I’m not sure what to make of the recent additions next to the trig point on Longridge Fell, Spire Hill. It must have been a few weeks since I’ve been up here. I didn’t intend to come here today.
I was intent on heading for a quiet way across the fells to the Nick of Pendle from Wiswell. But as I sit in the car about to set off, I realise the day is slipping away. Pendle can wait. I need to take advantage of this sunny day, so I quickly change plans and park up on one of the roads on Longridge Fell. It looks to be busy. 
However, my way up the lane is unfrequented.
The open fell arrives on cue. Wild, rugged, and wet.
Gannow Fell, on open-access land. The local landowner seems to think differently. 
At the next stile, I climb past the head-high barbed wire fence – a death trap to the deer that have lived up here for centuries. 
Circling the forest, I arrive at the wall, where I join groups coming up from the Jeffrey Hill carpark. More join in, having climbed from the lower road more directly than I. It’s bound to be busy on a sunny Sunday. 
Of course, the views to the north are stunning. 
It is at the trig point that I am surprised by the recent additions of ‘Fell furniture’. A sturdy wooden bench has been built next to the wall, with a totally incongruous little coffee table attached. Worse is a structure incorporating a locked summit book and information on trig points, which is already disintegrating, that we don’t need. Anyone requiring information on trig points, whether specific or general, can find it on the OS Website. A waste bin liner is attached – who is going to empty this? Generally, the summit of the fell is relatively litter-free, and I do a litter pick there every few weeks. I fear the bin liner will only attract litter because people will use it rather than take their rubbish home. The structure resembles a payment station found in carparks.
I want to get more photos of the installation, but a large group of ramblers arrives and takes over the summit. I move on.
I have questions to ask about these recent additions.
Who gave permission? Who is the landowner?
What does the Forest of Bowland AONB think? Was it consulted?
Is it appropriate on an open felt top?
What do local walkers who frequent these paths think?
To give the perpetrator due credit, he does leave his name. A Stewart Duxbury, who adopted the trig pillar when the OS were releasing them. But the fact that he has taken responsibility for the trig pillar doesn’t give him the right to interfere with the surrounding fell top. I hope he is reading this article, and I would be very happy to discuss the matter further with him. Why not arrange a meeting up there?
Away from the crowds, I find a new track dropping off the fell used by mountain bikers. Discretely constructed through the trees. Some of the jumps make me shudder.
I find a tree stump for a quiet lunch, hidden away only yards from one of the main forest tracks. 
Then it is down off the fell on the usual paths, yet another brilliant autumn day..
I would value any comments, as usual, particularly on my worries for the fell, especially from people who use Longridge Fell. I have no more right to the open countryside than anybody else, but I do try to respect it.
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Sunday was a good day and you certainly made the best of it. I share your unease about these summit additions. I’d grumble about the bench but probably use it. Summit books – I’ve encountered them on remote peaks, but probably won’t last long on a reasonably accessible one like Spire Hill. Not to be too negative about it but I’m guessing the key will vanish, and the box will be vandalised.
The bench could possibly be OK if placed in rememberance of someone connected locally, with permission from the landowner. Some councils have had to put a stop to their proliferation. But the rest is rubbish in my opinion. It is a felltop not a suburban park.
Yes, the benches also tend to fall into disrepair – especially in an exposed spot like that. I wouldn’t want one in my name – the thought of all those people sitting on me, when all I want is to be enjoying the view in peace.
Yes, let’s just enjoy the view without any additional paraphernalia, trig pillar excluded.
When I climb a hill that has mo paraphernalia on its summit I can sort of kid myself that I am the first human to set foot there. That is of course delusion but it gives me a certain dose of pleasure. The more remote and less touched by anything artificial the better. I understand that there may be others who get different emotions from summiting a hill but I find it difficult to empathize. That conglomeration on your fell is in absolute opposition to my preference.
I excuse the trig pillars. Again, for me they have a worthy history and an aesthetically pleasing design, and usually made from natural materials.
The perpetrator doesn’t say he is a member of the FRA, but does say he is a fell runner. (Not sure what the initials CLM stand for.) Having met and been acquainted with quite a number of FRA members my impression is that on the whole they have similar feelings to mine about the enjoyment of wild country, and I would surprised if any significant proportion of their members would ally themselves with this inappropriate nonsense.
If it had been close to 1st. April I may have had a laugh.
It’s no joke.
We are seeing the theme parking and sanitisation of the countryside/
Exactly John and I don’t like it.
Just look at what is happening in the Lake District. I was hoping Bowland would escape it.
For me, it depends how tastefully additions are done and how well they blend in with the surroundings. I’m happy with sculptures and some of the stone seats you find. That looks out of place and not well thought through, particularly the bin bag.
I’ve tried to keep a low profile but it is completely out of place. It doesn’t blend in at all. Watch this space.