Christmas at Keld

From the end of October, when the camping fields are empty and day-trippers thin on the ground, Keld is claimed back by its residents and the few visitors who take an out-of-season break,

in a holiday cottage like the Manse.  This year the weather has been particularly cruel - rain, wind, gales and storms and although we haven't been affected as badly as our neighbours over the border in Cumbria it has been a trying time for everybody.   

 

 

So by the middle of December we are ready to welcome Christmas; put up the decorations, turn on the lights, meet up with friends & neighbours and party!

 

 

The carol service in Keld United Reform Church took place on Sunday ......

 

 

and the church was beautifully decorated with red candles and lots of natural greenery.

 

 

Keld Church has an open door policy (quite literally, it is never locked)

and everyone (quite literally!) is welcome. 

 

 

Every Christmas Eve Muker Silver Band travels up the dale to bring

the sound of Christmas to villagers and farming families at the top of Swaledale. 

To many their visit heralds the fact that, after all the frantic shopping & preparations,

Christmas is finally here. 

 

Happy Christmas one and all!

 

 

Christmas at the Keld Manse

The Manse Holiday Cottage is decorated for Christmas and ready to welcome

the lucky family who have booked to stay this Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

To everyone who has stayed at the Manse this year, to our past guests

and those who plan to holiday at the Manse in the future

we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a

Peaceful & Happy New Year. 

 

Swinner Gill Circular - Saturday 20th June 2015

The first of our new events for the 2015 season has been a resounding success.

Thirteen people joined David Pemberton as he led them up Swinner Gill and then higher still to see the cave and waterfall used by con-conformist worshippers hundreds of years ago.

The following photographs tell the story of the day.

 At strategic points along the walk Mark reads extracts from Ella Pontefract & Marie Hartley's book 'Swaledale'.

Plenty evidence of the lead mining industry that dominated the dale over a hundred years ago.

Swinnergill Kirk & waterfall

The Gunnerside Estate kindly gave the group permission to leave the public footpath to experience crossing the swing bridge and explore Lower Kisdon Falls.  Here David explains to the group what they are about to let themselves in for!

Ray Hunter who lives in Thwaite helped to build this bridge when he was an apprentice carpenter.  His job was to fasten the wooden boards to the wire cable.

Abandoned farmhouse and buildings at Hartlakes

Meadows & Moorland Farm Walk - June 2015

Despite the poor day more people than ever joined Chris Calvert when he led this year's

Meadow & Moorland Farm Walk.

'I very much enjoyed Sunday's walk especially because of the knowledge and pride Chris shared about the farm and the dale'

We expect a 'bit of weather'

'Today we will find out what it is really like to be a farmer'.

Upholding the Countryside Code.

Crossing the Swale at Wamp Bridge - an old but beautifully constructed packhorse bridge.

Coffee at Keld

 

Coffee @ Keld - Saturday 6th June

 

 

Our very first coffee morning in the Keld Countryside & Heritage Centre has been a huge success.

It was supported by people from near and far; from just up the road to as far away as New Zealand.

 

 

A huge thank you to Scilla and Majorie for their hard work and resourcefulness in creating plenty of space for everyone to enjoy a cuppa, a cake and have a chat.

 

A massive thank you to Griff for much fetching and carrying and to Michael Rowntree (KRC director) for coming to support this event. 

 

 

In true dales fashion local ladies rallied round to provide the most scrummy homemade cakes and biscuits.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who supported Coffee @ Keld

 

 

 



At the Heart of the Village

Can you make a heart out of wool to decorate the Keld Countryside & Heritage Centre?

 

Twenty local businesses stepped up to the challenge and have produced hearts of all shapes, sizes & colours.

 

 

 

The hearts have been knitted, crocheted, woven, felted, stitched and prodded.  The wool has been plaited, pinned, wound and threaded in all manners of creativity.

The Keld Resource Centre and the local business community have come together to support the
Dales Tourism Network
  

 



 

 Look out for Happy Hearts in other places in and around Swaledale and the Yorkshire Dales.  They can be found in the most unexpected places and are sure to make you smile.

 

  See DalesDiscoveries.com for more ideas on where to go, what to do and details of  the Yorkshire Dales Treasure Hunt. 

Events at Keld for 2015

 

Keld Countryside & Heritage Centre

Events 2015

 

 

Another full programme of events have been arranged for 2015.  Most, but not all, are listed in the National Parks magazine Visitor 2015, they are advertised in the Reeth & Arkengarthdale Gazette and on the Keld Resource Centre website www.tkrc.org.uk

 

Birds of Upper Swaledale Guided Walk - Saturday 9th May 10.00 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 16.00

Spend a half or full day with experienced volunteer Rev. David Peel observing birds in their moorland, woodland & riverside habitat.  Booking essential

 

COFFEE in KELD - Saturday 6th June 10.00 - 13.00 Coffee, Cake & Chat.  The perfect opportunity to find out what is happening in Keld.  ALL WELCOME Proceeds to the Keld Project

 

Meadows & Moorland Guided Farm Walk - Sunday 14th June 11.00 - 13.30 Join local farmer, Chris Calvert as he walks through his hay meadows, lambing fields, pastures and onto the moor.  Own car required for the short drive to the farm.

 

Swinner Gill Circular Guided Walk - Saturday 20th June 11.30 - 15.00  Guided walk with experienced volunteer, David Pemberton.  Walk in the footsteps of the lead miners to Swinner Gill with an option to visit Swinner Gill Kirk - waterfall & cave and site of non-conformist worship.

 

Flowers of the Dales Ramble - Saturday 4th July 10.00 - 14.00  Flower identification walk from Keld to Muker in association with Yoredale Natural History Society.  The walk finishes in Muker in time to catch the bus back to Keld or alternatively walk back to Keld via the classic circular route.

 

Meet the Yorkshire Shepherdess Guided Walk - Sunday 23rd August 13.30 Meet at the Keld Countryside & Heritage Centre where you will be driven to Ravenseat Farm to meet Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess.  Walk back to Keld on the Coast to Coast path.  £5 per person including cream tea.  Booking essential.

 

Kisdon Circular Guided Walk - Saturday 29th August 11.30 - 15.30  Guided walk with experienced volunteer, David Pemberton who leads this classic walk but with a twist!  Visit the summit cairn and crater pothole returning by the lesser known path to Kisdon Force upper falls.

 

Keld During WW1 - Saturday 12th September 14.00 Venue: Keld Chapel Life in Keld during WW1 and its impact on families at the head of the dale.  This event draws on recent research by Gillian Figures into the four men named on the Keld War Memorial

 

For full details of events please visit www.tkrc.org.uk To book please contact Glenda Calvert on 01748 886845 Email: glenda_calvert@hotmail.co.uk



 





The Manse - What's new for 2015?

 

 

There have been lots of changes at the Manse this Spring. 

As well as the usual decorating and spring cleaning, significant improvements have been made with guest comfort in mind.

 

The sofas in the sitting room have been replaced with quality furniture from Barkers of Northallerton.

The Keld Resource Centre aims to support local, independent businesses whenever possible

 



 

The new sofas, reading lamp & rug give the sitting room a whole new look and a high level of comfort for our guests.

 

 

The master bedroom now boasts a quality king-size bed. 

Primrose Hill bedding & curtains by Dorma mirror the famous Swaledale haymeadows and

have been chosen with a good night's sleep in mind.

 

 

The twin room has been re-decorated and the beds have new mattresses.

 

 

A warm welcome awaits all our guests.

We look forward to meeting you.

 

Please visit Owner Direct Property Ref: E17434 for full details.

 

 

 

 

 

Frozen Falls

 

Wainwath Falls are a sight to behold.  Huge cascades of frozen ice hang down the face of the waterfall.

 

When viewed closely the patterns in the ice are as fine as intricate lacework.

 

Quite beautiful and most spectacular.

A Winter Welcome in the Wellbeing Garden

A family visiting Upper Swaledale for the weekend drop by the Wellbeing Garden.....
 

 

.... to take in the view towards Keld Woods and hills beyond.

                                   

A perfect winter's day - snow covered landscape, blue skies and lovely long shadows.