LIVING OFF THE LAND: Simon Wilson, from the North Pennines AONB Partnership, demonstrates how to use a Dutch oven on a campfire
LIVING OFF THE LAND: Simon Wilson, from the North Pennines AONB Partnership, demonstrates how to use a Dutch oven on a campfire

TRACKING down a few tasty morsels was on the menu at the Bowlees Visitor Centre last week as part of their summer activities programme.

Presented by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) Partnership, the Wild Wednesday activities explore a variety of themes in the upper dale, including nature trails and campfire cookery.

At the latest event Mandy Oliver, the AONB’s visitor services officer, led children on an animal track trail through the woods surrounding the visitor centre.

The children had to try to identify the different prints which had been left behind.

As the children tried to identify the various animals and birds, Ms Oliver explained how tracking and foraging were key to survival in the days before electricity, and shops.

After a successful hunt the children gathered round a campfire to do a spot of cooking, old style.

Simon Wilson from North Pennines AONB instructed those assembled on the use of Dutch ovens and served up sizzling plates of campfire potatoes, beans and cheese before breaking out the marshmallows for children to roast.