The Cumbria Branch of the DSWA
History
The Cumbria branch is one of 18 DSWA branches across the UK, each in distinct areas where stone walls help to define the landscape. It was founded in 1981 to promote a greater understanding and knowledge of Cumbria’s traditional craft of dry stone walling and encourage the repair and maintenance of dry stone walls throughout the county to conserve the important landscape and its heritage.
Members
Our members join us for many reasons, from having a wall at home they wish to repair or being bought a beginners course/gift voucher as a present to just wanting to support the craft from afar or even as a starting point for starting a career in walling.
Activity
To achieve our charitable object we undertake the following activities:
Members’ Practice Meets
These typically cover 1-2 days in which members meet at a site and repair a damaged wall section.
All our members are invited, regardless of experience, but they must have attended a DSWA Beginners course.
The sites for these meets are often very varied in both locations in the county and the work to be undertaken. You certainly get to see some amazing parts of our beautiful county.
Demonstrations at County Shows and Festivals, walling competitions and supporting walling-related events in the county.
These events allow us to showcase the craft, talk to the public, recruit new members, and publicise our beginners’ courses.
Training courses
Our two-day Beginners’ Course, facilitated by our own training instructors, introduces the basic principles of traditional dry stone walling, helping to ensure the craft doesn’t die out.
