Hundreds attend open day at Threshfield Quarry (From Craven Herald)

Hundreds attend open day at Threshfield Quarry

9:00am Saturday 13th October 2012 in News

More than 500 people attended an open day at Threshfield Quarry, held to celebrate restoration work carried out by quarry operator Tarmac.

It culminated in the opening of a new network of public footpaths.

Steven Curtin, the manager at neighbouring Swinden Quarry and the person who took the last ever tonne of limestone out of Threshfield Quarry before its closure in 2003, ceremoniously cut the tape and opened the paths for local people and visitors.

The day marked the end of two years of restoration by Tarmac which has also seen safety improvements made to the quarry face and woodland development.

A new partnership with the Threshfield Quarry Development Trust, led by local organisations to further the heritage, arts and environmental interest in the area has also been forged.

During the day minibuses took walkers up to the viewing platform at the upper quarry, which provided fine sunny views across Grassington and Wharfedale.

Guided tours were given by experts in the history of the quarry and its nature conservation.

Those who preferred to stay out of the wind up on the tops enjoyed exhibitions on the history and art inspired by the quarry while children painted pictures. Older children knocked tennis balls off traffic cones using a mini-digger and a hog roast fed everyone involved.

Roger Martlew, chairman of the Threshfield Quarry Development Trust, said: “This is a local charity and will work fully with local people to create something very special at the quarry for all to enjoy.”