Natland Post Office closing for now

Tomorrow, Saturday, 9am - 12, will be the last opening time for the Post Office. Advice was given by P.O. H.Q. to close it because there is a danger to health when people live in the same building. Thank you to Post Office staff for keeping it open while you could, and it’s hoped that you will be back soon.

The Weather in March

March	2020	Mar. average
Temperature at 8 a.m.	5.3° C	4.3° C
Minimum Temperature (Ave)	4.7° C	2.7° C
Maximum Temperature (Ave)	9.9° C	8.2° C
Rainfall	117.5 mm 4.7"	99.06 mm 3.96"

All the rain fell up to 18 March: it has been dry since then. March temperatures were slightly above average. We are now in the driest part of the year here, just when our enjoyment of the outdoors is limited !                           John Dobson

Another scam

There is another scam doing the rounds, this time pretending that you need to renew your T.V. Licence and asking for your bank account details. Just put the phone down on them.

Updates from the Rev'd Angela, St.Mark's Church

Every day until Easter a reflection will appear here.
Introduction to the Stations of the Cross. 
Station 1  Station 2  Station 3  Station 4  Station 5  Station 6
More information, and recordings of services, are available by going to the St. Mark's page via the tab above.

Natland Parish Council Suspended

After consultation with the Chair, and in the light of advice received from NALC, it has been agreed that, due to the present crisis with the spread of coronavirus, meetings of Natland Parish Council are suspended until further notice.  

I shall keep you informed when meetings can be arranged again.  In the meantime, we hope you and your families are keeping safe and well.

The Parish Council can still be contacted via any Councillor or the Clerk.

                                                     Kevin Price, Clerk to the Council.

Emergency Help Service

Cumbria County Council and partners have launched a new emergency support service for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill as a result of COVID-19 and who do not have support available from friends, family or neighbours. People with no wider support network. The helpline can be accessed on 0800 783 1966 or via email on   COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk. Details can be found online at Cumbria.gov.uk.  This new support service has been set up by Cumbria County Council and partners as a result of close partnership working with District Councils, CVS, Cumbria Community Foundation, community and voluntary sector, and private sector. This service provides a vital link between people at risk, and those who are able to help them.

Bus Services - further reductions from the 30th March

Stagecoach are implementing further bus service reductions, whilst maintaining an essential service for key workers needing to travel to work, and for others to access shops to buy food.

Kendal town services 41/4A, 42/42A and 42/43A are all withdrawn. 

The service 40 on Sundays (which started in November) continues to run with the same timetable  - at hourly intervals from 9.38am to 5.38pm from bus stop on A65 at top of Oxenholme Lane (heading towards the hospital).  

The service 40 will also run on Monday-Saturday, though with the first bus at the earlier time of 7.38am. The bus route serves the hospital, Asda, Heron Hill, Sandylands, Morrisons & Aldi, Sainsbury's, then Kendal bus station, before returning along the same route as far as Heron Hill, then via Oxenholme station.  Full timetable HERE.

A summary of the wider bus timetable changes in Cumbria can be found from links at the top of the County Council’s website page for bus services www.cumbria.gov.uk/buses

This information will be updated and refreshed as extra information becomes available.

For holders of concessionary bus passes:

Cumbria County Council have temporarily lifted the Mon-Fri restrictions. The passes can now be used for travel before 9.30am, enabling better access to the priority shopping times many supermarkets have designated for vulnerable and older people.

Spam Warning.

I received a spam text message today from phone number +44 7774 887973 saying that my bank had been unable to process my O2 bill and with an attachment which would have led to a false website. Clearly a fraud attempt, given the phone number, but using all the right words.

Hilary

Parish News for April

Here is a special edition Parish News for April. Instead of news of meetings and services it has prayers and reflections about Easter; a comfort for when we won't be able to worship in the church. There is also a very interesting account of the war experiences of John Howard Keesey by John Chandler.

Post Office still Open

Thank you to James and the team for continuing to open 6 days a week, though with reduced hours. Monday to Friday the shop and Post Office is open from 9 to 11 in the morning and 3 to 5 in the afternoon. On Saturdays it is just open in the morning. There is usually milk and bread for sale, as well as cheese, biscuits, cakes and chocolates.