A bigger and better National Forest Walking Festival is returning for its fifth year.

From Saturday 19th to Thursday 31st May, walkers can discover rolling English countryside dissected by meandering rivers and dotted with picturesque historic villages On more than 80 varied strolls suitable for all ages and abilities.

At its heart is The National Forest, Britain’s boldest environmental project where eight million trees have been planted across 200 square miles across South Derbyshire, East Staffordshire and North West Leicestershire.

From a gentle stroll, events for the whole family, walks suitable for wheelchair users, to longer more strenuous rambles for keen walkers, the packed programme has something for everyone between May 19 and 31.

There are walks for all ages, interests or abilities, led by local experts keen to pass on their knowledge about the area’s rich history, flora and fauna, geology and myths. Opportunities also exist to try something different, such as Nordic Walking.

Exciting additions include the first ever Night Walk and a photography stroll offering handy hints and tips to capture the stunning scenery and enter a special competition sponsored by The National Trust.

Participants can also:

• Visit the site of the largest ever explosion in Europe
• Try one of the newest forms of walking (Geo-caching) in an ancient landscape
• Explore the site of the largest wood being created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee

The National Forest Walking Festival attracts people from all over the country and we are excited to be offering such an diverse line up of activities.

The Walking Festival is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to discover the vast beauty of our picturesque area and learn about our local history and heritage. Many of the events are free and a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.

The festival has gone from strength to strength since its inception, attracting over a thousand visitors every year and becoming one of the biggest in the Midlands. Feedback in 2011 was extremely positive, with walkers describing their experiences as ‘uplifting, invigorating, informative and enjoyable’.

Anyone looking to book a short break or longer holiday can request a Visitor Guide for details of the area’s friendly pubs, bed and breakfasts, timber lodges, campsites, hotels and youth hostels.

For more information please visit www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk or contact Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre on 01283 222848.

Bats, geology and time all feature in the 2012 programme of events just published by the North Pennines AONB Partnership.

The programme kicks off with Batty about bats on Saturday 28 April from 7.30pm – 9.30pm starting at Newbiggin Village Hall where there’ll be a short talk on the myths and misconceptions about bats and then a magical twilight walk to do some real bat detection

Limestone quarry workings near Geltsdale in Cumbria. Pic NPAONB

New for this year are Rocky Weekends – two days of walk and talks with a geological theme, plus an evening meal. Rocky Weekends will take place at Allendale in Northumberland (May 26 and 27), Bowlees in Teesdale (September 8 and 9) and Dufton in Cumbria (October 6 and 7).

Many of the firm favourite guided walks will run again, including a foray into the Nent Valley to learn how millions of years of geology have shaped today’s landscape and hay meadow walks in Upper Teesdale and Allendale.

Small charge

Rounding off the year as the nights draw in, the final event, Time Matters, explores the link between the North Pennine peatlands, time and the universe itself – all at St John’s Chapel on Thursday 11 October!

Shane Harris, the AONB Partnership’s sustainable tourism and communications officer said this year’s events programme promised something for everyone: “Whether it’s history or hay meadows, minerals or moorlands, our events help visitors to get the most of the North Pennines AONB.

“It’s the first year that we’re asking participants to pay a small amount – usually just £3 per person unless a meal or transport is included in the cost.

“All profits from the events will support the work of the Friends of the North Pennines, a charitable trust set up last year, so visitors will be exploring the North Pennines, learning something new about the AONB and putting a little back at the same time.”

Book online

This year for the first time participants will be able to book their places online at www.northpennines.org.uk/Events, but people can still contact the AONB Partnership office on 01388 528801 if they prefer.

A full run-down of the season’s events including dates, details and prices appears in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of North Pennines News (phone 01388 528801 or email  info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk for a copy.

They are also available online  – simply click on Events in the sidebar to see the calendar.

Hubs are being sought for an electric bike scheme to cover the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

Electric bike charging hubs are being sought in the Yorkshire Dales. Pic YDNPA

Tourism businesses in the Dales are being given the chance to join a new project aimed at boosting their takings – using electric bikes.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) is hoping to launch a Dales Electric Bicycle Network as part of the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance’s (DITA) ‘Connecting the Dales’ project.

And businesses involved in the tourist trade are being asked to consider either becoming locations where cyclists can recharge their batteries – and their bike’s as well.

“But electric bikes are great for ‘flattening’ hills – giving visitors the chance to choose a green form of transport on which to enjoy this fantastic but fragile countryside rather than in a car.

“From a business owner’s point of view, hiring out bikes or acting as a charging point can be a great commercial opportunity.

“Following on from successful launches last year in the Lake District and the Peak District national parks, we are now looking to launch the Dales Electric Bicycle Network to cover our National Park and beyond.

“But, for it to be a success, we need to hear from businesses in the Dales who can see the potential and want to know more.

“The bikes appear to be a real draw to visitors and if, for example, you offer accommodation, they could be a reason why guests pick your place to stay over others.

‘If you’re a café, being a charge point could attract customers to you who could eat and drink while they charge up their battery for the next stage of their ride.

Connecting the Dales

“For that reason, we are issuing a call for any local businesses who may be interested to email me at kath.needham@yorkshiredales.org.uk for more information.

“The next stage will be for the Electric Bicycle Network – the company who set up both the national parks projects – to bring a couple of the bikes around the area, in order that those interested can have a go and see what they think. This will also be a chance for them to ask questions about the scheme.

“Following on from this, we hope there will be enough businesses interested to launch a functioning network by late Spring.”

The DITA ‘Connecting the Dales’ project funding extends beyond the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary, the wider geographical area is contained within Richmond, Bedale, Ripon, Harrogate, Ilkley, Skipton, Settle, Bentham, Kirkby Lonsdale and Kirkby Stephen.

Commuters and visitors to Manchester will be able to hire a British hand-made folding Brompton bike from a Brompton Dock located just outside Piccadilly station.

With no restrictions on public transport and train operators allowing them on their network during peak hours, the Brompton bike could be set to become a mainstay on the streets in and around Manchester.

The cycle hire scheme at Manchester Piccadilly is in partnership with Virgin Trains.

The fully-automated docking station especially designed for folding bikes enables the storage of up to 40 Brompton bikes in a single car parking space.

A similar scheme was launched at Guildford Station in 2011 with South West Trains.

When members return the bike to the solar powered Brompton Dock, usage is calculated by the system and automatically charged to the member’s credit card at the end of each hire.

Members can also reserve a bike or a bay in the dock in advance to ensure they can always pick up and return their bike.

Brompton Dock membership

To become a member, users simply register by visiting www.bromptondock.co.uk from 10am Tuesday, 3 April 2012, and choose a suitable tariff.

Once registered, members will then be sent a personal four-digit pin number.

To take out a Brompton bike, all members need to do is send a text to 07800 008 078, including the dock number and their personal pin, following which they will receive a text with a bay number and an access code to take their bike out.

Members can then keep the bike for as long as they want, whether it’s for one hour, one week or even a year.

Norman Baker, Local Transport Minister, said: “I use a folding bike to get around London, especially when I need to get across to the House of Parliament quickly, so I know first-hand the benefits they bring.

“This innovation really showcases what can be achieved when transport providers come together to establish onward journey solutions for travellers.”

The Docks have been 100% manufactured in the UK by CHH CoNeX.

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are being given advanced warning of disruption as the countdown begins to a popular Lake District rally where more than 100 cars and around 5,000 spectators will flock to the forest spectacular.

The Malcolm Wilson Rally is set for Saturday 3 March 2012 and rights of way will be closed as drivers race over woodland tracks and land around Grizedale Forest, Wythop and Whinlatter.

All footpaths, bridleways and trails between Coniston Water and the Hawkshead to Satterthwaite Road and others at Wythop and Whinlatter will be out of bounds during the event.

The Forestry Commission will also be closing most permitted paths, cycle routes, and open access land around the rally routes.

Clear signs will be in place explaining path closures and the Lake District National Park’s Access and Rights of Way Officer, Nick Thorne apologised for any inconvenience.

“We really have no option but to put public safety first,” he said. “It would present a serious risk if people were to carry on using the rights of way when the rally is in progress”.

Katie Jarvis, Recreation Ranger for the Forestry Commission at Grizedale added: “The rally is a great event to watch, but for those who would rather walk or mountain bike there are alternative routes on the east side of the Hawkshead to Satterthwaite road.

“Although the North Face trail is closed for the day, a mapped alternative – taking in the delights of Claife – is available from our visitor centre and bike shop. On Sunday we will be fully open for business as usual”.

At Whinlatter, the Altura Trail will be closed for the morning, although all of the forest should be open as usual by lunchtime as the rally moves south. Closed paths and tracks will be clearly marked with notices.

Spectator car parks will also be clearly signposted and if possible, non-rally visitors should avoid using roads in the affected areas on the day.

More details on the rally route and car parks can be found on www.malcolmwilson.co.uk The Forestry Commission also publish information on www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale and www.forestry.gov.uk/whinlatter