Over the last few years women and children from the Maternity Stream of the City of Sanctuary in Leeds have visited Malham through the People and the DALES project organised by Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. One Christmas the women were invited to come and make the Christingles for the service just before Christmas. We made it into a party, played games with the kids had a fabulous meal and in no time at all 200 Christingle oranges were made.

The women enjoyed themselves so much they asked if they could come again and stay overnight. So began the first Malhamdale hosting weekend. Up to 30 women and children visit each year staying in Airton Quaker Meeting House, Malham Tarn Field Studies Centre and local people’s homes.

A weekend of activities is put on including a party on the Saturday evening. Some of the women say they look forward to these events all year as for some it is the only holiday they and their children have.