OUTDOOR lovers gathered near Staveley to enjoy a weekend of activities including yoga, outdoor swimming and music in a brand new festival.

'Something Proper Wonderful' was an idea born out of the 'Wonderful Wild Women' social group and Kendal's yoga studio 'Proper Northern Yoga'.

Organised by the founder of Wonderful Wild Women Sarah Gerrish, yoga teacher Hannah Glancy and outdoors enthusiasts Kate O'Callaghan and Bex Tatham the festival aimed to connect attendees to nature, get them outdoors and encourage 'tough conversations about mental health'.

Hannah enthusiastically told the Gazette that the intimate festival had been 'amazing'.

"It was really good and it was quite funny because we had people going 'it really is something proper wonderful'," she said, explaining that the group had camped near to Potter Tarn.

"All the meals were together so it was a real community. People got to know each other really well."

The organisers decided to raise money for South Lakeland MIND, as they believe that there is a strong connection between good mental health and the outdoors.

"Sometimes what happens with your mental health is you get locked down into your life and you do not experience anything outside of your life," Hannah explained. "When you get outdoors you challenge yourself a little bit more and you get out of your comfort zone."

Performers over the weekend included Bill Lloyd on the banjo, singer Freyja Burke and writers Simon Sylvester and Luke Brown.

The weekend also included a 'Truly Mindful Triathlon', which consisted of a one mile walk, 90 minutes of yoga and meditation and a chill swim.

"Everybody got in and had a little go at it," Hannah said, talking about the chilly outdoor swim. "Some ran straight back out but it's the fact they did it."

The festival raised £590 for South Lakeland MIND and a pile of blankets was collected which will be donated to a local homeless charity.