Green grant is a boost to Ryedale (From Gazette & Herald)

Green grant is a boost to Ryedale

TWENTY-five innovative projects in the North York Moors National Park are to receive nearly £2.4 million thanks to a new green fund.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has awarded start-up cash, amounting to almost £300,000, to the various schemes from its Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). The SDF money means the schemes can now qualify for further funding from other sources.

The SDF is a new grant scheme across all the National Parks in England, which supports projects that bring social, environmental and economic benefits to the parks.

Lady Lumley's School, Pickering, received £4,000 from the green fund towards running a BTEC diploma in Countryside and Environment Studies - the first of its kind in the country.

In partnership with the National Park and Askam Bryan College, York, the school has put together a fully accredited two-year vocational training scheme. Ten 14-16-year-old students will work with National Park rangers, learn about ecology and take part in practical activities such as dry stone walling. The qualification is the equivalent of four GCSEs. The total cost of running the two-year course will be £95,000.

Another Ryedale recipient of cash from the green fund is Pickering-based Bioflame Ltd, which manufactures eco-friendly waste burners and gasifiers. The company received £29,000 to fund further testing of their prototype burner and a patent application. The total cost of the project is £77,000. "The variety of schemes we've been able to assist through the fund illustrates how the SDF helps both the local environment and a diverse range of people in the community," said Rachel Wood, SDF officer.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, October 18, 2003