I don't know whether you caught the BBC Breakfast News on Easter Monday? They had a feature with Mountain Rescue in the Peak District where they were pleaing for people to use maps and not smart phone apps when they take to the hills. They gave the statistic that 50% of their call outs were due to people getting into trouble by only using a smart phone app when walking.

Between us (us being Ordnance Survey and Cotswold Outdoor) we're doing our bit to help develop the basic map reading skills of the nation through a series of map reading workshops that we're running across the country.

The workshops will take you through the basics - from understanding which type of map is right for you and the leisure activity that you're taking part in, understanding what the map is telling you through map symbols and contour lines, how to take grid references (four figure and six figure - plus the all important national grid) through to understanding what a compass is made up of and how to take a bearing using it. Plus, as an added bonus, we're giving everyone that takes part in the workshop 25% off Ordnance Survey maps that they buy on the day.

In addition to the workshops - we've also been working with Simon King to produce a series of short films on how to read maps - we've uploaded them on to the video section of the Cotswold Community pages - and they are also available to view on the Ordnance Survey You Tube Channel. For those of you who haven't been able to get to one of our map reading workshops - or if you want another refresher - take a look at the films.

The message came across loud and clear from Mountain Rescue on the BBC News that you need basic map reading skills and a map (rather than just a smart phone app) when you take to the hills this summer. Enjoy exploring the great outdoors with your new found map reading skills.