Almost 40 people took part in this year’s dry stone walling competition, making it a record turnout.
The competition, organised by Friends of the Lake District, took place on Saturday 30 May at Barkin House Farm, Gatebeck, near Kendal.
It was made up of four classes: Professional, Amateur, Novice, and Veterans, and wallers travelled from across the UK to take part.
Professional class winner James Kidd, from Bentham, North Yorkshire, also took home the best overall waller trophy on the day. Jyoti Walters, from Maulds Meaburn near Penrith, took home the award for best woman waller.
The event was the first opportunity for individuals to test their skills as part of the Dry Stone Walling Association’s Grand Prix, which is made up of six competitions taking place from May to August.
Kelley Sproston-Heath, engagement lead for Friends of the Lake District said: “Dry stone walls are an essential part of our cultural heritage, providing borders for land and livestock lasting generations.
“The walls also provide valuable habitats for a variety of wildlife. As a landscape charity, we know how vital it is to keep the art of dry stone walling alive.
“Friends of the Lake District has run this competition since 1980 and it was great to see such a big turnout of competitors this year, showing that this cultural skill is thriving.”
This year’s judges were Andrew Mason and Phillip Dolphin, both Master Craftsmen wallers who have won multiple competitions and trained Dry Stone Walling Associarion standard assessors.
Julia Aglionby, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, gave out the prizes at the end of the day.
Full list of dry stone walling competition 2026 winners:
Professional Class
- First – James Kidd
- Second – Steven Allen
- Third – Barney Murray
Best Woman Waller
- Jyoti Walters
Amateur/ Open
- First – Sam Taylor
- Second – Jyoti Walters
- Third – Andy Mitchell
Novice/ Junior
- First – Joe Walker
- Second – Ian Wallis
- Third – Chris Lumb
- Veteran
- First – Sean Adcock
- Second – Ainsley McEwan
- Third – David Sykes
