Mon 11 January: Conservation Day Little Asby - CANCELLED
This workparty has been cancelled due to the weather conditions, roads and frozen ground.

Sat 16 January: Conservation Day The Helm
Will go ahead as planned, note it is not 23 January as previously advertised.

Mon 18 January: Conservation Day High Borrowdale - CANCELLED
This workparty has been cancelled due to the weather conditions, roads and frozen ground.

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wed 3 February Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Fri 5 February Conservation Day Fence removal at hedgelaying competition site, Heversham (1/2 day)

Sat 6 February Friends of the Lake District Annual Hedgelaying Competition, Heversham
Come along to watch our annual hedgelaying competition at Heversham Hall Farm, alongside the A6 next to the Blue Bell Hotel, GR: NY 496 833. Up to 30 competitors are taking part from professionals in the Championship Class to novices and local young farmers. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to go a long and take a look. Contact Sarah Stergiaki at the office for further details or just turn up on the day.

Wed 17 February Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Fri 19 February Conservation Day High Borrowdale work party
Re-arranged from January 18.

Thurs 25 February Conservation Day Tree work joint with Lake District National Park volunteers at Hows Wood, Eskdale

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sat 6 March Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Fri 12 March Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Thu 18 March Conservation Day Tree protection and walling, with Lake District National Park Authority volunteers at Mike's Wood, Staveley

Wed 31 March Bonington and Fogle: What Makes An Adventurer?
7pm, The Ondaatje Theatre at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. Entrance on Exhibition Road.
Doors open 6pm. Pay bar closes 9pm.
Mountaineering legend Sir Chris Bonington and writer/adventurer Ben Fogle share a personal insight into their favourite adventure. In conversation with Libby Purves they reflect on how their early experiences in the British countryside generated a spirit of exploration that has seen them succeed in the most challenging places on earth.
Tickets £10. All proceeds to the Campaign for National Parks www.cnp.org.uk
Please call 020 7924 4077 for tickets or more information.

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fri 2 April: Flora of the Fells event - A Host of Golden Daffodils?
Join keen naturalist Janet Antrobus for a walk along the banks of the River Kent at Staveley to enjoy the display of wild daffodils and see what other flowers are out and about. Wear boots, stout shoes and bring wet weather clothing.
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm  Grade/length: Easy (some stiles), 2 miles
Start: Outside Wilfs café, Mill Yard, Staveley, LA8 9LR
Booking: No booking required, just turn up. Free, donations welcome.

Sat 3 April: Flora of the Fells event - Claife Heights Off Road Cycle Tour
Take a lakeshore 'off road' Mountain bike ride from the Windermere Ferry to Claife Heights with Kendal and District Cycle Scene. This is a hilly off road ride of approximately 13 miles. Suitable for experienced cyclists only - adults and children over 10 years. Please dress for all weather off road cycling (mud, rocks and possible rain). Bring food and drink for the day. Parking /toilet facilities at Ferry Nab Car Park.
Time: 10am-3pm approx. Start: Windermere Ferry, Ferry Nab, grid ref SD396958. Booking: A Kendal and District Cycle Scene event. Booking required. Contact Bill Jackson tel 015394 44179 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Free, donations welcome. £2 return ferry fare required.
Nearest railway station Windermere 1.5 miles

Wed 14 April Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Mon 19 April Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Fri 23 April Conservation Day General work party at High Borrowdale, Shap

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wed 5 May Conservation Day Thistle digging at The Helm, Oxenholme

Fri 14 May Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Sat 22 May Friends of the Lake District Annual General Meeting
2pm, Masonic Hall, North Road, Kirkby Stephen. Everyone is welcome.
Finger buffet lunch and refreshments served at 1pm, cost £6 per person, to be paid on the day. Please reserve in advance.

AGM Events:

The Landscape from Little Asby
Ever wondered what all those lumps and bumps are in the landscape? Join us for a guided walk with our policy officer Jan Darrall and landscape expert Arthur Robinson to discover the secrets of the landscape on and around Little Asby Common. Find out about the history and management of the area and the areas proposed for inclusion in an extended National Park. Dogs welcome on a lead.
10.15am - 12.15pm. Venue: Meet at the cattle grid above Sunbiggin Tarn, Raisbeck, Little Asby Common Grade/length: Moderate, 2 miles. Booking required 01539 733187 or www.floraofthefells.com. FREE to Members/ Non members £3.

Poetry Path Walk
A walk with Ann Sandell looking at a year in the life of a hill farmer through 12 beautifully carved poems on blocks of stone along a circular route of public paths either side of the river Eden.
10.30 - 12.30pm. Venue: The walk starts and finishes at The Masonic Hall, North Road, Kirkby Stephen. Grade/length: Moderate, 2 1/2 miles. Booking required 01539 720788 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . FREE. Donations can be made towards the upkeep of the Poetry Path on the day.

Kirkby Stephen Town Trail and Map
If you are seeking a gentle stroll around the historic town of Kirkby Stephen on the morning of the AGM, please let us know and a self guided Town Trail and Map will be sent to you. Please note this is not an organised event with a guide.

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thu 9 June Conservation Day Bracken bashing at The Helm, Oxenholme

Volunteers needed - can you help?
Membership Meeting, 2-4 pm at Friends of the Lake District offices
Tuesday 22 June
CANCELLED - to be re-scheduled in September. Contact Sarah Stergiaki for more details, tel: 01539 720788.

Mon 28 June Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sat 3 July Friends of the Lake District Annual Dry Stone Walling Competition at Mazonwath, Little Asby
Join us for our annual dry stone walling competition and see some of the masters in this traditional skill at work. Open to professionals and amateurs. Everyone welcome.
9 am - 3.30pm. Venue: Mazonwath, Little Asby (Grid Ref: NY688082). Signposted from Newbiggin-on-Lune. No need to book. Tel: 01539 720788 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . FREE

Sat 3 July Our Green Space project at Great Asby
Unfortunately due to a lack of prior bookings the Our Green Space event at Great Asby on the same day has been cancelled. However, the well dressing plaques will still be on display at St Helen's well in the village and visitors are always welcome to look in the beautiful church where felt pew runners have been made by the community as part of the Our Green Space project and the Flora of the Fells programme.
The Three Greyhounds Inn in the village will be serving drinks and Sunday lunch as usual. Great Asby village has six registered village greens running the length of the beck.

Wed 7 July Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Sun 11th July - 1.30 pm Lorton Vale Farm Walk, near Cockermouth
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Come and join local fell farmer Pauline Blair for this afternoon walk around her farm and learn about the traditional system of hill farming in the Lorton valley. The event will begin with two breeds - the hefted flock of Herdwick and Swaledale sheep. The sheep are managed in a traditional way using the adjoining common land and without the use of artificial fertilisers or supplementary feed. This circular walk around the farm will look at the different ways land is managed and used on a hill farm, and how this encourages a wide variety of plants to grow including a traditional herb rich upland pasture. There may also be the option of extending the walk onto the common.
Please meet at Miller Place, Lorton. Come prepared for any weather and boots are recommended. Dogs on leads are welcome and bring your own refreshments. Although the walk will not be far in distance, approximately 2 miles, allow 3 hours.
Directions to Miller Place:
From Cockermouth take the B5292 to Lorton and then the B5289 to Buttermere /Loweswater. Look out for the turn off to Hope Beck (on the left if approaching from Lorton and on right if approaching from Loweswater/Buttermere). Stay on this road and look out for the 'Farm Walk' sign to direct you to the farm. Grid ref: NY 162232.  For further information phone during office hours: 01539 720788

Wed 21 July Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Volunteers needed - can you help?
Help Fundraise for the Friends at our charity Bag Pack at ASDA, Kendal
Friday 23rd July

To help raise funds to continue the work of Friends of the Lake District, we are planning to have our first bag pack at ASDA. Can you spare a few hours to help our vital cause? For more information or to sign up contact Sarah Stergiaki, Tel: 01539 720788.

Sat 24 July Conservation Day General work party at High Borrowdale, Shap

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact us, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sun 1 August Lowe Hullock Howe Farm Event, near Bampton
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
2pm
Carl Walters would like to welcome you to Low Hullock Howe where he and his wife, Ruth, farm over 100 hectares, with common rights on Bampton fell that stretch up to the top of High Street. Carl is Chairman of the Bampton Commoners Association and is involved with the Federation of Cumbria Commoners. The farm has a flock of 700 Swaledales as well as a herd of 65 suckler beef cattle. Join Carl on this afternoon walk to learn about the challenges a fell farmer faces today, how he and other farmers manage their rights to the common and how this influences the landscape we see today. You will also see and hear about the pro-active work undertaken to enhance the environment on the farm. This work has included developing a wetland area that benefits bird life and the restoration of traditional hay meadows.
From junction 40 on M6, head for Appleby/Shap, at next (Kemplay) roundabout, head for Shap (right round, to right), through traffic lights at bridge, turn right at next mini roundabout, and take the next left B5320 signposted for Bampton/Haweswater. Stay on this road through Askham then Butterwick, just before entering Bampton village there is a phone box and bus shelter and a right turn up a steep road (over a cattlegrid). Take this road and stay on it up through some rough common land (DONT turn left on the bad corner), over another cattlegrid, the road narrows down between dry stone walls and we are the next farm on the right.
From junction 39 at Shap, travel through Shap village and, just before going out at the far end, take left turn for Bampton/Haweswater. Stay on that road for about 5 miles and travel through Bampton until you reach the telephone box and bus shelter on the left hand side and follow directions above.

Mon 9 August Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Thurs 12 August Farming In Wild Ennerdale, 1.30pm
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Will Rawling from Hollins Farm will take you for a guided walk around his sheep and cattle farm and find out what it's like to farm in the Ennerdale valley. £3. See www.floraofthefells.com to book.
For further details and directions please contact Penny Ozanne on 01539 720788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thurs 12 August Wallace Field near Armathwaite, 6pm
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Enjoy an evening guided walk around this organic farm and find out about good quality local food, hazel coppicing, hedgerows and walls and meet some Longhorn cattle. FREE
For further details and directions please contact Penny Ozanne on 01539 720788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wed 18 August Conservation Day General work at The Helm, Oxenholme

Sund 22 August Deer ‘N Dexter Penruddock  2pm
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Join Jane Emmerson for a leisurely and informative walk around her farm to look at rearing two very special meat, venison and Dexter beef. See how farming can produce quality food and enhance the landscape and wildlife habitats. Opportunity to buy local produce direct from the farm. FREE
For further details and directions please contact Penny Ozanne on 01539 720788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sun 22 August Strudda Bank Calder Bridge  2pm
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Kevin and Yvonne Holliday invite you to come and have a look around their farm at Calder Bridge, near Egremont. Meet the Simmental cross breed herd - they come from the Swiss Alps and produce quality beef. FREE
For further details and directions please contact Penny Ozanne on 01539 720788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Yew Tree Farm Coniston
A Farming Landscapes 2010 event
Every Wednesday morning to end September - 10.30am start
On this one hour walk around the farm made famous by Beatrix Potter you will hear about its history and learn what life is like farming sheep and cattle here today. FREE
For further details and directions please contact Penny Ozanne on 01539 720788 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Wed 8 September Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Tue 14 September An evening with David Bellamy
Talking about ‘hot air and wobbly wind', an entertaining evening with renowned environmentalist Professor David Bellamy. Including buffet meal
The Wolf Room, Eaton Park, Eccleston Chester. (by kind permission of Their Graces
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster) from 7pm. £18.50 per person.
For more information contact CPRE Cheshire, Victoria Buildings, Lewin Street, Middlewich, CW10 9AT,  Tel: 01606 835046 (Mon to Fri mornings only).

Wed 22 September Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Thurs 23 September Kirby Lecture, 'New horizons: a future for upland communities'
Dr Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Former Commission for Rural Communities and the Government's Rural Advocate, will be giving Friends of the Lake District annual Kirby Lecture this year. Why not join the afternoon walk at Glencoyne Farm beforehand to see first hand some of the issues being discussed in the lecture.
7pm refreshments. 7.30pm-9pm talk. Venue: Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth Street, Penrith. Booking recommended. 01539 720788 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . FREE

Thurs 23 September - Upland Farming Day

Low Carbon Hill Farming in the Shadow of Helvellyn
Join a short guided walk around Glencoyne Farm to look at low carbon farming methods. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
2 - 4.30pm. Grade/length: Moderate, hilly, 1 mile. Booking required. Flora of the Fells 01539 733187 or visit www.floraofthefells.com. FREE to Members / Non members £3, plus donations for tea and coffee on the day

Wed 29 September Conservation Day General work party at High Borrowdale, Shap

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mon 4 October Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Sat 16 October Conservation Day Walling at The Helm, Oxenholme

Thu 28 October Conservation Day Tree protection and walling, with Lake District National Park volunteers at Mike's Wood, Staveley

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mon 1 November Conservation Day Walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton

Mon 8 November Conservation Day General work party at High Borrowdale, Shap

Thu 18 November Conservation Day Woodland management, with Lake District National Park volunteers at Hows Wood, Eskdale

Sat 20 November Conservation Day General work party at The Helm, Oxenholme

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mon 6 December Conservation Day Dry stone walling at Little Asby Common, near Orton
Join us for mince pies at our last conservation work party of the year.

If you would like to find out more about our activities or take part, please contact the office, call 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .