Industrial, agricultural and geological heritage of the North Yorkshire Moors. At The Mayfield Hotel & Pub

May 8 2024 Raymond Clark

The Industrial, Agricultural and Geological Heritage of the North York Moors.

 Raymond, a member of the North York Moors Association that is an organization working in collaboration  with the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Board provided the Club with a most interesting lecture concentrating on the history of the moorland region.

The geology and geography of the Park was created and shaped by the various Ice Ages dating from four million years ago up the most recent some 14 thousand years ago. The melting ice particularly influenced the development of the valleys used in modern times to provide routes for rail transport, notably the lines connecting Whitby to Middleborough and Grosmont to Pickering.

 Plentiful supplies of Iron ore in the rock formations led to a development of a huge mining operation in the nineteenth century. The processed ore was transported to Middleborough refined and provided a vital source of metal used during the ‘Industrial revolution’. The remains of the workings are preserved to this day. The Jewelry trade continues to be able to make excellent use of Whitby Jet.

The Moors have provided a habitat for wild life over the centuries and continue to do so.  The land is extensively used for sheep rearing and to a lesser extent cattle grazing. In the 18^th Century a gentleman surveyor named Foord very cleverly used the 240ft  contour to construct small waterways fed from natural springs that were used to supply the farms situated along the southern edge of the moors. Some remain in use to this day.

In very modern times the Moors provide a magnificent space to be enjoyed by all who take pleasure in walking and exploring the open countryside.

The Club thanks for Raymond for giving his time to present an expertly presented illustrated talk on a fascinating  subject.

J Bradley