Local band’s new single recounts chilling Lake District true crime

The new single from a local band from the South Lakes recounts a chilling true crime story.

The Size have unveiled ‘The Lady in the Lake’ - Lady in the Lake – a new song inspired by the chilling true story of Margaret Hogg, whose body was found in Wast Water.

Margaret Hogg, a former airline stewardess, was married to pilot Peter Hogg, 19 years her senior. Their marriage began to unravel due to Margaret’s open three-year affair with banker Graham Ryan. In October 1976, during a heated argument, Margaret physically attacked Peter. In response, he strangled her.

To hide the crime, Peter wrapped her body in a carpet, tied it to a concrete block and drove from Surrey to the Lake District where he disposed of her remains in the shadowy depths of Wast Water.

Her body remained submerged for eight years, preserved by the lake’s cold, oxygen-deprived waters. In 1984, divers searching for a missing French student, Veronique Mireille Marre, stumbled upon Margaret’s remains. She was identified by her wedding ring, engraved with “Margaret 11.11.63 Peter”. Peter Hogg was later arrested, confessed to the killing and was convicted of manslaughter, receiving a four-year prison sentence.

The Size’s up-tempo indie-rock single offers a tongue-in-cheek retelling of the murder, flipping perspectives between the murderer and the victim. In the climactic final verse, ‘the lady’ delivers an angry, defiant taunt back at her killer.

Nick Barnes, guitarist and vocalist in the band, is passionate about exploring local history. Upon discovering Margaret’s story, he was inspired to bring it to life through song.

“Wast Water is such a dramatic setting and is doubtless home to many secrets,” he explains. “It’s haunting to think Margaret’s body lay undiscovered for so long.”

Whilst researching for the single, the band discovered Jeremy Craddock’s book Lady in the Lake, which recounts the story of Carol Park, whose body was found in Coniston in 1997.

Recorded at Stonegate Studios near Bentham, Lady in the Lake by The Size is now available to stream on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.

Formed in 2022, The Size comprises Nick Barnes (guitarist and singer), Michael Baeron (bass), Sarah Case (lead singer and keyboards) and Peppi Agliolo (drums). The band were joined last October by guitarist, Dave Nicholls. The band have an eclectic style with a diverse range of musical influences across multiple genre’s including pop, rock and funk.

You can catch The Size performing next at the new Bootleggers Bar in Kendal on 12th April, Ye Olde John o’Gaunt, Lancaster on 2nd May, or at South Lakes Live festival on Saturday 3rd May at Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club.