THIS year marks an exciting milestone for a leading independent charity which has been operating to protect, conserve and promote one of the most precious areas in the country.

As the Yorkshire Dales Society marks its 25th anniversary, it looks forward to its continuing growth as it champions the challenges facing the landscape and economy of the Yorkshire Dales in the 21st century.

However the society had humble beginnings.

In January 1981 just over a dozen people drawn from all over the Dales, representing a variety of expertise and interests, met in Grassington.

Their intention was to form an independent minded body dedicated to campaigning for and protecting the Yorkshire Dales.

Legislation at that time was mired in a divided bureaucracy and had failed to make any specific provision for the Dales economy.

The role of the new society would be to stimulate thought, discussion and action and central to its early development was the concept that the Dales were much more than landscape and recreation.

They argued that the area was unique as a region as much for its people as its beautiful hills and valleys.

The primary objectives of the society have been to undertake appropriate action, independently and through other agencies, to help conserve and enhance the beauty and character of the Yorkshire Dales.

Members have supported the economic renewal of the region through the emergence of interpretative and tourist facilities and the development of traditional skills and the area's culture.

And the society has spawned many successful projects and groups now well established in their own right

These include the Settle to Carlisle Railway Friends, the Yorkshire Dales Green Lanes Alliance, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group.

As well as publishing a quarterly review, the society produces the Dales Digest, which provides a regular review of press coverage of Dales matters including planning and events.

Distributed not only to all society council members, but also to national park authority members and other key players, the publication provides a valued source of information.

Meanwhile the society identifies the need to play a more active role in helping the local economy to develop and diversify.

It recently introduced corporate membership for like-minded businesses and hosted a Business for Conservation in Dales seminar at Sunhill, Rylstone, with the Craven Integrated Rural Development Project.

As the society moves into its anniversary year, it is seeking to increase its membership base - of both individuals and businesses - in order to continue to campaign for the Dales.

It currently has around 1,600 members and in particular it wants to encourage younger people to be involved in this challenging role.

Nominations are being sought for the £500 Ken Willson Award, now in its second year, which is given to a young person (under 30) whose work, either paid or voluntary, has made an important contribution to the Dales.

Anyone may nominate a young person in the Dales who they believe merits consideration for the award and details and nomination forms are available on the new Yorkshire Dales Society website, www.yds.org.uk, as are details on how to join the society.

Alternatively the society can be contacted on 01943 461938.

Our pictures show, clockwise from the top: Louise Williams, joint winner of 2005Ken Willson award; current president Mike Harding; and Ken Willson, Colin Speakman, Fleur Speakman, Eva Pongratz (director of the European Federation of National Parks) and Theo Burrell, (former director of the Peak District National Park) on the 10th anniversary of the society.