Alfred Wainwright: Fell-Walker Quiz

Answer: AW

He is known to readers of his books and fellow walkers as AW but amongst friends and family he signs his letters Alf.
He was born on 17 January 1907 in Blackburn and was the youngest child of Albert and Emily Wainwright.

Answer: Blackburn Rovers

He supported Blackburn Rovers all his life and formed the Supporters Club, of which he was Treasurer. After matches it was customary for people to queue up at fish and chip shops with basins to collect fish and chips for Saturday tea.

Answer: Office boy at the Town Hall

His first job was as office boy at Blackburn Town Hall. He was very bright at school and could have stayed on for further education but wanted to earn money to help out his mother as they were not well off. He was very meticulous at work, taking pride in keeping his books neatly and resolved to study and gain qualifications.

Answer: Drawing

He had a talent for drawing from his early days and while at school drew detailed maps of his neighbourhood. Later, he drew cartoons of his workmates and produced posters for local events. His drawing and calligraphy became apparent in his books.

Answer: Accountancy

After ten years of study he qualified as an accountant. In 1941 he moved to Kendal as an accountancy technician. He eventually became borough treasurer, a prestigious job. Wainwright was delighted to be living in his beloved Lakeland and he and his family went on many walks together.

Answer: 1

They had one child, a son called Peter, born 15 February 1933. From a young age Peter accompanied his father on many of his walks. This continued until he was about twenty, when he joined a cycling club. He was the first in the Wainwright family to go to Grammar School.

Answer: They were written by hand and illustrated by himself

Each book was handwritten and illustrated by himself and was printed as a facsimile of his work. Even if you are not interested in fell-walking they are worth seeing. He set himself the task of climbing and making drawings of all the fells in Lakeland, 214 in all.

Answer: South-Eastern Fells

South-Eastern Fells was not one of the regions.
Book 1
covered the Eastern Fells of which Helvellyn (3114 ft) is the best known.In one of his illustrations he includes a sketch of a woman admiring the view of Ullswater but would never tell who it was.
Book 2
was about the Far Eastern Fells, which include High Street,a ridge which was once part of a Roman road.
Book 3
The Central Fells, was dedicated to 'The Dogs of Lakeland'. It includes High Raise (2500 ft) the most central of the fells.
Book 4
The Southern Fells, was dedicated to 'The sheep of Lakeland' which Wainwright said were the best climbers.This area includes England's highest peak, Scafell Pike (3205 ft). He wrote thirty pages about Scafell Pike.
Book 5
The Northern Fells, was dedicated to 'The Solitary Walkers of the Fells' It includes Blencathra (2847 ft) about which he wrote 36 pages, and Skiddaw (3053 ft).
Book 6
The North-Western Fells, includes Great Gable (2949 ft) and Grasmoor (2791 ft).He also refers to Castle Crag, at 985 ft. the only fell under 1000 ft.
Book 7
The Western Fells, includes Yewbarrow (2060 ft) and Pillar (2927 ft). He includes a sketch of himself looking over Yewbarrow with two sheep discussing the fact that he had a cap on and must be going bald!

Answer: A Coast to Coast Walk

It starts at St Bee's Head in Cumbria, passes through the Lake District, across the Pennines and ends at Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire. It is approximately 191 miles long and Wainwright said that it was one of his favourite walks.

Answer: Haystacks

He wanted his ashes scattered on Haystacks, near the Innominate Tarn.
This was done after he died on 20 January 1991, aged 84, by his second wife and his son Peter.