Westmorland Dales Update January 2021 

With a new lockdown in full swing and some long winter nights ahead, it’s easy to feel a bit down.  But we have just the thing to raise your spirits.  The wonderful film produced to capture the land art created in six local primary schools to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Westmorland Dales. Thanks to everyone involved including the children and teachers, Kirkby Stephen Community Arts and Stomping Ground, M60TV, and not least Nicola Estill for pulling the whole thing together. It’s amazing to think that this was all achieved safely and successfully this autumn. And hot on its heels will follow the Fell Gathering film produced by the Farmer Network and the Swaley Man, focussed on Mark Curr and his farm at Bowderdale, the most prominent dale running south from the upper Lune valley into the Howgills.

There’s clearly a limited amount of practical activity we can organise at the moment although the apprentice team, busy hedge-laying at Roundthwaite, can continue to work from Tebay. So we are finally planning to enter the world of Zoom with a bit more enthusiasm, and will be organising a series of Westmorland Wednesday Webinars from February onwards. These will feature some of our projects including the results of the Great Asby Scar archaeology survey, the excavation of the sow kiln at Pendragon Castle and much more. We’re also looking forward to spring and, fingers crossed, the gradual easing of restrictions. As soon as we can, and with appropriate arrangements in place, we will start up our Health and Heritage Walks again and some of our volunteering opportunities. We’re also hoping we’ll be able to organise some bigger events, with a day of walks provisionally planned for late April and perhaps a virtual forum for later in May. Watch this space.

In the meantime Happy 2021, enjoy some of the stunning winter views if you can, and stay safe.