LAST weekend saw the 15th annual Montane Ultra Tour of the Lake District.

Hundreds of racers competed across two-course distances - 100 miles and 50 miles – which took in the beautiful, if unforgiving, Lake District terrain.

The circular 100-mile route included around 6,300m of ascent.

It started in Coniston and headed south before completing a clockwise loop, which took in the Dunnerdale fells, Eskdale, Wasdale and Buttermere before arriving in Keswick. From there the route headed to Matterdale, over to Haweswater before returning via Kentmere, Ambleside and Elterwater to the finish at Coniston.

The 50-mile route, with about 3,100m of ascent, started at Dalemain and ended in Coniston.

You have to admire the fitness and determination of the athletes who competed in these two grueling races.

I was in Coniston on Saturday and there was a lively buzz around the village.

It is so good to see large-scale events in the Lake District once again.

We are, of course, in the midst of show season. Last week thousands of people attended the Ulverston and North Lonsdale Agricultural Show, which was back after two years off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And there was also lots to enjoy at last week’s Ambleside Sports.

Yesterday saw Cartmel Show celebrate its 150th anniversary, again following a two-year absence.

The shows come thick and fast now, culminating in the south of the county with the two-day Westmorland County Show on September 7 and 8.

These events are a terrific showcase for rural life and traditional Lake District crafts and activities. They are an opportunity to highlight the importance of food and farming and a chance for busy farmers and local residents to meet up and socialise.

On the theme of getting together and interacting, Kendal Town Council is trailing ‘happy to chat’ benches in a bid to alleviate loneliness.

Signs on benches in the town centre and one in Noble’s Rest include the words ‘Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello’. Elsewhere in the UK such benches are proving a popular and effective way to reduce social isolation by encouraging conversations.