This year's report of the Friends of the Lake District
makes rather depressing reading. One would have imagined that there would be no one to disagree with the over-riding necessity of preserving un- touched the beauties and natural amenities of this small area, scheduled as a national park. But a glance at the report soon corrects that comfortable assumption, for it tells of an almost unceasing struggle against the ignorance and obstinacy of local and national government boards. Some of the worst examples of proposed desecra- tion have already been ventilated in the press—such as the damming of Ennerdale, the seaplane factory at Windermere and the afforesta- tion of the Duddon Valley. But there are other instances, less publi- cised, which speak of the constant war being waged between con- temporary local needs and long-term national interests. No one would suggest that the beauty of the Lake District should be pre- served at the cost of Industrial Cumberland remaining a distressed area. But as this report shows it is possible to reconcile the two requirements. * * * *
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