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 eight mile circular walking trail has opened on Flotta, Orkney, Scotland.

The end of the trail at Stanger Head. Pic Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership

The Flotta Trail takes in an array of wartime archaeology including the Naval Cinema and the Port War Signal Station, as well as the moorland of West Hill and the dramatic scenery of Stanger Head.

The trail starts at the pier, runs along the coast and then returns along the island’s lanes.

Funding has been received for the Flotta Trail from Orkney Islands Council, the European Regional Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. In addition, Talisman Energy match-funded the interpretation panels and path work.

A complementary leaflet, showcasing the range of interest to be found on the island – including the Flotta Trail – has also just been produced by the Flotta Partnership.
This new leaflet is now widely available, including at tourist information offices and the SFLPS office in Stromness.

Visitors to the Breamish Valley in Northumberland can now learn more about the area as a new sound trail is installed.

The audio trail explains the landscape, nature and history of the countryside ,using wind-up sound posts.

So far four boxes have been installed with the fifth awaiting installation once building works have been completed.

You can find the solar powered, wind-up information posts at the following locations:

• The Ingram Bridge Car Park
• The National Park Centre, Ingram;
• Bulby’s Wood
• Hartside, at the top of the valley road.
• A fifth sound box is waiting to be installed when work on Peggy Bell’s bridge has been completed.

Easy to use sound box

Five sound posts will be installed as part of the scheme. Pic NNPA

The boxes are easy to use and children will love working them.

You just point the dial at one of the 8 messages, turn the handle and listen.

Each box is powered by energy generated by its solar panel and topped up by the user.

The information can be updated and refreshed over time.

The sound trail has been installed by the National Park Authority in conjunction with Cheviot Futures, an initiative to improve the resilience of north Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to the impacts of climate change.

Bridleways in the North York Moors National Park now have improved access, following work carried out by Rangers from the National Park Authority.

Danby District Bridleways Group out for a ride in the North York Moors National Park

Rangers sought advice from Danby District Bridleways Group, before work commenced on moorland paths in the area.

Horse riders can now benefit from the mowing of moorland bridleways and new crossings over boggy ground.

Bridleways identified were becoming increasingly difficult to use or find due to heather and bracken growth. Where possible, these routes were then mown to make them more accessible for a range of users including horse riders, walkers and cyclists.

Naomi Dillon, the Authority’s Northern Area Senior Ranger, said: “Mown paths will provide clearer definition while still retaining a wilderness feel to the landscape. In addition, the cut paths will act as a break for wildfires and will encourage users to stay on the right route minimising disturbance to both landscape and wildlife”.

The bridleway across Moorsholm Moor has also been improved with the installation of a new timber bridge. It is hoped that a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will now be protected.

This comprehensive website has over 9700 pages of walking information, including many walk descriptions, “Walking Britain” is dedicated to the footpaths that cross the landscape.

The National Parks feature strongly in the lists of walks including the Lake District, the Peak District and Snowdonia, not to mention the Yorkshire Dales.

Although the natural world is the theme, man-made elements such as villages, bridges, mines and churches are also included in the many walking routes.

Visit the Website.