Kendal College students learn 'valuable heritage' skill

Those on the agricultural course at the college were taught about drystone walling under tuition from expert wallers Josh Shields, Stephen Lord and David Law.

The training was organised by the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme to give more young farmers an opportunity to learn this valuable skill.

Nicola Estill, Community Engagement Officer with the scheme, said: “There has been a dramatic reduction in young people with countryside and management skills in the Westmorland Dales and our hope is that these sessions will start to address some of that shortfall.

"It was hard work but incredibly rewarding."

The pupils in action learning how to construct the drystone wall (Image: Westmorland Dales PR)

Currently on the college's BTEC and apprenticeship courses, 50 students walled 135 metres on a very dilapidated wall at Three Milestones Quarry.

This site is managed by Kirkby Stephen United Charities who needed help and support to begin restoration on the wall.

"I am really proud of these student," said lecturer Richard Gardiner.

"They had a great attitude and just got on with it, considering it was a fairly wild, wind-blown spot on the fell."

The damaged walls were dismantled and string lines placed to ensure the rebuilt wall would follow in its original line.

Large foundation stones were seated and layers of stones built up to create two sides to the new walling with smaller stones used to fill the gap between them.

Mr Gardiner added: "They [the pupils] each participated in two training sessions and dramatically improved on the second session which made it worthwhile for us all."

The Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme, which has been funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to engage people in conserving and sustaining the hidden heritage of the Westmorland Dales.