Alan Hinkes: proud to support fell care day

A record-breaking mountaineer has thrown his weight behind a volunteering day in the Lake District.

Alan Hinkes, the only Briton to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000m mountains, is supporting next month’s fell care day in Borrowdale.

The event is organised by the Friends of the Lake District Flora of the Fells project and offers outdoor fans the chance to help in a range of volunteering activities.

Among the projects are path works on the high fells at Dale Head, Dock Tarn and Castle Crag with Fix the Fells; coppicing native woodland; drystone walling at Watendlath; lower-level path repair work at New Bridge, Rosthwaite; rhododendron cutting and red squirrel feeder making.

Children from local schools St Herbert’s, Borrowdale and Braithwaite primary schools will also be helping with coppicing, path works and learning activities around rivers and woods.

Mr Hinkes said: “I’m proud to be supporting Borrowdale fell care day.

Volunteers on a previous fell care day

“It’s great to see such a co-ordinated effort of conservation work, all in one day. With your help, we can make it a great day, and make a huge difference for the environment; join us.”

The care day will take place on Thursday 17 October and is being arranged by the Friends along with the National Trust, and the Lake District National Park Authority.

Organiser and Flora of the Fells project officer Sue Manson said: “Please join us for another fantastic day of conservation work in the wonderful Borrowdale valley, when we’ll be working all around the valley, up onto paths on the surrounding fells, and in woodlands.

“There’ll be a range of tasks to suit most levels of fitness, good company and lots of tea and cake at the end of the day.”

Volunteers will begin and end the day at the Borrowdale Institute in Rosthwaite.

Anyone who wants to take part is asked to email Sue Manson to receive the list of tasks you can book on to.

National Trust ranger Maurice Pankhurst will also lead a 3- to 6-mile guided walk on ancient woodlands from Rosthwaite village hall on the day at 10am.

The walk is free and no booking is required. Organisers said participants can just turn up, with boots, warm and wet weather clothing, and packed lunch. The walk is not suitable for pushchair or wheelchairs.

A second fell care day of conservation work will focus on woodland in Grange over Sands on Wednesday 13 November, run in partnership with the Morecambe Bay Limestones and Wetlands Nature Improvement Area Project.

Groups taking part include volunteers and staff from Friends of the Lake District, the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, Fix the Fells, Natural England, and the National Park Fell Futures apprentices, among others.