Fell lover's bequest helps Lakeland paths repairs

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Six-year-old claims Wainwright record

Followers of the Grumpy Old Fellwalker say they will wait for evidence before accepting the claim of the youngest ever completer of Wainwright’s 214 Lakeland peaks.Six-year-old Ben Fleetwood of Selside, Kendal, claims to have conquered every fell covered in Alfred Wainwright’s acclaimed Pictorial Guides – that’s a total of 135,000ft (41,150m) of ascent, more than 4½ Everests.Tarn Crag, Ben's final conquest If confirmed, it will make Ben the youngest to have successfully tackled all the Wainwrights.

Row erupts over Henley path closure

Henley: straw boaters, the regatta, Boris Johnson and… er, Liam Gallagher.It has everything quintessential to the English countryside, including its illustrious inhabitants, charming Oxfordshire riparian walks and, that essential British ingredient: a bit of aggro.Kate Ashbrook: 'council is charging ahead'There’s a row brewing in the Thames-side town between the organisers of its festival, a black-tie bonanza for culture vultures which has the heavy scent of corporate and clubby privilege, and the Open Spaces Society, which represents those who would rather don Gore-tex or Paramo for a stroll along public footpaths and which, coincidentally, has its headquarters in Henley.

Council agrees to talks on Henley path closure

Footpath campaigners have welcomed the announcement of talks on a controversial path closure.The Open Spaces Society (OSS) had urged Wokingham Council to delay the approval of the temporary stopping up of a national trail to allow a black-tie arts festival.Henley Festival had asked for a 145-hour closure of the Thames Path, where it passes through the town, to allow its annual society bash to take place.

Caver dies after Peak pothole rescue

A major operation was unable to save the life of a Peak District climber at the weekend.The 50-year-old man, from Rotherham, was rescued from the foot of Garland’s Pot in Giant’s Hole, one mile west of Winnats Pass near Castleton.

Rescue teams in action over weekend

A south-coast climber was winched to a coastguard helicopter after becoming cragfast today.The 20-year-old man became stuck on a route 30m (100ft) above the sea at Anvil Point, Purbeck, Dorset.

Guided walks in Dales programme

Park authorities in the Yorkshire Dales have released details of activities in the area for the first half of next year.The programme includes plenty of guided walks in the national park, with themes ranging from herb and wild food identification to early morning birdspotting.Activities start in February, with the walking sessions beginning a month later with an open access land route around Cotterdale.

Rheged mountain exhibition shuts as numbers dwindle

The National Mountaineering Exhibition at Rheged, Cumbria, will close for good tomorrow, Christmas Eve.The museum’s owners failed to find funding for a cash injection for the exhibition, which has seen visitor numbers dwindle.

Peak teams rescue injured Kinder walker

Two mountain rescue teams came to the aid of a walker who slipped on ice on Kinder Scout in the Peak District.The 52-year-old injured his spine and pelvis in the fall above Jacob’s Ladder, on the Pennine Way on Friday.