Plans to clear and enhance the appearance of what is believed to be an old quarry in Thorner, near Wetherby, are to take a step further forward. This site is on one of the main approach roads into the village, and has been neglected for over 80 years. Its history as a quarry is obscure, but houses were built against the rock face in the early 1800s, and were demolished after the Second World War.
Not only does it have historical significance, but it’s important as an unusual geological feature recognised by West Yorkshire Geological Trust and Natural England. Last year a consultation exercise in the village showed that there was support for clearance work, with a number of ideas to make the geological features more visible and preserve the historical features, though with concerns about maintaining the natural environment.
A volunteer group now wants to move forward by commissioning expert surveys on the geological and ecological aspects of the site, which is part of the Mexborough Estate. They have launched a campaign to raise money to help cover the costs of survey work, and are using a novel “Crowd Funding” approach.
Chairman of the group is Scott Marshall, and he explained “Crowd Funding has been successfully used to fund a range of community projects across the country. It allows people from a wide area the chance to back initiatives they identify with. We feel that many people will want to support the enhancement and preservation of the important geological and historical features of the old quarry site.”
A feature of Crowd Funding is the offer of “rewards” as to acknowledge pledges made by supporters. Scott Marshall added “A local artist is donating an original water colour of a scene close to the quarry site, and we’ll have prints of this made to offer as rewards. In addition, donors will be able to compete in a draw for a signed and limited edition of a Peter Brook print of the winner’s choice from a selection of moorland scenes through the seasons.”
Details of the group’s Crowd Funding campaign can be found on the crowdfunder.co.uk website, whilst there is more information about the proposals on the group’s website,
www.thornerquarry.jimdo.com.
The Peter Brook prints can be seen at
www.peterbrookprints.co.uk
