Students from Kendal College Agriculture Course took part in drystone walling training over six days under tuition from expert wallers Josh Shields, Stephen Lord and David Law in the heart of the Westmorland Dales near Ravenstonedale. 

The training was organised by the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme to give more young farmers an opportunity to learn this valuable heritage skills. 

50 students from Kendal College’s T Level and apprenticeship courses walled 135 metres on a very dilapidated wall at Three Milestones Quarry. This site is managed by Kirkby Stephen United Charities who needed help and support to begin restoration on the wall. 

Pictured: Kendal College students dismantling dilapidated drystone wall (limestone) ready for the rebuild

Nicola Estill, Community Engagement Officer with the Westmorland Dales Scheme said: 

“There has been a dramatic reduction in young people with countryside and management skills in the Westmorland Dales and our hope is that these sessions will start to address some of that shortfall. It was hard work but incredibly rewarding.”   

Dilapidated walls were dismantled and string lines placed to ensure the rebuilt wall would follow in its original line. Large foundation stones were seated and layers of stones built up to create two sides to the new walling with smaller stones used to fill the gap between them. ‘Through’ stones were laid through the entire width of the wall at intervals with a final line of coping stones added along the top of the wall, providing weight and stability to the finished drystone wall.   

Pictured: Kendal College Students with rebuilt wall well on its way to completion

Richard Gardiner, Course Lecturer said: 

“I am really proud of these students. They had a great attitude and just got on with it, considering it was a fairly wild, wind-blown spot on the fell. They each participated in two training sessions and dramatically improved on the second session which made it worthwhile for us all.”

Pictured: Kendal College students add 'coping' stones to complete the drystone wall in challenging conditions.

Pictured: Kendal College Students, trainers and mudpacks

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme, which has been funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to engage people in revealing, conserving, enjoying and sustaining the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales. You’ll find more information about its work at www.thewestmorlanddales.org.uk