An EU view from a Dales village

SET deep in the Yorkshire Dales, Reeth is an idyllic village with a strong tourist offering for those who enjoy the great outdoors or a day trip in the car, as well as a large farming population in the surrounding villages and neighbouring Arkengarthdale.

It is a bustling community which boasts four pubs, a garage, post office, a plethora of tea rooms, gift shops and outdoor clothing and activity centres.

The demographic is a mixture of farming families who have lived there for decades, and incomers, either retired or working, who came seeking the beauty and tranquillity of Dales life.

Martin Cluderay, who runs the village Post Office

Post Office and shop owner Martin Cluderay voices the opinion of many throughout the day, that he is sick of hearing bickering between politicians and he doesn’t necessarily believe much of what he is hearing.

“Most people still seem to be undecided, not having heard particularly convincing arguments from either side and I don’t think it will have a great effect on business here either way.”

Mr Cluderay, who edits the Reeth and District Gazette, asks the opinions of his customers and said of the farming community, many seem to want to leave.

He said: “I would have thought they would want to keep the subsidies that come with the EU, and I thought it would be difficult for some to survive without that.

“I will vote – I think there has just been too much shouting on both sides.”

BREXIT: David McWhinney

David McWhinney, who lives in nearby Gunnerside and made the trip to Reeth to visit the shop, said he wants to leave the EU.

“I don’t think we should have joined in the first place and we should come out – I don’t think anyone will wake up and notice any different though.

“Everything is too complicated and coming out will make governing the country simple again because the power will be in our hands.”

A local hill farmer, who did not wish to be named, is convinced the UK government would level a deal for farmers which would make up for the loss of EU farming subsidies.

“The government wouldn’t just leave us. The whole system does need a big shake up though – dairy farming is in a terrible state,” he said.

LEAVE: Roy Human, from the Buck

In The Buck, landlord Roy Human, who runs it alongside his partner and proprietor Julie Harrowven, will also be using his vote to leave the EU.

He said: “I don’t think it will affect us. People will still want to do the Coast to Coast. I personally think we should have gone in completely before and took on the Euro too.

“Now I think we should come out completely because we seem to only be half in. I’m not concern about coming out – I think we will just get on with it.”

Richard Gale owns Swaledale Outdoors, which sells a wide range of activity clothing and equipment, said while he agrees with many of the vote remain arguments, he is likely to vote leave due to his fears for the future of his business.

“I enjoy the friendly competition from local outdoor shops but I’m being priced out of the market by European websites which are undercutting by around 20 per cent,” he said.

“People shop for certain brands and models now, they go into a shop knowing exactly what they want so it is easy for them to find the products online.

“It is a shame because it makes it really difficult for small, independent businesses like mine.”

Local independent councillor for Reeth and Arkengarthdale Richard Beal said to a certain extent, Reeth lives inside a bubble.

He said: “The community is deeply rural with a real mix of people who get along brilliantly but I think those who have lived here all their lives are more likely to vote to leave.

“Personally I will be voting to leave. I think people moan too much about the EU and this is their chance to do something about it.

“I think we can survive outside and the Government needs to listen to what people want, and if that means leaving the EU then it needs to respect that.

“I think a lot of what is being said from the remain camp is just scaremongering.”