As well as opening its new state-of-the-art observatory, the North York Moors National Park will also be introducing people to the wellbeing concept of dusking during this year’s Dark Skies Festival (13 February – 1 March).
Dusking is an ancient Dutch ritual in which people would sit together before lighting any lamps and mindfully watch the day fade into darkness at twilight, marking the daily transition from work to rest.
At this year’s Festival, which showcases the International Dark Sky Reserves of both the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, Dutch author and poet, Marjolijn van Heemstra, will help introduce the concept of dusking to the UK as part of her work to revive the ritual and alter negative perceptions associated with night time approaching into a more positive experience.
During the Festival, Marjolijn will be playing a sound recording she’s created, combining a mix of music and narrative explaining how twilight is a calming constant when life is full of light and noise, to encourage people to sit in stillness and observe how the world blends together at dusk and seems bigger once darkness falls.
Elsewhere, the Festival will also see the opening of the new Dark Skies Station at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, the state-of-the-art observatory, which will be fully accessible and include a ‘Discover the Universe’ multi-sensory exhibition. The observatory will then host a string of stargazing evenings run by Astro Dog and a Tour of the Universe night courtesy of space scientist Neil Phillipson.
On the 17 February, the Dark Skies Station will also be the venue for author Megan Eaves-Egenes as she reads excerpts from her new book Nightfaring: In Search of the Disappearing Darkness, a travel memoir and exploration of people’s relationship to the dark including her own personal experience in the North York Moors.
Sutton Bank National Park Centre will host an epic 65km day-into-night off-road cycling event on the 28 February, for those keen to experience riding under the stars as they venture over public bridleways and drovers’ paths in woods and across open moorland. The event is open to anybody with a gravel or mountain bike, including electric bikes.
Over in the Yorkshire Dales, as well as perennial favourites such as the star party at Keld with Richard Darn, other new events include an evening at the Maulds Meaburn Village Institute near Appleby. Here, the Eden Valley and Penrith Astronomy Group will share the images of a fireball camera, one of only a handful of such cameras in northern Britain, which has been installed on the building to capture celestial happenings.
New event venues include The Green Howards Museum in Richmond where the Reeth Informal Astronomy Group will be sparking a lifelong passion for the stars and the night sky among budding astronomers; while boutique hotel Yorebridge House in Wensleydale, will present an evening of guided stargazing and a supper around a bonfire.
For those keen to have the magical and sensory-rich experience of walking under a truly dark sky, there are guided walks from beauty spots like Malham and Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales; and Sutton Bank, Robin Hood’s Bay, Clay Bank and Helmsley in the North York Moors.
Alternatively, for those wanting to find out more about light pollution, York St John University’s Dr Jen Hall will be bringing together dark sky experts as well as artists and academics for an evening exploring how everybody can play a role in curbing the scourge of artificial light and why it’s important for both humans and wildlife.
Similarly, an evening’s stargazing at Birkdale Farm in Terrington, will enable people to see the positive impact on the village after it reduced the number of artificial external lights to become one of the most recent Dark Sky-Friendly Communities in the Howardian Hills National Landscape.
There’s plenty for families and creative types too, with the Planet and Constellation trail at Aysgarth and a Dark Skies trail at Danby Lodge National Park Centre; a starry night-themed needle felting day and a Tetrapak printed images workshop with Hester Cox, both at the Dales Countryside Museum; and night photography sessions in Whitby with Richard Burdon.
Vicky Burton, Marketing Officer at the North York Moors National Park commented: “In a similar way to how the wellbeing benefits of swimming outdoors are now well established, there’s growing awareness that spending time outside in natural darkness can help us too, whether it’s the way darkness can calm busy minds, improve moods, or simply evoke a sense of wonderment at the sight of a starry sky.
“This year’s Festival reflects this, with events designed to guide people and allow them to safely experience just how powerful it can be to spend time under a truly dark sky. We’re particularly excited to introduce the concept of dusking to the UK as an accessible way for people to enjoy the beauty of the National Parks’ pristine night skies at twilight, supporting their own wellbeing.”
For more details on this year’s Dark Skies Festival programme, including individual event information, go to www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Dark Skies Festival runs across four protected landscapes - North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale National Landscape, and Howardian Hills National Landscape.
North York Moors National Park
The National Park is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, spectacular coast, ancient woodland, dark skies and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire. Nearly 14% of its staff are apprentices from local families. For more information go to www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a landscape of immense beauty and character with valleys of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns, waterfalls, woodlands and peaks - one of the country’s most picturesque places. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has two main purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities. For more information to go www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
Nidderdale National Landscape
Nidderdale National Landscape covers 603 sq km (233 sq miles) from Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales through to the edge of the Vale of York in the East. The fascinating geology of the area which has created a gorge and eye-catching rock formations, together with the tranquil expanses of water, open heather moorland, rolling pastures and scenic villages are among the special qualities of the National Landscape.
Howardian Hills National Landscape
Howardian Hills National Landscape covers 204 sq km (79 sq miles) of North Yorkshire countryside, nestled between the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York. It is a captivating landscape with its well-wooded rolling countryside, patchwork of arable and pasture fields, tranquil villages and historic country houses with classic parkland landscapes.
For further information and images please contact Amanda Brown at A2BPR on:
T: 01423 740048
M: 07876 452580
E: amanda@a2bpr.co.uk
Or Nina Beadle, Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority:
T: 01439 772577
E: press@northyorkmoors.org.uk
Or Andrew Fagg, Media Officer, at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
T: 01969 652374
E: andrew.fagg@yorkshiredales.org.uk