Countrystride

A celebration of the landscapes, culture, heritage and people of Cumbria and the Lake District.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

166 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes166

Newest first

Jul 21, 2023 · 59 min
Countrystride #106: The lichens of Borrowdale
...in which we take a deep dive into the miniature world of lichens with Cumbria Lichens & Bryophytes expert Pete Martin. Embarking from the car park at Seatoller – and not wandering much further - we ask what a lichen is (a question not easily answered) and why lichens matter. Wandering up-dale towards Seathwaite, we stop at trees and walls to encounter five of the county's most recognisable lichens and observe a remarkable world of elf ears, maps, jam tarts and wine gums. Deep in the Borrowdale rainforest we consider the expansive 'second skin' lichen and bryophyte ecosystems that form on older pollarded trees, and the key role lichens play in fixing both carbon and nitrogen. Taking a long view of land use in the valley, our journey ends at the famous Borrowdale Yews, where we learn why Wordsworth's 'Fraternal Four' were never four at all, and why, in ecology, things are often more complex than they first seem. You can find Pete on Twitter twitter.com/onLoughrigg The Cumbria Lichen & Bryophyte Group can be found at bumbrialichensbryophytes.org.uk
Jun 30, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
Countrystride #105: The Old Man and the slate
...in which we are joined by industrial archeologist supremo Mark Hatton to talk all things slate as we ascend and then tunnel deep into the fellside of The Old Man of Coniston. Picking through the abandoned remains of old working floors and tips, we learn about the long history of slate quarrying in the Lake District – an industry spread over 200 sites that yielded a range of highly-prized stone. Discussing how slate is formed, we make our way to the powerhouse, smithy and working floor of the Old Man workings, where millions of tonnes of stone were shaped into prized roofing slate by generations of miners. As we wander, we hear about the likely Norman origins of the industry; the revolution wrought by compressed air; the perils of journeying home in the snow; and the Sunday-morning miracles that collapsed caverns – and saved lives. *** It would be remiss not to note that we recorded underground in the company of an experienced guide, and kitted with helmets and torches. Exploring these workings is immensely enjoyable - in the right company and with the right kit. In all cases, leave the workings as you found them. ***
Jun 16, 2023 · 58 min
Countrystride #104: Eskdale - Living the Fisherground dream
..in which we don the Countrystride shorts for a balmy trip west into sylvan Eskdale to hear about Ian and Jen Hall's 27-year journey to make a success of a Lakeland hill farm. As we set out from the handsome farmhouse at Fisherground – one-time home to the couple, alongside close friends Anne-Marie and Geoff Wake – we learn about the passion that drove both couples (plus family and other animals) onto the farm, and the highs and lows of living the farming dream. Reflecting as we walk on divers matters – from gate stoups to Herdwick rudd; from bathing in the Esk to the thrill of hound trailing – we reach St Catherine's Church, where Ian preached for many years, to reflect on the trauma of Foot & Mouth, making peace with tourism and the brilliantly named, but mechanically flawed, 'Hayter Potatovator'. You can buy Ian's book Fisherground: Living the Dream and other titles from bookscumbria.com/?s=ian+hall&post_type=product and all good local bookshops.
Jun 3, 2023 · 45 min
Countrystride #103: Ambleside - A town through time
...in which we take a tour of honeypot Ambleside in the company of Blue Badge guide, and lover of all things Ambleside, Alison Pickering. Setting out from Rothay Park, we visit the riverside Roman Fort, once a thriving settlement with strategic links throughout Cumbria, before making our way via the centuries-spanning milling powerhouse of Stock Ghyll into the centre of town to talk about its industrial transition from wool town to tourist mecca. As we wander, under pristine spring skies, we learn about the Roman gifts of damsons and apples; the battle to save Stock Ghyll Park; and the real purpose of diminutive Bridge House, before asking why the town's chapel was only in use for 43 years; and what a Victorian tourist would pack into their busy Lakeland tour. Alison Pickering can be found at cumbriatouristguides.org/guide/alison-pickering/ She can also be found on Instagram at instagram.com/amblesidealison/
May 12, 2023 · 58 min
Countrystride #102: A Coast to Coast love affair, with Debbie North
...in which we travel east to the big-sky North York Moors to meet access campaigner and Cabinet Office disability ambassador Debbie North on a stretch of her beloved Coast to Coast walk. Setting out in springtime squalls from The Lion Inn at Blakey – infamous stopping point on Wainwright's enduringly popular cross-country journey – we learn from Debs about the outdoors childhood that forged her connection with wild places, before following her life-changing journey from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay during which she fell in love not only with the north country, but also with travel companion (and colleague) Andy North. Recalling the loss of her mobility and the dark days that followed, Debs describes the first ever Coast to Coast crossing made in a wheelchair; recollects her doomed attempts to reconnect with nature using didgeridoos; and tells us why she isn't calling for Stannah Stairlifts to be installed on Scafell Pike. You can find out more about Debs at debbienorth.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/DebbieNorth29 You can find out more about Access the Dales, Debs' charity. here.
Apr 28, 2023 · 52 min
Countrystride #101: The Yellow Earl and Lowther Castle
...in which we visit one of Lakeland's great historic houses, Lowther Castle, to explore the history of the 'Yellow Earl': Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, one of the most extravagant members of the English aristocracy. In the company of Charlotte Fairbairn, seanchaidh of the Lowther family, we rewind in time to the early days of the Lowther dynasty – to the growth of the Whitehaven coalfields and the tyrannies of 'Wicked Jimmy' – to set the scene for Hugh's birth. Never intended to inherit the estate – 75,000 acres and wealth beyond dreams – the young Earl embarked upon a life of opulence and hedonism, spending vast sums and pretty much squandering the family fortune. As we trace the story of a remarkable life – of the Earl's love of animals; of his extra-marital activities; of his temporary banishment to the Arctic; of his hunts with the Kaiser – we ask what kind of man he was; why his grave is so modest; and... why yellow? Finally we consider the Earl's legacy – that stretches from boxing rules to Arsenal FC's away strip and the AA's livery. The Ten Thousand Daffodils installation is running at Lowther Castle until 24 June. To visit Lowther Castle and its exhibits see lowthercastle.org You can find Charlotte at her website here. Charlotte is giving a talk about the Yellow Earl at the Farmers’ Arms on 10 May.
Apr 14, 2023 · 1 hr 19 min
Countrystride #100: Why we love the Lakes
...in which we celebrate our 100th birthday with an ascent of Grasmere's favourite fell, Helm Crag, to consider the question: "What is the unique magic of the Lake District?" In the company of Little Langdale cragsman and author Bill Birkett, poet Harriet Fraser, photographer Rob Fraser and – sharing our birthday – 90-year-old Gordon Bambrough, we enjoy blue skies as we climb steadily to The Lion and the Lamb's rocky top. As we walk, we explore our own relationships with Cumbria, how each of us fell in love with north-country landscapes, and what the fells mean to us. As we rove, we are joined by dozens of Lakes-lovers who answer the same enduring question: "What is the magic of Lakeland for you?" before picking a piece of poetry or prose that articulates the magic for them. Our readers for the episode – with many thanks – are the brilliant Sue Allan and Jonathan Humble. Emily Hasler's poem 'Grasmere Lake' is taken from The Built Environment and is published by Pavilion Poetry at Liverpool University Press. With thanks to all of our many contributors to this episode: you're all stars :-)
Mar 31, 2023 · 45 min
Countrystride #99: PEAT, POWER & THE PUBLIC – Caring for Watendlath
...in which we explore the much-loved hanging valley of Watendlath and the High Tove ridge above in the company of veteran National Trust ranger Roy Henderson and Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Sean Prokopiw. Posing the question: 'How do we balance the management of such precious landscapes with increasing tourist demands?', we take a whistle-stop tour of projects that are building resilience into the fells, woodlands and communities around the isolated dale head. After a brief history of the valley – from glaciation through Norse settlement to the busy days of the pack-horse trains – we visit a remarkable pollarded ash tree. Heading downstream, we are introduced to one of three hydro schemes in Borrowdale, which collectively generate enough energy to power virtually the whole valley. Passing newly-planted hillsides on an age-old pitched way, we emerge at the Pewits, once a desolation of peat hags, now a thriving upland bog, to learn about the value of these remarkable upland habitats.
Mar 10, 2023 · 45 min
Countrystride #98: Askham – A vernacular celebration
...in which we take a wintry trip to Lowther country and the pristine village of Askham to celebrate the built heritage of Cumbria. In the company of historic buildings officer Alexandra Fairclough, we take a long view of the vernacular and its champions – from John Ruskin to Professor Ron Brunskill – before embarking on a whistlestop tour of a village that was neither formally designed, like Lowther, nor set upon a springline, like nearby Helton. As we wander, we consider the link between geology and buildings, we note the features of a typical Cumbrian farmhouse, we consider the concept of 'polite' architecture, and we ask whether Cumbrian's historic buildings are in safe hands. Alexandra can be found at https://linktr.ee/Alexatourguide
Feb 17, 2023 · 51 min
Countrystride #97: Townend – A Troutbeck farming dynasty
...in which we descend upon the cloistered valley of Troutbeck to celebrate the 75th birthday of the National Trust farm at Townend, home for 12 generations to the 'yeoman' Browne family. In the company of Collections & House Manager Emma Wright we uncover a trove of farmhouse treasures, including an expansive 'meat loft', the last George Browne's remarkable wood carvings and Elizabeth Birkett's 1699 'commonplace book' of recipes and unlikely ailment cures. Accessing the house's nationally-important library, we paint a picture of a leisured family in pursuit of wealth and influence, and Mark gets enthused by a copy of 'Gate's Shepherds Guide'. Rambling past the farm's expansive bank barn – one of the finest in Westmorland – we learn about the characteristic pattern of 'outgang' lanes that allowed stock to be driven onto the communal Wansfell 'hundreds' before turning our attention to Beatrix Potter and the last days of the Browne dynasty. You can find out more about Townend at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/townend
Jan 27, 2023 · 50 min
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.
Jan 13, 2023 · 52 min
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
Dec 30, 2022 · 1 hr 24 min
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
Dec 16, 2022 · 51 min
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
Dec 2, 2022 · 53 min
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/
Nov 18, 2022 · 53 min
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
Oct 28, 2022 · 56 min
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
Oct 14, 2022 · 59 min
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
Sep 23, 2022 · 58 min
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
Sep 4, 2022 · 41 min
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