A COUPLE who run the Aqua Hair Salon in Windermere and the amateur dramatics society The Lakes Players have been nominated as community 'Angels.' 

The Westmorland Gazette and The Mail are working on a campaign with the Inn Collection Group. Readers can nominate people that they think have gone above and beyond for their community, and as a thank you they will be selected to win a night's stay including a meal and breakfast at the newly renovated The Angel Inn in Bowness.

We have already heard numerous stories of people doing good in their community, but the campaign is still open to nominations until Monday 20 February. 

A reader has nominated Stuart Hart and Gareth Lambert. They wrote 'for over 25 years they have been running The Lakes Players - totally voluntary - an AmDram theatre production team that every year put on a panto for the community. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The cast of the latest performance of Aladdin The cast of the latest performance of Aladdin (Image: The Lakes Players)

'They fundraise and give up their time to perform. The annual panto is a huge community event enjoyed by hundreds. They are Windermere icons and deserve a treat for selflessly giving so much to their community for so many years.' 

Stuart and Gareth put on their first pantomime, a production of Cinderella, in 1995 which became the 'most talked about panto in Windermere.'  

READ MORE: The Angel Inn in Bowness offers a free night for an 'angel'

Gareth said: "Stuart was already involved in it. I lurked out backstage at first and we started producing and directing shows together."

The couple also runs a dance school which has proved popular in the local area: "About twenty or thirty of us have a dance school, we have between 15 to 25 dancers of all ages."

The Westmorland Gazette: The first time the Lakes Players put on Aladdin at the Ladyholme Centre in 1996The first time the Lakes Players put on Aladdin at the Ladyholme Centre in 1996 (Image: The Lakes Players)

When asked why he thinks people in the community enjoy participating in the group so much, he said: "It is a bit of escapism. We have people help with lighting, do the sound, help with the costumes. We've just finished Aladdin, next year for 2024 we're working on Sleeping Beauty."

Gareth said that while he and Stuart will remain at the helm for the long run, they are pleased to see the next generation getting involved on the board: "We want to stay in Windermere. We have got new people only starting to be involved in the community, who are helping to keep it on." 

To nominate your angel, please email daniel.pye@newsquest.co.uk