By Luke Philips

Britain’s Most Popular Sport

A friend and I once got lost on the top of Glyder Fawr, a mountain in North Wales. It was snowing and we couldn’t see more than two metres, everything was white. Luckily we met some older, more experienced walkers who had brought a map and compass. We followed them down through the cloud to the valley and safety. However, meeting other walkers on a freezing January day wasn’t really that surprising. In terms of numbers of participants, walking is the UK’s most popular sport. Moreover, it’s enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

An Interesting History

Walking also has an interesting history. In April 1932, more than 400 people set out from the industrial cities of Manchester and Sheffield in northern England to walk across the open moorland of Kinder Scout in the Pennines. They were protesting against the fact that the only people who could visit this beautiful area were wealthy local landowners who used it for shooting a type of bird called grouse. The people who look after the birds are called gamekeepers and they were sent by their employers to meet the walkers and fights broke out.

A Well-remembered Event

Every year there is a walk involving members of the Parks Authorities and the National Trust to remember the mass trespass; and there is a sign at Bowden Bridge Quarry where it began.

The Creation of the National Parks

Although trespassing has never been against the law in Britain, several of the walkers were sent to prison because of the fighting. Many people believe that the Kinder Scout Trespass eventually led to the creation of the thirteen National Parks in England and Wales in 1949. Unlike those in other countries,our National Parks often have communities within them and they are not directly controlled by the government. Instead, each one has its own National Park Authority, the purpose of which is to look after the countryside, wildlife and culture of the place, as well as encouraging the public to understand and enjoy the area.

The Creation of the National Trails

The trespass also led, in part, to the creation of the National Trails, the best known of which is the Pennine Way, often known as the backbone of Britain, one of twenty magnificent long-distance footpaths. The longest of these is the Southwest Coast Path (1014km). The most challenging, because of the remote and mountainous region it passes through, is the West Highland Way in Scotland, which ends at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.

Too Popular?

So many people have been using them since they were opened that in places the land has been damaged and the authorities have had to put in stones or wooden paths. This has led to disagreement, because not everyone thinks the natural beauty of the land should be changed in that way.

Good for Local Economies

On the other hand, walkers contribute a great deal to the local economies. They bring about£2,000,000 to people around the Pennine Way every year, and it supports 156 jobs directly. Many private individuals base their businesses on the path and the fact that it’s so long. It’s impossible to walk in one day, of course, so people must have places to stay, whether they are campsites, youth hostels or B&Bs.

Basic Rules

There are countless shorter paths and you don’t have to walk the whole way if you are on one of the long-distance paths. There are,however, a few basic rules you should follow.Don’t drop litter, close gates after you, keep dogs on leads if there are farm animals in the area, and stay on the path.

The Best Way to Enjoy Britain’s Countryside

Also, remember that British weather can change very quickly, especially in the hilly north and west of the country. If you are in Wales, Scotland or the north of England, carry plenty of food and water in your rucksack,as well as warm, waterproof clothes, and a map and compass. Don’t let me put you off,though—our National Parks and footpaths are the best way to enjoy Britain’s glorious, varied countryside.

Useful link

Find more information at www.ramblers.org.uk

Activity 1

Match the word or phrase with a def i nition.

a. far away from other places

b. rubbish dropped by people in public areas

c. make something seem less attractive to someone

d. people and organisations in control, like the police, government or teachers

e. be on someone else’s land without their permission

f. the bone which goes from your head to your bottom

g. how people make money in a particular area,and how much

h. begin (often negative)

i. area of grass, not trees, many found in northern Britain

j. give something, often money or time

Activity 2

True or false?

1. The writer uses his own escape from a serious situation to demonstrate the large numbers of walkers in Britain.

2. The gamekeepers agreed with the Kinder Scout walkers.

3. National Parks are populated by a rich variety of animal life alone.

4. The National Parks have their own government minister.

5. The Pennine Way is nicknamed after a part of the human body.

6. There is some disagreement about the advantages and disadvantages of tourists on the National Trails.

7. There are a variety of places to stay along the Pennine Way.

8. The writer wants to encourage people to enjoy the National Trails of Britain in a safe, sensible way.

Activity 3

Which verb began first?Many people have been using … b …them since they were opened …a….

1. We realised …… we were lost after it had been snowing …… for some time.

2. I had been walking …… for hours before I found …… a good place to stop.

3. I put …… my boots back on after I had dried …… them.

4. When I had eaten …… breakfast, I packed …… my rucksack.

5. While I was walking …… on the Pennine Way, I met …… lots of interesting people.

6. They decided to …… do the mass trespass after they’d been talking …… for ages.

7. I booked …… the hostel long before we began …… the walk.

8. When I opened …… my rucksack, I saw I’d forgotten …… to pack any food.

9. When it started …… raining I was glad I’d packed …… another coat.

10. I had …… a shower, then set off …….

Activity 4

If you could design a network of paths and parks across your country or region,where would they go?

Why?

How would they affect the local economy and countryside?