Untitled - Dark Peak Fell Runners

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EDITORIAL
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National
Mistrust?
In 1895 the National Trust was set up to preserve the
nation's heritage. It now has over a million members (including
myself) and is our largest private landowner. Like many involved
with conservation and recreation it faces the growing dilemma of
conflict between preserving areas for public enjoyment and that
very public enjoyment damaging the areas being preserved. Over
recent years it has started to flex its muscles, placing
restrictions on numbers participating in organised events and
encouraging a move away from mass start, single course races. Now
it seems the aim is to stop organised activity completely in some
areas with news that Derwent Edge is now out of bounds to events.
The situation is still confused and this news remains
unconfirmed. I hope to be able to present more facts in the next
issue of DPN. However a number of questions come to mind; Who
decided on this ban and is it indeed a blanket ban (does this mean
we're all excused running in the Watershed?)? Does the ban extend
to the use of rights of way (I doubt it legally can)? If
confirmed, what should the response be from Dark Peak as a club?
Whilst I sympathise with what the National Trust is trying to
achieve, a ban without any obvious discussion is unhelpful and
will achieve nothing apart from maybe a few less members and one
less cause to blame for the erosion. Having set out to free land
from tyrannical and restrictive landowners is the National Trust
in danger of becoming the very thing it was trying to replace?
BG 1991
On a brighter note? I finally managed to keep the midsummer
weekend free and so was able to attend that Dark Peak institution,
the Bob Graham attempt. Fell running is an individual sport but on
this occasion it takes teamwork to help make an attempt
successful. Despite the cold wet weather (doesn't that seem a long
time ago as we finish yet another rain free week?), everyone
seemed to enjoy themselves and help the weekend to run smoothly.
For me, this summer has been good. I've got close to
regaining full fitness (at least for short events) and competed in
lots of races. However, the best memory will probably remain
an early Sunday morning in June. Climbing the upper reaches of
Halls Fell on Blencathra at about 3am there were glimpses of the
lights of Keswick and Penrith. Through the mist and light drizzle
they seemed to hover in mid air, surrounded by blackness. Later,
under heavy cloud, morning crept in very slowly. With time in hand
and both contenders in good condition it was a relaxed and very
peaceful five hours on the fells with friends.
That's what fell running is all about... I've already made a
note in my diary for next year.
Mike Pedley
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