Cumberland Council is pleased to announce its support in ‘The Big Switch Off’ event on Tuesday 23 April, in Keswick.
This collaborative initiative, led by Friends of the Lake District as part of their Dark Skies project, with the National Trust and Keswick Tourism Association, aims to showcase the beauty of the night sky while promoting electricity conservation.
The Big Switch Off will commence from 8pm. Cumberland Council, along with partners are encouraging Keswick’s residents and businesses to join in by turning off their lights overnight, providing an opportunity to appreciate the impact on stargazing.
Approximately 60 lights in the areas of Lake Road, Hope Park, Crow Park, The Headlands, and Lake Road car park will be switched off during the event.
The Big Switch Off will affect residents of The Heads, The Headlands and Elliot Park, and users of Lake Road car park. For any enquiries, please contact Cumberland Council’s Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3736 or visit the Cumberland Council website.
Cumberland Council oversees 60 road and footway lights, and ten car park lights in the designated switch off area. The remaining lighting falls under private ownership or is managed by Keswick Town Council, whose owners will be responsible for the switch-off.
For more information, please visit the Dark Skies Cumbria website.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“This Big Switch Off event, aims to raise awareness about the advantages of preserving dark skies for people's enjoyment, health, and well-being. It contributes to the flourishing of wildlife and addresses climate change by reducing energy consumption, while boosting visitor footfall over the winter months.
“The event is being supported by numerous partners, and will be complemented by other activities, including astro-photography sessions and wildlife walks in Crow Park.
“We hope for widespread support from the local community and businesses and want to encourage everyone to turn off their lights on Tuesday 23 April, in Keswick.”
Vanessa Metcalfe, Tourism Manager, Keswick Tourism Association Ltd, said:
“We often see fantastic night-time photographs of the Milky Way above Derwentwater or Castlerigg Stone Circle. So, we hope there will be a great display on Tuesday night. There will be lots of ways for people to enjoy the night sky from Crow Park, including those who are new to star gazing.”
For more information about the event please visit the Friends of the Lake District website, and search for Keswick Big Switch Off April 2024
Keswick Big Switch Off April 2024 | Friends of the Lake District