Dalesman
I am proud to have been a contributor the Yorkshire Dalesman Magazine for many years.
If you’re looking for my latest blog addition to a Dalesman article, click here
Here is the article I wrote to celebrate my ten years with Dalesman – the same year as the magazine’s 70th anniversary.
TEN YEARS WITH DALESMAN
I’ve done ten years with Dalesman. I can’t believe the time has gone so fast.
As jobs go, I’ve had worse. While my radio reports cities clogged with traffic jams, I get to drive around two National Parks, meeting some of Yorkshire’s most interesting people. As I drive, I’m reminded of James Herriot’s books, and often feel I’m following in his footsteps.
Like ‘James’, I’ve had a few mini-adventures. Once, I got lost in a blizzard on the moors near Whitby. Crawling along in the white-out, I came across a workshop – and scared the life out of the poor lad in there when I walked in to ask ‘where am I?’
I’ve had a few episodes of ‘white water rafting’ in the car when it’s rained in the upper Dales. I certainly don’t need to visit theme parks for thrills – the Yorkshire weather provides those for free.
I’ve visited no end of beautiful places: sunlight flickering under the trees in woodland; rivers splashing over water worn pebbles; moors brilliant with purple heather and gold bracken; gentle farmland; sea cliffs covered in crying birds; marram grass swishing in the wind. I can never pick a favourite, because everywhere has its own unique character.
But it’s the people who make it special. And the thing I’ve noticed is that Yorkshire folk really do have special characteristics. They have toughness, independence, ingenuity, determination, and an unsentimental attitude that keeps them going in a changing world that doesn’t understand the rural way of life.
I’ve met people in all walks of life, all using their Yorkshire grit and tenacity to live the life they choose – often despite huge obstacles.
I’ve met farmers, competing against cheap imports on a world market. They use every scrap of Yorkshire ingenuity to continue with the oldest, most important job in the world: keeping us fed.
I’ve met people with the determination to maintain traditional skills. Unless their father taught them, they’ve had to fight to learn the skills, and fight again to make living from them – but they’ve done it.
I’ve met Yorkshire entrepreneurs who’ve achieved national recognition, or founded new traditions, such as the Dales Festival of Food and Drink.
I’ve met people devoted to caring for the landscape and wildlife. Whether college trained or bred to it, they’re passionate in their love of our land.
I’ve met skilled craftsmen and women, making things varying from saddles to mandolins, boats to rag rugs.
I’ve met people who care for others, whether bed and breakfast or mountain rescue, village shopkeeper or doctor.
I’ve met archaeologists delving into the foundations of our culture, and people creating the history of the future.
I’ve shared timeless Christmas celebrations from Gomersall to Gunnerside.
I’ve met the older generation telling us how it used to be, and youngsters training to continue the traditions that make Yorkshire special.
I’ve met thrifty Yorkshire folk, quietly dusting off the water turbines that gave Dalesfolk electric light when cities still used candlelight, before ‘sustainable energy’ was even thought of.
And I am left in constant admiration at the stoicism, ingenuity, and courage, that keep Yorkshire folk surviving – nay thriving – in the country they love.