Editor: Bill Mossop (Tel. 01768 898204)

PENRITH Group has added the Ramblers' voice to growing opposition to a proposal to build 29 luxury "eco-friendly" timber holiday lodges along with seven holiday cottages -- some by converting farm buildings -- in the remote and quiet valley of Borrowdale near Tebay.

An objection has been lodged by footpaths officer Alan Duval, on the grounds of general effect on the peace and tranquillity of the area and the effect on walkers using the road and bridleway up the valley between the lodges from the A685.

New owners Natural Retreats, who have a similar complex in the Yorkshire Dales and are planning others in Snowdonia and on the North Yorkshire Moors, are seeking planning permission for the development at Low Borrowdale Farm.

Neighbouring High Borrowdale is owned by the Friends of the Lake District who are managing their land for landscape enhancement and quiet enjoyment. The Friends were unable to raise enough to buy Low Borrowdale when it went on the market last year and are now urging their members to raise concerns over this tourism development.

The Friends say that despite the environmental credentials of Natural Retreats a development on such a scale would have a profound effect on the nature of a valley whose special qualities are such that it has been listed for potential inclusion in future extensions of national parks.

Natural Retreats say that cattle and sheep will be kept at Low Borrowdale in keeping with their ethos of "allowing luxury and nature to mutually flourish without infringing on the environment or the local community".

The planning application can be seen on Eden District Council's website (www.eden.gov.uk) under references 08/0333 and 08/0339.

Registering the Ramblers' views on the Low Borrowdale proposal was hampered because Penrith Group does not currently have a countryside secretary. Without such an officer, whose role is mainly to keep an eye on local planning applications, there is a danger of things happening against the interests of walkers without any response having been made. A countryside officer needs to have some knowledge of the locality and of local authority policies and would work closely with the footpaths officer. If anybody is willing to fulfil this important post please contact Group secretary David Dixon on 01768 863155.

Silver Anniversary walks and supper

DETAILS have been finalised for celebrating the Group's 25^th anniversary with walks and a supper at Melmerby Village Hall on Saturday, 6^th September.

Graham Allen is organising two walks, a B+ leaving the Village Hall at 10am and returning around 4-30pm, and a gentler B/C grade walk leaving the hall at 2pm. These will be followed by the meal at 6pm, consisting of a meat and vegetarian buffet with a variety of salads, followed by home-made desserts, a cheese board and tea and coffee. There is no bar, but anybody wishing to bring along their own wine or beer is welcome to do so.

Members can go on just the walks or attend just the supper if they wish. Anybody wanting only to walk should just turn up on the day, but it is necessary to reserve places for the supper.

The cost is £11.50 per head and cheques should be made payable to the Ramblers'Association. Booking forms are being distributed by walks leaders, returnable to Stewart Rainbow, 2 Barnes Green, Great Salkeld CA11 9LU (tel. 01768 898910). Don't forget to enclose a stamped and addressed envelope.

Still on the social side . . .

THE popular annual evening meal at the Purple Sage restaurant, in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Penrith, will take place this year on Thursday, 20^th November (7-30pm).

The three-course meal will cost £15 per head.

Organiser Jean Bradshaw will be distributing details of the menu choices. Bookings can be made with her by telephone (0169742024) or contact by e-mail (jeanmbradshaw@aol.com).

A Christmas dinner will again be held at the Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite, on 10^th December. Further details of cost, menu and booking will be distributed by organiser Sue Marshall  tel. (01768 897159). Numbers are usually limited to about 60 for this event.

Renewed appeal to find parking places

THERE has been hardly any response from members to an appeal for assistance in identifying useful parking places for up eight or nine cars in the Penrith Group area (Eden District), other parts of Cumbria and even wider afield where walks are organised.

Committee member Stewart Rainbow is still willing to compile a list of useful parking spots to help leaders who face the problem of more and more parking restrictions coming into force and rising car park charges, but he needs the help of those who know other places.

If you can help please send your suggestion, by e-mail if possible, to (srainbow@waitrose.com) or tel. 01768 898910.  If you are a bit uncertain about a parking place that you are suggesting just say so and Stewart will check its suitability.

Deletion of footpath opposed

A MOVE to extinguish a section of public footpath at Maidenhill, near Penrith, is being opposed by the Group.

An unknown applicant, probably a local resident, is asking Cumbria County Council to delete a quarter-mile section of path FP358020 to where it emerges at Quarry Cottage on the C3002 Penrith-Lazonby road, on the grounds that it was wrongly recorded on the definitive map in 1953. A dead end section would remain.

The route has long been a difficult one that is hard to walk. It passes through two gardens and a shrubbery and crosses a lawn, but it is a route that would have been surveyed for its 1953 recording. Footpaths officer Alan Duval believes it will be very difficult for the applicants to gather evidence to support their case and that the proposal will be turned down.

The state of the area's footpaths continues to improve. Between March and July, 55 new path problems, many of them minor, were reported to the County Council and 103 problems were cleared, leaving 229 outstanding. Eighteen missing signposts/waymarks were reported and 22 matters resolved, leaving 53 outstanding.

Dogs MUST be on leads

FOLLOWING complaint of some instances of dogs being allowed to run free on walks, the Group committee wishes to emphasise the rule requiring dogs to be kept on leads at all times.

The rule applies to all dogs, even the very best behaved. Control is needed so farm animals and wildlife are not disturbed, we need good relationships with farmers and landowners and there is a safety consideration. On a tricky stretch of fell path for example, a dog just trying to be friendly among walkers can pose a risk.

Although it is a general rule to keep dogs on leads, there is one particular circumstance where it is advisable to let a dog off its lead -- where it is felt there is a threat of attack from another animal because of the dog's presence.

Memory Walks will raise awareness

PENRITH Group is helping the Eden and Keswick branch of the Alzheimer's Society raise awareness and raise some funds by designating the four walks listed in the new programme for Wednesday, 10^th September, as "Memory Walks".

The proposal from member Jean Bradshaw, who is chairman of the local Alzheimer's branch, will give both organisations a positive publicity boost.

Traditionally, a short walk linked to a service at a local church for carers and ex-carers of those with Alzheimer's has been held annually, but the link with the Ramblers will hopefully create stronger awareness.

The Alzheimer's Society are undertaking to provide tea for the four walks groups at convenient locations near their parking points, for which the walkers will be asked to make a donation.

Any sponsorship that walkers might feel able to collect would be welcome along with donations from walkers not out on that date.

Chairman stepping down

CHARLES Hirst has announced that he is stepping down as chairman of the Group.

Charles has occupied the post for the past eight years, a period he describes as a pleasure in such an enthusiastic and co-operative Group. He says that the duties have not been onerous thanks to there having been excellent secretaries beavering away behind the scenes to ensure smooth running. He expresses his thanks to everybody for all the support he has received.

At the July committee meeting Stewart Rainbow expressed appreciation for all that Charles had done. Election of a new chairman will be on the agenda at the annual general meeting on 24^th October (7-30pm) at Penrith United Reformed Church, in Lowther Street.

Growing demand for short walks

THE possibility of an additional category of walks for members who want a half-day of no more than five miles is being considered by the committee.

Two members have left because they could not find walks short enough for them. In addition there is encouragement from the RA nationally to promote short walks - as little as two miles.

A "D" or "5 or Less" group has been suggested although finding enough leaders might be a problem.

In order to assess the degree of interest, members who want short walks are asked to contact secretary David Dixon on 01768 863155.