Heritage Project Meeting

held on Monday 19 May 2008

in the Long Preston Village Hall

Some also met at the Church prior to the meeting,
to welcome David Hodgson, ( standing next to Rachel )
the bat expert from the Malham Tarn Field Centre,
who gave a talk at the meeting about the bats.

Summary of the Meeting

“Bats in the Churchyard”

David Hodgson gave a very interesting talk about the Natterer's bat, about 70 of which roost in the roof of the church porch. There are also a lot of Pipistrelle bats around the church, these are the commonest British bats. The bats from the church have been tracked to Gaping Gill; where many hibernate.

( David is a great enthusiast about bats guided and us on a Bat Walk from the Malham Tarn Field Centre in July. - See Previous Events page  )

You can find out more about bats on the Bats Conservation Trust website.

Project Office

The Village Hall Committee have agreed to rent the upstairs storage room in the Village Hall to the Project for use as an office;  refurbishment of the room will be carried out by volunteers from the Project in return for a reduced rent.

(  Update: 28th May  - The room has now been cleared of rubbish, and the walls and ceiling prepared ready for repairs to the plastering, removal of the plumbing, additional power sockets, and finally painting - - - then we will have a base from which to work.

  Update: 19th June - The plumbing has been removed and power sockets fitted. However some extra work is required on the ceiling before painting can begin. )

Walks Group

So far five people have agreed to take part in the Walks Group which will research and publish directions to various routes around the village.

Railway Research Group

A number of enthusiasts have agreed to research the arrival of the railway to Long Preston and it’s effect on the village. It is also planned to record the memories of some railwaymen who used to work at Long Preston Station and signal box.

Oral History Group

The Oral History Group reported that a number of residents have agreed to record their memories.  Recording has already started and the first interviews will be available here shortly, with more to follow over the next few weeks.

Bill Mitchell,  former editor of the Dalesman, has agreed to record an introduction to the Oral History Project. ( This can now be heard on the Oral History page. )

Copy/Index/Archive Group

Work has already started on scanning a large number of old photographs and documents which have been loaned by several residents of the village.

Publicity/Publications/Social Group

Five residents have agreed to form this group to take on board the publicity for events, help support events (eg catering) and be involved/assist with publications such as the calendar, the sale of old photos, Christmas cards, Walks leaflets.

Trees Group

It was also proposed to form a group to survey the churchyard trees, and other old trees in the village.

Planned Groups

In addition to the above, planned groups include churches, the origins of Long Preston, agriculture, and the history of buildings, beginning with the Victorian village (to link with the school curriculum).

Activities planned to date can be seen here.