22/06/2026
🚜 A Little Dales Way Mystery Solved... 🐑
One of those stories that reminds you why we love living and working in the countryside.
A walker recently got in touch after a serious accident on the Dales Way saw Kendal Mountain Rescue called out to assist a friend who had suffered a broken hip and shoulder. During the rescue, a gate had to be removed to allow access, and despite best efforts it was only partially rehung afterwards.
Concerned about livestock and wanting to do the right thing, the walker tracked us down through the Hagglestock website to help identify the farmer and pass on an apology.
After one phone call, the mystery was solved!
The farmer had been away helping another farmer in Longsleddale with no phone signal and had returned home wondering how on earth the bottom hinge had disappeared from his gate. Thankfully, no sheep had escaped, no stock ended up in the wrong field, and the gate is now back where it belongs.
The farmer was genuinely touched that someone had taken the time to track him down and explain what had happened. He also sent his best wishes to the injured walker and wished him a speedy recovery.
His only other comment? If anyone responsible for the Dales Way footpaths ever wanted to replace the stile with something a bit better, he certainly wouldn't object!
It's easy these days to assume nobody cares, but this was a great example of people taking responsibility, looking out for one another, and respecting the countryside we all enjoy.
A big well done to everyone involved, and especially to the walker who could easily have carried on without a second thought but instead went out of his way to make things right.
Sometimes all it takes is a phone call and a bit of neighbourly effort.
