Notes from Nick!

The Spotted Flycatcher - 26th September 2008

The past week or so at Langdale has been its usual varied self; the major difference is that the weather currently is superb. Each morning as we drive down towards Colwith with the Fairfield Horseshoe to one side and the Langdale Pikes to the other; you realise why The Lake District is so special and worth protecting.

Interestingly last Thursday a party from the Association of National Parks Authorities (ANPA) came to visit. They were looking at our interaction with the local community both in terms of what we do and why we do it.

The weekend took us down to Oxford for the company AGM, where John Whiteman explained our ongoing work helping reduce both our environmental impacts and our cost base. From feedback received on the day, our owners seemed to be more interested in the impact on the environment than the cost saving element.

This brings me to yesterday; when I was involved in a series of discussions revolving around ethical purchasing and Fairtrade; carbon foot-printing and the breeding habits of the Spotted Flycatcher. What a combination!

As I signed up for the various meetings yesterday I was uncertain about their relevance to a hotel in the Lake District. However, following the ANPA visit and the AGM I feel that actually the issue of protecting the Lake District and Langdale via sustainability encompasses all these diverse ideas.

Ethical purchasing may sound very pious but actually could be as simple as using local products and services so that we help maintain a vibrant local economy and community. Fairtrade is helping third world farmers but we should also be supportive of our own farming community.

And finally how is the Spotted Flycatcher important to a Lake District hotel and its visitors? Well, it has been identified as a species which is globally threatened as breeding populations rapidly decline. However, at Langdale in the heart of the Lake District it is one of our most common birds. Indeed our marketing office had their very own Flycatcher family this summer.

The Fly Catcher is apparently very discerning and thrives only in good environments. If these fussy little fellows feel that Langdale is an ideal environment, then I am sure that most of our guests will feel equally as comfortable and will agree with our continuing go which is to sustain Langdale as an “Ideal Environment”!

Regards Nick