Ullswater ‘Steamers’ Press Pack 2012 December 7, 2011 ‘Like’ England’s Loveliest Lake In 2012 – With The Help Of Ullswater ‘Steamers’ ‘Like’ England’s loveliest lake in 2012 and you won’t be disappointed, whether you are a fan of scenery, heritage, wildlife or outdoor activities, a bit of a speed merchant or a lover of myths and legends. Ullswater, second only in size in England to Windermere, is a lake with its own vibe – serene and relaxed, but with an undercurrent of mystery and twists of suspense emanating from its unique past and the geology that shaped the landscape in which it regally sits. Bringing all facets of the lake to life is Ullswater ‘Steamers’, the only cruise company to operate services on the lake and with a heritage stretching back over 150 years. In 2012, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ will be celebrating the 135th birthday of its vessel Lady of the Lake. This regal old lady was first launched on June 26, 1877, the same year Queen Victoria was pronounced Empress of India, and is thought to be the oldest working passenger vessel in the world. 2012 is a special year for Ullswater, therefore the ‘Steamers’ have put together a vibrant calendar of events to help you celebrate in style! The five ladies-in-waiting preparing to make 2012 a gem for visitors to Ullswater will be: Lady of the Lake, Raven, Lady Dorothy, Lady Wakefield and the newest addition to the fleet, Western Belle, who enjoyed her first season in 2011. Also making ripples in 2012 are some new and not-to-be-missed experiences: o Spring Watch & Lambing Weekend – April 21 and 22. A cruise will combine with a lambing experience, birdwatching and guided walks as Ullswater ‘Steamers’ works with partners Nurture Lakeland, the RSPB and the National Trust, to bring a true Spring Watch feel to the lake and its hinterland. Tickets for this experience cost £12 RSPB Member £14 non-member – children half price o A Diamond Jubilee Brass and Bunting Cruise – June 5 – 7pm-9pm. Cruisers will be invited to dress to impress and bring a picnic to eat on board, while listening to music played by a brass band. A complimentary glass of cava and lots of Union Jack bunting around the boat will get everyone in patriotic mood! Tickets cost £12.50 per person o Regatta Weekend on July 7, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lord Birkett’s success in foiling the attempt of the Manchester Corporation to turn Ullswater into a reservoir. A touch of Henley fever will travel north to Ullswater as passengers watch the famous Birkett Cup race from the comfort of an Ullswater ‘Steamer’. Pimms and strawberries can be pre-ordered or bought on board. Tickets cost £20 per adult and £10 per child. The theme of the annual Ullswater ‘Steamers’ photo competition changes in 2012, as Ullswater ‘Steamers’ supports the World Owl Trust by running with a theme of ‘Flights of Fancy’. The entry fees for this competition will be donated to the World Owl Trust. Pirate-themed children’s cruises will run on more dates in 2012, already being in the diary for June 6 and August 22 following the success of the June event in 2011. The final ‘new-for-2012’ experience is a Fellsman-Ullswater ‘Steamers’ day out, which will see train passengers travelling on the classic heritage railway The Fellsman as far as Appleby-in-Westmorland, where they can then opt to take an excursion from the ancient market town, which will involve first a classic coach and then a cruise on Ullswater. This heritage-filled package is sure to be popular and will create a unique and memorable day out. The first opportunity to climb aboard for this ambience-infused experience will be June 6 and it will then run every Wednesday from July 4 to August 29. Bookings are being taken by Fellsman and the excursion costs £20 plus your Statesman Rail Excursion price.Contact 0845 310 2458 to book or visit www.statesmanrail.com Other themed cruises such as photography workshops, fish and chip cruises and cruises with a Lake District National Park ranger, will fill the calendar, while children will have their own family-focused cruises to enjoy in all school holidays and at Halloween and Christmas, when Ghostly Galleon and Santa cruises will respectively operate. Nature lovers can also take advantage of the hugely popular red deer cruises, run in conjunction with wildlife experts from the RSPB. These cruises and excursions into the fells to observe the red deer during rutting season will run on October 18, 19, 20 and 21 and very early booking is advised. Tickets will cost £14 for an adult non-RSPB-member and £7 for a child. Members prices are £12and £6 respectively. Head to www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk to see the full event schedule, book tickets, find out more about the mysterious lake and also discover how to ‘Like the Lake’ on Facebook and other social media sites. Ullswater ‘Steamers’ can also be contacted on 017684 82229. ENDS Press calls: Jane Hunt, Catapult PR, 01253 891114 – [email protected] Note to Editors: Ullswater ‘Steamers’ sails every day bar December 24 and 25, from Glenridding Pier at the south of the lake near the Kirkstone Pass (which links Glenridding to the Windermere area) from Howtown in the middle of the eastern shore and from Pooley Bridge at the top of the lake near Penrith. Passengers can choose to sail one-way on a 65-minute cruise between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding, or on a 35-minute journey to and from either Pooley Bridge and Howtown, or Glenridding and Howtown (70-minute return journey). Alternatively, there is a Round The Lake option, with the flexibility to hop on and off the boat. Walkers can also take advantage of a special fare and dogs and cycles can be carried at a small charge. Fares are as follows: Glenridding or Pooley Bridge to Howtown (35 minute sailing) – walkers ticket Single fare Adult £5.90 Child £2.95 Return fare Adult £9.50 Child £4.75 Family £26 With a shorter sailing you can sail on board more than one vessel, getting to know more than one of the Ullswater ‘Steamers’ Ladies! Glenridding to Pooley Bridge or vice-versa (65 minute sailing) Single fare Adult £8.50 Child £4.25 Glenridding & Pooley Bridge Round the Lake Pass (140 minute sailing) Return Adult £12.95 Child £6.50 Family £32 With this pass, the holder can hop on and off the boat all day and also receives a 50% discount voucher for sister attraction, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. If four adults travel together on this ticket, one travels at half-price. Family tickets are for 2 adults + 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children (children aged 5-15 pay; under 5s go free). A small charge is made for dogs and cycles. Ullswater ‘Steamers’ Encourages Visitors To ‘Like A Lady’ – But Which One To Choose? Cumbrian cruise company, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ is encouraging visitors and supporters of its idyllic experiences to make 2012 the year in which they ‘adopt’ a lady-to-like – a fitting exercise in a diamond jubilee year when heritage and genteel qualities will be much in the news. The ‘ladies’ in question are its atmospheric heritage steamers, which currently number five in the fleet, all female, in good sailing tradition, and all exhibiting the same graceful qualities and ability to glide effortlessly across England’s second largest lake. The fleet operating on stunning Ullswater comprises: Lady of the Lake, Raven, Lady Wakefield, Lady Dorothy and Western Belle. Passengers intending to head to the lake are being encouraged to get to know a little about these ladies and use this knowledge as the basis of which one to ‘adopt’. This could be on the basis of age, past life experiences, distinct characteristics, or place of ‘birth’ or origin. It could equally be because you share your name with a vessel or even because you come from Wakefield! To assist, Ullswater ‘Steamers’ has provided a little information for the adoption packs! Lady of the Lake Date of ‘birth’: 1877 (June 26) – launched by Miss Williamson of Fernilee Place of ‘birth’ Glasgow – T B Seath & Company Designed in Penrith by Douglas Hebson What happened that year? The first Test cricket match took place between England & Australia and the first lawn tennis tournament took place at Wimbledon. An Easter egg was first rolled on the White House lawn and Queen Victoria became Empress of India The Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford Universities was declared a dead heat for the only time in history. It wasn’t a photo finish as Edison only patented the photograph in this year. Notable facts: Lady of the Lake is believed to be the world’s oldest passenger- carrying vessel. Lady of the Lake sank at her moorings in 1881 and was re-floated by divers. She again sank in a severe storm in 1958 and was damaged by fire in 1965 & out of service for 14 years. She was restored & relaunched by politician William Whitelaw (May 19, 1979). She survived 2009’s severe storms. Passenger capacity: 220 Raven Date of ‘birth’: 1889 (July 16) – launched by 6-year-old Winifred Parkin, daughter of Mrs Dynne Deanne Parkin of Charing Heath, Kent. ‘Place of ‘birth’: Glasgow – T B Seath & Company What happened that year?: The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) was founded in Manchester on February 17 and originally called ‘The Plumage League’ to campaign against the use of plumage in women’s clothing.