A group of enthusiastic
Mountain Training Association members spearheaded by
John Beamson have replaced the summit stone on Blencathra in the Lake District thanks to a crowdfunding campaign.
The stone went missing in August 2018 and is presumed to have been stolen. After hearing rumours of the stone’s disappearance, John lead a client up Sharp Edge (a popular scramble on the Blencathra massif) and describes his 'proper disappointment' that the stories were true. He immediately decided that the stone should be replaced and set about organising his fellow Mountain Leaders and others from the mountaineering community. He used the power of social media to reach out for support from other people who wanted to help and they jumped on board. John also contacted a local stonemason and got a quote for a replacement stone ring before setting up a JustGiving page which raised £1,000 in 72 hours to fund the craftsman.
Meanwhile John and his team of MTA members began contacting the relevant agencies, gathering support from the local community and liaising with the landowner to seek permission for replacing the stone. Some lengthy and occasionally challenging conversations followed but John’s honest approach ultimately led to his success; 'I’m just a guy from the North East who wants to put a stone back on a mountain.'
On Sunday 31st March the new stone was revealed to a mixed crowd of around 200 people including a young girl summiting her first Wainwright and prominent Lakeland figures Alan Hinkes, Terry Abrahams and Steve Birkinshaw. John also received a video message of support from tv presenter Julia Bradbury wishing him well and thanking everyone who was involved. The launch event felt truly inclusive thanks to Debs North who organised an electric wheelchair for John’s disabled father Colin Beamson.
John’s passion for the mountains, his work as a Mountain Leader and MTA member shone through all day and he had countless conversations with many of the supporters who were thinking about doing their Mountain Leader training. “Don’t think about it, just do it,” was John’s advice. “I love it! I love being an MTA member and leading people in the mountains. Getting this qualification and joining the MTA community is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
John was also overwhelmed by the number of people who supported him throughout this project. Particular thanks go to Chris Waldron and David Ector for their excellent drilling and gluing skills, as well as fellow MTA members Emma Holland, Felicity Kettle and Marc James.
Supporters:
Chris WaldronEmma HollandFelicity KettleMarc JamesDebbie NorthSimon LewisLara TurnerScott JohnsonRob Dennison