Meet a whirlwind of creativity (From Gazette & Herald)

Meet a whirlwind of creativity

UNDOUBTEDLY, one of the aspects of Ryedale we are most proud of is its breathtakingly beautiful countryside.

But here's something you probably didn't realise. For more than ten years, a dedicated and visionary - if a little eccentric - Ryedale individual has been striving to make the North York Moors National Park truly accessible to all, regardless of disability.

"The whole point of the national park is that it is there for everyone to enjoy," said Geoff Hutchinson, director of the Old Farmstead Arts project in Appleton-le-Moors. "There are around 360 places to stay in Ryedale, and at one time only two of them were accessible to disabled people.

"If you've got a dog - no problem, but if you're in a wheelchair it's a different story."

The project, as the name suggests, is based around the idea of an arts centre which can be used for all kinds of activities, and where disabled people can enjoy a holiday at the foot of the North York Moors. It brings together local tutors, artists, craft workers and volunteers to provide courses for isolated young people in rural areas and those with a physical or learning disability.

Geoff began converting Town End Farm and its outbuildings for the project when he moved there with his family - wife Jane and daughters Lily, 12, and five-year-old Miranda - in 1993.

He has boundless energy for the many aspects of his life. A freelance stonemason by trade, he trained in York and specialises in historic buildings. He also works for the probation service one day a week as a community punishment officer, as well as all his unpaid work on the project.

And the project itself is as eclectic as Geoff's own personality. Whether it's black and white photography, watercolour painting or sculpture, the attitude seems to be "we'll try anything once".

"I'm obsessed with processes," Geoff explained. "That's why our black and white photography appeals to me so much."

While digital has taken over so much of modern photography, Geoff has built one of the few dark rooms in the area for black and white photography, and Malton Camera Club donated its enlargers when it went digital.

"We have held various workshops with kids, and two members of the Malton Camera Club, Greg Christie and Mike Ambler, came in and did some fantastic classes last summer, eventually leading to an exhibition. I just love the magic of watching the image develop on the page - I think people get so much out of that creating and developing process."

And maybe that explains why he himself has been able to stick at the project all these years, and only now begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of completion.

The day-based art workshops have given the project an on-going sense of achievement. There is an after-school club for Ryedale Special Families, the Malton-based charity which supports families with disabled children, and the project provides rehearsal space for a local band, as well as many other art workshops.

"The idea is that it is a fully-integrated project," said Geoff. "It is accessible to anybody, but the emphasis is on people with disabilities and ensuring they can access the place."

But the residential side of the project has taken a long time to develop.

"It has been hard," he admits. "You want to get things done, but you've also got to go out and earn a living."

Slowly, over the years, as time and funding have permitted, he has worked on converting outbuildings, cow sheds and dairies into two lecture theatres, two living rooms, a fully-accessible kitchen, the dark room and five en-suite bedrooms.

With three recent major funding boosts, he is hoping to see the residential project completed next year.

£29, 000 has been granted by the national park's Sustainable Development Fund, a £3,500 grant came from the Gazette & Herald's parent company, Gannett, and £22,000 has come from Ryedale District Council's Community Investment Fund.

This has bought a variety of specialist furniture and equipment, and will also provide revenue to employ a project worker.

"The specialised equipment is very expensive," explained Geoff. "A simple hoist to get a wheelchair user into bed costs £2,000, a wheelchair lift costs £4,500."

The beautiful light and airy lecture theatres, lovingly restored in perfect keeping with traditional Yorkshire farmhouse architecture, are the only fully-completed rooms. When I had a look around, there were on-going art projects strewn around, evidence everywhere of the energy and enthusiasm attached to the place.

And it's clear that Geoff's dedicated attitude is what lies behind this. "I do hold a strong belief that people should be given opportunities," he says.

As I leave, he begins telling me about a television programme he is making about women having confidence to get involved in building - oh, and the possibility of a Salsa evening, and a new idea for a sculpture project.

Confused? A little - but there was one thing I was sure of as I drove away - with this whirlwind of a man behind it, I will be back before long to cover the launch of this imaginative and ground-breaking project in full.

Do you know of an organisation or individual worthy of being featured in Ryedale Pride? If so, you can contact Claire Metcalfe on (01653) 695600 or e-mail gazette@ycp.co.uk.

Updated: 11:56 Wednesday, April 28, 2004