27th April 2022: Fettling, Moving, Sorting, Clearing and Digging on the Helm

Land Manager's Diary: Read it here>

Children are brought up with imaginary and secret friends who appear at all times and day and night such as the Borrowers who come out at night and borrow things, and the Tooth Fairies who come and leave money for teeth! On the Helm we have our Hole in the Wall Gang who come and fix holes in the wall that seem to happen with amazing regularity… not that we are blaming the ponies and cows for rubbing their bottoms against the wall… much… !

Volunteer Jean does an amazing job of keeping a close eye on the walls and the minute she spots an issue an emergency call goes out to the Hole in the Wall Gang to get the issues fixed so that we can keep the cows and ponies from escaping! On tues Jean was joined by Harry and Steve for another quick fix, but unlike the Borrowers and Tooth Fairy, they did it in the day! We would be stuck without them.

On wed we had a Helm workparty. We tackled a variety of jobs which included fettling the tree planters (ponies and cows rubbing causes the posts to loosen), moving and sorting stone for the walling, path clearance, thistle digging and some tree tube tidying up! Lots of small jobs but ones that make a big difference to how the land looks and functions and its enjoyment by everyone. Great to have new vols Barbara and Michael with us too. We were also joined by the cows for lunch… they had a few licks of the tools but alas did not fancy eating the thistles that we had dug up….maybe next time!

The next workparty is at the beautiful Hows Wood in Eskdale on wed. We will also have Pete the tree surgeon out with us clearing the storm damage from earlier in the year.

Everyone is welcome to join us on workparties. Workparty dates and booking information>

Our minds are now turning fully to the opening of Dam Mire Wood on Friday 29th April. The weather will hopefully stay fine and we hope to see lots of members and make many new friends. We would love to see as many people as possible so do pop along if you are anywhere around. More information about the Dam Mire Wood Grand Opening Event>

Latest

Wednesday 15th May 2024: Hows Wood, Woodland and Walling Work

Join our workparty for woodland work at Hows Wood, Eskdale. Tree staking, path clearance, branch lopping and coppicing, walling if needed.
Wednesday 8th May 2024: Mike's Wood, Woodland Work

Join our workparty for coppicing and walling at Mike's Wood near Staveley
Tuesday 30th April 2024: High Borrowdale Tree Maintenance and Walling

Join our workparty for tree maintenance and walling in High Borrowdale.
Leaders' Landscape Training: Life of the hill bred Fell Pony

The Fell Pony is native to Cumbria and have roamed the Northern Fells for centuries. The semi-wild herds of Fell Ponies have helped create the landscape and are part of the heritage and history of the area.

17 April 2024: Clean stones and corners at Mazonwath

It was the first dry day in months for the workparty at Mazonwath, which meant there was plenty of work to be done on the dry stone walls.
26 March 2024: Light at the end of the tube

Despite the tree planting season winding down, there's still much to do in the woods. From recycling tree tubes to nurturing veteran trees, our work parties have been navigating the joys and challenges of woodland stewardship in Gillside Wood and Rusland Wood.
19 March 2024: Tree planting finale

This week was the finale of our tree planting season with a Friends of the Lake District volunteer work party at Middle Bleansley. Read on to discover the challenges of removing metal tree guards and the joy as we worked to transform the fields into wood pastures.
6 March 2024 : It's tree planting week

As the end of the tree planting season approaches, our work parties have been full throttle on getting mature whips in at Lorton, and planting trees in memory of our dedicated and much-loved volunteer Jean Savage at the Helm.
28th February 2024: Freezing winds and rain for High Borrowdale work party

Trials and triumphs were the order of the day for our most recent High Borrowdale work party. Dedicated volunteers battled freezing winds and rain, rescued a stuck truck, and carried on a cherished tree-planting tradition.
27th February 2024: Work party to tackle High Borrowdale storm damage

Our beloved High Borrowdale has once again been hit by storm damage, both from winds and water. We need as many hands as we can for the next work party on 27 February.
15th February 2024: Challenging dry stone wall corners at Mazonwath

Dry stone walling enthusiast and volunteer, Rachel shares her story of challenging times when tackling a dry stone wall corner at Mazonwath.
2nd February 2024: Extreme walling on a work party

See what we've been upto this week, with some extreme walling on Candlemass Day. The day which marks the halfway point between Christmas and Easter.
29th January 2024: Den building extravaganza at Dam Mire Wood

Friends of the Lake District were joined by Class 3 from Threlkeld School to build a new willow den at Dam Mire Wood. It’s a good job that willow likes water.
25th January 2024: Joined on the Helm by some Cheeky Fell Ponies

We were lucky on Wednesday, getting the one fine day all week. It was touch and go again with the weather, but in the end we had a fantastic day on the Helm, joined by some very cheeky fell ponies and Tiggy the doggo.

Volunteering

Learn new skills and join our army of volunteers helping us to make a practical difference to the Lake District all year round.
Join Today

Play your part in protecting the Lake District by becoming a member today.
Our Purpose

We are an independent charity and the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's landscapes for future generations
Elterwater Quarry Adventure Attraction plans resubmitted

Just before Christmas, revised proposals were submitted for a visitor attraction at Elterwater Quarry. We have reviewed the plans, we remain opposed to the scheme, and you can read our formal response here.
The Helm

Situated near Oxenholme, just south east of Kendal, and although not a very high hill at 185m, it gives beautiful views.
It's Time To Save Roanhead - Response Guidance

A NEW planning application has been submitted for the major resort development proposed at Roanhead. It will still have a huge impact on this sensitive coastline, even with a reduced number of lodges. Please join us again to challenge the proposal. Previous responses won't count and new responses need to reflect latest plans.
Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

We received the disappointing news that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision.
Why become a member?

Love the Lake District? Become a member of Friends of the Lake District and join thousands of people enjoying and protecting it.
What are the disadvantages of being in a National Park?
High Borrowdale

High Borrowdale is situated 8.5 miles north of Kendal. The best way to access it is from the A6, south of Shap. There is open access at all times. Take a VIRTUAL TOUR