FRIENDS of the Lake District welcomes residents from across Cumbria for its opening of Dam Mire Wood.

The Threlkeld forest welcomed residents from across Cumbria and the South Lakes to its opening after it was gifted by Threlkeld resident Mike Hambrey. 

Local photographer and filmmaker Terry Abraham and six young photography competition winners from neighbouring Threlkeld Primary School cut the ribbon on a new access bridge spanning Kilnhow beck and declared Dam Mire Wood open to the public. 

The opening was attended by residents, supporters of the charity and visitors alike, joining a day of celebration and activities, shared with local primary school children who spent the day at Dam Mire Wood. 

Jan Darrall, Friends of the Lake District Property Manager said: “It felt like a real vote of confidence to see so many people coming along to wish us well, show their support and to join in with the many activities we had organised. 

“The access work carried out to date, culminating in this grand opening event, supports one of the cores aims of Friends of the Lake District to make the landscape accessible and enjoyed by all.

“I’m so pleased to say that on this wonderful day in Threlkeld, it truly was.

“Managing land in the heart of a community means that we must make this very much a two-way process so that it becomes a valued piece of land and a well-used resource for the community and the wider public. 

“We’ve created an online survey to gather feedback on what we should do with the land and we’d really like to hear people’s ideas.

“We’ve also created a photography competition collecting images of Dam Mire and the far-reaching views from the wood.

“We’d love people to complete the online survey and to submit their photos via our website. Managing land really is a team effort.”