Campaigners have a field day with launch of book on Dales meadows

Farmers, academics and authors including Bill Mitchell and David Joy have contributed to Hay Time in the Yorkshire Dales which has a foreword by the BBC Countryfile presenter John Craven.

It is hoped that the book, published by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust charity, will help to raise awareness of the need to conserve and restore the famous meadows.

The trust's Hay Time project manager, Don Gamble, said: "We are indebted to the many people who have helped with the book in some way, especially those who have contributed to the text.

"The book is filled with superb photos, including wonderfully evocative photos of haymaking in the past, charming illustrations, beautiful artwork and evocative poetry, capturing the beauty of the meadows, the emotions they arouse, and the character of the people who manage them."

More than 100 guests were at the launch of the book at Giggleswick School.

Hay Time in the Yorkshire Dales costs 12 plus 2 postage and packaging.

For more details call 01524 251004, email info@ydmt. org or visit www.ydmt.org.