Two Lake District honeypots will be switching off their lights so people can see more stars and help reduce their carbon footprint.
Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District’s Dark Skies Cumbria project is co-ordinating the annual Big Lighting Switch Off in Ambleside and Grasmere on Thursday, March 19, from 7pm.
It is the sixth Big Switch Off across Ambleside and Grasmere and it encourages local businesses and people to take part and switch lights off to save electricity, reduce their carbon footprint and help wildlife flourish in its natural environment.
Street lights in central Ambleside and Grasmere will also be turned off for the evening.
Events include a free, short guided walk at 7.30pm from Waterhead car park in Ambleside, to see an innovative footway lighting pilot by Westmorland and Furness Council and hear about good ways to reduce the impacts of artificial lighting at night.
Clear skies permitting, there will be a stop off in Borran’s Park for some star gazing.
In Grasmere, The National Trust is inviting people to bring their telescopes and binoculars to Allan Bank Dark Sky Discovery Site for stargazing between 8pm and 10pm.
Friends of the Lake District’s Kelley Sproston-Heath, engagement lead said: “As LED lights are cheap to run we tend to use too many and leave them on when not really needed.
“The Big Switch Off aims to raise awareness about reducing our energy consumption and to help achieve the net zero target in Cumbria by 2037, and also to celebrate the importance of local people and visitors being able to see a night sky full of stars for their health and well-being.
“Artificial light at night is harmful to wildlife, and can damage human sleep patterns, affecting our long-term health. Light pollution is on the increase and too many lights are left on overnight when not needed, wasting energy, adding to electricity bills and releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.”
Will Clark, Westmorland and Furness councillor for Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere, said: “I am pleased to be supporting another Dark Skies event, the popular one-night switch off is an opportunity to truly experience darkness and appreciate our local surroundings without the impact of light pollution.
“The switch offs also help contribute to several council priorities including net zero, biodiversity enhancement and personal well-being. I encourage everyone to take part in this Big Switch Off, including businesses, residents and visitors. Well done to Dark Skies Cumbria and Friends of the Lake District for their commitment to this project.”
Friends of the Lake District thanked Westmorland and Furness Council lighting team, Ambleside Action For A future, Lakes Parish Council, Grasmere Village Society, the National Trust and all the businesses and residents supporting the event.
