Countrystride

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

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166 episodes
Updated July 24

Episodes166

Newest first

Feb 16, 2020 · 53 min
Countrystride #26: Piers Gill - A winter's ascent with Mountain Rescue
...in which we attempt a winter ascent of Lingmell alongside the dramatic chasm and accident blackspot of Piers Gill with Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association chairman and Wasdale team member Richard Warren. As we walk, through increasingly Alpine conditions, we talk about the non-judgemental camaraderie of the teams, rescuing lost dogs and cannabis casualties and why it's so easy to go wrong descending Scafell Pike. Abandoning our summit attempt we discuss the pros and cons of social media and learn about how teams say farewell to those who lose their lives on the fells. To find out more about the Wasdale team see: www.wmrt.org.uk AdventureSmart UK can be found at www.adventuresmart.uk
Jan 17, 2020 · 34 min
Countrystride #25: Smugglers, bombs and Plague Dogs - A walk on Wetherlam
…in which we climb the perennial Coniston favourite from the Tilberthwaite quarries up the breezy ridge of Steel Edge, one of Wainwright’s missing routes. As we stroll, with George Kitching, we discuss Andy Goldsworthy’s sheepfolds, the tricks of Langdale smuggler Lanty Slee, how a WWI Howitzer ended up below the Coniston waves, and an unlikely IRA terror plot to assassinate John Major using Levers Water. You can read George's blog at lakelandwalkingtales.co.uk
Dec 30, 2019 · 1 hr 16 min
Countrystride #24: Review of 2019 & AW's lost broadcast
…in which we are joined by Lakeland Walker editor John Manning to serve up a selection of our favourite moments from the Countrystride year on the fells. We hear from film maker Terry Abraham about his connection with the high places; we re-wander the great Pennine Way crossing to High Cup; we discuss ongoing battles to retain access; and we pick our best walks of 2019, before closing with an as-yet-unbroadcast interview with fell walking legend Alfred Wainwright as he talks about the road passes of Lakeland. You can find John on Twitter @outdoorsmanning With thanks to Ron Scholes for his recording of Alfred Wainwright, and to Chris Butterfield for the digitised version we played.
Dec 13, 2019 · 41 min
Countrystride #23: West Coast Christmas - Voices from the past
…in which we walk the sandstone cliffs from St Bees to Whitehaven with author and historian Alan Cleaver. As we stroll, above a millpond-still Irish Sea, we learn about the coast's Mummers' tradition and the ghost ship Mary Jane; we hear bygone memories of snowy winters and diary entries from a Regency-era farm; we discuss the smuggling origins of rum butter; and we sign off with a yuletide letter from the Western Front. Alan’s award-winning book, The Corpse Roads of Cumbria, is available from all good bookshops. You can find Alan on Twitter at @thelonningsguy
Nov 21, 2019 · 47 min
Countrystride #22: Lost Words - Past and future in the woods of Wreay
…in which we follow the gently-meandering River Petteril from an M6 underpass on Carlisle’s urban fringe through Wreay’s ancient woodland to one of Cumbria's most beautiful churches in search of lost words. As we stroll, with Jamie Normington from Cumbria Wildlife Trust, we discuss our changing woodlands, Cumbrian birdlife vernacular, how we can reforge a connection with the landscape, and the remarkable architectural legacy of Sara Losh, first lady of Wreay (pronounced ‘rear’).
Nov 11, 2019 · 40 min
Countrystride #21: Great Gable - Remembrance Sunday
…in which we walk from Honister Pass to the summit of Great Gable in the company of Dr Jonathan Westaway to join the annual Remembrance Sunday service led by the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. As we walk, past the Drum House and over Green Gable, we talk about the pioneering years of British rock climbing, boisterous nights in the Wasdale Head Inn, finding solace on the heights and the dedication of Gable to the nation, before joining the felltop congregation for the act of remembrance.
Oct 17, 2019 · 37 min
Countrystride #20: Upper Eden - The fight to roam, with Kate Ashbrook
…in which we follow the River Eden downstream to Kirkby Stephen with leading campaigner in the walking world, Kate Ashbrook, General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society and Chair of the Ramblers. As we head north from Pendragon Castle we discuss the joy of sunrise walks, the never-ending battle to open the countryside and taking Nicholas van Hoogstraten to court. To find out more about Kate see https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/about-kate-ashbrook/ We're grateful to today's guest producer, Helen Millican from BBC Cumbria, for standing in for Dave. Helen hosts the weekly Great Outdoors Show. For more about the Ramblers 'Don't Lose Your Way' campaign see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/dont-lose-your-way-2026.aspx
Oct 1, 2019 · 51 min
Countrystride #19: Pike O’Stickle - 50 years on the fells
...in which to celebrate Countrystride's first birthday producer Dave Felton asks the questions of host Mark Richards, who guides us onto Pike o'Stickle and talks about his journey from Cotswolds farmer to Lakeland guidebook author, his pen-and-ink apprenticeship with Alfred Wainwright, and his lifelong love of walking. Climbing out of Great Langdale, we discuss secret ways onto the iconic Pikes, favourite fells and why home for Mark was always going to be Cumbria.
Sep 11, 2019 · 59 min
Countrystride #18: The Pennine Way - Creation of a long, green trail
...In which we walk from Langdon Beck to Dufton along the UK's most iconic National Trail with author and Pennine Way authority Andrew McCloy. As we embrace the big skies of the North Pennines, we discuss Tom Stephenson's tireless access campaigning, consider the highs and lows of the 268-mile walk, theorise over Wainwright's dislike of the Trail and end up spellbound atop the glacial valley of High Cup. Andrew's book, The Pennine Way - the Path, the People, the Journey, is available from Cicerone. It comes highly recommended.
Aug 27, 2019 · 40 min
Countrystride #17: Beda Fell - with environmental campaigner Amy Bray
...in which we head to Martindale with Amy Bray, the Matterdale teenager who is campaigning around Cumbria to raise awareness of single-use plastic pollution and asking us to consider 'Another Way' of consuming. As we summit Beda Fell we talk about Amy's love for the fells and wild swimming, we discuss steps that communities can take to restore a positive balance with nature – and we're rewarded with a distant glimpse of The Nab's elusive deer herd.
Aug 11, 2019 · 49 min
Countrystride #16: The Dales Way at 50 - A walk down Dentdale
...in which we journey out East to the Cumbrian Dales and the softly-spoken valley of Dentdale to meet Dales Way creator Colin Speakman to celebrate the Way's 50th birthday. As we walk, past wildflower meadows, Tudor cottages and the Dent Brewery, Colin discusses Cowgill's link to royalty, the valley's infamous ('terrible') knitters, the satisfaction of establishing a classic walk – one of the UK's most popular – and local hero Adam Sedgwick.
Jul 5, 2019 · 1 hr
Countrystride #15: John Ruskin - The Coniston visionary
…in which we set out from Coniston to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of John Ruskin, the Victorian polymath who wrote that mountains are "the beginning and the end of all natural scenery". As we walk, with Ruskin Museum archivist Vicky Slowe – past wildflower meadows, lime kilns and iconic Yewtree Farm to arrive at Coniston Water with its view of Brantwood – we discuss the great man's remarkable life, his connections, and his legacy on everything from architecture and education to social thinking and our understanding of climate change.
May 29, 2019 · 45 min
Countrystride #14: A Pennine Journey - Life-changing walks
…in which we are joined by Cumbria Magazine and Lakeland Walker editor John Manning to walk from Dufton to Appleby-in-Westmorland along the Pennine Journey, the long distance footpath inspired by Alfred Wainwright’s 1938 ramble through the hills of northern England. As we walk - through bluebell woods and down cloistered ghylls - John discusses his life-changing experience on the Pennine Way, explains why Lakeland needs protecting more than ever, talks about kindness in remote places and reveals why Helvellyn holds a special place in his heart. For more information on the Pennine Journey long distance path see: penninejourney.org.uk
Apr 28, 2019 · 49 min
Countrystride #13: The Solway Coast - Wetlands, birdsong and lost lines
...In which we wander with Ann Lingard along the mosses, marshes and mudflats of the Solway coast. Enveloped in birdsong, we take in big skies, skeleton trees and wildlife-rich marshes before discussing the rise – and dramatic fall – of one of Cumbria's lost railways, the dying craft of salmon 'haaf netting' and how Ann's love for the sea was woken during rockpool 'guddles' with her Cornish father.
Apr 12, 2019 · 52 min
Countrystride #12: Great Langdale - A heritage landscape
...in which we celebrate World Heritage Day by exploring Great Langdale with National Trust archaeologist Jamie Lund. Setting out from Sticklebarn, we talk dry stone walls, the remarkable Cumbrian commons and the legacy of campaigner George Trevelyan, before surveying Pike o’Stickle and the perilously-located axe factory – part of the UK’s first major industry.
Mar 15, 2019 · 47 min
Countrystride #11: High Stile – and the Buttermere skyline
…in which we climb above Buttermere on a blustery ridge walk over the High Stile range with researcher and broadcaster David Powell-Thompson, best known for his appearances on Terry Abraham’s 'Life of a Mountain' films and Julia Bradbury’s 'Wainwright Walks'. As we wander - mostly in cloud - we discuss epic mountain days; ticking off the 214 (for the fourth time); the ‘steamy’ atmosphere of the old Brown’s Bus from Ambleside to Hawskhead; and hear about David’s chance encounter with A. Harry Griffin atop Pillar Rock.
Feb 20, 2019 · 45 min
Countrystride #10: Mardale Head - A walk on the wild side
...in which we climb to the impressive upland corrie tarn of Blea Water from Mardale Head with mountain leader Phil Tinning before striking over rough country to High Street's airy Rough Crag ridge - one-time home of Eddie the last Lakeland Eagle. As we walk we refresh our navigational skills, encounter deer tracks and long-lost mining trods, and are converted to the joys of wild walking.
Feb 6, 2019 · 48 min
Countrystride #9: Derwent Water: Creation of a landscape
...in which we walk Derwent Water's wooded west shore from Manesty to Brandelhow Wood with National Trust ranger Roy Henderson, who talks to us about the valley's industrial past and today's management, before organising a search party for a missing labrador. At Crow Park we're joined by Dr Christopher Donaldson to take a long view of the Picturesque and the birth of the worldwide conservation movement.
Jan 18, 2019 · 52 min
Countrystride #8: Terry Abraham: Life on the mountains - A stroll on Helvellyn
…in which we make the classic Helvellyn ascent to the Hole in the Wall with film maker Terry Abraham, whose celebrated ‘Life of a Mountain’ documentaries have captured the essence of the Lakeland fells - and the communities that live among them - in a way no others have. En route we talk about what inspires Terry, the highs and lows of filming in wild places, why Thirlmere needed no zipwire, and how it feels to be thought of as an honorary Cumbrian.
Dec 20, 2018 · 49 min
Countrystride #7: A Grasmere Christmas - The Wordsworths and the coffin route
...in which we brave the drizzle to walk from Dove Cottage in Townend along the old corpse road round Grasmere to join the festivities at Allan Bank. En route we talk with Marian Veevers about how William and Dorothy Wordsworth celebrated Christmas, and hear from the National Trust's Elaine Taylor about seasonal Cumbrian traditions. We close with music from the Cumbrian Duo, who play us out with a traditional local wassailing tune. With thanks to The Cumbrian Duo for the original music from their album Hunsup through the Wood.