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Climb up to the Moor: the book

Recommended retail price £20; Published by Beech House Publications; ISBN 978-0-9569842-0-3.

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From the AUTHOR’S PREFACE:

I have been walking and exploring the moors for some years, drawing, painting and taking notes. What began as a book to follow on from my other two books, 'Step into the Meadow' and 'Come down to the Wood', has grown into a much bigger vision. The climate change debate is high on the agenda now.

The more time I spent up on the moorland with the calls of curlew and lapwing, the more I rediscovered my true relationship with the changing of the seasons, the turning of the earth, and the more passionate I became about caring for our precious jewel of a planet.

I feel strongly that if only we could regain total consciousness of our connection to the earth, physically, psychologically and spiritually, we would want to act in harmony with the natural world instead of merely plundering it as a commodity. We would thus shift our attitudes from our own desires to the earth’s needs, helping us to act more creatively and live more compassionately, recognising our place as an integral part of an interdependent body.

This book is written in the first person as with the other books, hoping that by doing so you might have the experience of being led along by my personal encounters, so that my 'I' may become yours. It is not a racy story but a slow, thoughtful and contemplative read… and a journey of intimate and infinite discoveries…

Pages 16-17 of Climb Up to the Moor

"Artist Judith Bromley's new book is a celebration in words and paintings of the glorious countryside around Askrigg which she has roamed, loved and captured on canvas for nearly 40 years. Climb up to the Moor is a deeply reflective and thought-provoking account of the Dales landscape in all its changing and varied glory, season by season. Through her own, and husband Nik’s (fellow artist and contributor, Robert Nicholls) stunning illustrations, Judith does not so much tell as live the story of the moorland: of its abundant wildlife, its rugged beauty, and, paradoxically, its frailty. For though the prose reads like poetry, there is no mistaking the subtle undertone: that this landscape we love is a threatened one. Without preaching, and with no hint of the bossiness of many professional 'environmentalists', Judith nevertheless reminds us that the moorlands are a microcosm of the world we are in danger of destroying.

"There are some wonderful contributions from villagers: Heather Hodgson, for example, on the deep contentment of watching the sun set over Askrigg on a June evening with husband, James – who then writes on the practicalities of sheep hefting, a term I’d never even heard before. Churches, children, landowners and farmers all have their say, and bring their unique perspectives to bear on the subject of moorland, its enjoyment and management. It's this diversity of approach which Judith likes to encourage. She says: "It is not any more geared towards the landowners and shooting fraternity, towards the more spiritually-focussed, or the local community. But I hope that this diversity of contributors will enable and facilitate a process where we can all learn more about each others' point of view."

For Oswald's Outlook

Lapwings

"The moorland of the Yorkshire Dales National Park forms part of its unique beauty – providing enjoyment and recreation for over eight million visitor days every year. It is also – through the peat it holds – an important store of carbon, and a key asset in the fight to tackle climate change."

Gary Smith, Head of Conservation & Policy, Yorkshire Dales National Park

"Climb Up to the Moor fills me with delight, these beautiful paintings are a great marriage of imagination and reality; through these imaginative paintings we are introduced to the real work of divine art which is the moorland itself. If the moorlands are gone where will we find our inspiration for such paintings and for healing of the soul."

Satish Kumar - Editor of Resurgence Magazine

"Climb up to the Moor and stand in awe at the multicoloured tapestry of natural history that is made of peat. Read on and learn more about such amazing places laid down over 10,000 years of natural climate change. The Grouse say Go back Go back and so do I for there are always things to see in every season."

David Bellamy - itinerant Peat Nick

May Moor

"There is a local expression, 'Well, it is that time of year,' which, when I first heard it, did not really register as anything significant.

"However, having encountered it several times within the confines of the Yorkshire Dales it began to have resonance, and it suddenly dawned on me that it had real depth and meaning.  What it actually means is stop – reflect, breathe in and absorb the moment – for whatever the time of year it has something magical to offer within the annual cycle.

"Judith’s latest book very much reflects this notion, and in her inimitable style catches the moment, which reflects that particular time of the year within a landscape which is as unique and special as anywhere within the world.

"As she passes through the seasons, attention is given to nature’s many offerings, and of course in combination they provide an exquisite orchestra which represents the Moorland eco system that means so much to so many."

From the Introduction by Lord Peel