News Archive

In September last year, Joseph McElwee was ordered by judge Seamus Hughes to don his walking boots and climb up Croagh Patrick mountain in County Mayo in penance for swearing at the police.The unusual decree may have surprised Mr McElwee, but he took to the project with relish.On Monday (November 8th), the 33-year-old returned to court with photographic evidence of the endeavour and a cheque for €2,900 (£2,505), raised in sponsorship, to be split between two hospitals.He was joined on....

A ranger service run entirely by students has been nominated for a major Scottish award.The Oatridge College Ranger Service, based in West Lothian, was set up about a year ago to give people who have academic qualifications, like countryside management, more awareness of practical, hands-on skills, the Scotsman reports.It has overseen a string of successful projects, including improving Oatridge College's garden so it could be used as an open demonstration space for local schools and communi....

A land and rights of way organisation has urged a local authority to take immediate action to reopen an illegally blocked stretch of a coastal path in Cornwall.The Open Spaces Society wants Cornwall Council to act swiftly to resolve the issue on a section of the South West Coast Path at Carlyon Bay, close to St Austell.It has been partially blocked by a portacabin and fencing, put up by a developer as part of a multi-million pound works project.Gloria Price, a society member, has been campaignin....

People gearing up for the ski season will be delighted to know that some of Europe's top ski resorts have reported fresh snow.According to the Ski Club of Great Britain, 11 sites across Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and Finland recorded snow on Monday November 8th.Neustift, in Austria, even saw 20cm fall, the Ski Club said.Not surprisingly, resorts with plenty of glacial surroundings experienced the greatest snowfall, but some was also found at Garmisch in Germany, Kitzbuhel i....

An activity as simple as walking can greatly affect a person's health.Dr. Richard Beliveau, writing in the Toronto Sun, discussed research which suggested that walking a few kilometres a week can play a part in reducing memory loss.According to Dr Beliveau, researchers have thought for some time that physical activity, undertaken on a regular basis, can combat the slowdown of the brain as we get older.He cited an experiment by US scientists who monitored a group of over-65s over a nine-year ....

A group of fundraisers adopted an interesting approach to charity walking this week – by taking off their walking boots and skipping over hot coals.Some 16 participants, aged between 19 and 50, completed the brave task at the Guide Dogs' Training Centre in Woodford Green, London, the Waltham Forest Guardian reports.Raising £2,500 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, development fundraiser Lorna Copland told the newspaper that the coals were burning at 570 degrees C."....

People strapping on their walking boots and heading to the Lake District later this month will be interested to hear about a free craft fair that will be taking place.Visitors to Brockhole, on the shores of Windermere, can enjoy the event at its visitor centre on the weekend of November 20th and 21st, followed by three special festive weekends.The craft fair will offer a range of great Christmas gifts and presents, with jewellery, fabrics and handmade items on offer.Brockhole, which is usually c....

Two of the Lake District's most experienced fell runners are gearing up to don their walking boots and pull on their outdoor fleeces for an operation that will see them brave the worst the Lake District can throw at them.From December 4th, Jon Bennett and Jason Taylor will brave harsh weather conditions when they trek daily up Evelyn, the Lake District's third highest peak, recording wind speed and checking conditions.The pair undertake this daunting task for Weatherline, which celebrate....

The Ramblers says it wants assurances from the government that the sale of woodland owned by the Forestry Commission will only go ahead if public access can be maintained.Pointing out that while not all publicly-accessed land need necessarily be publically owned, any sale of woodland to the private sector must have public access as its top priority.The walking charity is recommending five criteria it wants the government to match prior to any sale being considered.These include that public acces....

People lacing up their walking boots and heading to Pembrokeshire for an autumn trail this year will be pleased to know that access to one of the county's most popular beaches has been improved.The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has undertaken significant redevelopment work on the public footpath from Penally railway station to Tenby's South Beach, widening the path to allow for a bigger range of mobility aids.Speaking at the launch of the path, Anthony Richards, access and ....

Gary Lineker will lace up his walking boots for a charity walk next year.The former Tottenham striker will be accompanied by more than a thousand people during the 14-mile walk starting from the Royal Marsden in Chelsea and finishing at the Royal Marsden in Sutton, is in aid of the hospital's Cancer Charity, This is Local London reports.The trek will take place next March and is open to people of all ages and abilities.Amanda Heaton, community fundraising and development manager from th....

A new study at the University of Essex will examine the relationship between the great outdoors and stress, it has been reported.The three-year study, which has received a £90,000 grant from the British Heart Foundation, will specifically focus on how stress at work can be combated by spending time outdoors, the BBC reports.Colchester will be the hub of the research, with people from across all walks of life being invited to participate.Researchers are particularly interested in combating ....

A man has laced up his walking boots and set off on a two-week walk that will see him head to Ipswich and back – with just a tent for company.According to the Eastern Daily Press, Stuart Morgan is undertaking the trip of over 100 miles to raise money for the National Autistic Society.Heading out on Monday (November 1st), the Lowestoft man will sleep in his tent while on the trip, hoping that the kindness of strangers will keep him well-fed and sheltered if the weather gets bad. He will ret....

People donning their walking boots and heading off to Worcestershire for an autumn hike will inevitably want somewhere to relax, have a cup of tea and watch the world go by.Walkers can do just that by visiting Avoncroft Museum's stunning Edwardian Tea Room.The tea room, which will be open every weekend during the winter, will offer visitors a range of tasty snacks and hot drinks.There are main meals, afternoon teas, sandwiches, soups, and, of course, a range of gorgeous (and award-winning) c....

People lacing up their walking boots and heading off to the Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNPA) may want to visit a historic toll house that has been given a major makeover.The Punchard Gill toll house, which dates back to 1770, was originally used to collect fees from passing traffic by a road in Arkengarthdale.Throughout most of the 19th century, the census shows it was occupied by other toll collectors, before being used by coal merchants and miners from 1871.And, for the past 100 years, it....

A town mayor cut the ribbon for a charity walk – and then laced up his walking boots and went on to win it.Trevor Batchelder, mayor of Wilton, finished the 10km route in the Wilton Stride in first place, the Salisbury Journal reports.The event, held at Wilton House in aid of Cancer Research UK, was attended by 60 people, who had a choice of three walks to choose from.Maggie Davis, the walks' organiser, said she expected to raise £5,000."We were thrilled with the turnout. The....

People going on a skiing holiday this coming season should get in shape before they head off, an expert ski leader has said.Blogging on the Ski Club of Great Britain's website, Dan Habershon-Butcher, a Club Leader who has worked in the US, Austria and France, said while many people are thinking about buying new kit, the most important thing for skiers to think about is their own body.If you want to make the most of their time on the slopes, Mr Haberson-Butcher says, keen preparation is impor....

A scheme that encourages youngsters to lace up their walking boots and head to the great outdoors has clocked up its 1,000th participant.Go Dales!, launched in 2006, is designed to encourage people, who may not have thought about doing so before, to enjoy the Yorkshire National Dales Park.The scheme aims to show people aged between 14 and 25 the potential the Yorkshire Dales offers in terms of its range of adventures, with a keen emphasis on conservation.Climbing, horse riding, kayaking, caving,....

A series of walks are on offer for residents in Hampshire, aimed at getting more people outdoors and active.According to the Southern Daily Echo, free Health Walks are running in Winchester, starting from 10:30 GMT every Monday, heading out from the town's Tourist Information Centre.However, the group needs more people to become volunteer walk leaders – those who orchestrate and run the walks. To qualify for this, those interested need to complete a short course.Interested in participa....

Whether you're an experienced climber or are just lacing up your walking boots for the very first time over the coming months, you'll appreciate these hiking tips from outdoor clothing firm Craghoppers.First, the company urges, keep an eye on the weather. Autumn brings sweeping and beautiful changes to the countryside, but it can also get very cold.To combat chilly weather, utilise layers. Craghoppers recommends a microfleece base and a middle layer, preferably one that is waterproof and....