Just like a speech at the Oscars, I want to start by thanking everyone for their support over the last year. If you have read and shared articles on the website or on social media, given out leaflets, written to United Utilities or the LDNP Authority to express your concerns, joined us at a publicity event, been a politician that listened to our concerns, joined the organisers team, wrote an article or just mentioned Crummock to your neighbour - THANK YOU.

We made a big difference last year, highlighting concerns over the UU plans to remove the weir which resulted in the application being paused. UU made Friends of Crummock a consultee on their project, representing the Crummock community and have co-operated with us to understand our concerns and provide us with further information. So far so good!

We urged the project team to consider an alternative scheme to renaturalise the outlet but without reducing the lake height. This has been taken on board by their engineers as one of three schemes now in review.

We have worked with local farmers and landowners to understand their concerns about the impact weir removal would have on their farming activities. Landowners play such an important role in protecting our natural environment.

We have lobbied against the removal of the public right of way around the lakeshore and for improvements to access to include more accessible pathways.

Local naturalists and fishermen have provided us with a wealth of information. You can see otters playing just below the weir and fry swimming in the shallows at spawning time. Our work to better understand the environmental impact on the whole lake continues into the New Year uncovering some important research on lake levels and their impact on the Arctic Charr and wider pescatarian food chain. Watch this space.

We expect United Utilities to reveal their preferred option by the end of January. They plan further consultation events in February and then to resume their planning application by the end of March.

Back in April 2025 Friends of Crummock were just three individuals. Now, our advisory team comprises chartered environmentalists, mechanical engineers, civil engineers specialising in dam construction, experts in media, graphic design, business impact, social media influencers, and a great legal team. A wider group is on hand to distribute leaflets and spread the word. All are part of a community that is passionate in their love for this remarkable lake. We will keep you informed at every step throughout 2026.

In the coming months we will be scrutinising the UU proposals using our five tests. We will hold them to account. We hope for the best but plan for the worst.

But we could not have done it without your support. Each contribution adds weight to our cause. So once again, thank you and happy new year to all of you. Let us hope 2026 is better than we expect.

What does 2026 hold for Crummock?

The importance of shallows