The Friends of Hutton Roof Common is a new charitable group set up by villagers to
promote practical conservation, sustainable access, enjoyment and heritage of Hutton Roof
Common through volunteers, for the benefit of the Parish of Hutton Roof and the public.
Also, to educate the volunteers, parishioners and public in the principles and practice of
conservation.
The group has been registered with TCV, the Community Volunteers Association which offer
lots of support and guidance to conservation volunteers and has enabling the group to
obtain public liability and volunteer insurance.
The group will undertake practical conservation work on the Crag, in the area within the
parish. The aim is to restore lost habitat to promote biodiversity and restore access to the
world class limestone features.
The group would like to involve as many people as possible and to raise some money to
help with the start up and on going costs, (e.g. the insurance premium was £350). You are
invited to join as a member, have a say in the organisation and vote at the AGM. You will
also be first to know about interesting talks and events organised by the group.
How did we get here?
As you may know, the fell race route on the crag has been cleared every spring for about 35 years. Last year
villagers were approached by Peter Standing of the Landscape Trust to help with the Landscape Trust
event last September. Routes and features that featured in the guided walks were cleared and the Village
Hall hosted and catered the event.
Hutton Roof Crags is a world class example of Karst Landscape but the great views of the limestone have
been lost over the years since grazing ceased. Peter Standing produced a paper “Restoring the Rakes”
which he presented to the Parish Council back in autumn and gained their support for the project. A
survey carried out in the 70s found Hutton Roof Crags to be in the top three for biodiversity. Stephen
Ward, who was one of the authors, lives in Arnside and Peter got him involved too. Stephen has been
coming along and advising the group on what to remove and what to preserve as well as doing some of
the work himself. Another driver was a wish by Fell Race Organiser, Stuart Williams, for the Fell Race to
put something back into the area.
The crag is a SSSI and any work has to have permission granted by Natural England. Peter Standing
applied for permission to do the work, to make a start on Restoring The Rakes and this was granted by
Natural England and counter signed by the Commoners Association. Peter's Hutton Roof and Farleton
Geotrail booklet launched last September has raised £200 for the cause. The Commoners are the farmers
who have “gates” on the Crag, that is the rights to grazing etc. The Commoners also have an agreement
with Natural England for certain works to be done and the groups will be working together.
