Talks to improve park opportunities for young people

More than 50 members of the National Park Societies – which represent organisations that support the national parks – will come together for the three-day event based at the Coniston Hotel and Country Estate near Skipton.

The theme of the conference, which runs from October 8-10, is opportunities for young people in protected landscapes.

The Yorkshire Dales Society is hosting the event in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

Jon Avison, former deputy chief executive of the YDNPA and the current chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Society, said: “We constantly hear that rural communities are in decline and that young people have to move away to find work.

“There is, of course, truth in that but we want to show that there are good things happening as well and that, given enthusiasm and resources, we can help to make things better for the future.

“Through this event, we are interested in getting some debate going as to how we can increase the value of the economy in the Dales to provide skilled employment for young people here, rather than low paid, low skilled jobs.”

He said schemes like the Dales Countryside Apprenticeship run by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust with Craven College was a great example of partners working together to provide opportunities for young people to develop skills which could be applied to careers spent in the Dales.

Delegates attending the forthcoming conference will take part in study visits, walks and presentations to showcase the achievements of young people in the national park with the support of local businesses, education providers, charities and the National Park Authority.

Speakers at the conference, which will also be open to members of the public, include YDNPA chairman Peter Charlesworth and chief executive David Butterworth, Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive, Gary Verity.