Airton Meeting House
The 17th century Quaker meeting house in Airton -- which is probably the oldest in existence -- was substantially repaired and restored in 2008 and is now becoming an increasingly-visited attraction, as well as being used for local meetings, exhibitions and occasional concerts, and has resumed its original function with Quaker meetings for worship held at 3:00 pm on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month throughout the year. Thanks to the generous contributions of many individuals and charitable funds, major structural repairs to the Airton meeting house and the restoration of its sixteenth century woodwork, rewiring, replastering, the installation of heating, and of hearing-assist loops, and the construction of level access to the meeting house have been completed and paid for at a cost of almost £100,000. Historical research conducted while the restoration was in progress shows that the building was used as a Quaker meeting house by 1660. It is now increasingly used by local groups and by visitors for meetings, concerts, events and exhibitions, and as a polling station, as well as for Quaker meetings for worship. We welcome and encourage wide and varied community use of these premises, but in order to do so the attached barn needs to be repaired, damp-proofed, modernised, and its essential facilities made accessible to all users. After wide consultation, plans have been drawn up to provide: a new level entrance and lobby, new kitchen, enlarged social room, small library and two loos on the ground floor. Upstairs, the present three bunk rooms and shower will be replaced by a single bunk or committee room, a shower room, and a large function room with a small kitchen in one corner. These new rooms will permit maximum flexibility in their daytime or overnight use by large or small groups. While there is no intention to generate a profit from the premises, it is essential that minimal use charges pay for all operating, maintenance and repair costs; if in the future there is insufficient income to meet these, it will be possible (subject to planning permission) to lease out the first floor as a self-contained office or residential unit, while the ground floor would continue to be available for community use.
Contact
The Airton Trust Property is owned by the Brighouse, Leeds and Settle Monthly Meetings Buildings Charity (reg.228684) for more information please telephone 01756 753965 or email Note please contact the Hostel Warden for bookings (see contact details in next column)

Built in 1690 by William Ellis (whose own cottage of the same period is immediately opposite) the Meeting HOuse is still owned by the Society of Friends (Quakers) and used for Worship. The attached building was originally a stable for horses of Quakers attending meetings. It was converted in 1940 into a wartime evacuee hostel, used as a holiday hostel from 1943 and totally refurbished in 2011.

The Barn re-opens on the 1st of May (2011), having been completely refurbished. It now has two large social rooms, two kitchens, two showers and a 6-bed bunk room, with additional space for sleeping on the floor. Overnight guests need to bring their own bedding.

The Barn, Meeting House and walled garden are available for daytime and evening activities, events, meetings, exhibitions and classes as well as for overnight stays. The Meeting House, which has excellent acoustics, can accommodate an audience of about 70. Both the Meeting House and the ground floor of The Barn are disabled accessible; there is a hearing-assist loop in the Meeting House. For more information and to make bookings, please telephone our Resident Friend on 01729 830263 (evenings).

Accommodation

 
 
Hostel Bunk Barn accommodation

• 6 bed bunk room
• 2 large social rooms
• 2 kitchens
• Inside WCs, 2 showers
• Disabled accessible ground floor

Available for single nights, for longer stays and for daytime and evening use.

Hostel Warden

The Nook,
Airton,
Skipton,
North Yorkshire,
BD23 4AE,
01729-830263

 
Location
 
Located in the picturesque Village of Airton near Malham in the Yorkshire Dales.
Grid Ref SD904592

Directions - Turn off the A65 at Gargrave or Coniston Cold amnd follow the signs for Malham.

Nearest Railway Stations: Skipton 11 miles, Gargrave 7 miles.

Bus Service 210 Skipton to Malham
more information on Local Transport

 
Please mention malhamdale.com when calling.