24 April 2008
Walling competition celebrates 40 years
Local dry stone wallers from Cumbria and north Lancashire will take on wallers from all over the country in the Friends of the Lake District's walling competition at Elterwater on Saturday 10 May.
The annual competition is the first of five competitions across the UK in a national championship to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Dry Stone Walling Association frien(DSWA). A record entry of competitors is expected to test their skills against a characteristic Lake District slate wall.
The walling site is situated on National Trust land with the Cumbria Way walking route alongside, and with the magnificent backdrop views of the Langdale Fells. The Britannia Inn is only a stones throw away so combine a visit to the competition with a refreshment stop!
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. We work closely with the Dry Stone Walling Association and are pleased to be helping celebrate their anniversary."
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."
There are nearly 3,000 miles of dry stone walls in the Lake District National Park alone. Friends of the Lake District's competition and the work of the DSWA Cumbria Branch generates greater interest in this traditional craft, improves the skills base of local wallers and encourages new entrants into land based jobs.
Entrants are invited for the competition and should have some dry stone walling experience. There are classes for juniors/young farmers, novices, improvers, professionals and veterans.
Visitors are very welcome to come and watch. The event is free.
EDITORS NOTES:
1. Contact: Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer or Martin Varley, Communications Officer, Friends of the Lake District 01539 720788.
2. Press photographers and journalists are welcome to attend the event. Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District will be available for comment. The competition runs from 9am to 4pm. The venue is Elterwater in the field through the National Trust car park by the side of the River Brathay (GR: 330047).
3. Friends of the Lake District theme for 2008 is 'Connecting People and Place'. Throughout the year we are focusing our work on encouraging people to gain a greater sense of belonging to places in Cumbria where they live, work and visit.
4. Friends of the Lake District is a registered charity committed to enhancing and protecting the landscape and natural beauty of Cumbria and cooperating with other bodies with similar objectives or interests. We have nearly 7000 members nationwide. We are also regional representatives for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, a national charity that helps people keep their local countryside beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.
