Timeline
1998
The project to reclaim the Wilderness was initiated by Skipton Civic Society, led by the late Margaret Robinson and Gwynne Walters.
1999 - 2000
Almost £30,000 was raised and the project put underway. The layout was based on original maps and records.
A tree and plant survey was carried out.
2000
In August ‘The Wilderness’ was formally handed over to the Town. During the Summer months a group of volunteers, led by Gwynne Walters formed a litter rota to ensure the site is always kept clean and tidy.
2003
Primroses, wood anenomes were planted. The Wildlife Watch made bird and bat boxes and put them up on site.
2007
Sadly Gwynne Walters, one of the original cause founders passed away. Isabel Warren stepped in to continue the good work.
A Lottery grant was received. The paths were redone. A diseased beech tree was felled.
2008
The Friends of The Wilderness group was formed.
The Friends of The Wilderness Constitution was agreed.
A Management Plan was implemented.
More Bird boxes were put on site.
Working Party days were implemented (e.g. once or twice a year on Saturday mornings).
2009
The First Open Day was held. The day helped to raise local awareness of the site.
2010
Research into the restoration and conservation of the shell grotto began.
2011
A dead elm tree was felled, but the wood from the tree was used to make seating for The Wilderness.
Information leaflets were produced with the help of funding from the Mechanics Institute.
A North Yorkshire Reward Grant was received and used to improve pathways and produce interpretation boards.
2012
The interpretation boards were added to the Wilderness site, creating a point of reference for visitors.
2013
A grant was received from Yorventure.
The funding enabled the clearance of two major snowberry sites and the planting of primroses, bluebells, wood anenomes, a woodland selection including nettle leaved bell flower, ferns, saplings for understorey, including willow, dog rose, blackthorn, rowan, bird cherry.
2014
Thanks to the generosity of Bentleys Engineering, in early March ‘Operation Snowdrop’ took place. Volunteers lifted over a 1,000 snowdrops from ‘High Trees’ on The Bailey and transplanted them to the Wilderness site.
A rare species of moth was discovered- Lee Wiseman, who used to live in the area and still occasionally visits the Wilderness has reported spotting several ‘Least Black Arches’ (Nola confusalis), a rare species of moth. The moth has not been recorded in the whole of South West Yorkshire (VC63) since 1995 with only 8 records in total. There is a good supply of lime trees in the wood and within them is the food plant for the larva of this moth.
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2020
Brougham Street Community Nursery School started to run their preschool 'Forest School' in the Wilderness.
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2023
After a break following the Covid-19 lockdowns, the 'Friends of the Wilderness' community group reformed. Their regular meetings take place in Skipton Town Hall.
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A plaque was installed to celebrate the work of Isabel Warren and Gwynee Walters in making 'The Wilderness' a place for the community.
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