Our Winter issue here; grab your free copy before they all disappear! View collection points

Welcome

Despite what some people might think, winter is one of the best times of year to enjoy the local wildlife. Woodpeckers are strikingly handsome but secretive birds. During a cold snap, though, they may well visit your bird feeder. And on a late winter’s morning you can often hear the magical sound of their machine-gun drumming echoing across the fields, as Brian Pike reports on page 19. If you want to know what other wildlife to look out for here in the Dales this winter, Amy Cooper of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has tips for you on page 24.

Also in this issue we have a bumper selection of recipes from top chefs, including Fiona Beckett, Paul Ainsworth, Matt Tebbutt and Yorkshire-born James Martin. And if you fancy making a beautiful glazed ham this Christmas, on page 64 we’ve got an easy recipe with a tasty twist from EatTelfit.

Winter in the Dales can be terrific fun, but booking a break abroad is an ideal way to cheer yourself up if you’re prone to the winter blues. Turn to page 106 for some ideas about destinations you may not have considered.

Finally I would like to thank all our advertisers for their generous support during the past year. Without them we would not be able to bring such a top-quality free publication to the Dales, so please don’t forget to mention Dales Life when you respond to advertisements that you see in the magazine.

We’ll be back early next spring with another colourful and inspiration-packed issue, but until then here’s wishing you a happy Christmas and all the very best for the new year!

Sue Gillman – Editor