Low Wood Bay is delighted to be supporting The Pitch, a competition that supports budding UK filmmakers.
UK Film-making Industry Success
What is The Pitch
Launched in 2008, The Pitch has helped thousands of small businesses with training, development and funding. Some of the finalists from previous years have gone on to great success – securing investment, industry support and opportunities to make and launch their films. The Pitch itself has expanded from its roots as solely a pitching competition to offering a comprehensive programme of support to entrants and winners.
How does The Pitch work?
Initially, entrants submit a two minute video pitch, outlining their short film idea. The fund is free to enter. Forty filmmakers are selected to go through to regional finals, where they attend a virtual workshop. This the first of many different ways the fund supports filmmakers. At each stage of the process there is training to help them prepare for pitching to industry experts, as well as equipping them with skills for future success in the film industry.
Luke Bradford pitching his film to investors and industry experts
The top ten filmmakers are selected to give a 12-minute pitch at The Pitch Final. To prepare for this they are invited to a three-day intensive masterclass at Low Wood Bay where they are tutored in how to present the perfect pitch. With this valuable training under their belt, the shortlisted finalists present to a panel of industry judges at the National Film and Television School in January.
Two successful filmmakers will be selected to receive funding from the overall Production Fund of £40,000, which will be used for support and production costs to launch their film and take it further on the journey to full production.
Looking back at The Pitch 2020
Pitch Winner Long Listed for The Oscars
Luke Bradford winning The Pitch competition in 2018
Luke Bradford was one successful finalist who worked on his film White Gold at Low Wood Bay and benefitted from the investment required to make his film. It won various awards, including the Pan African Film Festival in LA. This qualified the film for entry to the Oscars where it reached the long list stage.
It has now been nominated for an award at Film the House festival, a UK parliamentary award with the express aim to educate parliamentarians and young people about the importance of the creative industries to the UK economy. There are six categories for entry and Luke has been nominated in the Best Film Direction category.
Prizes for the winners include support from industry screenwriting professionals, a BBFC certificate of classification and a cash prize to help in the development of their next project.
Wishing Luke every success when the winners are announced on 8th March!
Low Wood Bay – Perfect for Conferences, Competitions and Creative Space
Low Wood Bay has all the resources to ensure your event exceeds expectations. As a resort it provides excellent facilities for unwinding at the end of a busy day with a choice of restaurants and bars, a fully equipped gym with sauna, steam room and hot tubs as well as a luxurious indoor outdoor Spa. Our conferences suite offers a choice of spaces, great views over the lake and refreshments on tap. For more information call the Low Wood Bay team on 015394 39469.
Low Wood Bay resort on the shores of Windermere
In September 2021 Low Wood Bay hotel will switch over to electricity from its new Hydropower electricity scheme. This is the latest environmental initiative at the resort, designed to tap into a natural energy source on site, creating enough energy for about one third of our electricity requirements and further reducing our carbon footprint.
Roberto Sotgiu (right) delivering Low Wood Bay turbine to Tim Berry (left), Estates Director, English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues
We have received invaluable help and support throughout this project from Roberto Sotgiu, Managing Director of Hydrolite Ltd in Wales. Rob’s engineering company manufactures the turbines required to generate the electricity and he has worked with many local farmers and smaller sites throughout Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom to establish sustainable energy from renewable sources.
Rob tells us about his passion for renewable energy and how it all started …
An Early Love of Nature
The Sotgiu family Campagna in Sardinia
I grew up in Sardinia with my brother and sister. My mother is English and my father Sardinian. Like most families, we lived in a tiny flat in town and had a plot of land just outside (called a ‘campagna’), which had been passed onto us from previous generations. Dad loved growing as much as he could on the land. We made our own olive oil and used it to preserve artichokes and sun dried tomatoes. We had lemon, orange, peach and apricot trees and even a vineyard, and made half-decent wine. Most weeks dad would bring home wooden boxes full of veggies, but we kids didn’t like these because we would have to spend ages washing the bugs off them!
I was lucky. I had a great childhood and often look back at those years with great fondness and nostalgia. Fresh organic food, good exercise and a simple uncomplicated way of life was something I took for granted when I was young. These were the things that created the building blocks for what would become a love of nature and deep concern for the environment throughout my life.
The Study of Objects and Systems in Motion
Since childhood, I have been fascinated with how things work and would often disassemble broken toys to rip out the mechanical components, like those small dc motors and micro switches, that I would use to make something else. Not all new toys worked as planned… and I learnt that plugging dc motors in the ac mains does not make them run faster!
Two of Roberto’s Engineering Projects, a motorised lamp (L) and a office chair testing machine
However, my mum knew that I had ‘the knack’ for engineering, just like Dilbert, so after high school I was fortunate enough to study mechanical engineering at Bath University in the UK. I loved those years, especially the practical modules where we had to design and build something. In my second year, for example, we had to engineer a toy dragster powered by a spring (the same given to all students) that would complete a 10m run in the shortest time possible. I spent far too much time on the project, but the efforts paid off because Bob’s Bullet won the race! I still have it, albeit in bits.
The winning ‘Bob’s Bullet’ Design
After graduation I stayed on in the UK and worked for the next eight years designing special purpose machinery for numerous manufacturing processes within different industries. It was a perfect career for an aspiring inventor/maker because every project was different and involved a mixture of core engineering fields.
My love of engineering never wavered, but eventually I did start to kick against the monotony and regularity of a nine to five lifestyle. I was also mindful that after the age of 30, you could not obtain a yearlong working holiday visa for Australia and New Zealand. It was then that I made the momentous decision for me at the time, to leave a good career and reliable income in order to explore a love of travel which I had inherited from my mother. I handed in my notice, sold my car along with all my possessions, rented my house and bought a flexible round-the-world flight ticket.
Epiphany in the Antipodes
Organic Farm where Roberto discovered Wwoofing
I travelled around the world for the next twelve months, visiting many amazing places, including Japan, South East Asia, Australasia and America. In Australia and New Zealand I discovered the wonderful organisation of ‘Wwoofing’ (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) where I worked for food and lodgings on organic farms. I was fortunate to meet the most amazing and influential people in my life.
Roberto was influenced by people who were living completely off-grid
Amongst others, I met a scientist turned sculptor who singlehandedly built his own beautiful wooden house; a permaculture guru and his family, living entirely from their land; and a doctor in solar power technology, married to an architect who specialised in eco-friendly homes. Most of them lived remotely and used one or more renewable technologies to power or heat their homes. It was here that I learnt about off-grid living, rainwater harvesting, hot water solar collectors, ground and air source heat pumps, solar, wind and hydropower. This was a revelation to me, and something of an epiphany. These were experiences that would connect my love of, and concern for, the environment with my vocation as an engineer. It would also alter the course of my life from that point on.
Three Pivotal Decisions
Back in the UK, I made three decisions. Firstly, I would be master of my own time. Secondly, I would remain in the field of engineering, and thirdly, I would channel my skills and energies to help benefit others and the environment.
In 2008/2009 friends from the Brecon Beacons asked me to assist with their hydropower enterprise. They had pioneered The Green Valleys Community Interest Company (TGVCIC), an initiative to create small hydro power schemes across towns and villages in Wales, and generate income from renewable energy for small rural communities. The introduction of the Feed-In Tariffs programme made many small schemes financially viable, thus fuelling the demand for micro hydro power equipment sub 100kW. Hydrolite Ltd was born! A lighter version of the full-blown industrial hydropower machines.
A typical Hydrolite turbine
Initially, I helped TGVCIC with feasibility studies, working with farmers and landowners who were considering hydro-power schemes, as well as offering my technical engineering design skills to those involved in the build of the first few small turbines. As demand for turbines grew, I decided to design my own modular range of products. Most of the materials and machining are sourced locally to my workshop in Swansea, South Wales, and the control units are manufactured in Herefordshire by SCS Ltd.
Wales offers excellent prospects for hydro-power projects – hills and high rainfall being the perfect ingredients for success. The award-winning TGVCIC schemes have created interest from other parts of the UK.
Low Wood Bay resort has ideal conditions for a working hydro-power plant. I was invited to get involved in the project with a view to supply the equipment. It is turbine number 102, model HLT-10-2SV5L, which means that it has two automatic spear valves of 5” (125 mm) pipework, and the generator is a six-pole, three-phase, induction motor spinning at around 1010 rpm. With a net head of 85 m and an available flow of 85 l/s, the turbine is expected to generate 55 kW power. I understand that this equates to roughly a third of the resort’s power usage.
Guests at Low Wood Bay contributing to a Greener Future
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We are now at the exciting point in the project where we are awaiting the final G99 sign off test and the resort can start to enjoy the benefit of renewable energy.
A Final Thought…
It is my belief that we all need to do our bit for the environment and to reverse the unfolding climate emergency affecting our world. I chose to make my contribution in Renewable Energy, because it fitted well with my skills and life style. I don’t expect everyone to quit their jobs and start building small hydroelectric turbines… I wouldn’t appreciate the competition! We can all just make environmentally-sound decisions, however small, to support the transition to a greener future.
As my partner and I prepare to welcome our first baby daughter due in February, I sincerely hope that we will not be passing onto her a world full of problems, but an exciting route to reverse climate change… and that she won’t mind washing the bugs off the organic veggies from our campagna!
Hotels use electricity. Low Wood Bay resort needs rather a lot of it, but now we will be generating our own greener version renewable energy.
Low Wood Bay resort
Without electricity, Low Wood Bay guests would be sitting in the dark with only salad on the menu, or shivering under a grubby unwashed duvet watching a blank TV screen. There would be no lovely Spa facilities to book, no mouth-watering feasts, no party nights or family celebrations, no cosy winter weekend breaks. Perhaps we can do without a trouser press these days, but we will always need heat, light, food and clean linen. The question is not whether we need electricity, but how can we utilise it responsibly.
The team at Low Wood Bay are very aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint. We consider every aspect of the operation and continually think about how we can be more environmentally friendly, reduce greenhouse gases, and use technology to make us more efficient. These deliberations caused us to work on designing a scheme to generate our own Hydropower electricity, using the free flowing river on the hillside behind the hotel.
History of Hydro Power
It’s certainly not new! Hydropower is one of the oldest methods of generating energy and was used by civilizations over 2000 years ago. There’s evidence of ancient Greeks using the power of water to turn wheels to grind wheat to flour.
Water used to drive waterwheel
By the 1700s modern hydropower plants were developed from this water wheel innovation and by the time of the Industrial Revolution, hydropower energy was used intensively in the UK to spin cotton. Over the past thirty years, large hydroelectric plants in the UK (mostly in Wales and Scotland) have produced 2% of our electricity. Globally, hydropower accounts for around 17% of the world’s electricity production, whilst nuclear energy accounts for around 10%, and other renewable energy sources around 9%. Norway produces a staggering 96% of its electricity from hydropower.
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Hydropower harnesses the energy of running water, without reducing its quantity, to produce electricity. This gives it the credentials of being a source of renewable energy.
Renewables produces far less greenhouse gases than gas, coal or oil and is a great choice for reducing our carbon footprint. Across the globe, the use of hydroelectricity over fossil fuels prevents the equivalent emission of greenhouse gases caused by burning of 4.4 million barrels of petroleum per day.
It is true that in recent years there some of the large international hydropower plants have been criticised for harming the environment by causing damage to habitats, impact on fish stock and other livestock, displacement of people and damaging agriculture. Smaller run-of-the-river schemes, like Low Wood Bay, are much more environmentally friendly and have gone through a rigorous environmental checklist to ensure that there is no adverse effects on the environment and to ensure the scenery and wildlife are unharmed.
Low Wood Bay Hydropower
Hydropower schemes utilise the kinetic energy of water flowing downhill. This energy drives a water turbine that creates the electricity. One major advantage of hydro energy over wind or solar power is that the energy production is continuous and is not so dependent on changeable weather conditions. It is also has the ability to respond very quickly to fluctuations in demand – no dash to get home for a hot bath before the rush!
Roberto of Hydrolite delivers the turbine to Tim Berry, Director of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues
The hydropower system at Low Wood Bay will be taken from a river, Hol Beck, on the private fellside behind the hotel. An 860 metre pipe carries the water at speeds as quick as 79 litres per second, to the turbine below before flowing back into the beck. The vertical fall of the water will be around 90 metres, twice the height of Niagara Falls. The Hydrolite turbine is housed in a dry stone barn type building which blends well into the local Lakeland environment.
New Lakeland stone built home to house the turbine
The hydropower system is fully automatic, the turbine adjusting the flow through the jets according to the available flow into the tank. This produces the maximum power it can at all times, whilst wasting nothing. We expect the Low Wood hydropower system to generate a power output of 53 kW to 60 kW, generating 180 MWh each year – a third of our total annual requirement.
Glad to be Greener
Tim Berry, Director, English Lakes Hotels by Hol Beck
When we flick the switch on this exciting renewable energy project at Low Wood Bay in September, perhaps nobody else will notice. Heat and light will continue to be generated, our swimming pool will still be warm, and toast will pop up in the morning for breakfast. But, we will have an extra spring in our step and a warm satisfied internal glow knowing that we are doing a little bit more to produce a greener kind of energy, reducing our environmental impact and preserving the natural beauty of the landscape that we call home.
Fishermen are renowned for bragging about the one that got away. In a similar vein, Joan Collins had a near miss with a movie about a giant Pike at Low Wood Bay.
Joan Collins checked in at Low Wood Bay in May 1982 to wow journalists and photographers for the finale of the press tour for a motion thriller called ‘The Pike’.
Former English Lakes Chairman and Managing Director, Michael Berry, recalls the details in his book about the history of Low Wood Bay…
A very enterprising Mancunian, having seen the American thriller Jaws, decided if the New England coast of the USA could have a man eating fish, why not Old England, and if England, why not Windermere and what was big in Windermere? – PIKE. His name was Chris Twemlow. Chris made contact with Low Wood Bay and much pre-planning took place.
He had a firm in Ulverston make a 12 foot pike and inside it was installed a radio controlled motor to propel the fish on the water’s surface. All was set for the great day. City Major Ltd. were to produce, Joan Collins and Jack Hedley were the stars and stayed at Low Wood for some three days.
The opening scene of the film would be a lone fisherman sitting on Low Wood’s northern pier with legs dangling over the jetty side. The camera was to be the eyes of the giant pike looking north to the dangling legs. The camera was to move faster and faster to its prey, and the music, a la Jaws, similarly. There would be a great crescendo, a swirl of water, utter silence and all that was to be seen on the bloody surface of the lake was the fisherman’s hat.
Sadly, (as we are sure it would have gone down in history as a cult movie, at least for the comic value) the 12 foot robotic Pike refused to perform. There was no rearing out of the water, rolling of mad eyes and glimpses of razor sharp teeth. Instead, it lay flaccid and unmoving, more dead goldfish than man-eating pike. Despite the author diving in to help it along, the fish refused to budge. It was over before it had begun.
To our knowledge, nobody knows where the robotic killer pike ended up. If you know, we’d love to hear from you. There were rumours that it had been acquired by someone who operated a mini-sub on Windermere. Bownessie perhaps?! Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre are, however, the proud owners of the life size fibreglass model of The Pike that was produced at the same time as the robotic version. It is displayed nose down as our catch of the day – the one that didn’t get away.
No Giant Killer Pikes Here
We’d like to assure our guests and visitors to Low Wood Bay that there have been no giant 12′ killer pikes spotted here since that day in May 1982. We are very confident that you can book your water sports session and enjoy a fun day on the lake, without fear. For more information on what’s available, take a look online, or ‘phone the team on 015294 39441.
Klara Labuz is a popular member of our Low Wood Bay team. She tells us a bit about her career within English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, and how she has progressed within the company over the last eight years.
Tell us about your English Lakes career journey
I’ve been part of the team at English Lakes Hotels since July 2013, almost eight years now. I started as a Receptionist and learned how to deliver great customer service as well as the importance of communication and teamwork. After two years I was promoted to Reception Shift Leader and had the opportunity to learn more about the business and about organising a team.
I started a new adventure at Low Wood Bay in 2017 when I became Office Manager at Low Wood Bay Marina and Watersports Centre. This was my first managerial role which I found both challenging and very satisfying. The role has recently expanded and my managerial responsibilities now also include Low Wood Bay Spa and Health Club.
How Has Training Helped your Career?
Klara (left) receiving an award from Diana Berry, and Simon Berry, Chairman & Managing Director, at an English Lakes Awards lunch
Since the day I joined English Lakes, I have been shown how much the company culture promotes training and development. Not only was I encouraged and helped in perfecting my English language skills, but I also progressed through a number of NVQ courses – first, Front of House, level 2 and then NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision & Leadership. During my time at Reception I also completed my HR Diploma.
Is there a typical day in the life of Leisure Office Manager?
Every day is very different. That’s what makes the job even more enjoyable. The first thing I do when I come to work is to appreciate the view at this amazing location. Then my day starts with accountancy tasks, email correspondence, attending various meetings, personnel administration, helping with running of the resort leisure facilities, and any other duties required on the day.
View of Low Wood Bay from Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre
Do you take to the water yourself?
Yes, absolutely. As Watersports Office Manager I wasn’t just stuck in the office, I was lucky enough to be able to interact with customers, send out motorboats, help on the beach, take bookings and look after our lovely marina members. After a busy day at work, I get to enjoy the facilities and the equipment myself and I love going paddle boarding or going out wakesurfing. Paddle boarding after work is a great way to unwind. I can completely switch off and just enjoy the beauty of the lake.
Watersports Centre will be working with Wake on the Bay this year and I will be signing up for wakesurfing lessons.
Klara and her husband, Blazej, on Lake Windermere
A few of your favourite things
I love the variety of the tasks and the measure of trust given to me by my Manager I am fortunate to say that I love what I do and I think that is one of the most important things in life. It helps that I am surrounded by fantastic colleagues and very capable and caring senior management. I also enjoy the perks that come with the job like the entrance to Health Club and Spa and discounts on food and drinks.
English Lakes hosts three Award Lunches for staff every year
Defining English Lakes ‘Family’
Klara, and members of the Low Wood Bay team getting together to take part in a beach clean
Family is for me a sense of genuine caring, continued support, understanding and security. It’s about people I can count on in difficult times in life, and with whom I can share the happiest times. Originally from Czech Republic, moving into a different country was, at times, challenging. Over the past 8 years, I have met a lot of incredible and inspiring people at English Lakes who have become friends. The company’s culture is all about recognizing strengths and behaviours of others and I believe that the management is purposeful in creating this sense of family where individuals are supported and listened to in any stage of life.
Describe the atmosphere at Low Wood Bay Watersports
It is buzzing. Working outdoors is wonderful itself, and all our team are passionate about water sports. It is hard work on some days but it is also a very satisfying job. Every season we have a wonderful team and we are very excited to be recruiting again to for this season. When restrictions ease this year we will be able to start organising barbeques and water sports evenings for our team.
Any other employee benefits that you enjoy?
Eating out at Low Wood’s Blue Smoke on the Bay
Personally, I love going to the swimming pool while my husband enjoys spending time in the gym. We also like to treat ourselves by going out for meals, and eating at English Lakes restaurants is very affordable with the staf discount of 20%. My husband is a Chef and as much as he enjoys cooking, he loves eating at the different English Lakes restaurants. Each year we are given a Birthday Stay at one of the hotels which is a great way to celebrate.
Join the English Lakes Team
For more information about working at English Lakes Hotels, Resorts & Venues and a list of our current vacancies, take a look at our Jobs Page.
Low Wood Bay has an intriguing history dating all the way back to 1705, from family farm to a first-class resort.
As a keen historian, alongside his love for hospitality, Michael Berry wrote a book in 2002 which delves into 300 years of history surrounding Low Wood Bay. We’ve chosen the key milestones in Low Woods history to share with you…
1705
The first evidence of Low Wood being an operational Farm, however the first known owner of Low Wood was recorded in 1715.
1718
First official record of Low Wood in Ambleside Parish register. At this time it was highlighted that Low Wood was being enlarged by a builder family, the Birketts. Low Wood was being enlarged from a small farmstead to a well-built hostelry for carriers plus waggons and teams of horses.
1775
Records show a ‘Holbeck Inn’ is renamed as ‘Low Wood Inn’
1783
It seems by this time Low Wood had be renamed to ‘Wrights Low Wood Inn’, the new tenants owned the again enlarged Inn, as sketched by Peter Crosthwaite.
1802
John Wright continued to develop the reputation of the ‘Low Wood’ all the way until his retirement in 1803. Applications for tenancy of Low Wood were advertised in the ‘Lancaster Gazetteer’.
1840
Her majesty the Queen Dowager dines at Low Wood. Queen Adelaide.
1845
The death of Thomas Jackson saw Robert Bruce Logan take the tenancy of the Inn, he was a 36 year old scot. Succeeding members of the Logan family would continue the Low Wood tenancy for the following 96 years.
1845
The first Steamer, ‘Lady of the Lake’ was launched on Windermere in 1845. Lady of the Lake carried 200 passengers and boasted a luxurious first class saloon fitted with mirrors and carpets. Her hull was finished in black and gold with a white figurehead. She continued in service until 1865.
1847
The Kendal and Windermere railway opens.
1859
Low Wood Hotel, completely rebuilt to accommodate the annual 21,000 carriages passing from the station.
1905
Low Wood welcomes Motor Cars and later offers “Motor cars for hire” as well as several excursions and drives from the hotel.
1941
Robert Logan retires.
1952
Availability of Low Wood lease comes to the attention of Norman Buckley who, with his brother and father had built up a successful Solicitors practice in Manchester. They acquire it for £310 per annum.
1958
Low Wood became available to buy, it was auctioned at Kendal Town Hall. Norman and his brother, Kenneth, were successful and bid for a total of 73 acres for £8,417.
1960’s
Through the 60’s many famous faces visited Low Wood and enjoyed rides on Norman Buckley’s ‘Miss Windermere’ power boat. Guests included HRH King Hussein of Jordan, Donald Campbell and Richard Dimbleby.
1972
Michael Berry invited to manage the hotel group, including Low Wood, with his uncle Norman Buckley.
1984
Watersports centre was officially opened by the Minister for Sport, Mr. Neil Macfarlane, M.P and begins to offer guests and visitors a variety of water-based activities.
1990
The Leisure Club and conference centre open, HRH Prince Edward attends the official opening.
2000
Simon Berry takes on the responsibility of Chairman of the English Lakes Group.
2001
In October 2001 Low Wood Hotel celebrated achieving 4 star status from the AA and RAC. This accolade followed improvements and re-development at the hotel amounting to £8 million over the previous 10 years.
2003
Low Wood Hotel won the ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ award in the Cumbria for Excellence Awards run by Cumbria Tourist Board.
2005
The 10mph speed limit is implemented on Lake Windermere and a major re-think is needed.
2008
The first ever Great North Swim was held at Low Wood Bay with over 2000 open water swimmers taking part.
2019
The new Winander Club accommodation, Blue Smoke on the Bay restaurant, Norman’s Juice Bar and The Spa open after a multi-million pound renovation.
Book a break at Low Wood Bay Resort
Low Wood Bay has a range of luxurious rooms and exceptional facilities making it the perfect base to explore the Lake District. All guests have access to the on-site health club which includes an indoor pool, jacuzzi, infra-red sauna, steam room, fully-equipped gym and fitness classes.
Winander Club provides upgraded room features and a personalised service. Guests can enjoy a private bar and breakfast area with an inspirational view of Lake Windermere. Winander Club residents benefit from a prosecco arrival, a roof terrace and late check out.
The Spa at Low Wood Bay offers the chance to unwind in an area of stunning natural beauty. Escape busy schedules and feel revitalised with a spa treatments, spa day or thermal journeys. As a resort, Low Wood hosts two wonderful restaurants, ‘The Windermere’ and ‘Blue Smoke on the Bay’.
I’m sure we don’t need to convince you about the benefits of friendship! Having an ongoing heart-to-heart with your bestie, or with a group of friends, can help you cope in the bad times, give you a sense of belonging, boost happiness levels, and improve your self-confidence.
Finding time to spend together in the busyness of life can prove difficult, especially if you are working around partners, children, elderly parents, responsibilities at work, or any number of other valid reasons. However, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
The Spa at Low Wood Bay
Booking a Spa Day with friends will yield not only the positive emotional effects of spending time together, but has additional physical health benefits, leaving you rejuvenated and ready to step back into your routine with renewed energy and vigour.
Heart Healthy
Did you know, for example, that there are scientific studies showing that regular massage can reduce inflammation and improve muscle tone? Other studies demonstrate that massage can help with cardiovascular health and improve the immune system.
Essential oils, present in most beauty treatments, are designed to calm and soothe your mind. However, a study from the European Society of Cardiologists found that the scent from essential oils also benefits the health of the heart, reducing blood pressure and heart rate.
Happy-ness Boost
Body treatments can increase Serotonin levels. This handy little hormone transmits messages between nerve cells, smoothing muscles and contributing to wellbeing, happiness and the ‘feel good’ factor.
Time to Glow
The positive effects of a gentle facial scrub and exfoliation are well known, promoting cellular regeneration and making skin feel smoother and softer. However, facials not only keeps your skin glowing, but it can also yield benefits in other areas. There are 300 pressure points on the face which relate to every part of the body, which can muscles and the lymphatic system. A good facial massage can have a positive effect on the functioning of every area of your body, making your face glow and generally leaving you feeling less tired and sluggish.
Benefits of Steam and Sauna
Saunas and steam rooms are great places to sit back and relax, but there are many health benefits of heat and steam, including the improvement of circulation throughout the body – again adding to that healthy glow. Heat and steam can also relieve tension, clear skin impurities and help minimise joint pain. If you are suffering with a cold or blocked sinuses, the heat from saunas and steam rooms thins the mucus membranes making breathing noticeably easier.
Fellside Sauna, The Spa at Low Wood Bay
Lost in the Lakes Spa Day
Spa Guests at Low Wood Bay
With all this scientific evidence behind you, why not get a group of friends together and enjoy a Spa Day together – good company and lots of healthy benefits. I’m sure you’ve got lots to chat about. The Lost in the Lakes Spa Day is designed around groups of 4 to 12 people and includes our Thermal Journey, a one hour Berry and Birch Signature Treatment – Head to Toe Massage, Himalayan Salt Body Scrub or Total Face treatment .and a delightful Afternoon Tea, or two-course lunch.
To make a booking, or for more information, call the Spa team on 015394 39303.
For the first time since 2005, Endurance Speed Records will return to Windermere on 9th and 10th November.
Low Wood’s Legacy of Speed
Norman Buckley and Donald Campbell
Norman Buckley MBE, great uncle of English Lakes Managing Director, Simon Berry, and owner of Low Wood Bay, was successful in achieving four world water speed records in the 1950s, designing and building his own speed boats. Miss Windermere IV, one of his craft, is now housed at Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories.
English Lakes Managing Director, Simon Berry, and Liz Moss, CEO of Lakeland Arts and Windermere Jetty
Establishing Records Week
Through determined efforts by Norman Buckley and other enthusiasts, the inaugural BP National Powerboat Record Attempts was hosted on Windermere in October 1970. This was the first of a series of annual Record Weeks spanning the past forty-eight years. The original competitors paid just £5 entry fee, with any additional speed record attempt costing £1.
Records Week has gone on to establish itself as a most valuable entry in the powerboating calendar. It is now open to all categories of watercraft, from the smallest hydroplanes through to large offshore boats from all over the UK and all over the world.
When the 10 mph speed limit was introduced on Windermere in 2005, Records Week required a new venue. Coniston, the lake where four of Donald Campbell’s seven world speed records were set, was identified as the ideal place to continue the popular and ever-expanding event.
New Records Set in 2018
It appears that globally, and as a nation, we are certainly not slowing down! During the 2018 Records Week, as many as 10 new world records were established, and 12 new national records.
The youngest competitor in 2018 was 17 year old Thomas Mantripp, who follows in the wake of his father and grandfather as successful speed racing competitors. Thomas established three new World and National records over 80 mph. In the O175 Hydroplane class he recorded an astonishing 89 mph.
The fastest run of the 2018 competition was from 18 year old Ben Jelf in the Supercat class, recording 124.38 mph. As a first time water speed record breaker over 100mph, Ben received a Gold K7 Club Star, from the prestigious club founded by Donald Campbell.
Edd China took to the water in the Gibbs Amphibious Equada, an electric amphicar still under development. Despite its developmental status, Edd achieved a new National record of 28.70 mph in his class.
Return to Windermere
Due to a necessary and awaited update to a Byelaw on Coniston Water, the perfect opportunity presented itself to return World Water Speed Record breaking to Lake Windermere, and run two days of endurance speed records which, due to operational constraints on Coniston Water, are not normally possible during Records Week.
Endurance Records over 1 and 2 hours will take place on the Saturday, and straight line performance trials on the Sunday.
We wish all the competitors every success and look forward to reading the record breaking headlines next month.
Book an Autumn Break on the Shores of Windermere
Low Wood Bay is the original home of Norman Buckley’s record breaking success. Take a look at our Autumn Savers and plan a short break on the shores of Windermere.
If there was ever any proof needed that Low Wood Bay can do small and intimate weddings, as well as grand affairs, Vicky and Chris’ wedding provides just that. With a wedding package ‘Just for Two’, Vicky tells us their romantic story and how the team at Low Wood Bay became part of their perfect day.
Meeting on the Thin Blue Line
We both work for Greater Manchester Police, and first met in 2015. Chris is a police officer and I am a Radio Operator. He used to come up to the communication room for brews. We started talking for a few months and, after a lot of persistence on his part, we finally met up for a drink. The rest is history as they say!
Precisely Timed Proposal
In February 2017 I was dreading turning 30! It had always been my ‘scary age’ and really wasn’t looking forward to it. We booked 3 nights in Paris and stayed in a beautiful hotel, just around the corner from the Arc de triumph. My birthday tradition is that I always stay awake until just past midnight, until the time I was born. We went out for a meal on my birthday-eve, came back to the hotel room and were watching TV. When it was exactly 00:17 Chris proposed. It was very personal and low key, just the 2 of us – no fuss and no audience! In the morning Chris had roses, cake and champagne delivered to the room for breakfast.
Wedding for Two
We decided straight away that we wanted a ‘wedding for 2’. We liked the idea of it being personal, intimate and (probably selfishly) exactly how we wanted it. We love the Lake District and have spent anniversaries and birthdays in and around Windermere, so there was no question where we would look for a venue. We came across Low Wood Bay while looking for intimate weddings. We didn’t want to feel ‘lost’ in a venue, because we had no guests. Low Wood Bay had a specifically tailored ‘just for 2’ package. It was perfect. It felt like it was specifically catering for two people, rather than just fitting us into the ‘traditional’ wedding day. It included everything we were looking for and the views over the lake are amazing.
Our Perfect Venue
We booked an appointment with the wedding team to look around, and booked it there and then! It was the first and only place that we looked at. It was just perfect.
The wedding team was amazing. We weren’t made to feel like we were being picky or fussy about anything. They pre-empted our questions and requests before we even had to ask! Our duplex suite in the Winander Club was just so luxurious – direct access to the roof terrace with stunning views, and 2 floors/2 bathrooms, so that Chris could have his own privacy on the wedding morning, whilst the hairdresser/makeup artist and photographer were trying to work their magic on me!
We felt like VIPs
From the moment we arrived we were made to feel so special, from the Gate Keeper who knew who we were on arrival, to the prosecco on check in and the congratulations card given to us by the Blue Smoke staff the evening before. Chris had asked for flowers to be delivered to the room on our wedding morning, and I was greeted with a dozen of the most beautiful red roses, along with a delicious breakfast in the room and prosecco and beer to settle any nerves!
Low Key but still the Bride
As it was a very low key wedding I didn’t want to stand out too much and go for the big meringue dress! I opted for an ivory 2 piece, top and trousers by Catherine Deane, which I found in a lovely bridal boutique in Clitheroe called Kimberley Anne Bridal Boutique. It was perfect. I still felt like a bride, but not too conspicuous. Chris looked very handsome in a blue Hugo Boss 3 piece suit.
Relaxed and Friendly Ceremony
We were married in a very relaxed ceremony with just a handful of guests, consisting of hotel staff, wedding planners and our photographers. It certainly took the pressure off any mistakes during the vows!
As we had no guests, Rachel, our Wedding Co-ordinator, and James, our Master of Ceremonies were witnesses. Rachel was also ring bearer! We don’t know who was more excited. By the end of the day it felt like the wedding team were our wedding guests! After the ceremony when we were having our photographs taken, everywhere we turned, James was there with drinks in hand. They even came to meet us for a celebratory drink after they had finished for the day, dressed with fascinators, waistcoats and ties! The whole team really did go above and beyond to make us feel so special.
Wedding Afternoon Tea
We didn’t have the ‘traditional’ wedding breakfast. We started married life with Afternoon Tea in the Atrium overlooking the lake and spent our evening in the Windermere restaurant enjoying yet another delicious meal.
The Low Wood Bay setting is stunning with plenty of opportunity for scenic pictures, the jetty onto the lake is very picturesque, and we went for a wander around the back of the hotel and ended up with some new wedding guests – the sheep!
Our Honeymoon Heaven
For our honeymoon we flew to the Dominican Republic 2 days later, for 10 nights of pure luxury at the stunning Excellence El Carmen resort. We had a swim out suite, all inclusive, numerous restaurants and bars, and lived in pure relaxation for ten days!
When we returned we celebrated with family and friends at Cosy Club Manchester for our ‘evening do’…. Aka an excuse to wear our outfits again and eat cake!
Weddings at Low Wood Bay
We wish Vicky and Chris every happiness in their life together. As Vicky said, we don’t know who was most excited and thrilled on the day!
If you are planning your wedding and would like to chat through your dream wedding wish list, whether large or small and intimate, call Low Wood Bay wedding team on 0330 4042 693
Annabel Berry, Low Wood Bay Spa Manager, tells us about her own pregnancy journey, and some of the treatments and products that The Spa can offer new Mums and Mums-to-be.
Annabel Berry, Spa Manager at Low Wood Bay
Congratulations! When are you due?
Thank you! We are so excited to welcome our little boy on the 25th August.
How would you describe your pregnancy so far?
Annabel and Joe celebrating their Baby Shower on the lawns at Low Wood Bay
It’s actually been relatively normal (at least as normal as it can be). Everyone has been very supportive and I have felt completely looked after throughout my pregnancy.
It’s a boy! How are you preparing for his arrival?
Well, we are a family full of girls, so everything is very new to me. Luckily Joe’s sister is an amazing mum, and is also pregnant again. I pretty much ask her everything.
Any pregnancy aches and pains?
I’ve struggled with my hips near the end of pregnancy, however taking regular breaks and taking less stairs has helped. One of the perks of working in the Spa is that I use the pool a lot. This really helps to relax me and ease any aches and pains!
Pool with a view – The Spa at Low Wood Bay
Booking a pregnancy massage after the first trimester also has lots of benefits. It can reduce some of the normal discomforts, such as backache, stiffness, headaches and swelling. It is also a great as a stress buster and can aid a good night’s sleep.
… and cravings?
Annabel’s dream craving
I think it’s more of an excuse to eat everything unhealthy! But all I’ve been craving is bacon butties, and cheese and ham toasties! It’s so hard to stay healthy when all baby wants is fatty food.
How have you managed diet, health, beauty during pregnancy?
I think it’s the one time in your life where you can go back for seconds, although I do stay active. I have quite a physical job and can’t seem to sit still when I’m home, so even though I have avoided the gym, I tend to do a lot of moving around.
I haven’t stopped doing anything different with my beauty routine. However I do make sure everything is safe for baby. I love to have a pamper night, so a full body scrub, bath and face mask is a must when you’re feeling a little bedraggled after a hard day at work.
Top health & beauty tip for pregnancy
My number one tip is MOISTURISER. I have been using an amazing stretch mark balm which I apply morning and night. It has kept me from getting any stretch marks and kept the itching away.
I have also been using the most amazing ESPA cooling body moisturiser for my legs and ankles. Unfortunately one of the down sides of pregnancy is that you can swell if you get to hot. I use this moisturiser to keep me cool in the warm weather.
What does The Spa offer in the way of pregnancy treatments?
We have a range of body and facial pre and post-natal massages. Our highly trained therapists will always take time to tailor the treatment to ensure that it is just right for each new Mum or Mum-to-be.
ESPA Baby-&-Me Massage is amazing for pregnant women. When I was creating the treatment, I knew from my industry experience, and other brands that I’ve worked with, that it would be a truly enjoyable experience for an expectant mother. Now that I’m pregnant myself, I can more fully identify with all the benefits of the Baby & Me Massage.
The Spa at Low Wood Bay
For more information about any of the pre and post natal massages available at The Spa at Low Wood Bay as well as the products available, please call 015394 39303 to speak to one of our Spa therapists.
If you are in any doubt about having a treatment during your pregnancy, please ensure you check with your GP prior to making your reservation.
