7:00am Thursday 5th January 2012
By Lindsey Moore
Three North Craven residents have spoken of their delight after winning royal recognition for their work in the community. Anne Read, Rae Lonsdale and Mary Kendall have all received MBEs in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, which was published on Saturday. Mrs Read is honoured for her contribution to the heritage of North Yorkshire. She has been involved with the Museum for North Craven Life since its inception in 1977 and has been honorary curator for most of the intervening years. The museum is now housed in The Folly – Settle’s only grade one listed building – and, in August, a £1.6 million appeal was launched to safeguard the building’s future. Mrs Read said: “I have always been part of a very dedicated and hard-working team and I would like to think the award reflects people’s opinion of what we do as a group. My supplementary hope is it focuses attention on The Folly as we put plans in place to safeguard its future.” “It was an enormous shock, but it is lovely to receive the award,” said Mrs Read, who lives with her husband, Peter, in Eldroth. In addition to her work with The Folly, the former university librarian is also a trustee of the North Craven Building Preservation Trust, an active member of Austwick Church and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Mr Lonsdale, who received his award for his voluntary services work, has been steeped in the Dales since a teenager. For the past 12 years, until his recent retirement, he was volunteer co-ordinator for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, having been employed by the park guardians since 1975 when he became the information supervisor at Malham. Mr Lonsdale, 64, who lives in Langcliffe, got involved with the national park as a 19-year-old living in Idle, Bradford, when he became a volunteer himself with the warden service. When he got the job as volunteer co-ordinator in January 1999, there were about 100 in the team. The number grew rapidly to 200 who now work in teams throughout the Dales. “I’m delighted to receive the award, of course, but at the same time a bit uncomfortable,” said Mr Lonsdale, who retired in March. “I feel it’s a bit invidious to pick out one person like me when so many of the volunteers have done such good work.” Mr Lonsdale is also known for his work with the Cave Rescue Organisation, based in Clapham, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. He joined the Cave Rescue Organisation as a surface member in 1975 and has been involved in co-ordinating rescue operations ever since. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to stick my neck out – my role has been to support others rather than doing it myself,” he said. It had meant acting as duty controller and being available to receive the first call-out and then get the rescue rolling. Mrs Kendall who has lived in Ingleton for more than 50 years, said she was speechless on learning of her award for services to the community. “People will be surprised to hear that – I’m never lost for words,” said the 73-year-old mother of three of Thacking Lane, who for years was the announcer of events at the village and swimming galas. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is enhance the quality of life for people living here,” she added. The retired teacher has served as a parish councillor for more than 20 years and with the swimming pool committee for at least 50 years. She is chairman of governors and literacy co-ordinator at Ingleton Primary School, a member of the WI, the community centre, village sports committee, the NSPCC, Old People’s Welfare, St Leonard’s Church, Chapel-le-Dale and the Westmorland Hospital chaplaincy team.
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