Newsletter > Newsletter archive > September 2022
September 2022
Spin-A-Round
In the first of three Wainwright related stories, our friend Susan Denham-Smith has just completed her marathon and rather maverick challenge to spin Herdwick wool on all 214 Wainwrights, the fells included in Alfred Wainwright's seven volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. On the way she is raising funds for the Lake District Calvert Trust, who provide outdoor activities in a safe and accessible, yet challenging environment for people with disabilities.
Susan's spinning wheel is a (relatively) portable Louet Victoria Spinning wheel which weighs 8lb and fits in a rucksack adapted to be comfortable for carrying in the mountains. The Herdwick wool that is spun will be used to make two rugs, one to be auctioned off in aid of the Lake District Calvert Trust and the second to be won by following the 'wildwoolworkshopennerdale' Instragram page or, if you happened to ever encounter her on her adventure, by sharing a photograph of her spinning on a summit on Instagram using #spinherdwick. Direct donations
Wainwright Society Calendar 2023
Staying with the Wainwright theme the 2023 Wainwright Society Calendar, published by the Wainwright Society, is now on sale. Many will be familiar with the format which combines Alfred Wainwright's original drawings with new photographs of the same landscape by Society members. This year all proceeds go to Animal Rescue Cumbria. From humble beginnings in 1972 it developed into a well-established charity, which rescues and re-homes some 300 dogs, cats and kittens each year.
The shelter was a shining example of best practice in its early years, thanks in large part to the support of Alfred and Betty Wainwright, but it is now in urgent need of renovation and updating to continue to help the animals. The proceeds of this year’s calendar will directly support the renovation of the kennels and cattery and help the charity to continue to carry out its work for the next 50 years. The cost is a modest £12 for UK orders and £18 for delivery overseas. Order from the Wainwright Society
A 'Pure Pennine Way'
Finally, for real Wainwright buffs, Ron Scholes has published 'A Pennine Odyssey, Walks and Ways', which constructs an alternative 'Pennine Way' from a series of discussions between Scholes and Alfred Wainwright. Apparently Wainwright always considered the official Pennine Way over-extended and maintained that a 'pure' one would only include the Pennines proper, making it somewhat shorter but in places a little more challenging. Unlike the National Trail the Odyssey ends at Hadrian's Wall, which Wainwright considered to be the Pennine's proper northern point.
In his book Ron Scholes relates these discussions and other encounters with Wainwright, along with those of others who knew him. There are plentiful illustrations. The second half of the book incorporates his interpretation of the route (plus some alternatives) complete with drawn maps and a route card. It is published by Sigma Press.
Apologies for the brief newsletter this month, for which there are multiple reasons. We will be back to normal in October!