Ullswater has been voted by the public as the spot to generate the most pride in Cumbria.
The Lake District's second largest lake was originally nominated by ITV Border presenter Tim Backshall as his favourite place in the county. He chose Ullswater for the Pride of Place online poll which pitted 10 nominations from local figureheads against each other on the county council's website http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/.
Online voters had seven weeks to decide which of the 10 choices they wanted to back. Ullswater scored 18% of the total vote, narrowly beating the 15% scored by Ennerdale Water, chosen by Aston Villa and England goalkeeper Scott Carson. Cumbria County Council's leader Tim Stoddard shared third place with Cumbrian-based mountaineer Simon Yates of 'Touching the Void' fame.
Cumbria was the eighth highest county council in terms of the number of votes logged.
The results in full were:
Tim Backshall (ITV Border presenter) - Ullswater 18% Scott Carson (Aston Villa goalkeeper) - Ennerdale Water 15% Tim Stoddard (Leader, Cumbria County Council) - Scafell Pike10% Simon Yates (Mountaineer) - The Golf Course Road, Penrith 10% Craig Mackey (Chief Constable, Cumbria Constabulary) - Blencathra 9% Lord Melvyn Bragg (Writer and Broadcaster) - Lake District hill farmers 8% Robbie Dee (CFM presenter) - Aira Force 8% Paul Nixon (England cricketer) - Causey Pike 8% Sir Chris Bonington (Mountaineer) - Black Sail youth hostel 7% Chris Carr (Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria) - Carlisle Cathedral 7%
Tim Backshall, presenter of ITV Border's Lookaround, said:
"I'm absolutely delighted that people voted for Ullswater as the winner. With its fantastic scenery, walking country and activities on the lake, it truly is a place to be proud of. But I think what this competition has done is remind us that there are so many wonderful places in Cumbria - any one of them would have been a worthy winner."
Tim Stoddard, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said:
"Anyone who has ever visited Cumbria will know just how much we have here to be proud of. The county council's slogan is 'Building Pride in Cumbria' , and this light-hearted competition has helped achieve that. I'd like to thank all my fellow nominators and also everyone who took the time to cast their vote."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332
Notes
The poll is part of the Government’s "Connect to your Council" campaign which aims to encourage citizens across England to access their local authority services online anytime, anywhere. Citizens can now use council websites to find out anything from planning information to applying for school places. Find out more at http://local.direct.gov.uk/mycouncil/ (external link)