CUMBRIA Dry Stone Walling Assoc-iation has built its way to the top to be crowned large national branch of the year.

The competition run by The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain assess every aspect of the country's 17 branches from their financial management to their training schemes.

Chairman of the Cumbria branch Alan Hill is delighted with the accolade: "We won small branch of the year four or five years ago when we had less than 30 members. The group has put a lot of hard work in and we are pleased as punch to have this award."

The objective of the association, which is open to both professionals and amateurs, is to promote the traditional craft and provide training opportunities.

Mr Hill believes interest in the countryside craft, which provides a valuable habitat for many plants and animals, is taking hold.

"A lot of people have a misconception that it is a dying art because often it's hard to find dry stone wallers.

"We as an organisation believe it's becoming a lot more popular and we have seen more and more people take an interest. We want to get more people involved so that we can ensure that the landscape is preserved."

To promote the growing interest, the association helps run events and training opportunities throughout the year, including the annual Friends of the Lake District dry stone walling competition, which takes place on Saturday.

The event, held at Strickland Tenement, Crosthwaite, is part of the group's work to maintain a feature which has been part of the Cumbrian countryside for centuries.

Anyone interested in dry stone walling is welcome to take part in the free event.

For more information on CDSWA call John Stoddart on 015394-41394. For information on the Crosthwaite competition call FoLD on 01539-720788.

CUMBRIA Dry Stone Walling Assoc-iation has built its way to the top to be crowned large national branch of the year.

The competition run by The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain assess every aspect of the country's 17 branches from their financial management to their training schemes.

Chairman of the Cumbria branch Alan Hill is delighted with the accolade: "We won small branch of the year four or five years ago when we had less than 30 members. The group has put a lot of hard work in and we are pleased as punch to have this award."

The objective of the association, which is open to both professionals and amateurs, is to promote the traditional craft and provide training opportunities.

Mr Hill believes interest in the countryside craft, which provides a valuable habitat for many plants and animals, is taking hold.

"A lot of people have a misconception that it is a dying art because often it's hard to find dry stone wallers.

"We as an organisation believe it's becoming a lot more popular and we have seen more and more people take an interest. We want to get more people involved so that we can ensure that the landscape is preserved."

To promote the growing interest, the association helps run events and training opportunities throughout the year, including the annual Friends of the Lake District dry stone walling competition, which takes place on Saturday.

The event, held at Strickland Tenement, Crosthwaite, is part of the group's work to maintain a feature which has been part of the Cumbrian countryside for centuries.

Anyone interested in dry stone walling is welcome to take part in the free event.

For more information on CDSWA call John Stoddart on 015394-41394. For information on the Crosthwaite competition call FoLD on 01539-720788.

May 8, 2003 16:00