Mythical beast is ‘spotted’ in Windermere
Last updated at 15:19, Wednesday, 23 September 2009
TALES of a mythical creature rumoured to be lurking in the depths of South Lakeland waters have been causing a stir.
The so-called “Bownessie” is fast becoming part of modern Lake District folklore, as reported sightings of the fabled creature continue to be made.
Footage that some people believe appears to show the creature causing ripples in the surface of Windermere was shot by Lakes TV cameraman John McKeown on Saturday.
It has since appeared on Sky News on Sunday evening and American TV network giant CBS is also interested in the story.
People in Windermere are not convinced Bownessie actually exists.
But they believe it could be good for the town’s tourist economy if the legend can capture the imagination of visitors in a similar way to the Loch Ness monster.
Councillor Bill Smith, mayor of Windermere, said: “If they believe it’s actually there, I’m sure it will attract them to come and see.
“Anything that draws interest and awareness to the Lake District has to be a positive opportunity.
“I don’t think the term monster is the best expression of an animal living in the lake that could be of interest.
“It suggests something nasty, not something that could be attractive and positive.
“Bownessie conjures up something that’s a bit more cute.
“The people that have seen it believe genuinely they have seen something, even if there is no real proof yet.
“But let’s be honest, it’s far better for Loch Ness that they’ve never located it because it helps perpetuate the belief.”
Paul Holdsworth, Windermere town centre manager, says the Bownessie phenomenon is the latest in a long line of Lake District mythologies.
He said: “Probably the longest standing one is Tizzie Wizzie, which was first spotted by a Bowness boatman around 1900 and he used to tell stories of this extraordinary creature.
“It was said to have the body of a hedgehog, tail of a squirrel and a pair of bee-like wings and was a shy, water-loving creature.
“So, for the sceptics who think Bownessie is something to get the tourists in, this tale has already been around for over a hundred years. There is nothing new under the sun perhaps.”
Jacqui O’Connor, press officer for Windermere Lakes Cruises, said: “Our vessels sail up and down the lake 364 days a year and we have never seen anything unusual.
“However, our skippers remain alert as always.”
First published at 13:11, Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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ahh windermere lake is the only place i know that you can see the beginning and end of the rainbow. i thought it was a miracle something that i would never see. all of it up there under the nothern lights. magical place for me. i dare say there was something at windere loch that i never imagined i would see anywhere.
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some of my friends think it was just a prank but me and my bro thinks its the legendary "loch ness monster". some people say that in scotland the locals have seen a monster with a long neck [which looks like the extinct dinosaur plesiosaurus] coming up from the surface of the lake! my teacher tought it was extinct,but WE think it still there...waiting for humans to swim. so if you were one of them at night, YOU'D BETTER BE CAREFUL,BECAUSE IF I WERE YOU I'D RATHER LIVE MY LIFE THEN GETTING EATEN ALIVE!!!!
Posted by sacho paco on 20 October 2009 at 12:07