GPS tracks Ingleborough cows

If you caught the Pennine episode of Griff Rhys Jones’s Mountain odyssey, you may remember the furry-eared cows being introduced to the karst landscape of the Yorkshire Dales limestone pavements in an attempt to preserve the delicate fauna of the area which sheep destroy with their ravenous feeding regimes.Well, the little cows have gone high tech and can now boast GPS sat-nav as they wander around the clints and grykes of the Dales.One of the cows wearing a GPS collar The herd of 50 Blue Grey and beef Shorthorn cattle now wears collars which use the Global Positioning System devices to record where they are, whether they are on the move and even whether they are grazing or not – talk about Big Brother.

Welsh police crack down on country crime

South Wales Police seized five off-road bikes and arrested a number of people yesterday in their continuing campaign against countryside crime.One of the arrests was in connection with possession of a bird of prey and the others concerned stolen vehicles.

New guide to clearing footpath clutter

Did you know there was a British Standard for gates and stiles? Or that landowners need consent from the authorities before they erect such structures...

Ordnance Survey wants your routes for new website

Britain’s official mapping agency has launched a website for you to share your favourite routes.Ordnance Survey (OS) hopes the new site, explore, will quickly become a hub for anyone planning an outdoors trip.

Boost for geocaching at Dales centre

Authorities in the Yorkshire Dales are making life easier for treasure hunters.A new computer has been installed at the National Park Centre in Malham so geocachers can download locations of the hidden goodies stashed throughout the area.

Rescuers called out twice to Snowdonia mountain

Rescuers in north Wales were kept busy this week with two separate incidents on Tryfan.The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was called on Monday to a party of four mountaineers cragfast on the eastern side of the 915m (3,002ft) peak. The team used ropes to lower the two men and two women to safety from the Knight’s Move pitch of the hard-very-difficult rated Grooved Ârete.

Park bodies get green-lane powers

National park authorities can now take action to tackle problems caused by off-road vehicles on green lanes.Previously, only highway authorities – usually county councils – could issue orders, which often led to delays and further damage to country routes.

Prestatyn celebrates welcome for walkers

Prestatyn this weekend celebrated its status as the first town in Wales to gain the Walkers Are Welcome accolade.A walkers’ day, including guided rambles, workshops and stalls was opened by Roger Thomas, chief executive of the Countryside Council for Wales and was address by the Ramblers’ Association chairman Kate Ashbrook.Hebden Bridge in the West Yorkshire Pennines was the first to gain the award, followed by Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway and now the principality’s walking-friendly resort.

Trespass company snaps up Nevisport business

Failed retailer Nevisport has been bought by a subsidiary of the company which owns the Trespass brand.Liquidators KPMG say 80 jobs have been saved by the takeover, which will see six Nevisport stores remaining open.