A YOUTH theatre and bus service are amongst six community projects that have been recognised with a monetary grant.

The Richmondshire Youth Theatre and Dalesbus both received a sizeable grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

The youth theatre was able to put on two performances of ‘Last Dance of a Dalesman’ by Nobby Dimon with the help of a £4,674 grant, whilst Dalesbus’ World of James Herriot service received £950 worth of support to go towards promotional materials.

The Northern Echo:

The bus service will also operate up and down Swaledale and Wensleydale each Sunday over the summer period.

Elsewhere, a grant of £2,193 was awarded to Askrigg Parish Council for the conversion of three toilets into one accessible unisex public toilet in the Temperance Village Hall, and a further £771 was given towards an ‘interpretation panel’ at Hall Green in Arkengarthdale, which tells the story of North Yorkshire's lead mining industry.

Around £800 was given towards the purchase of beehives and bee keeping kit at the Hudswell Community Pub, as the authority hoped the project would help improve the 'pollinating population' in Hudswell.

Honey made as part of the project is expected to be sold through the pub's 'Little Shop'.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Chairman Carl Lis said: “The community spirit in places such as Askrigg, Arkengarthdale and Hudswell is really strong, and the Sustainable Development Fund is there to support local projects that help to make the National Park such a special place.

"It’s always a pleasure to meet dedicated people during launch or opening events and, with £175,000 in the pot again for 2019 and 2020, I can look forward to more such encounters this year.”