A NEW information board has been installed at Ribblehead Viaduct in tribute to an Oxenhope man.
The board is dedicated to the memory of Clifford Coates, a builder and carpenter from the village, who died in 2005.
Members of the Coates family raised £1,600 for the design and installation of the panel by completing a sponsored walk, supported and led by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
The 45-mile walk followed a route alongside a section of the Settle-Carlisle railway line, and passed under Ribblehead Viaduct.
The information board – the second to be funded by the family – outlines the history and significance of the railway and the men who built it, while also commemorating Clifford's life.
His daughter, Caroline Coates, says: “If the spirit of a landscape defines a man, then the Ribblehead Viaduct defined my father. To him it was a place of human endeavour and sacrifice – existing against the odds, despite the harsh conditions of the day.
“He loved Ribblehead, and what it represented – a place of pilgrimage and harsh beauty. This panel is a great representation of the legacy of the area and a lovely way to honour my father.
“We hope the striking new board will last at least another 20 years and be helpful to those visiting this site of extraordinary and majestic engineering.”
The Coates family originally had the idea for an interpretation panel following Clifford's death, as a way to honour his memory. Funds were raised through a sponsored walk beside the entire 100-mile Settle-Carlisle line, taking the family eight days to complete.
The condition of the original panel had deteriorated and Caroline contacted Kate Hilditch, the area manager of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, to see if it could be replaced. Together they worked on refreshing and updating the information and images, and the panel was installed by the ranger service in August.
Caroline adds: “We are extremely grateful to Susan Way and Lyndi Clarke and the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line team, and to Kate, whose support made the board possible. Thanks also to Bryan Gray for providing the images, Mark Chung for gathering the information, and to all those who walked with us and supported our efforts.”
Yorkshire Dales National Park member champion for promoting understanding, Neil Heseltine, says: “The Coates’ fundraising efforts have helped us to share the story of this cherished Dales landmark."
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