DOZENS of Wainwright aficionados gathered to commemorate two special dates in their diaries at the weekend.

November 9th this year saw the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Wainwright Society back in 2002.

It was also on November 9th, 1952, that the famous fell walker and guides book writer wrote the first page of his first book - Book One, The Eastern Fells.

It started the long-running series revealing his lifelong love affair with the fells.

The Wainwright Society, was set up in Ambleside on November 9, 2002, to keep his memory alive and champion his ideals.

In the 10 years that have followed, membership has grown ten-fold with star members including mountaineers Sir Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, television presenter Julia Bradbury, and the writer and broadcaster, Stuart Maconie.

Over the years, the society has also raised in excess of £50,000 for local charities, as well as campaigning against inappropriate developments in the Lake District landscape.

It celebrated the landmark with a weekend of events including the Wainwright Memorial Lecture by legendary British mountaineer and Yorkshireman, Alan Hinkes, held at Rheged, Penrith.

There was also a display of artefacts from the newly-acquired, Wainwright Archive, being catalogued by the Kendal Records Office.

The next day there was a walk to Dove Crag, Grasmere, the first walk he featured in book one, and was followed in the evening with an anniversary party. To round off the weekend, some members hiked up Great Gable and Castle Crag for the remembrance day services.