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Friends of the Lake District
The only membership organisation dedicated to protecting
and enhancing Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes
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  • Cumbria's flooding events

    Cumbria's flooding events

    Cumbria's floods in 2015 and 2019 were the worst for 558 years (from sediment analysis on the bed of Bassenthwaite). Read more

  • Flood Resilience Research

    Flood Resilience Research

    Landslides continue to occur on our land at High Borrowdale and so, with the University of Cumbria, we are beginning work to experiment with different geotextiles to stabilise the soil. Read more

  • Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

    Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

    In recent months, Friends of the Lake District has been working with partners to spend the money where it is most urgently needed. The focus has been on work to repair damaged footpaths and footbridges throughout Cumbria. Read more

  • People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

    People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

    123 volunteers were joined by 15 volunteer task leaders and 10 Friends of the Lake District staff to take part in a variety of practical conservation tasks on Wednesday 6th July to help heal and restore landscapes ravaged by the winter storms. Read more

  • Cumbria's flooding events
  • Flood Resilience Research
  • Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond
  • People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results
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  1. Home
  2. Five Years Since Storm Desmond

Five Years Since Storm Desmond

On 5 December 2015 the most destructive storm ever recorded in Cumbria struck, washing away numerous bridges, and even roads, devastating towns and villages and flooding 50,000 homes in Cumbria (see our Rising film for the story of Storm Desmond in Glenridding). Following that devastating day, we launched our Cumbria Flood appeal, to raise money to help the restoration operation. We've rounded up some of the news and events following the storm, the projects we've helped to fund and activities we've organised; all designed to help with the recovery and to improve resilience for future events. 

Cumbria's flooding events

Cumbria's flooding events

Cumbria's floods in 2015 and 2019 were the worst for 558 years (from sediment analysis on the bed of Bassenthwaite). Read more

Published: 1st April, 2020

Updated: 16th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • Climate Change Facts
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
1.4 Changing the Course, Slowing the Flow

1.4 Changing the Course, Slowing the Flow

Restoration of reaches of Scandal Beck and River Lyvennet, for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working with and through natural processes to improve habitats and slow the flow of water in the upper catchment alleviating, flood risk downstream in more populous areas. Read more

Published: 14th July, 2019

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Related topics:
  • Natural Heritage Projects
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
Flood Resilience Research

Flood Resilience Research

Landslides continue to occur on our land at High Borrowdale and so, with the University of Cumbria, we are beginning work to experiment with different geotextiles to stabilise the soil. Read more

Published: 29th January, 2018

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Related topics:
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

Flood Appeal funds replacement bridges and repairs footpaths destroyed by Storm Desmond

In recent months, Friends of the Lake District has been working with partners to spend the money where it is most urgently needed. The focus has been on work to repair damaged footpaths and footbridges throughout Cumbria. Read more

Published: 16th November, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

People Power at Fell Care Day delivers impressive results

123 volunteers were joined by 15 volunteer task leaders and 10 Friends of the Lake District staff to take part in a variety of practical conservation tasks on Wednesday 6th July to help heal and restore landscapes ravaged by the winter storms. Read more

Published: 12th July, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Related topics:
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
Putting the floods into context

Putting the floods into context

Content of the article that featured in our Conserving Lakeland Spring/Summer members magazine, written by our Policy Officer, Kate Willshaw. Read more

Published: 13th May, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
Conservation Day boost to Keswick Mountain Festival

Conservation Day boost to Keswick Mountain Festival

The flood damaged landscapes around Keswick are set to receive some TLC at the Keswick Mountain Festival on Saturday 21st May thanks to our first mass-volunteering Fell Care Day being held as part of the Festival. Read more

Published: 15th April, 2016

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
Rising Film

Rising Film

The impact of flooding events on a Lakeland community in Glenridding and Patterdale and what, in their own words, the possible solutions may be for the future. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2010

Updated: 8th December, 2020

Author: Chris James

Related topics:
  • Film Club
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
2016 – Flood appeal raises over £62,000

2016 – Flood appeal raises over £62,000

Our Lake District Landscape Restoration Fund appeal following the devastation caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015 raises over £62,000. Read more

Published: 18th January, 2001

Updated: 4th December, 2020

Author: Dawn Groundsell

Related topics:
  • History - timeline
  • Our Impact
  • Five Years Since Storm Desmond
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Showing 10 of 9

Latest

  • Night, Light - A Poem by John Scrivens

    Night, Light - A Poem by John Scrivens

    A terror of the dark when I was four Brought crawling creatures all around my bed; I’d lie awake, await the tiger’s tread, Smell spiders crammed behind the wardrobe door.

  • The Great Freeze of 1962-3

    The Great Freeze of 1962-3

    Judith Wilshaw remembers a time when it was so cold that Windermere froze over so completely that skaters and cyclists traversed the lake and an ice yacht appeared.

  • "It isn’t just the rock under my feet, the people link it together"

    Colin Hutchison remembers a trip from Kendal to Buttermere to Ings just before Christmas and has a lockdown message for everyone.

  • A problem we can tackle right now

    A problem we can tackle right now

    Light pollution threatens both our star-filled skies and the wildlife living beneath them. Help us stop it spreading across the Lakes.

Most read

  • Join Today

    Join Today

    Play your part in protecting the Lake District by becoming a member today.

  • Volunteering

    Volunteering

    Learn new skills and join our army of volunteers helping us to make a practical difference to the Lake District all year round.

  • Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

    Aerial Flight at Honister Slate Mine

    We received the disappointing news that the Secretary of State will not ‘call in’ the proposed zip-wires at Honister and so the Authority’s approval stands. The Secretary of State is no longer required to give reasons for his decision.

  • Thirlmere Activity Hub

  • Thirlmere Activity Hub

    Thirlmere Activity Hub

    We consider this to be a wholly inappropriate development in this location. We urge you to take immediate action, write to the Planning Authority and share your concerns about this threat to Thirlmere

  • Shop

    Shop

    Welcome to our shop. View all the latest products from our charity.

  • Chief Executive - Douglas Chalmers

    Chief Executive - Douglas Chalmers

    Douglas Chalmers joined us in April 2015. He grew up on his family’s farm on the North East coast of Aberdeenshire, and studied agriculture at the University of Aberdeen.

  • Our Purpose

    Our Purpose

    Protecting the landscapes of Cumbria for future generations

  • Why become a member?

    Why become a member?

    Love the Lake District? Become a member of Friends of the Lake District and join thousands of like minded people in caring for this unique landscape.

  • 2017 Photography Competition

    2017 Photography Competition

    We're looking for images from around Cumbria to use on our 2017 Friends of the Lake District Christmas Card collection and 2018 Calendar. Closing Date 16th June 2017

Latest tweet

  • RT @OrdnanceSurvey: From Scafell Pike to ancient woodlands, we're hosting a competition with the @lakedistrictnpa to find a cover image… https://t.co/gj1a4V6VSi

    21stJanuary, 2021 @Friendsoflakes
  • RT @terrybnd: Some pics of Cumbrian reds I’ve snapped on camera out in the wild. It’s #RedSquirrelAppreciationDay 😊 Thanks to… https://t.co/YIqjQ20u0w

    21stJanuary, 2021 @Friendsoflakes
  • RT @P050840: I waited 50 years to see my favourite woodland creatures in their natural habitat. Here’s some pics from that aweso… https://t.co/7OMxi4jzWA

    21stJanuary, 2021 @Friendsoflakes


Our aim is to:
Care for the scenic beauty, rich wildlife and historic heritage of our county’s landscapes;
 Ensure Cumbria's landscapes are passed on to future generations in as good or better condition than they are now;
Encourage people to appreciate our special county – everyone has a right to enjoy Cumbria’s magnificent landscapes

Our Charter

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Get in touch

Our office is now closed to protect staff and in line with Government advice. Staff will be working from home and we will have access to our incoming post. You can contact us on the office phone 01539 720788 which is being diverted but please leave a message if we do not answer straight away. Email [email protected] as usual.

Friends of the Lake District
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
Cumbria LA9 7SS

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Registered charity number 1100759