A LANDMARK National Trust building that was the first in Cumbria to be constructed from straw bales will have its tenth birthday marked next month.

The Footprint building nestled in St Catherine’s Wood at Troutbeck Bridge, near Windermere, was constructed in June 2007 and provides an educational base for people to reconnect with nature and explore the great outdoors through a programme of activities and workshops.

A birthday celebration on Saturday July 8 has been organised to allow people to get a taster of what the Footprint offers including its year-round programme of activities including bushcraft clubs, green woodworking courses, woodland camps, yoga and pilates.

Footprint manager Debbie Riviere said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating the 10th year of the Footprint. We have loads of activities going on and will be building some things we need on site with our visitors, such as an earth oven and a charcoal kiln. So dress for mess and come and get stuck in!”

Proceedings will kick off at 10am and run until 4pm. There will be campfire food and drinks available to buy and free parking will be provided at Windermere School.

Free taster sessions will include woodland crafts, yoga, kids’ crafts, gardening, singing and live storytelling around the campfire.

Although the event is free, the advice is to book online at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/footprint