A French connection to talk Fix the Fells
Published 10 October 2008
French environment officers visited Borrowdale, near Keswick with Oliver Maurice, former regional director of the National Trust - who now lives in the La Drome region of France.
The Frenchmen spent time with the Fix the Fells path teams learning a technique of path repair known as ‘pitching’, which they hope to adopt in the mountainous region of La Drome – part of the Rhone-Alps region. They talked of their serious erosion issues with some of their paths, leading one popular route to be closed altogether.
Stone pitching is a traditional Lakeland technique used to provide a sustainable surface for steep sections of path and has been used for hundreds of years to repair mountain passes. The technique involves 'setting' large stones into the surface of the path to create a firm surface. More recently the technique has been adapted for the modern user and the stones are not placed in a regular order, so the effect is more natural and less obtrusive than steps - and can be built using irregular stone.
Philippe Lloret, French Environment Officer said: “Some of the finest examples of pitching in Europe are here in the Lake District and we will learn much from the National Trust path teams. Previously, we have used concrete to fix our footpaths which looks ugly and doesn’t work, so we are keen to see the pitching technique in action, which will also help to make our paths more distinct, easier to follow and safer. We are looking forward to going back to France to put some of these ideas into practise on our own paths.”
Oliver Maurice, director of the International National Trusts Organisation and former regional Director for the National Trust said:
“I have a love of mountainous regions, having lived and worked in the Lake District for 10 years (1992-2002), as North West regional director - and 32 years in total working for the National Trust. I moved to La Drome following my retirement, as the landscape is similar, but with the obvious advantage of warmer weather! Unfortunately, some of the paths in the mountains of La Drome have had to be closed, as they have become unsafe. I knew the National Trust in the Lake District would be able to help the French team with some hands-on training in path repair”
Jane Watson, National Trust Communications and Marketing Manager said:
”Access and freedom to enjoy the Lake District Fells are important issues for us and our path teams work hard to make sure our paths are kept in good order. We were delighted to welcome the French team over to the Lake District fells, to see how we can help them improve their own paths in France.”
The National Trust hope to set up a training exchange scheme, with the La Drome region, where they send their path teams over to the Lake District for training in traditional path repair skills. A similar scheme has already been set up with the Northumberland National Park, where trainees from the Hadrian’s Wall area recently trained on the Coniston fells.
