Volunteers who help maintain paths and access routes throughout the Lake District National Park are celebrating reaching an annual workload target for 2011 with two months to spare.

The Fix-the-Fells “lengthsmen” – who repair and maintain more than 100 identified Lake District paths – gave a promise at the start of the year to volunteer for 1,000 days of work during 2011.

Their commitment to the vital repair and maintenance work on drainage clearance and path maintenance has been so strong that their annual target of working days was reached by the end of October.

LDNPA volunteer co-ordinator Tim Duckmanton said the volunteers’ achievement was very impressive and all the volunteers should feel very proud of their success.

The National Trust ranger teams organise and lead work groups as well as residential weekends working on path repairs, pitching and training up on other skills; whilst volunteers organise their own drain runs. Sometimes an entire valley of routes can be completed in one weekend.

Mr Duckmanton added: “Looking after the landscape and access to this stunning national park takes a great deal of effort and commitment from so many people.

“We could not achieve what we do without the outstanding enthusiasm and commitment constantly shown by our volunteers.”

Fix the Fells is a five-year partnership project (2007-2011) run by the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England.

A new circular riverside walk has been officially opened in Cumbria by broadcaster Eric Robson.

Some of the first users of the 'Wood Shaving' bridge - Pic LDNP

The ‘miles without stiles’ route has cost £100,000 and is designed to be used in all weathers.

Key to the project is a new village bridge over the River Kent in Staveley.

It has been designed to represent a wood shaving from Staveley’s historic mill’s industrial past.

Eric Robson said the bridge “looked fantastic” and was a credit to all partners and the many organisations that had pulled together extremely well to ensure the bridge and pathway was completed. He was sure it would quickly become a key part of village life.

Groundwork UK and the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces programme, provided £50,000, for the project in July 2010.

Riverside Walk – Staveley

With a length of about 1.25 km or 0.8 miles, the circular walk runs alongside the River Kent and minor tarmac road before returning to Staveley Mill Yard.

The River Kent is one of England’s fastest flowing rivers and historically was essential to the success of local industry.

Learn something new about an area, by taking one of the many heritage walks on offer as part of the European Heritage Days project.

Over 5500 assorted events, including walks,  are taking place in the UK organised by the national heritage bodies such as English Heritage or the Scottish Civic Trust.

Many walks feature Blue plaque themes

Depending on where you live, each umbrella group has their own title for events held in their jurisdiction:

• In England the events come under the title – Heritage Open Days and take place between the 9-12 September 2010
• In Scotland they are known as Doors Open Days
• In Wales Open Doors 2010 – Drysau Agored 2010 – is the title
• and in Northern Ireland events are arranged under the title European Heritage Open Days

Find out more about the Heritage Open Day scheme and events in your area via Heritageandhistory.com

Blue plaque walks

Finding out something new about where you live by taking one of the many blue plaque walks on offer.

Plaques have now been installed around the country and they commemorate the link between notable figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked.

The Blue Plaque scheme is officially based in London, where over 850 locations are now marked.  Local councils and civic organisations administer their own schemes with advice from English Heritage.

Highlights of Blue Plaque or commemorative walks include:

• In Rugby, a walking tour is on offer taking in the many historical, sporting and architectural features led by a blue badge guide.
• Take a stroll around Leeds with the Leeds Civic Trust on Thursday 9 September 2010 and you can learn much more about the local characters that shaped the City.
• Find out more about some of the 100 commemorative plaques in and around Brighton with the Floral Clock Circular trail organised by the Regency Town House project.

Local history walks

If notable figures are not your thing, then maybe a local history walk is one way you can get involved.

Buildings, parks, statues and industry all provide a rich mix of local stories and are a fantastic way to learn more about your surroundings.

History walk highlights include:

• Learn more about the industrial heritage of Reading with a 2 mile walk organised by Explore Reading.
• Celebrate the 150 anniversary of Wheathampstead Station in Hertfordshire.  The station was on the Hatfield to Luton & Dunstable Line and is now a cycle & walk way.
• The Hooton Park site in Cheshire is a World War I / World War II airfield site which now consists of three Grade II* listed Belfast Hangars built in 1917. For Heritage Open Days you can attend a special presentation on the history of Hooton Park followed by a walk round the site.
• Trace the history of Kirkcaldy in Fife through the lesser and better known characters buried in the graveyard; people like Baillie Robert Philp who set up schools for poor children in Kirkcaldy and find out who fought the last duel in Scotland! 12 September 2010
• City of Llandaff Guided Walk - 18 Sep 10.30 – 2.30 A guided walk around the historic city of Llandaff considering its architectural history and development from Norman times and Victorian Renaissance.

Nature Walks

A number of walking events with a nature theme are available during September.  Bats, marshlands, rivers and dogs are all topics discussed or used as themes for some of the many nature based walks.

The natural environment features in many walks

Nature walk highlights include:

• Built in the late 14th century, as the lordly residence of the Crichtons and later home to the Earls of Bothwell, Crichton Castle, currently in the care of Historic Scotland, is home to a variety of bats, such as pipistrelle, brown long-eared and Natterers. The event starts at 1900 hrs and finishes at 2030 hrs approximately,  Saturday, 11 September 2010.
• From Bricks to Butterflies – is the title of an event being held at Bletchley’s Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve, Buckinghamshire.  See how the ravages of industry transformed the landscape allowing wildlife (and people) to flourish.
• Dolaucothi Goldmines, Pumsaint, Llanwrda – Saturday, 11 September 11 – 5pm –  These unique Roman gold mines are set amid wooded hillsides with splendid views of the beautiful Cothi Valley and three estate walks.

Notes

Please note that although many walks are free, additional charges may apply, such a car parking. We would advise that you check with the organisers prior to arranging your itinerary. We are not responsible for any incorrect details or if events are cancelled.

Natural England’s Walking for Health (WfH) encourages you to enjoy your local natural spaces and benefit your health by taking part in health walks.

They are currently the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks.

Walking for Health aims to encourage people, particularly those who take little exercise, to do regular short walks in their communities. They support over 590 local health walk schemes and you can find your nearest English walk using the online Walk Finder.