A DALES village school can create an allotment and wildlife area in its grounds thanks to the community and to a £2,000 grant from the new Swinden Quarry Natural Environment Fund.

Children at Cracoe and Rylstone CoE Primary School learned about the grant just days before the school closed because of the coronavirus.

The grant was the first to be given out of a fund of £30,000 to be given out each year for the next 20 years in the 13 parishes around the quarry. While the money comes from site owner, Tarmac, grants are being administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Ella Besharati, executive co-headteacher of the Upper Wharfedale Primary Federation of schools, which includes Cracoe and Rylstone, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Tarmac, our ward councillor David Pighills, the Cracoe Village Hall Committee and so many members of the community in bringing this project to fruition.

“We are absolutely delighted to have this additional space, as we are seeing more and more the educational benefits of nature-based and outdoor learning. The children had recently started weekly cookery lessons, which they loved, and they were particularly excited about the prospect of cooking with what they had grown themselves.”

The Swinden Quarry Natural Environment Fund is underpinned by a ‘Section 106’ legal agreement between Tarmac and the national park, which was drawn up following a decision to grant planning permission to extend the life of the limestone quarry. Tarmac has been given permission to extend its life for nine years to 2039.

Jim Munday, the national park’s member champion for development management, said: “The fund is an example of the way that careful planning can result in environmental gains. It is open to applicants now, and I am looking forward to seeing many exciting and worthwhile projects being supported over the coming years.

“It’s fantastic to see what the school has done with the first grant to be made. The allotments will be managed in a way to attract beneficial insects and other wildlife. There will be features such as ‘beetle banks’ as well as areas of bramble, native hedgerows and wild flowers – all good news for birds, bees and bats.”

Tim Palmer, quarry manager at Swinden said: “We are proud to be able to support Cracoe and Rylstone Primary School through the Swinden Quarry Natural Environment Fund. We hope the allotment and garden bring the children a lot of fun and enjoyment.”

Deadline for applications is April 21. To find out more, visit: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/about/living-and-working/wildlife-conservation/swinden-quarry-natural-environment-fund/