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Rosedale Community News

Welcome to the Rosedale blog. This is where we share news and information about events in Rosedale and the wider community throughout the year. You’ll also find news about the village timetable, our micro enterprises, school events, clubs, and lively socials.

Archive for the ‘History’ Category

Rosedale’s VE Day Commemoration – 8 May 2020

A socially distanced crowd of Rosedale residents attended a short commemoration of the end of the Second World War in Europe, at the war memorial in Rosedale Abbey churchyard. Some scenes from the event (photos by Linda Chambers):

Getting Ready -Charlotte Tomlin and Paddy Chambers

A very special thanks to Charlotte Tomlin for her excellent playing of the Last Post and Reveille (on a bugle she had never played before) and to Rev Christine Haddon-Reece for the Blessing at the end of the ceremony.

It is hoped by the time of VJ Day in late August/early September this year that a proper celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War can be held in the dale, which would also make up for the loss of the show – watch this space.

VE Day – 8 May 2020

The nationwide celebrations over the weekend 8 to 10 May to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day have obviously been severely curtailed because of the Wuhan Virus pandemic.

However, we can all make an effort to unpack the bunting and fly the flag from our homes on Friday 8 May. Also, Charlotte Tomlin, currently residing at 20 Bridgefoot and who plays in brass bands and orchestras, will sound the Last Post and Reveille at the War Memorial in Rosedale Abbey on Friday at 2.55pm. Clearly, rules on social gatherings must apply but it is suggested that people in the village and dale might like to stand in their doorways at that time and raise a toast in memory of all who suffered and died in the Second World War and especially the three men of the dale who fell and the other 32 who served in that conflict.

We Will Remember Them

Rosedale History Society Meetings

Hello All,

Because we are all having to change our plans due to the virus threat, we will be holding no further monthly meetings or other events for the next few months.

If anyone wants archive information, please email us at any time at

rosedalehistory@hotmail.co.uk

We hope that everyone manages to stay well until we can all get together again.

best wishes

Linda Chambers

Coffee Morning – 5 October 2019

The coffee morning held in the Coach House Inn on Saturday 5 October between 10.00 to 12.00 am was aid of the Rosedale History Society. There were photographic displays, including Land of Iron work-in-progress updates along with the customary raffle and cake sales, all of which raised £215 for the Society – thanks to all who contributed.

Much coffee, cakes and chatting!

Many thanks also the Beth from the Coach House and to Margaret, Carol and Janet for running the raffle.

The next coffee morning on Saturday 2 November will be the popular craft fair sponsored by the Rosedale WI. Also there will be another chance to buy the new and colourful Rosedale 2020 calendar at £10 per copy, so come along then, enjoy the coffee, cakes and craft displays and get some early Christmas presents in the bag.

Land of Iron Update – 19 September 2019

The work on the line and kilns has continued apace since the last update. Work to stabilise and add some weather resistance to the Bank Top kilns is now completed.

Bank Top ironstone kilns in their new, stabilised state
A closer view of some of the pointing and new props on the back wall of the kilns

Sean Doughty and his team have also completed the restoration of the line through what was a swamp by Indian Steps by dumping heather bales and re-laying the track on top – an excellent job as you can see:

The restored track beside Indian Steps

The William Birch contractor team are busy on stabilising the southern buttresses of the Iron Kilns by removing vegetation growing in the stone and brick work and then repointing to weather proof the structures:

The remains of Black Houses have been re-pointed
Cherry picking at Iron Kilns

The site manager and foreman (on the left) briefing members of the project team

There is now considerable concern over parts of the Stone Kilns where there has been a major stone fall at bay no 10. Engineers and members of the project team have recently inspected the damage and plans are being made for remedial action to be taken soon.

A recent collapse of part of the inner wall of kiln no 10 at Stone Kilns

Keep watching this space for further updates!

Land of Iron Update – 31 August 2019

Work continues to stabilise and conserve the Bank Top ironstone kilns and it should be finished by mid September. Sean Doughty and his team are busy working their way around the line from Blakey to Reeking Gill, restoring culverts and cutting new ones where necessary as well as diverting the path around the worst of the swampy areas.

Dumping heather bales at the Indian Steps cutting
Erecting scaffolding at the watering station at Blakey prior to restoration work
The Iron Kilns work site as at 1 September 2019
Some testing of lime mortar pointing on the southern buttress of the Iron Kilns

The line remains closed while all this work goes on – just a reminder!

Land of Iron Update – 4 August 2019

As reported earlier, work is well under way on the Bank Top kilns. Now work has started on the northerly of the two sets of kilns at East Mines to stabilise and preserve what is possible with these extensive remains.

Protective fencing has been put up prior to conservation work beginning.

Work to restore the trackway around Dale Head continues and the line remains closed until it is completed.

Line Closure – 8 July to 30 September 2019

Natural England have announced the temporary removal of open access to the old railway line from Reeking Gill around Dale Head to Blakey Junction from 8 July to 30 September to allow essential work to be done restore the path as part of the Land of Iron project- see the flyer for details:

Closure Notice

Signage has been put by NYMNP at 16 access points to the line around the dale.

The Stone Kilns banking as at 7 July 2019