A strong field of excellent competitors pitted their skills against each other for glory at our Annual Dry Stone Walling Competition on Saturday 25th May. 

The event took place at Nags Head Farm in Hoff near Appleby where 17 entrants gathered to compete in four classes; professional, amateur, novice and veteran. 

A 32 metre section of wall was completed with Adam Clarke from Saddleworth crowned ‘Champion Waller’ as well as winning the ‘Professional Class’. 

Adam Clarke from Saddleworth crowned ‘Champion Waller’ as well as winning the ‘Professional Class’.

Ruth Kirk said, 

“Cumbria boasts some of the most highly skilled wallers in the country but we were delighted to see that our competition this year attracted wallers from Yorkshire and Wales too, providing some spirited rivalry. 

“Above all, It was great to see another section of wall rebuilt which will stand strong into the next century and beyond. Dry stone walls are iconic in Cumbria and a part of our cultural heritage. It’s vital that we don’t lose the skills needed to maintain and look after these much-loved features of our landscape.” 

Competition Results: 

Walling Comp winners 2019 (l - r) Peter Gibson, Adam Clarke, Barney Murray, George Yates-Bell, John Gibson, Andrew Downey, Bryn Hughes and Natasha Byrne

Class 1 Professional

1st – Adam Clarke, Saddleworth

2nd – Stephen Richardson, Penrith

3rd – Peter Gibson, Kendal

Class 2 Amateur/Open

1st –  Barney Murray, Llandyrnog

2nd – Andrew Downey, Kendal

3rd – Natasha Byrne, Kirkby Stephen

Class 3 Novice/Juniors

1st - George Yates-Bell

Class  4 Veterans

1st –  John Gibson, Kendal

2nd – Bryn Wythes, Sedburgh