Footnotes
Last updated 16:00, Wednesday, 07 May 2008
FELLWALKERS will be able to learn about path repairs in the Lake District during an evening lecture and two guided walks this month.
Richard Fox, co-ordinator of the Fix The Fells project, will give an illustrated talk on the work to control erosion on the National Park’s fell paths next Wednesday (May 14).
Fix The Fells is a joint initiative of the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England. It repairs and protects dozens of badly eroded upland paths every year.
The talk takes place at the Moot Hall in Keswick at 8pm. Tickets cost £2.50. To book, phone 01768 871408 or email richard.fox@lake-district.gov.uk.
The lecture is followed next Friday (May 16) by a six-hour walk in the Borrowdale area.
Walkers will learn about the history of some of the paths in the area and see first-hand the skills and tools used to repair them.
A good level of fitness is needed as the walk climbs to about 2,000ft. Walkers are advised to wear decent boots, waterproofs and warm clothing, and should also bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
To book, contact the National Trust’s Borrowdale office on 017687 74649 or email borrowdale@nationaltrust.org.uk.
The National Trust’s upland path repair team will also lead a walk up to Styhead Tarn from Wasdale on Saturday, May 17. To book, phone 019467 23466.
Both walks are free, but donations are welcome.
A RECORD number of competitors is expected as dry-stone wallers from Cumbria take on experts from all over the country in the Friends of the Lake District’s walling contest at Elterwater Saturday (May 10).
The competition is the first of five across the UK that are part of a national championship to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dry Stone Walling Association.
Jack Ellerby, policy officer with Friends of the Lake District, said: “Our walling competition goes from strength to strength and this year we’ll have new faces from all over the country taking part.
“Dry-stone walls are a special feature of the Cumbrian landscape, especially within the National Park. Our world-class landscape underpins the local economy, so investing in its conservation is in all of our interests.”
Visitors are welcome and the event, which is free, starts at 9am.
ONE of the UK’s most scenic marathons takes place in the Lake District later this month.
The Brathay Windermere Marathon follows a picturesque course through lanes around Windermere.
Starting from the entrance to Brathay Hall, the 26.2-mile route runs anti-clockwise passing through Hawkshead, Newby Bridge, Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside.
The women’s record of three hours, seven minutes and 12 seconds was set in 2007 by Lynn Manir-Jolley, and the men’s record of two hours, 47 minutes and 32 seconds was set the same year by Julian Mawson.
The event takes place on Sunday, May 18.
