28/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

The website www.alexa.com rank the South Lakes Group Website at 2,180,036 in its traffic rankings the Rough-Stuff Fellowship National Website is ranked at 3,880,971

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28/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Roy Spilsbury the Editor of www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk has posted some old photos of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship in North Wales at this link http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/pages/rgh_st.htm

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28/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Dear All,

Once we have an idea of the numbers involved we shall email with an itinerary, sponsor form and details of the prices for overnights and the BBQ (we will try to keep this to a minimum).

Best Wishes,

JJ Matthews.

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21/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

January presents a number of reasons limiting the number of club members participating in Lancaster CTC’s weekly club runs. Some were away skiing, some enjoying the delights of a rough stuff meet near Hawkshead and the weather conditions experienced earlier in the week had been far from encouraging for the cycling fraternity. Nevertheless there was a fair turnout outside Beaumont College at 9am on Sunday 21^st January for Ray Moss’s ride to Kirkby Lonsdale and Tarnhouse Tarn.

The chosen route to Kirkby Lonsdale avoided main roads as much as possible. After crossing the canal bridge on the road to Halton the riders turned towards the Kellet Mast and Nether Kellet. After climbing through the village they turned towards Addington and Swarthdale before joining the B6254 near the Redwell Fisheries. With a strong following wind they made good progress towards Arkholme, Newton and Whittington arriving at the Square in Kirkby Lonsdale just after 10.30. Here they were joined by club members from Low Bentham and Newby.

With brighter conditions the leader decided on a lanes route taking in both Wyndhammere and Tarnhouse Tarn – not to be confused with the two similarly sounding venues in Lakeland. The roads were almost traffic free and the views across the Lune Valley towards the Howgills were clear in the winter sunshine. They stopped for lunch near Tarnhouse Tarn and then, with plenty of time in hand, they headed towards Hutton Roof via Thompson Fold and Badger Gate. As the riders climbed towards Hutton Roof Church they had to battle against a heavy shower of hailstones. On regrouping at Johnson House it was agreed that, after Burton-in-Kendal a stop at Deerslet for hot drinks would be most welcome. After leaving the café and riding on to Tewitfield they then went their separate ways back home.

This ride had proved that even in January it is possible to have a really exhilarating and enjoyable club run. For most of the route there had been very little traffic and, given a couple of layers of extra clothing, the colder conditions had not been especially onerous.

Fred and Pat Lloyd will be leading next week’s club run which will start once more outside Beaumont College at 9am. This will be to Ingleton for coffee, returning to Halton for a hot pot lunch.

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17/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

The folk at the Forest of Bowland Area Outstanding Natural Beauty have set up a new website for the up coming Bowland Festival in June at www.bowlandfestival.com

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17/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

Plea to public to catch vandals

Visitors to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) car park in Grassington are being asked to help catch mindless vandals who have targeted public toilets and a bus shelter there.

In the past month, they have caused more than £100 of damage by putting toilet paper into the toilet bowls and then setting fire to it, burning the seats.

They have also been smearing curry over windows and walls in the nearby bus shelter and using it as a toilet, leaving behind faeces and toilet paper.

Malcolm Petyt, the Authority’s Member Champion for Recreation Management, said the Authority spent about £180,000 a year on routine maintenance of loos in the 12 public car parks it owns.

“The police have been informed and we would ask members of the public – both residents and visitors – to keep an eye out and report any vandalism they see to the police,” he said

“So far the damage has meant we have had to redecorate the bus shelter and replace charred toilet seats at a cost of more than £100 plus staff time.”

“This mindless vandalism means we have to divert additional money and staff time from other work.”

Last year, vandals struck at toilets owned by the Authority in Clapham and in the Dales Countryside Museum car park in Hawes.

Know where you stand on Barden Moor

Visitors to the magnificent Barden Moor and Barden Fell north of Skipton now know exactly where they stand – thanks to work by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

The Authority’s Ranger service has just completed the installation of 18 access boards which are positioned at entry points to the fell and moor and provide information relating to which areas of moorland are open to the public under the terms of the access agreement between Bolton Abbey Estate and the YDNPA.

The boards were created by YDNPA Interpretation Officer Karen Griffiths working closely with the Bolton Abbey Estate, which has allowed public access on its land since 1968.

They also contain information on the recently-introduced Countryside and Rights of Way Act in relation to access land.

Phil Richards, the YDNPA’s Area Ranger for Lower Wharfedale, said: “The whole aim of the boards is to help people to know where they are and where they can go.

“Both the YDNPA and Bolton Abbey Estate wish members of the public to enjoy the moorland and at the same time respect any restrictions that may be in place.

For that reason we would advise visitors to the two areas of moorland to take a few moments to look at the information provided on the panels which also includes seasonal restrictions for both shooting and occasionally for the risk of fire. Visitors are also reminded that dogs are not allowed on the moorland unless on public rights of way.”

Ben Heyes agent for Bolton Abbey Estate said: “We are delighted with the boards, and grateful to the YDNPA for giving the estate an opportunity to help in their design.

“The estate has had a long and progressive tradition of access – particularly to the moorland – within the Devonshire Family Trust’s ownership at Bolton Abbey and these new panels maintain and enhance that tradition as well helping, we hope, those who wish to enjoy the moors to do so safely and responsibly.

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17/01/2007 by Simeon Orme.

If you like getting out and about on the fells and want to play a crucial part in protecting some of England’s most dramatic upland paths - there’s a job for you to do…

An appeal has gone out for eager enthusiasts to meet the challenge of helping maintain renowned hill routes in the Lake District.

In the wake of a £1.96 million Heritage Lottery Fund windfall to Fix the Fells, an innovative partnership project to tackle serious erosion caused by ten million walkers a year, volunteers with good practical skills and navigation knowledge are now needed.

“Experience isn’t essential, because we will be giving full and diverse training, from path repair work to first aid, upland heritage to working with the public,” explained Lake District National Park Authority’s volunteer co-ordinator Tim Duckmanton.

Tim said the work was vitally important to help halt some of the worst erosion cases which, if left unchecked, would leave “scars on a world-renowned landscape”.

“We are recruiting now and would like to hear from anyone willing to work in stunning locations and make a major contribution to safeguard some of the finest fell paths in the national park,” added Tim.

“As well as doing a vital job, our volunteers will learn new skills and meet new people.”

Fix the Fells is run by the Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and Natural England.

For more information ring 01539 792674, or email tim.duckmanton@lake-district.gov.u

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