Volunteers at Friends of the Lake District’s mass-volunteering Duddon Fell Care Day event last Thursday 8th November made a significant difference to looking after this special part of the Lake District.

Ruth Kirk, organiser of the event said,

“It was truly rewarding to see so many happy, tired, smiling, mud-streaked faces at the end of day sharing tales over a brew and a slice of cake (or three!).

“Our Fell Care Days bring together people of all ages and abilities from near and far; all with a shared purpose to put something back into protecting a landscape they love. Between them they completed 487 hours of work in just one day; the equivalent of 70 days’ work. We’d like to say a massive well done and thank you to everyone who took part.”

Results from the day:

• 91 volunteers, task leaders and Friends of the Lake District staff.
• 5m of wall and 1 hog hole rebuilt
• 500 native trees planted (Alder, Aspen, Rowan & Hawthorn)
• 400 non-native trees removed (Sitka Spruce & Western Hemlock)
• 2 water gates constructed
• 400m of riverside fence restored to improve riparian habitat
• 6 tree cages completed
• 16km of upland paths cleared, maintained, lopped and pruned
• 1 foot bridge made
• 1 bag of litter picked
• 3 drains dug out
• 100m of vegetation cleared from the forest edge footpath
• Over 180 pieces of cake eaten!

Tasks at the event were supported by the National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority, Forestry Commission, Restoring Hardknott Forest Project and Fix the Fells, and cake to fuel the volunteers was donated by Ginger Bakers and David Willan Fine Foods from Kendal.

Friends of the Lake District’s Fell Care Days will return in 2019. To find our more visit www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk or contact ruth-kirk@fld.org.uk