GLASS Green laners winning over hearts and minds in the Lake District

Green laners winning over hearts and minds in the Lake District

The Lake District is a key battleground in the struggle to prevent hearts and minds from being poisoned against motor vehicle use in the countryside. To help spread the truth about 4x4 drivers, the Green Lane Association’s Cumbrian reps started the summer season by organising an open meet-and-greet at the Lakeland Motor Museum near Newby Bridge.

The museum has a club display area, which is within its grounds but accessible to all visitors. Use of the venue was offered to GLASS by site manager Chris Lowe – whose daily driver happens to be a 1956 Series I Land Rover.

‘Chris was very interested in what we do and now hopes to join us one day on a short trip around the local lanes,’ report the organisers. ‘It was unusual for him to meet a group who are interested in actually using their vehicles, as most visiting clubs only go to show off their cars.

‘Even 4x4 groups don’t appear to discuss the practical aspect of owning and driving off-tarmac.’

The meet-up attracted 15 different vehicles including Suzukis, Jeeps, Mercedes and Land Rovers. During the course of the day, a couple of the reps set out to lead small groups on mini lane runs which avoided the usual ‘honeypot’ areas. ‘In the Lakes at this time of year,’ they explained, ‘you can spend more time reversing for visitors that can’t drive on the narrow tarmac lanes than actually getting off tarmac!’

Salisbury Plain has always been famous for its rights of way. But it has traditionally also been famous for being almost impossible to fi nd your way around on them with any confi dence, because the land is blanketed with tracks and they all look alike. But then along came GLASS. The Association plays a pivitol role in the Salisbury Plain Training Area waymarking team, and was at the heart of providing voluntary labour to erect the hundreds of waymarkers which now help people keep to the trails in this unique wilderness. ‘One of the tasks I undertake is the maintenance of a database of the condition of the waymarks,’ says Wiltshire Rep John Lippiatt. ‘Usually this involves a monthly drive around with photos taken of any damaged signs. ‘It has occurred to me that this could be used as a way of engaging with local members to discuss all things laning – a sort of social at a meeting point followed by a day of laning to inspect the waymarkers.’ John is contacting all Wiltshire members of GLASS to see who might be interested in these meet-ups, with the intention of holding them on the fi rst Saturday of each month. Not already a member? Now there’s more reason than ever…