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Friends of the Ullswater Way link up with Fix the Fells

Volunteers from Friends of Ullswater Way (FOUW) are joining Fix the Fells volunteers and staff to help maintain the popular 20 mile circular route around Ullswater in the Lake District.

Following an initiative launched by David Felton, Founder of ‘Inspired by Lakeland’, and Fellranger author Mark Richards to support maintenance work on the Ullswater Way, FOUW and Fix the Fells will start their programme of co-operation on Jan 28th, tackling a section of the Way on Gowbarrow Fell.

FOUW hopes to mobilise 15-20 volunteers who will meet up at Aira Force at 09.30 under the guidance of Mathew Tweed, Fix the Fells Volunteer Co-ordinator. Fix the Fells is a partnership project between the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, Lake District Foundation, Natural England and Friends of the Lake District. It’s staff and volunteers carry out upland path repair and maintenance to protect the precious scenery and biodiversity of the Lake District fells. This is the first time that FOUW has mobilised its own volunteers to help with this vital work, as increasing visitors and extreme weather events lead to ever increasing erosion on the route.

Dr Neil Hudson MP hopes to join the group on Friday 28th January to learn more about this work.

Gowbarrow-Work-Party
Rangers and Volunteers working on the path on Gowbarrow Fell (left) and the finished section of path (right)

 

David Felton and Mark Richards have generously offered to provide a proportion of his ‘Ullswater Way Official Guide’ sales for maintenance of the Way, and this has recently been matched by fundraising achieved by the Lake District Foundation.

Tim Clarke, Chair of the FOUW, said: ‘I’m delighted that we are able to help with this work, which is vital for the maintenance of this beautiful area and unique walk. I congratulate Dave Felton of Inspired by Lakeland for prompting FOUW’s involvement in this work, and for the excellent cooperation between all the organisations involved.”

Joanne Backshall, Programme Manager for Fix the Fells, said, “We are delighted to be working with FOUW volunteers to maintain this stunning route around Ullswater.  We welcome everyone to enjoy this wonderful experience but every step has an impact.  We can all play our part in looking after the fragile upland environment by sticking to the path, volunteering with us or donating to Fix the Fells at  www.fixthefells.co.uk  This will help to keep the area beautiful for everyone for ever.”