A GROUP has been awarded a £64,000 grant to help conserve the heritage of an iconic beauty spot. 

The Friends of Ilkley Moor (FoIM) has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help conserve the heritage of the moor and provide opportunities for people to learn about this heritage and help conserve it.

The two-year ‘Peoples Heritage Project’ will run from February 2024 to January 2026.

The project will undertake habitat management and restoration of the peatland and heathland habitats in some areas of Ilkley Moor.

This management will also be undertaken in other areas important for wildlife and will include minor footpath maintenance. Much of the work will be undertaken by volunteers.

The project will be linked with the peatland restoration works already being undertaken on the moor.

These include planting sphagnum moss, removing invasive spruce saplings from Crawshaw Moss, which have come from a nearby plantation, and other peatland restoration works.

Bracken will be cut, in selected areas, using a flailbot to help restore the heathland habitat, and to provide areas blooming with heather and bilberries.

All works will be undertaken in consultation with Bradford Council and Natural England.

The project will deliver an extensive programme of community engagement on Ilkley Moor linked to its heritage. The events will include volunteer days, health and wellbeing walks and educational activities.

Owen Wells, chair of FoIM, said: “We are delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players.

"It is great to know that we are a step closer to preserving Ilkley Moor for future generations and the wildlife of the Moor. We are delighted that we can provide opportunities for people to learn about the Moor and become involved in conserving its heritage.

“We hope that this project will bring in new members to the Friends of Ilkley Moor. Every new member helps make the FoIM stronger and every new member helps to conserve the Moor’s heritage.”

The FoIM always need support to become more financially sustainable, through membership subscriptions.

To support the FoIM in this way visit www.ilkleymoor.org for more information on how to become a member. Individual, unwaged, family and corporate memberships are available.

For further information on the project or to book tailored events, team days or educational activities contact Tracy Gray, tracy@ilkleymoor.org

The FoIM 2024 Events and Learning Programme will soon be out and will include a range of volunteer days and activities.

Copies will be available at the Ilkley Visitor Centre and published on the FOIM website at www.ilkleymoor.org.