Keswick may take part in the annual Big Switch Off of lights next year organised by the Friends of the Lake District’s Dark Skies Cumbria project.
The conservation charity says that a number of Cumbrian communities have expressed an interest in getting involved and Keswick was one of those, along with Patterdale and Coniston.
The third annual Ambleside and Grasmere Big Switch Off took place from 7pm on February 23. Although cloud cover spoiled views of the stars, many businesses, organisations and residents turned off their lights, complementing more than 200 local council street lights switched off by Cumbria County Council’s lighting engineer team on the night.
Friends of the Lake District’s Jack Ellerby, the Dark Skies Officer for Cumbria, said: “Momentum is building with more people and businesses taking part each year in the Big Switch Off, to save energy and see more stars.
“In the two communities, I’d say 50 per cent more lights were off this time in Ambleside than last year and nine per cent more across Grasmere.
“Embracing the new darker ambience were businesses like the Rothay Garden Hotel in Grasmere, and the Golden Rule Pub in Ambleside, which arranged candle-lit dining experiences, and outside in the street people carried torches.
“The Dark Skies theme is growing – with accommodation providers including telescopes in their rooms, like Victoria House, in Grasmere and The Salutation, Ambleside, who are developing two stargazing rooms on their top floors.
“Talking to shop, gallery, cafe and other business owners before the night, many of them are switching off unnecessary lights overnight now because of the recent massive rise in electricity costs.”
The move comes after the northern lights were seen over Keswick last week.
Ruth Burgess, who helps run Cumbria House in Derwentwater Place with James Lamb, grabbed her camera when she saw a slight green glow in the sky. She headed to Ashness jetty and used a 20-second exposure to take a number of spectacular pictures.
“I was processing the images as I was going along and could see that they were turning out quite well,” said Ruth. “I could see the green glow and hints of a pinky red colour but the camera enhances what can be seen.
“I have been looking for years in Keswick to see the aurora borealis. It was the first time I have seen it, so it was quite exciting.”
