Remote Bothy Cottage Heritage Re-Roof Appeal

AN APPEAL TO RE-ROOF a remote 19^th century cottage, used as a bothy near the summit of Cross Fell in the Pennines, has been launched.

The Mountain Bothies Association (MBA) started the re-roofing appeal to save Greg’s Hut, a small stone cottage originally built to house miners from a nearby lead mine.

Located near the Pennine Way, at one of the highest and most exposed parts of the Pennines, winter storms have worn away the fabric of the building. Now, the roof of the cottage, that was last renovated in 1968, needs the traditional Cumbrian heavyweight stone slates to be urgently overhauled and replaced.

Bothy Re-Roof Appeal

Because the cottage is in a conservation area, the heritage roofing stone will need to be replaced with the same materials. Specialist contractors will need materials to be delivered to site by helicopter, adding to the cost of the re-roofing project.

At an estimated cost of just over £100,000, the re-roof will be the MBA’s most expensive renovation project to date. The Association is able to meet some of the re-roofing cost itself and they are looking to raise funds for the rest of the project outlay.

Bothies provide shelter at some of the most wild and remote areas of the UK. They are used by climbers and walkers and are maintained wholly by voluntary funds.

Greg’s Hut at Crossfell was originally built as a blacksmith’s shop and in the early 1880’s was used to house miners who lived there during the week while working on the nearby Katelock lead mine. It was re-named in memory of a local climber, John Gregory who died in a mountaineering accident. The bothy is maintained jointly by the MBA and the Greg’s Hut Association.

Launching the appeal, Simon Birch, Chair of the MBA said, “The renovation work will ensure the future of the hut as a mountain refuge for anyone wishing to shelter, as a base for mountain rescue teams when called out to the area, and as a control centre for the annual Montane Spine Race.”

Donations to the appeal can be made by visiting the MBA website.

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