A LAKE DISTRICT RESERVE [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
was glad to see in last week's issue a little notice on the need for trying to preserve certain portions of the Lake District as a " Reserve." Indeed it would appear that unless some definite action is taken it will be too late to do much in another dozen years .or so. Already there . is a dreadful rumour of a possible soap factory on Windermere and of a " keep to the path " edict soon to go forth in the planted areas of Ennerdale.
It appears to a lover of Lalceliiiid that each time one takes an excursion through the beloved country new atrocities have sprung up : beside Bassenthwaite; for example, just where there was a fine view of Skiddaw from the high road leading to Keswick from Cockermouth, some rather dreadful cottage-villas have sprouted. It is not the cars or the tourists or the motor coaches that are spoiling Lakeland, it seems to me—they have every right to a share in it. It is the apathy and " afraid to do anything " attitude of local authorities.
They do their best, I believe, according to their lights, but what is wanted is concerted action from interested bodies with the will and the power to see that worse things do not befall Lakeland than those from which we already suffer. It was reported in the local Press recently that the Manchester Corporation Water Board people were trying to back out of making any road at all to Mardale Green at the head of Haweswater. I hope that the Spectator will keep its eye on Lakeland, and when necessary lift up its voice in protest against the swamping of the Land of Poets and Painters in
utilitarian projects.—I am, Sir, &c., M. C. F.
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