Everest summiteer Sir Chris Bonington will join Leo Houlding at the birthday event

Everest summiteer Sir Chris Bonington will join Leo Houlding at the birthday event

Two of England’s most gifted mountaineers will help celebrations for their local national park this month.

Sir Chris Bonington and Leo Houlding will join a gathering to mark the 60th anniversary of the setting up of the park in the Lake District.

Both climbers live on the fringes of the park and will be at a special party later this month, along with a number of Cumbrian VIPs. The weekend celebrations also include a family gala and garden party at the national park visitor centre at Brockhole near Windermere.

Events, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August, include comedy, music from the Fellside Band and the chance to take part in the Unfair Games.

And on Tuesday, 16 August, members of the public can join the Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe, a keen outdoors enthusiast, on a walk around Dunnerdale.

A park ranger will also lead a Wasdale Wander walk the following day.

The authority’s events co-ordinator Andrea Hills said: “Obviously we’re so excited to be celebrating our 60 special years, but we want this week to be a real community event so there are activities for everyone to enjoy, as well as birthday cake and special treats.”

Sir Chris is vice-president of the Campaign for National Parks and Leo Houlding is an ambassador for Cumbria Adventure Capital.

More details can be obtained from the national park website or by ringing 0845 272 0004.

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