March's event in the University of Cumbria Cultural Landscape series was A Voice for the Landscape: Friends of the Lake District 1951 - 2001.
The talk was given by Jeremy Rowan Robinson, with a number of additional speakers providing insights into the work of the Friends, and the Regional Heritage Centre who published the book.
Jeremy Rowan Robinson's book explores the role of the Friends of the Lake District in protecting the Lake District in the 50 years since its designation as a national park in 1951.
The book has been published to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Friends of the Lake District and brings the history of the Friends into the 21st century. In it, Jeremy Rowan Robinson draws upon a wealth of primary source materials to chronicle the Friends’ involvement in some of the biggest development proposals affecting the landscape of the Lake District and offers a unique insight into the district’s history.
It was interesting to hear that the role of the Friends isn't to always say "no" to developments, but rather to find ways to take them forward in ways which won't damage the landscape or, at worst, limits the damage caused.
I knew very little about the work of the Friends before this talk, so was interested to learn about some of the projects they have been involved in, and their plans for taking their work forward.