Further rural spots gain 'dark sky friendly' status

The North York Moors (pictured) and Howardian Hills are renowned for their dark skies

Three further rural communities in North Yorkshire are seeing stars after gaining dark sky recognition.

Husthwaite in the Howardian Hills, and Lastingham and Sleightholme Dale in the North York Moors are the latest areas to be recognised for their efforts to reduce light pollution.

To gain Dark Skies Friendly Community status, residents undertake a lighting audit, either replacing or altering fixtures to ensure at least 60% of all lighting meets the scheme's standard.

The trio join Ampleforth Abbey and the villages of Coxwold and Hawnby in the North York Moors, and Bulmer, Crayke and Terrington in the Howardian Hills.

"Light pollution across the region has meant that many people can't see stars, they don't have as much nocturnal wildlife," said Richard Darn, from the Howardian Hills National Landscape.

"We want to try and help begin the process of reversing that."

The project is part of the Dark Skies Friendly scheme, which was launched by the North York Moors National Park in 2019.

In addition to a lighting audit, the area must hold at least two outreach events a year such as stargazing sessions or educational talks.

Discussing the village's new status, Nadine Cooper, chair of Lastingham Village Hall, said: "I think Lastingham is a pretty dark village anyway, we don't have streetlights and I think we understand the benefits.

"We often see the stars and the Northern Lights so this has just enhanced it."

Richard Darn at the Howardian Hills National Landscape helps to educate communities on dark skies

Her husband John Cooper is treasurer of Sustainable Lastingham, a group set up to explore ways of reducing the community's carbon footprint.

"If we don't all look to improve lighting, over time the area will get lighter and lighter - it's a project for the whole area really," he said.

The village hall's exterior lights were changed for warmer LED lighting, angled downwards rather than projected out.

"It's clearly darker around the hall and the lighting isn't shining up into the sky any more," Mr Cooper said.

In Husthwaite, its village hall was also the focus of light reduction measures, with timed security lighting installed instead of permanent lights.

Villagers have worked to keep the skies above Husthwaite as clear as possible

The village voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of joining the scheme, according to Sheila Mowatt, co-chair of the Husthwaite Village Hall committee.

"I think it just sparked real enthusiasm and passion from the village," she said.

About 2,500 people will soon be part of Dark Skies Friendly Communities, according to the scheme.

More locations are soon expected to become accredited, including Bransdale and the villages of Goathland and Botton.

Mr Darn said he would love to see even larger communities explore ways they could reduce light pollution.

"The message is equally as applicable to towns and cities around the country who need better lighting than they've got at the moment," he said.

"I think what we're doing here will be a model for other areas to follow."

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