For crafts, antiques and fine foods...
Hawes, where this Business Association has its office, is at the head of the Dale. Hawes has a Tuesday indoor and street market on the same day as the Auction Mart. There is the long established Wensleydale Cheese Factory that Wallace and Gromit have helped make famous and the award winning Dales Countryside Museum. It is a thriving town in a beautiful dale where high bare moorland contrasts with the brilliant green of the lower slopes and sheep are dotted everywhere.
For lovers of walking, birdwatching and history...
We have waterfalls, always most spectacular in wet weather, history in stone villages, old churches and the astonishing pattern made by the miles of dry stone walls. The countryside is easily accessible for walking of all types and there is always a village pub at the end of the route with good food as well as drinks. It is quiet for the birdwatcher, peaceful for the weary, stimulating for those looking for a different type of holiday.
For a wide choice of accommodation - all year round...
There is a great choice of accommodation to suit your needs and your pocket at every season of the year. Summer is gorgeous: try the winter - it's very special! There are Bed and Breakfasts out in the countryside and in the villages, country house hotels and pubs; well-serviced camping and caravan sites (none too big) and beautiful holiday cottages of all sizes.
A sense of pride in caring for visitors and offering good value for money are important to local business people.
Upper Wensleydale provides an enviable quality of life for its rural population. The strong character of people and place is reflected in the up-to-date working society with a deep sense of heritage. Dialect can still be heard and many families can be traced back for centuries. Modern businesses, including tourism, shops and services, have grown up alongside farming. The creative output of artists and craftspeople, inspired by the spectacular surroundings, is of exceptionally high quality.
There is a long tradition of welcoming visitors and new residents. Enjoy being part of the Upper Wensleydale community. Your first visit will probably be just that - the first of many.
Community Newsletter...
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The Upper Wensleydale Newsletter is your 'one-stop' for local news and community events. For the latest edition, and to view the extensive archive, click Here.
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Wensleydale Red Squirrel Group
You are invited to attend the first public meeting of the Wensleydale Red Squirrel Group on Wednesday 13th March, 7.30pm at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. The group aims to help conserve the native Red Squirrel in the Yorkshire Dales. Please come along and see how you can get involved or just offer your support!
email: WensleydaleRSG@hotmail.com
or telephone:
Anthony Bagshawe: 01969 667896
Simon Phillpotts: 01969 663000
Singing in Wensleydale
There are many groups covering a range of vocal styles that welcome visitors and new members to their rehearsals, during the year we are treated to a rich and vibrant programme of concerts in village halls, churches and other interest venues throughout Wensleydale. Over time we hope to share details of as many of them as possible. If you are already part of such a group, or have suggestions, and would like to feature on this page, please us the 'Contact Us' page and we will be happy to help. If you have a general query we will also do our best to guide you to an answer.
East Witton Male Voice Choir
The East Witton Male Voice Choir has been ‘making music’ since 1950. Strictly speaking the choir’s origin was that of a quartet with rehearsals taking place in an East Witton house. The family were music enthusiasts and their Methdodist background was the stimulus for the quartet and its original repertoire.
As the quartet developed into a choir there was a need to find an alternative practice venue and the choir moved to Leyburn. In due course the choir developed to sing and perform a wide range of music including jazz, popular, musicals, spirituals and classics.
In its early years the quartet and small choir performed at many locations across North Yorkshire and more recently has sung at various concert venues in Wensleydale, Coverdale and Swaledale. It has also been pleased to be invited to sing at weddings and funerals.
At the present time there are over 30 members of varying ages and the trend has been one of growing choir numbers. Led by our musical Director Diana Hartley and accompanied by Ruth Biker, both ladies are committed to making and sharing music of a high standard whilst having a lot of fun on the way.
The choir meets in Leyburn Methodist Hall on Wednesday evenings from September to May from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. We give concerts at Christmas and have a very popular Spring Concert in April. Other engagements are undertaken throughout the season so look out for our performances by searching ‘Attractions and Events’.
Over the past 15 years we have raised over £20,000.00 for local, national and international charities. Anyone interested in joining the choir would be welcome to our rehearsals. Please ring Diana on 01969650245 for further information.
Spring 2013 Programme of Concerts
- Rainton Methodist Hall on Wednesday 17th April 2013, 7:30pm
- Leyburn Methodist Hall on Wednesday 24th April 2013, 7.30pm
- Hawes Church on Friday 3rd May 2013, 7.30pm*
- Bowes Village Hall on Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 7.30pm
* The Choir will be joined by the Askrigg Ladies Singing For Pleasure Group.
Members of the public are welcome to attend all concert dates, all proceeds go to worthwhile charitable causes.
The Choir will also be competing in the Wensleydale Tournament of Song on Friday 22nd March 2013 at 7pm. This will be the 25th consecutive year the choir has entered will feature in the Anthem and Male Voice Choir classes.
Swaledale Fesitval events in Wensleydale
11th May - 8th June 2013
Virtuoso classical musicians; folk, jazz, brass and world-music concerts; theatre, art exhibitions and guided walks... These are among the attractions at the 2013 Swaledale Festival, an explosion of music and the arts set in the stunning scenery of the northern dales. Click here for full event listing.
Wensleydale concerts (Details subject to change - please check main Festival website for more information);
26 MAY - Renaissance Choir; St Oswald's Church, Askrigg, 20:00
28 MAY - Wensleydale Railway and Local Flora Walk; From Leeming Bar Railway Station, 11:50-16:50
28 May - Flercussion; St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Spennithorne 16:00-17:00
28 May - Leyburn Band; St. Matthews Church, Leyburn, 20:00
28 May - The Royal String Quartet; St. Matthews Church, Leyburn, 20:00
30 May - Upper Swaledale Geology; Gayle Mill near Hawes, 16:00-17:00
30 May - David Owen Norris - The World's First Piano Concertos; Gayle Mill near Hawes, 16:00-17:00
31 May - The Swale Singers; St Oswald's Church, Askrigg, 20:00
3 June - Wensleydale Walk; From Bolton Hall Gates, Wensley, ??:30 - 16:00 (Start Time To Be Confirmed)
3 June - Prima Volta Ensemble; Holy Trinity Church, Wensley, 16:00-17:00
3 June - Hallé Soloists; St Oswald's Church, Askrigg, 20:00
5 June - Niamh Ní Charra; St Mary and St Alkelda's Church, Middleham, 20:00
7 June - Hawes Prize Silver Band; St Margaret's Church, Hawes, 20:00
7 June - Façade - A Wensleydale Entertainment; St Andrew's Church, Aysgarth, 20:00
Hardraw Brass Band Festival - the second oldest brass band festival in the world...
Wensleydale hosts Hardraw Scar Brass Band Festival which takes place on the second Sunday in September. The Festival is held in the open air against the backdrop of Hardraw Force, England's highest waterfall, in the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn.
The setting provides a unique natural amphitheater in which to hear a varied selection of music, performed by some of Yorkshire's finest bands.
The contest is organized by the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association, Click here for more information.
The Wensleydale Railway is an authentic heritage railway serving the local community, offering tourists, families and transport enthusiasts a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales with lots to see and do along the way. more »
Events at The Dales Countryside Museum
Click here to see the latest events taking place at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes.
Contact the museum 01969 666210 or email hawes@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Open daily 10am – 5pm. NOTE: Closed Christmas Eve to Boxing Day and January.
To find out more information about events and more click here to visit the Gayle Mill Website
To find out more information more click here to visit the Wensleydale Creamery Website
To find out more information more click here to visit the Outhwaite Ropemakers
Hawes Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Saturday 7th December 2013
1.30pm - Wensleydale's Got Talent (Market Hall)
4.00pm - Community Carol Singing with Hawes Prize Silver Band (Market Place)
4.30pm - Father Christmas (Market Place)
7.30pm - Variety Concert (Market Hall)
Further details to follow.
Tickets are £5, including tea/coffee and are available at Whites of Wensleydale (tel 01969 667236) or on the night.
Le Grande Départ - Tour De France 2014
Saturday 5th July 2014 is the date when Wensleydale and Swaledale welcome spectators and competitors to the area for Stage One of Le Tour De France. Within hours of the bid officially being announced accommodation providers have been inundated with enquiries. Our suggestion is not leave it too late - book now to avoid disappointment.
Check back regularly as we update information on the Wensleydale details for the big race.
Useful Links:
Welcome to Yorkshire - Le Tour Yorkshire and Official Tour De France Website
