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27 Sep 2011 10:19
Hackfall Heritage Open Days mark EU award presentation
Hundreds of people from across the Yorkshire Dales visited Hackfall near Ripon over the weekend of September 10th and 11th to enjoy a series of free activities organised by the Woodland Trust, Hackfall Trust and the Landmark Trust.
The "Hackfall Heritage Open Days" celebrated the restoration of the unique and inspirational site, thanking all those who have been involved in, or have supported the project; from funders to individuals in the local community. The event also saw around 80 specially invited guests mark the presentation of an EU heritage award.
Hackfall became one of just six 'Grand Prix' winners out of 27 projects spread across Europe being recognised at the 2011 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage at the Europa Nostra Awards ceremony, held in Amsterdam in June. The award was given for the restoration of the 18th century woodland garden, with its castle, follies, cascades and fountain - with the winners receiving a 10,000 Euro cheque.
Paul Mosley is the Woodland Trust's site manager: "Not only do the Open Days celebrate the work which has taken place to transform Hackfall to date and the efforts of those involved, but this year we were able to mark the presentation of our Europa Nostra Award. It was a special occasion and one we'll remember for a long time."
Events that took place over the weekend included guided walks from the site's famous ruin and performances of The Bargeest and Summer Frolics by the Penny Plains Theatre.
The project was supported with a grant of just under £1million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and saw a five year programme of works which have recently been completed. Now, for the first time in nearly 200 years visitors can enjoy the full Hackfall experience, thanks to the work of The Hackfall Trust, Woodland Trust, Landmark Trust and volunteers. Further grants were also provided by English Heritage, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Yorventure, through funds generated by Yorwaste Ltd, and the North Yorkshire Aggregates Grant Scheme.
Hackfall will host further events during the autumn and is free to visit 365 days a year, find out more at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/hackfall
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Notes to Editors:
For further information contact Paul Mosley, Hackfall Officer on: 0845 2935847 or email: paulmosley@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Hackfall is a designated Grade 1 Listed Garden, contains four Grade 2 Listed Buildings, forms its own Conservation Area, as well as being a Site of Special Scientific Interest within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Hackfall Trust is a registered charity whose primary aim is to conserve, protect and improve the 18th century woodland garden and buildings at Hackfall. The Trust was founded in 1987 by a group of concerned local people in response to the advertisement for sale of Hackfall on the open market when the site was already much neglected, risked falling into unsympathetic hands and faced a very uncertain future.
The Hackfall Trust was successful in finding the Woodland Trust as a sympathetic purchaser for the site and, having raised funds for its acquisition and management, has been the lead organisation in the restoration of the landscape.
The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity that rescues and restores buildings at risk and lets them for holidays. The income generated supports the building’s ongoing maintenance. The Ruin, a tiny banqueting house set within Hackfall, can be rented for holidays for two people throughout the year. Website: www.landmarktrust.org.uk
Using money raised through the National Lottery, since 1994 the Heritage Lottery Fund has not only revitalised hundreds of museums, parks, historic buildings, landscapes and wildlife sites, but has also given new meaning to heritage itself. People from every walk of life are now involved with the heritage that inspires them, making choices about what they want to keep and share from the past, for future generations. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects, allocating over £4.5billion across the UK, including £351million to 2,890 projects across the Yorkshire and the Humber region alone. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
Yorventure: The Landfill Communities Fund allows landfill operators to invest some of the tax they collect on behalf of the Government in environmental projects near their sites. Yorwaste Ltd operates sites at Scorton, near Richmond, Caulklands, near Pickering, Skibeden, near Skipton, Mickleby, near Whitby, Seamer Carr, near Scarborough, Harewood Whin, near York, and West Tanfield. It has made over £7 million available to projects in York and North Yorkshire. Grants are distributed by Yorventure, a Government-approved Environmental Body. For further information contact Angela Pease, Community Projects Manager on 01937 848848, e-mail angelapease@yorventure.co.uk or visit www.yorventure.co.uk
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About Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity championing native woods and trees. It has more than 300,000 members and supporters and its three key aims are: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.