HRH takes a stroll over Kinder Scout

The Earl of Wessex talking to participants by the rocks at Kinder Low during the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme 'Diamond Challenge' day on Kinder Scout ...(National Trust photo by David Bocking: free use for stories relating to National Trust work in the Peak District)

The hike over Kinder Scout, from Edale to Hayfield, was the teens’ contribution to the DofE’s new Diamond Challenge initiative, which encourages people of all ages to celebrate the Award’s 60th year by taking on a DofE inspired challenge.

Money raised from the challenge will support the scheme’s work with over 300,000 people aged 14-24 every year, and help offer more free DofE places and bursary grants to those most in need.

Peter Westgarth, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Kinder Scout is an important part of the country. For many young people taking their bronze or silver award, this is their first experience of proper wild country, but it’s also situated close to many populated areas so it’s really easy to get to.

“We’re mustard keen to get kids interested in conservation and to help preserve all we’ve seen today. I know we all enjoyed the walk and realise how precious the landscape is.”

The Kinder plateau and its moors are a National Trust site. The Trust’s project officer for Kinder, Tom Harman, joined the team and the Earl of Wessex on the walk to explain the conservation work his team has been carrying out in the last three years.

Tom, of Crosspool, said: “I showed the Earl of Wessex how the land now has grass coming through, whereas three years ago it would have just been black bare peat. He understood that to look after the moors, we have to make changes, such as keeping sheep away to allow heather and grasses to regrow.”