4 Winds news page, offering new information about our services and links to information about Native American Indian culture, events themes, eco education, alternative therapies, art, music and any other events of interest happening in the Lake District. If you would like to contribute to our news page please contact us (See: Contact page).


Cumbria Floods 16-12-2009
Notes from the National Trust Cumbria: We're now moving on from “emergency” phase to the “clear up” and beginning to plan for the future.

The emerging picture is one of heavily localised damage, with dramatic effect around Ullswater, Buttermere and Coniston. Amazing amounts of gravel and stone have been washed down the becks and rivers and into roads, paths, bridges or fields, walls and fences swept away, bridges damaged, paths scoured out or even disappeared and farm buildings damaged.

As temperatures fell this week, and we had blue sky and snow across the tops - it seemed to lift people's spirits, as there is a feeling and determination to get things back moving again, that we won't be downhearted by this event, but will.

'keep calm and carry on'

There are still lots of smiling faces and laughter about - Cumbrians are a hardy bunch and we will bounce back.

The National Trust are totally on board and embracing their role, whether it’s helping tenants, or neighbours, or restoring access to the countryside that so many people love and visit and on which so many local communities depend. Most of the staff live in those communities and are a major part of them. We've had a fantastic response from literally hundreds of passionate volunteers, and our wardens , Lengthsmen and women, and fix the fells teams have already started clearing debris from the head of Coniston, around Borrowdale, Buttermere and Ullswater, sorting out flooded buildings, diverting becks away from buildings and back to their original course or rebuilding paths, bridges and walls. It's a great feeling that so many people want to help in some way.

We will get through this - lets hope we get some dryer weather in 2010! Keep supporting Cumbria, get your 2010 holidays and breaks booked and enjoy one of the most spectacularly scenic and vibrant areas in the world. Greystoke Cycle Café 16-12-2009
In November this year I visited the most amazing place, it was The Greystoke Cycle Café near Penrith www.greystokecyclecafe.co.uk. I went on a course to make a willow deer for the garden. The instructor Phil Bradley was excellent and gladly laughed at all my corny jokes. The food and hospitality were second to none and I will definitely be back very soon, on my cycle or for another craft course. 4 Winds New Campsite 04-03-2009
4 Winds change of location to Low Wray Campsite, Ambleside (See: Locations page). Lake District National Park News 24-03-2008
for more info go to www.lake-district.gov.uk. Cheer For Adventure Year 24-03-2008
11 Mar 2008 A one stop shop showcasing action, adventure, archaeology and many other tantalising Lake District treats is about to be unveiled.

Newly published Events 08 will be in information centres across the national park and beyond, highlighting hundreds of things to do in one of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.

The Lake District National Park Authority guide kicks off the new activity-filled season on 15 March and runs through to the traditional Boxing Day walk. Embracing the Year of Adventure, there are many opportunities to push out boundaries.

Canoeing and rafting, riveting talks by outdoor adventurers, climbing, Nordic walking and biking all beckon. There’s even a call to go wild with the family!

Along with all the familiar and much loved guided walks taking in the length and breadth of the Lakes, there are some inviting new attractions for 2008.

Families prepare to be wowed with Horrible Histories in Coniston’s Coppermines Valley, or Ancient Attack, Raving Rockers or Victorious Vikings, all taking place at the Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Windermere.

For grown-up history seekers, there are leisurely strolls, taking in the area’s rich heritage, including an Elterwater trail, and searching out the Romans around Ambleside and Windermere.
Great gatherings including walking festivals in Ullswater and Coniston and Keswick’s mountain event are all featured, along with some new trekking challenges for all ages and abilities.

LDNPA’s publications co-ordinator Andrea Hills pointed to the Loughrigg Fell and Elterwater hike, along with appealing west coast happenings such as checking out creatures of the deep and exploring Ravenglass channel at low tide.

She said: “Our compelling Rugged Reflections display at Brockhole, showing stunning aerial photographs shot in the Lake District in a single day, is already proving a big hit with our early season visitors.

"Around 12,000 years of the area’s human history is also revealed in another Brockhole exhibition Unlocking the past, Understanding the present, which introduces archaeology in a fun, hands-on way. Brathay Windermere Marathon24-03-2008
Brathay Windermere Marathon:
Date and Time Sunday: 18th May 2008 at 10:30am.
Location: Brathay Hall, Ambleside (LA22).
Age groups: 18-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+.
Prizes: First 5 male & female and then first 3 in all age categories male & female.
Facilities include: Changing, Toilet, Disabled access.
Organiser: Scott Umpleby (tel: 015394 39728).
E-Mail: marathon@brathay.org.uk.
Website: www.brathay.org.uk.
Cumbria Woodland Craft Course 04-09-2007
Cumbria Woodland is offering training courses in many skills such as Practical Coppicing and Log Cabin Building see there full range of courses on their web site www.cumbriawoodlands.co.uk.

Cumbria Woodlands is working hard to secure the future of Cumbria's woodlands and to help keep the woodland skills & crafts very much alive.

The courses mentioned in this programme have been heavily subsidised from our funders to enable us to offer them to you at a greatly reduced rate and thus offer excellent value for money.

All the courses are based in Cumbria. The tutors are all recognised as expert trainers in their fields. The courses range from the highly technical certificated chainsaw course to craft and green wood courses and are suitable for all levels of competency. Local Art01-08-2007
Twelve contemporary artists take a fresh look at the meaning of LOCAL. This exhibition will be at Mill Yard Studios, Staveley nr. Kendal Cumbria from 4th August -2nd September (See: Links page)
A dozen of Cumbria’s finest contemporary artists have been invited to take part in this exciting show. While all are based locally and their work often draws local inspiration, it isn’t limited to locality. Several have international reputations, working and exhibiting as far afield as New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and in many European countries; one or two are ‘emerging’ artists; all are interested in stretching the boundaries in ideas and practice. Their work includes paintings, prints, collages and vitrines.

The exhibiting artists include Pam Williamson, David Fulford, Jac Scott and Sarah Pike who I myself am currently collaborating with.

Sarah also has an exhibition late in the year in her yurt situated within the beautiful grounds of Rydal Hall, see: www.lake-district-yurts.co.uk. Hug a tree (to find out how old it is) 30-06-2007
Guardian Newspaper Sat 30th June 2007

Pete May writes,

“The Woodland Trust wants your kids to be tree-huggers. Its part of the Ancient Tree Hunt – hugging a tree is now a respectable way of measuring a tree’s age. If a tree’s trunk is so big it requires 3 or more friends to link arms around it, then the trust wants to know about it. Anything that looks as though it would come alive on Doctor Who will be added to the Woodland Trust’s living database. Tree trackers are asked to send photos and stories about their favourite trees.
Although the Woodland Trust knows where some of Britain’s most ancient trees are, few are recorded in detail. It is particularly interested in huge trees in urban areas. “We are asking people to look out for trees that are particularly old, fat and gnarled,” says the president of the Woodland Trust Clive Anderson.

Your child might spot a previously unrecorded 1,000 yr old oak or a tree that started its life under Henry V111 and which now has his girth. Top trees might even become Tree of the Moment-the current favourite is the giant Eardisley Oak in Herefordshire. So start hugging now and send the details to the Woodland Trust, see www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk or call on 01476 581111. Book of the week 01-08-2007
Meetings with remarkable trees, Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees the new book by the late environmental campaigner Roger Deakin is a meditation on Britain’s forests and hedges. Deakin taps into the deep cultural historical seam that trees and woodland carve out in our lives. As a co-founder of the environmental group Common Ground he had his own brand of radicalism, he describes the Green Man as;

“the spirit of the rebirth of nature. He is the chucked pebble that ripples out into every tree ring. He is the green outlaw and he is everywhere, like a Che Guevara poster”.

Any man who can assimilate the ancient symbol of nature to the youth rebel icon of the 20th century needs to have his book read as part of the school curriculum with the desired effect to raise some new radical green men (and women of course). Fairies, Fairy’s & faeries 05-02-2007
I have just been guided to a fantastic artist who specialises in drawing and painting faeries. Brian Froud:

Brian Froud studied graphic art and once worked in London as a commercial illustrator. He now works and lives in Devon, UK close to Dartmoor and the river Teign. He was responsible for such films as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal and is also well known for his best-selling books, Pressed Fairy Book, Faeries, Goblins of the Labyrinth, Good Faeries/Bad Faeries and many more.

This is one of Brian’s paintings you can see more of his work at www.fairyartists.com.