By Ross Brewster

Last updated 11:37, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

EXPERT craftsmen from all over Britain made their mark in stone at the weekend as they displayed their skills in the art of dry stone walling.

A total of 31 wallers from as far a field as Cornwall, Gwynedd, Dumfries and all over Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire battled it out for prizes at the Friends of the Lake District’s dry stone walling competition at Elterwater.

The competition was also celebrating its 40th anniversary of the Dry Stone Walling Association.

Hundreds of members of the public saw at first hand this traditional craft on a seventy metre stretch of Lakeland wall near the popular Cumbria Way alongside the River Brathay.

Master Craftsman Andrew Mason from Old Town near Kirkby Lonsdale was the top man of the day winning Class 1 Professionals and producing the best wall on the field.

Friends’ Policy Officer Jack Ellerby said: “The Dry Stone Walling Association is at Crooklands and we support the great work that they do.

“Together we raise awareness about the value of walls in the landscape and how much manpower it takes to maintain them.

“Our annual competition helps raise the quality of walling and encourages more people to take it up the skill.”

Food and Farming Minister Lord Rooker met with hill farmers at Coniston before awarding the prizes with FLD president Lord Judd. who lives in the Lorton Vale.

Class 1: 1st Andrew Mason (Old Town), 2nd Peter Gibson (Kendal), 3rd Sean Adcock (Gwynedd).

Best Footings and Cams Andrew Mason.

Young Farmers/Juniors: 1st Henry Knowles (Docker), 2nd James Park Park (Crook), 3rd Michael Todd (Longsleddale). Best Footings James Park.

Best Cams Henry Knowles.

Class 2: 1st Edward Park (Crook), 2nd Shaun Whelpdale (Carlisle), 3rd Richard Hull (Blackburn).

Best Footings Shaun Whelpdale, Best Cams Edward Park.

Class 3: 1st Bill Raine (Kirkby Stephen), 2nd Bob Bond (Carnforth), 3rd Steven King (Haverigg).

Best Footings Bob Bond, Best Cams Bill Raine & Mike Atkinson.

Veterans: 1st George Allonby (Penrith), 2nd Jeff Ibbetson (Poulton le Flyde), 3rd Ralph Lee (Barrowfield).

Best Footings and Cams George Allonby.

Judges were: Ted Ellwood, Kevin Bateman and Carl Watson. Stewards: Steven Bateman and John Hanley.