Celebrities backing the Save Windermere campaign will attend a public demonstration on the waterfront next week.
Campaign founder Matt Staniek will be joined by Steve Coogan, Joe Lycett, Lee Mack and Paul Whitehouse at The Glebe in Bowness-on-Windermere on May 29 to host the demonstration asking for an end to sewage discharge into Windermere.
The free event will take place from noon to 3pm and is open to everyone. Paul Whitehouse will host, while Coogan, Lycett and Mack will perform short stand-up comedy routines.
Electronic pop trio LOWES will also perform at the event alongside community led samba drumming collective Drum Nation.
Matt Staniek and Lord David Clark of Windermere will make speeches on the ‘slow death’ of Windermere, how it can be restored and the action that needs to be taken now.
Freya, a local school pupil, will also speak on the importance of protecting Windermere for future generations.
Matt said: “The Windermere narrative from the campaign has firmly cemented itself in the national conversation about sewage pollution and what is happening with the water industry.
“Because of this we now have famous people coming along and saying well actually we stand in solidarity with you and want to put your message across that we want to see an end to all treated and untreated sewage discharge into the lake.
“The campaign started because we wanted to see an end to sewage pollution in Windermere. This demonstration is about having a moment in time where people can have their voices heard on the day.
“The main objective is to get as many people there as possible to show a unified Lake District and put that message across to United Utilities that we want to see an end to sewage pollution.
“We want it family friendly, free and accessible to everyone. It’s about people having fun and adding their voice to the campaign. We have to allow Windermere to recover, more sewage will push it to a tipping point, we need systemic change.
“We’ve had enough, the community wants change, the nation wants change and we need it now.
“The most significant thing we have just received from the water industry is an apology. This apology acknowledges their responsibility for the current situation. What we lack is that comprehensive, visionary plan that guarantees the long-term protection of England’s largest lake.”
Matt started his Save Windermere petition on his own two years ago and it has since grown in size and strength and morphed into its own campaign with a full team behind it.
He added: “This isn’t just the community’s lake anymore, it is the nation’s lake, it is the jewel in the crown of the entire country and if sewage is entering Windermere it is entering every other watercourse and we are at a tipping point now from a political side of things where parties are saying what is happening is unacceptable.
“We need an emergency action plan that protects Windermere not just for the next 30 to 40 years but forever. This campaign is growing and it is not going anywhere, it has its heels dug well and truly in the ground and we are ready for this fight and we are ready to save Windermere.”
People are encouraged to bring banners and wear T-shirts protesting the sewage pollution and a sign language interpreter will be translating the speeches and comedy routines.
The Glebe will also have wheelchair accessible ramps installed and police will be present, but the event will not be disruptive.
Matt added: “This is simply the beginning, we’ve now got specialists and experts adding their skills to this and it’s getting stronger every day.
“We just want to make sure that Windermere is front and centre as the case study that the Government has to urgently react to in order to pass emergency measures to protect our lake.”
Meanwhile, United Utilities has announced drop-in sessions for people to find out about the work it is doing to help improve water quality around the Windermere catchment area.
The firm said it will start early on £19 million work to tackle storm overflow operations at Ambleside, Elterwater, Hawkshead and Near Sawrey.
The sessions are being held at Brockhole on the Lake tomorrow and Tuesday from 10am to 5pm and Marchesi Centre on May 25 and 26 from 3pm to 7pm.
Kevin Sayers, area engagement lead for Cumbria, said: “We’re determined to deliver a step change in our performance and its contribution to the overall health of Windermere. Many of us live in the local community and we care passionately about the lake.
“These events will give anyone the chance to drop in and ask any questions they may have about Windermere and United Utilities’ operations.”
