Schedule of Events
Shap Farmers’ & Makers’ Markets
Pick up some fantastic local food, art & crafts and much more while you’re here!
Saturday 27th April
At the market
Cumbria Connect
Eden Rivers Trust
Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group
RSPB Haweswater
Cumbria Woodlands
Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Friends of The Lake District
Saturday 25th May
At the market
Cumbria Connect
Eden Rivers Trust
Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group
RSPB Haweswater
Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Cumbria Badger Vaccination Project
Other local events taking place
Legstretcher walk Swindale Valley
Friday 3rd May
Kirkby Stephen & District Walkers are Welcome
Meet at Christian Head car park, Kirkby Stephen 09:30 for car share 24
Miles or Swindale car park 10:15.
Take a step back in time in this rarely visited valley on the eastern fringes of
the Lake District. The valley is managed for restoration by the RSPB and
United Utilities. Allow extra time for the additional distance and a longer walk.
Optional refreshments in Shap.
4.6 miles 90 ascent, about 2hours 15 mins.
Booking waw@uppereden.org.uk
Talks at the Old Courthouse
Tues 31st April
Bringing ratty back to Cumbria’s riverbanks
Last summer saw the return of ratty to the Lake District. Virtually wiped out in Cumbria, the release of 365 water voles was the culmination of 18 months’ hard work to create the right conditions to bring back this small, yet vital part of the ecosystem to the area.
Wed 1st May
“Cumbrian Red” Film
Join us for an evening with multi-award winning photographer and film maker Terry Abraham. After a showing of his latest work ‘Cumbrian Red’, there will be an opportunity to hear Terry talk about the film and answer any questions from the audience.
Tues 7th May
Cumbria’s Ancient Woodlands
Join Graham Watson & Jamie Chaplin-Bryce to discover Cumbria’s ancient woodlands and ancient woodland restoration.
Wed 8th May
For the Love of Badgers
Join Sally Heesom, the project co-ordinator for Cumbria Badger Vaccination Project and is the lead for a small but dedicated group of volunteers. They have spent the last 3 years sett surveying and monitoring the badgers at RSPB Haweswater and last year we successfully vaccinated 31 badgers.am
Tues 14th May
Nature Crisis? What Nature Crisis?
Join Martin Varley, Programme Manager from the new large-scale nature restoration programme called Cumbria Connect covering the Lowther Valley, Haweswater and Orton Fells.
Wed 15th May
Coast to Coast Walk
In June 2019, Jamie walked 200 miles across Northern England to fundraise for “The Lost Words” nature books for 200 Cumbrian schools, visiting communities and schools each day along the way.
Tues 21st May
Zero Carbon Cumbria 2037
‘Zero Carbon Cumbria 2037 – what might this mean for our Cumbrian landscape?’
Wed 22nd May
Lichens: Looking at Small Things
Join Pete Martin – one of the founders of Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte Group. He is fascinated by the patterns lichens make, the stories they tell and the questions they raise.
Outdoor events and walks
Sun 28th April
Creative Wellbeing: Nature Doodling
Green sketching or ‘doodling’ is a movement to develop a connection with nature. Unlock the joy of ‘nature doodling’ – no drawing expertise required!
Sat 4th May
Guided Red Squirrel walks
Join rangers from Penrith Red Squirrel Group for a short walk to watch the red squirrels and see the fantastic work they are carrying out to protect the red squirrel habitat.
Sun 5th May
Making space for water … and water voles in the Lowther Valley
Join Eden Rivers Trust for a guided walk and talk about the habitat improvement and river restoration work they’ve completed with the Lowther Estate to slow the flow of water and improve river health … and to bring back water voles!
Wed 8th May
River and Peatlands Restoration Walk
Explore the captivating Wasdale Beck on a guided walk led by local river restoration experts Bill Kenmir from Cumbria Connect and Alice Robinson from Lowther Estates
Thurs 9th May
Not quite the Dawn Chorus at Haweswater
If you don’t quite fancy being an early bird for Dawn Chorus Day, then experience the magic of nature’s music festival on this exclusive event, at a slightly more manageable hour of the morning, and be immersed in the birdsong here at Haweswater.
Sat 11th May
Oddendale Landscape and Heritage Walk
A walk led by David Evans, from Friends of the Lake District, exploring the hidden heritage of the westernmost part of the Westmorland Dales on the fells to the east of Shap.
Wed 15th May
Ancient Woodlands
Explore a local ancient woodland close to Shap with tree expert Jamie Chaplin-Bryce.
Sun 19th May
Lost Words Wander
Jamie Norminton from Cumbria Wildlife Trust will lead 2 walks. One will take in a walk to high ground overlooking the Lowther Valley. The other; a gentle stroll along the lanes close to Shap – much easier walking for those who don’t wish to climb too high!
Thurs 23rd May
Conservation Grazing
Discover how the Lowther Estate is using traditional native livestock breeds to revitalise habitats and help restore lost biodiversity. Led by Joe Clements, Lowther Estate Conservation Assistant.
Sun 26th May
Lichens at Naddle
Have a look for lichens on the trees and rocks in Naddle Forest at Wild Haweswater. This includes some temperate rainforest species such as tree lungwort.