Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Media Release
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The extreme landscape of the North Pennines has been chosen by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) as having some of the most interesting and diverse geography to explore in the UK.
The area features as part of a project and website - Discovering Britainhttp://www.discoveringbritain.org. - which aims to explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes through a series of self-led geographical walks.
Narrated by the legendary weather broadcaster and former Met Office stalwart John Kettley, the audio walk in Cumbria follows the Pennine Way to the summit of Great Dun Fell, the second highest hill in the Pennines, following in the footsteps of geographer Gordon Manley, who pioneered the collection of meteorological data.
Created by experts from the University of Nottingham's Geography department, walkers will discover why the North Pennines experience some of the most extreme weather in England hearing the remarkable accounts of Britain's only named wind with a reputation for blowing over horses and humans.
Commenting on his involvement, John said: "I love to hear people getting excited about the weather and I'm also a big fan of getting out and about in the great outdoors.
"If you combine that with the connection to Gordon Manley — whose book Climate and the British Scene was the first I ever owned on weather as a 10-year-old boy — this project presented me with an ideal opportunity."
RGS-IBG Director, Dr Rita Gardner, says: "The memorable walk looks at one man's lifetime spent observing the weather, what he measured and why he kept returning to this unique landscape. Visitors will find out about Manley's legacy in climate science and the meteorological research that continues to this day.
"We hope that people across the UK will explore the fabulously diverse geography that is on all our doorsteps. The North Pennines has this in abundance."
Commenting on the project Michael Palin, Immediate Past President of the Society, said:
"Discovering Britain brings our country to life, beneath your feet."
ENDS
Notes to editors
The walk around the North Pennines - ‘Troublesome Wind - is a self-guided walk that starts and ends at Knock in Cumbria. It is 10 miles long and for more experienced walkers.http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/north-west-england/great-dun-fell.htmlIt's free to download at where you'll find a map and audio commentary to accompany you on your journey.
For further information and photos, please contact Alex Jackson, Media and Communications Officer on 020 7591 3019 or emailpress@rgs.org
Discovering Britain (www.discoveringbritain.org) is an exciting website featuring a series of self-led geographical walks that helps explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes. Each walk explores a particular landscape, finding out about the way in which the forces of nature, people, events and the economy have created and shaped the area.The Society's Discovering Britain website is constantly evolving and aims to bring our islands' geography and history alive.
The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography - the subject that helps us understand people, places and environments. We would like everyone to have a better understanding of our complex and changing world. Formed in 1830, the Society exists to advance geography. Today, the Society does this by supporting and promoting geography in school, at university, in fieldwork and expeditions, and by enthusing and engaging public audiences through talks, discussions, exhibitions and online. The Society's large geographical collection of maps, images and manuscripts is also open to the public.www.rgs.org