Taking it to the top - Bass Reflections
Bassenthwaite Reflections
A top challenge is on to find teams to scale every mountain over 2000 feet in the Bassenthwaite area as part of a four-day grand finale festival.The Keswick-based September extravaganza sees Bassenthwaite Reflections celebrating 30 successful projects before the pioneering community landscape initiative draws to a close.
A choice of 40 peaks include famed fells which have inspired renowned walker and writer Alfred Wainwright and generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
Head of Heritage Lottery Fund supported Reflections, Martin Varley, said he wanted all ages to take part and the emphasis was on people coming together and not ‘times to the top’.
He added: “This is for everyone who enjoys walking and wants to help us pay tribute to this fantastic place. We are looking for individuals to help make up teams, families, community groups and businesses.
“People can choose a peak, so it might be 3117ft Helvellyn, the Lake District’s third highest peak, or a modest fell like Rosthwaite, in Borrowdale. As far as we know, this hasn’t been done before, so on 19 September, we’ll be making history.
“To have all 40 summits covered we are going to need around 150 contenders. Naturally there will be a Reflections’ team and we want plenty of others to pick up the gauntlet and join us.”
Money raised from registration fees will go to the Fix the Fells project to repair upland paths in the Lake District.
Reflections has introduced thousands of people to measures which protect Bassenthwaite Lake and its surroundings. The programme finishes in December and Martin said the festival – from 15 to 19 September – would mark far-reaching achievements.
Festival goers can look forward to guided walks, archaeology treats and viewing a wood fuel heating system. Unusually, there will be a visit to Keswick sewage treatment works and a trip to a local farm.
Martin explained: “We staged a month-long interactive exhibition in Keswick last summer, which was seen by around 4,000 people. We hope our festival will also bring in the crowds.”
Find out about the peak challenge and festival from Reflections on 017687 73204, reflections@environment-agency.gov.uk website www.bassenthwaite-reflections.co.uk (open in new windows).
Bassenthwaite Reflections is a Heritage Lottery funded programme. Reflections partners are made up of Environment Agency, Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust, Forestry Commission, Grampus Heritage and Training and Cumbria County Council.
For further information on any of the 22 projects in the Bassenthwaite Reflections Programme, contact Karin Crofts on karin.crofts@environment-agency.gov.uk or 017687 74785.
