Chippings
Derwentwater – The Annual Report, (1908-9), of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or National Beauty records the extension of the Trust’s property on Derwentwater. The additional land which has now been conveyed to the Trust extends from the Brandelhow Lead Mine to the River Derwent, and is ninety-two acres in extent. This addition brings the total area of the land on the shore of Derwentwater belonging to the Trust up to two hundred acres, while of the actual shore of the lake something like a quarter is now open to the public, accessible from land and water. In this connection, the fact may be recalled that before the purchase of Brandelhow there were only two or three landing places open to general use, and on no part of the lake shore could visitors land and picnic as of right. It is hoped that eventually a right of way may be secured leading from the Trust’s land at Great Bay across the River Derwent to the public road at Lodore. Hitherto it has been necessary for anyone making the circuit of the lake to go to Grange, and to cross the river by the bridge there. But if the suggested path could be made, it will be possible to leave the high road near Fawe Park and to go by foot-path round the lake from Portinscale to Lodore. The property includes nine acres of the lake with the manorial and fishing rights. The Trust has also entered into a contract for the purchase, for £200, from Lord Leconfield, of a right of navigation over his third share of the lake, and a right of erecting piers and landing stages at any point on his manorial property. Donations for this object are invited. The Town Council of Keswick is buying navigation rights on the other side of the lake, and when these two purchases are completed, all question as to the right of public navigation on the lake will be at an end, and the Trust as a riparian owner will be able to make provision for the convenient use of its shores by boating parties.
Gowbarrow – The same Trust had hoped that the Ullswater Steamboat Company would have been willing to make arrangements for their steamers to call at Gowbarrow. Unfortunately, the Directors hold the view that to do so would not be compatible with the interests of the shareholders. The Council regret the decision, as, if accessible by steamer, Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force would be brought within an easy distance of places frequented by visitors, to whom a visit to the National Trust land now entails a long journey round the lake.
Windermere – Those who care for the beauty of Windermere have been much disturbed by the proposal to construct in close proximity to the lake enlarged works for the disposal of the sewage of the towns of Windermere and Bowness. Since 1895 the sewage of Bowness has been treated at Braithwaite Fold, near Ferry Nab, where a system of settling and filtration tanks has been constructed. These have proved a source of considerable nuisance to residents and visitors. But it is now proposed to amalgamate the sewage system of Windermere with that of Bowness, and for this purpose to extend very largely the existing system. Considering the rapid development of the district, the Trust would gladly see the adoption of a comprehensive policy by the various towns of the district – Bowness, Windermere, Troutbeck, Ambleside, and Grasmere – for the joint drainage of all their sewage into the sea; but if the time is not yet ripe for such a solution of the problem, the whole of the sewage should at least be taken to a much more distant and less frequented site.
Borrowdale – The same Trust is now appealing for a sum of £2,400 with which to purchase 320 acres of freehold land in Borrowdale, together with the Bowder Stone and its adjacent cottage, 46 parts or shares in the Wheyfoot Quarry and the foreshore and bank of the River Derwent for more than a mile. The property was bought some time ago by some’ friends of the Society for £7 7s. an acre, (which compares very favourably with the £60 an acre paid for Brandelhow), and they have given the Society the option of purchase at cost price, (the balance of £260 is for preliminary expenses), until the end of the year. Members need not to be told of the beauty of the site, and until Government can afford to make Lakeland into a National Park, or at any rate, buy out the mineral and water rights, there is no other way of securing such places for the public. Subscriptions can be sent to Canon Rawnsley, Crosthwaite Vicarage, Keswick.
Geology – The still vext question whether the present forms of mountains and valleys are due to glacial erosion is exhaustively treated by Prof. Wm. Morris Davis in a paper on
“Glacial Erosion in North Wales,” read before the Geological Society and printed in its Quarterly Journal (Vol. 65, pp. 281-350). The learned author gives a detailed account of the orographical features of the Snowdon range and discusses them in the light of the rival theories of the glacial erosionists and the anti-glacial erosionists as to the part played by glaciers, without himself pronouncing in favour of either. Those who climb with their heads as well as their feet will find the paper most instructive.
The same Journal for November 1909, contains interesting papers illustrated by many photographs, maps and sections: (a) on the country round Plynlimmon and Pont Erwyd in Wales, which shew several points of agreement with the Stockdale series of the Lake District, especially with what is known as the argenteus zone stretching from Broughton-in-Furness to Cautley near Sedbergh; (b) on the carboniferous limestone of County Clare, which appears to be like that of the Clitheroe district near Pendle; (c) on the topography of the Howgate Fells near Sedbergh and (d) on the volcanic geology of Glencoe.
Gaping Ghyll – The Bradford Scientific Journal, No. 22, (Henry Gaskarth, 11, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, 6d.), contains a descriptive account of Gaping Ghyll by Cuthbert Hastings, which, as might be expected, is eminently practical and convincing.
Eagle’s Nest Ridge Accident – The details of the fatal accident to Mr. Thomas James Rennison on the 27th Sept., 1909, are so fully described in the Journal of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club, (No. 3), that it is unnecessary to repeat them here. The climb is one of extreme difficulty and it seems doubtful whether Mr. Rennison was in sufficiently good health to make it justifiable. The result should be one more warning to climbers of the duty they owe to others, and to one of the finest of sports.
Sty Head Road – We observe, with regret, that the proposal to make a carriage road over Sty-head from Seathwaite to Wasdale Head has again been brought forward and hope with everyone who really knows and loves the Lakes that it will not be carried out.