#LakeDistrictBid Advent Calendar Day 13 - Because of the woodland

Before I launch into how beautiful the woodlands of the Lake District are can I just make another plea for everyone to keep getting the message out that Cumbria is open?  I heard today of another business suffering with folks not visiting - just 8 customers yesterday.  This is meant to be their busy period and businesses will really struggle if folks stay away now so please, if you are able to do so, get out there to Keswick, Grasmere, Kendal, Cockermouth etc. - they are all open for business and really do need your trade (and your family will LOVE the gifts they have to offer)

Right, so back to the World Heritage Site Status and the woodlands...  The Lake District is full of beautiful ancient woodlands - these days we visit them for peace and quiet but in the past they would have been a hive of activity with coppicing, charcoal making and bobbin making.  Woods are perfect in the summer for keeping you in the shade and, if it's raining, they keep the rain off you too.  There are some stunning bluebell woods that you really should get out and see - these are 2 of my favourites:

Barkbooth Lot (Near Bowness)

Dorothy Farrers Spring Wood (Kentmere)

Both of them are Cumbria Wildlife Trust nature reserves and both will blow your socks off in the spring.

In an effort to learn more about the woodlands around us we've joined "Spooniversity" - a group that meets once a month in Brown Robin Nature Reserve (behind the Netherwood Hotel in Grange-over-Sands) where we learn about trees, wildlife and woodland management. At the same time we also learn how to make spoons, bowls and, occasionally, reindeer using traditional woodworking tools and methods.

There's something quite special about using a utensil you've made yourself from scratch.  Today we attempted reindeer...

How they were meant to look...

The ancient woodlands need to be managed and protected and gaining World Heritage Site Status will enable us to do that much better.  And if you fancy joining spoon club, drop me a line - we always love to see new faces!

To learn more about the bid and to register your support with just one click (honestly, just one click, no email address needed or anything) please visit the World Heritage Bid site here.

To go back to day 1 of the advent calendar please click here.