Members' details

The Yorkshire Dales Access Forum (YDAF) consists of 18 members (plus, currently 1 co-opted member) each representing various interests in the land.

The members have been chosen to provide a balanced representation of:

• Owners and occupiers of access land and land crossed by rights of way
• Users of rights of way or the new right of access
• Other interests relevant to the area such as tourism, transport, nature conservation, Access for All, volunteering and health.

If you would like to email a member of the YDAF, please send your email (marked clearly with the name of the member to whom it is to be addressed) to the Access Development Officer who will forward your message to the relevant individual.

Yorkshire Dales Access Forum

(in alphabetical order)

Michael Bartholomew    Chair

From: Otley                                     Appointment Ends: January 2010

Background

Michael Bartholomew is a retired university lecturer.  He is a member of the Cyclists' Touring Club, the Ramblers' Association and the Yorkshire Dales Society.  He is a trustee of Open Country - a Harrogate-based charity that provides opportunities for disabled people to get out into the countryside.  He is chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance - a broadly-based organisation that campaigns for an end to the use of recreational motor vehicles on green lanes in the Dales.  His interests include cycling - both road and mountain-bike, walking and landscape conservation.

Area of Representation

Walking, road cycling and landscape conservation

Jon Beavan

From: Austwick                                Appointment Ends: January 2009

Background

Jon Beavan is the proprietor and manager of the Dalesbridge Centre in Austwick. He is a member of the Settle Chamber of Trade, the Settle-Carlisle Business Liaison Group, Yorkshire Tourist Board, British Cave Research Association and the Association of Caving Instructors. Jon is also a Duty Controller of the Cave Rescue Organisation. His interests include caving, walking, climbing, mountain biking, conservation and photography.

Area of Representation:

Outdoor recreation (especially caving and climbing), local business and sustainable tourism.

Peter Bradfield

From: Conistone with Kilnsey      Appointment Ends: January 2010

Background

Peter Bradfield has retired. He comes from a farming background and after a short spell in agricultural research he worked for over 30 years in the animal feed industry. He retains a keen interest in agriculture, particularly extensive production. In addition he has a strong interest in sport, walking, bird watching, gardening and travel.

Area of Representation

Farming and Recreation

Harold Brown

From: Grinton                                    Appointment Ends: January 2009

Background

Harold Brown has farmed at Grinton since 1951. He has been the Chairman of Grinton Parish Council since 1975. He is also a member of the National Farmers' Union, the Country Landowners' Association, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the Dales Advisory Group and English Nature.

Area of Representation

YDNPA (Secretary of State) appointee

David Gibson

From: Burton in Lonsdale                Appointment Ends: January 2011

Background

David Gibson has been a member of the Ramblers Association for over 20 years.  David is the chair of the West Riding Ramblers Association Access Committee, Access Officer for Craven Group and Footpath Officer for Craven outside the Dales NP.  David is a member of the North Yorkshire Local Access Forum and does volunteer path work for North Yorkshire County Council.  David also has an interest in local archaeology, Access for All and woodland management.

Area of Representation

Walking

Ben Heyes

From: Bolton Abbey                        Appointment Ends: January 2009

Background

Ben Heyes is a fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and administers the Chatsworth Settlement Trustees Yorkshire Estate focussed at Bolton Abbey.  He has experience of combining moorland management with access for the public and is the Secretary of the River Wharfe Anglers Association.

Area of Representation

Land management, in particular management of moorland.

Guy Keating

From: Manchester                        Appointment Ends: January 2011

Background

Guy Keating is the Access & Conservation Officer for the British Mountaineering Council. His work responsibilities include delivering regional projects and coordinating the BMC's national access and conservation program.  Guy works with a wide range of partner organisations including, Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, the National Park Authorities, Unitary Authorities, private landowners, the MoD, and other LAF's.  His interests include climbing, hill walking, road cycling, and conserving the special qualities of the York's Dales National Park.

Area of Representation

Landscape conservation, Climbing, hill walking and road cycling.

Robert Mayo

From: Bolton Abbey                    Appointment Ends: January 2011

Background

Robert Mayo is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and works as a development surveyor.  With a Masters Degree in Building Conservation, he is concerned to encourage conservation of the built environment. He is also keen to encourage sustainable and considerate access to The Great Outdoors, and has himself walked in the Atlas mountains, the Andes, the Pyrenees, Scottish Highlands and Lake District, as well as the Yorkshire Dales.  Robert plays cricket for Bolton Abbey CC, which provides a good opportunity to visit much of the YDNP.

Area of Representation

Heritage and landscape conservation, walking.

Ken Miller

From: Middleham                        Appointment Ends: January 2010

Background

Ken Miller was brought up and worked for many years in the equine world. He had his own smallholding and stables before becoming a Civil Servant for the Ministry of Defence.

Whilst retaining his equine interests, he is also a keen cyclist and walker. Ken has worked on bridleway and footpath issues in a voluntary capacity for over 25 years.

He is especially interested in access for people with disabilities; particularly into the more challenging areas of our countryside.

Area of Representation

Horse riding, walking and cycling

Deborah Millward

From: Thornton Rust                    Appointment Ends: January 2009

Background

Deborah Millward is an independent plant ecologist with particular interest in grasslands. She undertakes field research work for several universities and has been involved in a succession of agri-environment schemes. Appointed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in 1999 she was re-appointed for a third term in 2005. She sits on both local and national conservation bodies and helps manage nature reserves in Wensleydale. Apart from conservation her interests includes walking, geology and current affairs.

Area of Representation

YDNPA (Secretary of State) appointee

Malcolm Petyt

From: Killington near Sedbergh

Background

Malcolm Petyt’s career was spent in various universities. He became involved with footpath matters through the Chiltern Society and the Ramblers’ Association in the mid 1970s, and for 25 years was the RA's appointee on the governing council of the National Trust. He has also served on the Executive and Properties Committees of the Trust.

Since retiring Malcolm has taken on posts with the Ramblers' Association in Cumbria, and with both the Yorkshire Dales Society and the Friends of the Lake District. He is a member of the Local Access Forum for the Lake District National Park and since 2002 has been a nationally-appointed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Area of Representation

YDNPA Member Champion for Access and Recreation

Judy Rogers

From: Malham                            Appointment Ends: January 2010

Background

Judy is a Community Worker with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and works on the Learning in limestone Country Project. Judy is very interested in and works with ethnic minorities, disabled groups and urban youth.

Area of Interest

Inclusion of under represented groups into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Paul Tibbatts

From: Wharfe, Austwick            Appointment Ends: January 2010

Background

Paul Tibbatts is recently retired having spent circa 35 years in the brewing industry as a Logistics Manager. Paul is currently going through an application process to become a Justice of the Peace. Paul runs his own smallholding including an SSSI at Wharfe. Passionate about conservation & shooting he is a keen walker and encourages people to visit the area. Paul is also a member of the North Yorkshire Local Access Forum.

Area of interest

Landowner, walking and conservation

Pat Whelan

From: Richmond                        Appointment Ends: January 2009

Background

Pat Whelan is a retired farmer and has been a member of the British Driving Society for 20 years.  Pat also has worked as a Rights of Way Officer for Yorkshire and the North East and has been a Member of various rights of way committees.

Area of Representation

British Driving Society (equine)

Philip Woodyer    Vice Chair

From: Preston-under-Scar    Appointment Ends: January 2011

Background

Philip Woodyer is the Head of Centre at Low Mill Outdoor Centre. He is a parish councillor and a member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. Philip is also a member of the National Caving Association and attends the Northern Panel of the Local Cave Leaders Training and Assessment Scheme. His interests include caving, outdoor learning, mountaineering, climbing, kayaking, mountain-biking and access for people with disabilities.

Area of Representation

Outdoor education and recreation (especially caving and climbing).