January News

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The Patterdale Grand Raffle

We are proud to be supporting the Patterdale Grand Raffle to raise money for Patterdale Primary School by Ullswater. Over £5,000 of superb prizes available, including holiday accommodation vouchers for some of the best Hotels, B&Bs and holiday cottages around Ullswater. Also a great range of holiday attraction and activity vouchers including a family pass for the Ullswater Steamers. Tickets available to order online or at various hotels, shops and B&Bs around Ullswater. Please see www.patterdaleraffle.org for full details. Prize draw on Friday 30th March 2012. Tickets cost just £1 or £5 for a book of 5 and ALL proceeds go to Patterdale Primary School.

List of vendors at http://www.patterdaleraffle.org/ticket-sellers.html

It’s even on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3y-TupCvmk

Too much Christmas Pud?

The festive season is over for another year, but are you still feeling the effects of mountains of mince pies, stodgy puds and selection boxes galore? Well why not pull on some walking boots and pop down to Ullswater 'Steamers' for some fantastic walks! With our spectacular scenery and fresh air you'll soon be feeling bright and breezy! Visit our walking page for more information.

Have a Happy New Year from all of us at Ullswater 'Steamers'

We hope you all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. Why not treat yourselves to a trip on the boats and a walk in or around Howtown to freshen up for those new year festivities. Get those cobwebs blown away but do keep an eye on the weather.

Squirrel on the loose in Amsterdam

Thank you to DFDS Seaways for a wonderful crossing to Amsterdam. Sammy enjoyed it too. Sing along with me - a little mouse ( squirrel) with clogs on !! See our December news for the pictures or visit our facebook pages.

Responsible Tourism Highly Commended

Well done to everyone we were awarded a Highly Commended in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards at the World Travel Market. Winners in the Ferry Category were DFDS Seaways, congratulations to them.

Statesman Rail The Fellsman 2012

We've teamed up with the Fellsman on an extended excursion in 2012 with a trip on Classic Coaches from Appleby to Glenridding followed by an one hour cruise on one of our heritage vessels back to Pooley Bridge where classic coaches will transfer you back to Appleby. To book or find out further information visit www.statesmanrail.com.

New Events 2012

Hot off the press, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ are very excited to announce their 2012 Events. You can book online, visit our event pages for updates.

Photography Competitions, Easter Activities, Spring Watch Weekend, Pirates, Diamond Jubilee Brass and Bunting, Commentary Cruises, Statesman Rail Excursions, Cumbrian Fish Supper, Ceilidh Evening Cruise, LDNP Ranger Guided Cruise and Walk with a Lake District National Park Ranger, Wedding Fayre, RSPB Red Deer Rutt, Halloween on the Ghostly Galleon, Val Corbett Photography Workshop, Santa Cruises and a little Spirit of Christmas.

So whether you’re egg-cited for our Easter Activities or cannot wait for Cumbrian Fish Suppers, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ has an extensive list of events to suit a variety of ages and interests.

A Steaming Success for Ullswater – 10th January 2012

A host of environmental projects around Ullswater will soon benefit from generous donations by customers of the Ullswater Steamers. A cheque for £2,587.88 was presented to Nurture Lakeland by Lake District Estates, operators of Ullswater Steamers and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Award-winning Cumbrian environment charity, Nurture Lakeland, which raises money for projects that protect our beautiful landscape, support our local communities and promote our wonderful heritage, was delighted to receive the donation. The money was raised from ticket sales for trips on the Steamers and through the sale of the book, Walks with Ratty, at the railway.

The money will be used to install 12 new interpretation boards on paths round the lake. The lakeside routes take hundreds of walkers along the spectacular shoreline of the lake every year and soon they will be able to find out more about their surroundings. The panels will cover the heritage and wildlife of the lake, to provide a more in depth and engaging visit to this beauty spot.

Charlotte Widgery, Grants Development Officer for the charity said, “Providing additional information on site about what people are seeing will greatly enhance the enjoyment they get from their visit. Ullswater Steamers have been such fantastic fundraisers and we are enormously grateful to them for this money. The boards will be installed by the Lake District National Park, who are also very pleased to be able to carry out the improvements.”

In addition to this some of the funds raised will also go to Red Squirrels Northern England for red squirrel conservation and to other local conservation projects. The red squirrel is generally doing well in the Eden valley, however, there is a constant threat of encroachment from the introduced grey squirrel, so on-going support for the conservation of this beloved animal is always necessary.

A small proportion of the money will be used to help the Small Grants Fund, which is part of Nurture Lakeland and is available for Eden based conservation projects to bid into for grants of up to £1000.

Rachel Bell, Marketing Manager for Lake District Estates added “It’s been a pleasure to raise money for a range of worthy local projects, which our customers can really connect with.”

For more information about the many projects supported by Nurture Lakeland members visit www.nurturelakeland.org