be able to demonstrate a partnership approach between English Nature, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and indeed the farmers ‘union whose members try and earn their living in this part of the world,” he said.

The Prince added: “It is a delicate balance that has to be struck because everybody has slightly different views about how it should be done - but I’m sure the frustrations will be overcome in the future.”

He unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion, before chatting briefly to people, including members of young farmers clubs, who were helping look after the reserve.

The chairman of English Nature, the Earl of Cranbrook, said at the time although conservation of the wildlife and geology was a vital consideration of the new partnership, members were also keen for people to enjoy the reserve and learn from it.

And, he stressed conservation management and practical upland farming could exist side by side, adding: “We look forward to working in this way with the farming community.”

President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Earl Peel, said the reserve would cement and carry forward the new partnership for the benefit of all.

“I can see the enormous benefits of supporting farming objectives and I’m sure this Natural Nature Reserve can help achieve this and so help ensure the future of the uplands.”

Robert Heseltine, chairman of the national park, and local councillor, spent several minutes chatting to the Prince about footpath erosion.

He said: “The Prince suggested the national park could set up a local employment project for young people in the Dales to stop the erosion as soon as possible.”

Prince Charles also stopped to chat to Eileen and Rodney Beresford, owners of the nearby Newby Head Farm. and whose land was part of the reserve. He asked Mr and Mrs Beresford, whose farm had been in the family for 20 years, whether they could see it being passed into the hands of their 20 month old son, Thomas Albert.

Stone wallers, Ephrian and Terry Wilson, of Carnforth, who were working nearby, were caught by surprise when the Prince made a detour to speak to them. The brothers said the Prince was curious to know more about their trade and was interested to hear they did a lot of repair work for English Nature.

The Herald reported at the time that the Prince referred to the banner covering the plaque as a ‘dishcloth’.

The plaque was set in a plinth of limestone, and covered with a banner, which the Prince was to remove.

He said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to declare this reserve open and to see if I can unveil this rather interesting looking dishcloth.”

The Prince’s remark was greeted with laughter by the dozens of onlookers, and an ‘embarrassed’ English Nature official later joked to the Craven Herald: “If you print that, we’ll sue.”

After the ceremony, the Prince dropped in on the OId Hill Inn, Chapel-le-dale, where he was served a pint of Theakston’s by the landlord, John Riley. However, he had just a few mouthfuls before saying he better not have any more and then getting back into his Bentley to complete his tour.

The reserve is now managed by Natural England and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It covers an impressive 1,014 hectares (2,500 acres) on some of the northern, north-eastern and eastern slopes surrounding Ingleborough. Natural England says it is one of the best places to see a whole suite of habitats and species which are strongly influenced by the underlying geology.

Visitors to the nature reserve will find flower rich meadows and pastures, heather clad moors, ancient woodland, and some of the country’s finest limestone pavements.

In addition to the varied plantlife, there is a host of animals, including the northern brown argus butterfly, curlew, roe deer and bats in the cave systems. The reserve has also been an important site in the very successful Limestone Country Project. The benefits of grazing the limestone country habitats with traditional cattle breeds can be seen on this reserve due to the reserve’s own cattle herd and dedicated farmers, and there is also a network of public rights of way running through the area.

People have lived and farmed the area for thousands of years, and included in the reserve are the remains of abandoned settlements, old limekilns, many miles of dry-stone walls and field barns, typical of the Dales’ landscape.

To mark the 25th anniversary, Ingleborough National Nature Reserve is running a display all about the reserve

at The Gallery, Ingleborough Community Centre in Ingleton, which will run until tomorrow, June 22.

The exhibition includes contributions from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Hanson UK, Craven Conservation Group, Ingleborough Archaeology Group and several research projects.