The call has gone out for dry stone wallers from Friends of the Lake District, who will be running their annual dry stone walling competition this Saturday, May 25 near Appleby. And these are the skills I would love to learn to make raised beds in my garden.
I’m not the only one, as I found out from responding to a post on Instagram this week, in response to a beautiful photograph of a traditional Cumbrian drystone wall feature in a domestic garden.
Maybe its that Chelsea effect – every year about this time I think I could create something amazing after watching a week of tv coverage from the world’s most famous gardening show.
However, a desire to build a dry stone wall, when you live in the heart of Cumbria is something I think is achievable. So how do you get to learn this great rural skill?
According to my Instagram friend, it is volunteering where they gained their skills with the National Trust.
I am hoping
Competition organiser Ruth Kirk at Friends of the Lake District said: “Dry stone walling is a heritage skill and an iconic part of Cumbria’s cultural identity. Our annual walling competition is a terrific opportunity for anyone, from a novice to a skilled professional to try their hand. Whether you are a seasoned pro or an amateur there’s a class to suit you, plus there are cash prizes, trophies and a delicious free lunch.
“It’s always fascinating and very satisfying to see how a pile of stones at the start of the day can be so skilfully built into a beautiful structure which will last another generation and more.”
Anyone with some experience of dry stone walling can enter the competition and there are cash prizes for first, second and third positions in each of four classes. For more information or for a competition booklet and entry form contact ruth-kirk@fld.org.uk or visit: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/Event/annual-dry-stone-walling-competition-2019 to download the forms.
The competition runs from 9am – 4pm.
Entry: FREE for spectators and wallers alike.
Classes:
CLASS 1 – PROFESSIONAL
Anyone whose main income is from walling or who has previously won first prize in a competition in Class 2 or equivalent.
CLASS 2 – AMATEUR / OPEN
Open to those with some experience who have not won first prize in a competition in this class or equivalent.
CLASS 3 – NOVICE / JUNIORS
Open to those who have never competed before or anyone who has won less than two first prizes in previous competitions in this class.
CLASS 4 – VETERAN CLASS
Open to those aged 60 and above
If you know of any dry stone walling classes or volunteer opportunities where you can learn the skill please let us know.
By Karen Morely-Chesworth
