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I visited Bainbridge in North Yorkshire, recently. Probably not a place known nationally. But a generation ago, it would have been instantly recognised as one of the prime locations for the long-running television series All creatures great and small. And on a glorious autumn day, everyone would benefit from visiting Bainbridge. I went there to visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which is doing so much to preserve, develop and sustain that exceptional landscape and heritage. I found the visit both instructive and positive, but my question at the end was very specifically focused – what happened to the workhouse? I first visited Bainbridge in the mid-1980s as the newly-appointed director of social services for the county. In those days, many workhouses served as welfare centres. I had learned that the stigma of the Elizabethan Poor Law, only abolished in the year of my birth, pervaded peoples' attitudes and fears. I had just closed a similar building in not-far-away Dewsbury, replacing it with modern, community-based facilities. At that time, the dark, sombre workhouse still dominated this beautiful Dales village. On my first visit, elderly people were accommodated in shared bedrooms on three floors with no lift. I was really worried about the risk of fire and injury, let alone the dignity of these residents. I suggested that the county council should replace it as soon as possible. This opinion was met with incredulity by residents, relatives, staff and local people in equal measure, not to mention the totally unreasonable accusations of being a soft, out of touch Southerner. Dales life had been hard, they said, and this was a haven of care and compassion. It was the only service centre for 20 miles in any direction, and the district council had developed sheltered housing on-site in the 1960s. So, instead of closing the building, we improved the facilities and developed day-care and respite services. High Hall, as it was known, moved on, and eventually I did too. But, when I visited recently, I realised that High Hall was no more. Following major capital investment a few years ago, the new National Park Centre abuts a splendid special needs housing facility and new affordable housing development, so necessary in the Upper Dales. Working together in co-operation, the park authority and district and county councils have created a range of quality facilities, totally in keeping with the breathtaking scenery and local village life. This was genuine community working, enhanced at the right time, when local people were ready to accept it as appropriate. Their time has come. John Ransford is chief executive of the Local Government Association.

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WHITEHALL

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