Countrystride

Countrystride #96: Eric Robson – Wasdale, Wainwright, and a champion of Cumbria

....in which we head west to Wasdale to talk with one of Cumbria's living greats; broadcaster, author, film-maker and former sheep farmer Eric Robson OBE. Sat by the stove in his isolated farmhouse study, we learn about Eric's long love affair with Wasdale, and the decision to donate his OBE to his beloved adopted Cumbria; we take the long view of a broadcasting career that has included Gardeners' Question Time, Remembrance Sundays and the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales; we talk about Eric's life as a fell farmer, and his passion for rare breeds; and we re-live the many frustrating, rewarding – and amusing – weeks spent in the company of Alfred Wainwright during the making of the TV films that made the great fellwanderer a reluctant star.

Countrystride #95: Catbells & Hugh Walpole

...in which we make the classic ascent of Catbells to celebrate the remarkable life of Sir Hugh Walpole, at one time one of the world's best-selling authors, now a figure largely forgotten outside of literary circles. In the company of Walpole enthusiast Simon Dunant, we learn about the author's traumatic start in life – of family upheaval and boarding school abuse – that would shape the mind of a lonely young man increasingly passionate about classic literature. We consider Walpole's remarkable rise to fame and his establishment among the partying London literati – even as he sought to hide a forbidden sexuality. Following more trauma – this time on the Eastern Front – we discuss Walpole's deepening love affair with the Lake District; of his great Lakeland-set Herries Chronicle; of discovering peace at Brackenburn, his 'little paradise on Catbells'; and of finding, at last, a 'perfect friend' in chauffeur Harold Cheevers.

• Simon runs 'The Walpole Chronicles' at https://hughwalpole.com
• You can also find him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hughwalpoleblog

Countrystride #94: Review of 2022

...in which we are joined by outdoors writer and editor John Manning for our annual delve into Countrystrides past, picking our best bits from 2022 as we chat about everything from dialect to dynamite; walls to wolves; and farming to fellrunning; before naming our favourite walks of the year. As we hear from, among others, Lee Schofield, Mark Hatton, Libby Robinson, Alison Park, Steve Birkinshaw, Jean Scott-Smith, Steve Dickinson and Donald Angus, we ponder the magic of long distance walking, reflect on the number of people who find solace in the north country, and celebrate the scruffy art of dressing down on the hill before Mark and John test their knowledge of the fells in our eagerly-anticipated new quiz, 'Wainwright or Wainwrong'. Wishing all of our listeners, subscribers and Patreon supporters a very Happy New Year. We look forward to joining you again in January :-) Mark & Dave

Countrystride #93: A Grasmere Gingerbread Christmas

...in which we take a Grasmere ramble under wintry skies with local lass Joanne Hunter, Partner at Grasmere Gingerbread, for a seasonal trip down memory lane. Embarking from diminutive Church Cottage – the one-time school house – we learn about the life, heartbreaks and invention of Sarah Nelson, the working class Victorian cook who landed upon a new recipe for the moreish confection in 1854. Arriving at St Oswald's church, we revel in recollections of rushbearings past – views of the fells; the smell of flowers. As Mark gets his teeth into biscuity-cakey-yumminess, we delve into the culinary history of Cumbria and its links with Whitehaven, once Britain's second port. Finally, we talk Christmas, and snow under the streetlights, towers of variety boxes, the village Father Christmas... and Nanny Hunter's whist drive.

• You can find Grasmere Gingerbread at grasmeregingerbread.co.uk

Countrystride #92: Dentdale and The Dales High Way

...in which stride out from Chapel-le-Dale in the Yorkshire Dales to nine-miles-distant Dent on the Dales High Way long distance footpath in the company of the trail's co-creator – and local lass – Chris Grogan. Leaving the diminutive 'chapel in t' dale' with its memorial to navvies killed building the Carlisle–Settle line, we rise into farm country and learn about Chris's childhood as a farm girl in Upper Dentdale. Encountering a group of firemen undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge, we talk place names, and the meanings of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Boot of the Wold. On the age-old Craven Way that runs across the shoulder of Whernside we discuss the joys of long-distance walking - 'mindfulness before the term was invented'. Finally, we take a trip down memory lane as Chris recalls haymaking in the era of the fell pony, the Whernside gather... and truant officers being outfoxed by local mums.

• You can find out more about the Dales High Way at https://www.daleshighway.co.uk
• You can find Chris and Tony on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/daleshighway/

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Countrystride #91: Geology of the Lake District

...in which we brave dark skies for a windy wander over Sale Fell to unearth the history of rock and glaciation in the Lake District. Setting out from cloistered Wythop vale with author, geologist and local lad Ian Francis, we learn about the three rock groups that form the backbone of Lakeland, as identified by Keswick geology pioneer Jonathan Otley. Passing some of the oldest rocks in England – Skiddaw Slate – we look north to Galloway across a former continental divide. As we descend, we consider the fraught debates around glaciation that challenged generations of Great Flood-believing geologists; we discover a hillside stretch of Napoleonic 'rigg and furrow' where crops were planted in the toughest of landscapes; and we hear from Ian about why the best view in Lakeland is from lowly Low Fell.

• The Lake District: Landscape and geology can be bought from Crowood Press at www.crowood.com/products/lake-district-by-ian-francis-stuart-holmes-bruce-yardley?_pos=1&_sid=cd4dc4bd4&_ss=r
• Ian is on Twitter at mobile.twitter.com/ianfrancisrocks

Countrystride #90: The VIKINGS in Cumbria

...in which we are joined by archaeologist Steve Dickinson in Gosforth to seek out the lost Norse kingdom of 'Laithlinn'. Embarking from the infamous Viking Cross – where Steve guides us through a series of remarkable carvings – we set out on an autumnal wander over the meadows to Irton, and a second iconic cross. As we walk – down quiet bylines, and over a busy Irt and Bleng – we consider signs in the landscape; in names, in landforms, beneath our feet; that paint a dazzling picture of 1,000 years ago, and a thriving, if violent, kingdom based around a people who arrived from across the Irish sea, beached their boats and then settled their Herdwicks and slaves around a huge longhall overlooked by their Gods on Scafell and Great Gable.

• You can find out more about Steve at facebook.com/steve.dickinson3

Countrystride #89: Steve Birkinshaw – Smashing the 214

...in which we escape the autumn rains on Clough Head to meet fell-runner and Threlkeldonian Steve Birkinshaw, who in 2014 broke the record for the fastest run of all 214 'Wainwrights' – the ultimate British ultramarathon. His 6 day, 13 hour record – which smashed Joss Naylor's epic 1987 run by a staggering 12 hours – not only laid down new lines that enabled a new generation of records to tumble, but also had a profound effect on softly-spoken Steve, who has spoken candidly about the physical and emotional toll the run took. In a wide-ranging discussion, we learn about the tough schooldays that gifted Steve a love for the outdoors, we take a bird's eye view of his many career highlights – from the Bob Graham Round to the Lakeland 100; and we talk though the remarkable 320-mile, 36,000m ascent odyssey across the fells that ended with the eyes of the world following a near-broken runner onto the steps of Keswick Moot Hall.

• There is no Map in Hell can be purchased at https://www.bookscumbria.com/product/cumbrian-books/cumbrian-outdoors/there-is-no-map-in-hell/
• Steve is on Twitter at @SJBirkinshaw

 

Countrystride #88: Forty Farms – Food and nature at Low Sizergh Farm

...in which we visit one of Cumbria's most visited farms, Low Sizergh Farm, in the company of owners Richard and Alison Park, and photographer Amy Bateman. On a farm tour taking in fruit-laden hedgerows, diverse meadows and Richard's organic dairy herd, we celebrate the launch of Amy's 'Forty Farms' book and consider the state of Cumbrian farming in a time of profound change. Taking the long view of divers challenges and opportunities, we learn how Lakeland farmers are making space for nature; we ponder the link between food and community; and we ask what advice our farmers would give to the new secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

• Low Sizegh Barn can be found at www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk
• For more about Amy's 'Forty Farms; book see www.inspiredbylakeland.co.uk/products/forty-farms-conversations-about-change-in-the-landscapes-of-cumbria
• For more about Amy see amybatemanphotography.com

Countrystride #87: Trees in the age of the Romantics

...in which we journey into Romantic-era 19th century Lakeland to explore the roots of change in our relationship with trees. In the company of Dr Anna Burton, Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Derby, we embark on a heatwave-hued ramble through Lorton Vale to hillside-hugging Holme Wood above sparkling Loweswater. As we walk, we learn about the historic shift that gave woodland an aesthetic value; we discuss the great northern forests that Wordsworth lamented as lost to human hand; we hear about Wordsworth's love of – and talent for – tree planting, and the role he played in planning Holme Wood; and we consider how the tension between economics and amenity is still being played out in the wooded landscapes of Cumbria today.

• Anna can be found on Twitter at twitter.com/drannaburton

Countrystride #86: Beatrix Potter

...in which we take a warm-weather wander from Far to Near Sawrey in the footsteps of author, illustrator, farmer and countrywoman Beatrix Potter. In the company of long-time Hilltop volunteer and Beatrix Potter Society member Janet Edwards, we trace Wilfin Beck to Moss Eccles Tarn – one of Mrs Heelis' favourite spots – and then on into Near Sawrey, her Hilltop and Castle Cottage home for 40 years. Taking the long view of a remarkable life, we discuss the childhood holidays that gifted shy, talented and independent-minded young Beatrix a lifelong love of Lakeland; we learn about the genesis of her seven-times rejected 'little books for little hands'; we hear about her tragic first love – and the 'spring' that 'came to her late in life' that unfolded with Hawkshead solicitor William Heelis; before considering her extraordinary legacy, not only to children's literature and hill farming, but also the National Trust.

• You can find out more about the Beatrix Potter Society at https://beatrixpottersociety.org.uk
• ...and on Twitter at twitter.com/beatrixpotterso