Steam Trains Coming

Pat Williams reports the following Steam Trains coming through:



Princess Elizabeth

 6201 Princess Elizabeth will be northbound through Oxenholme on Saturday 30th July at 10.38am.

Alderman A E Draper

45305 Alderman A. E. Draper will be southbound through Oxenholme at 17.14pm on Monday 1st August

Footpath Restored

Carol Stearne reports:

The footpath has been cut back, we can walk down instead of the road.  So thanks to Richard, Rae, Ann, Euan, Finlay and Daniel. We hope Natlanders will benefit from their hard work.

Not To Strim in the Majority

Following John Inglesfield posting on excessive strimming Natland News has received the following comments.  So far the Not to Strim have it!

John wrote:

'There is a strange mania in Natland for "tidying" the roadside verges, the latest example being by the south wall of the churchyard. This verge, already partly destroyed by careless car parking, has been so closely strimmed that it is now largely reduced to bare earth. Cutting back so heavily removes beautiful grasses, which contrast so well with the stone walls, as well as the characteristic flowers - buttercups, dog daisies, cow parsley, meadow cranesbill, nettles (so attractive to butterflies), and so on. One only needs to go further up Helm Lane to see what beautiful roadside verges can look like.

Worst of all is the pernicious (and illegal) practice of spraying verges with weedkiller. The verges, householders need to be reminded, are part of the public highway.'

Comments recieved so far:

Martin and Pat Tetlow said...
     It is good to see that in these days of council financial cuts leaving untidy verges that someone takes it upon themselves to help to keep our village tidy by strimming our verges. May he continue to do it.

Wildflowers are wonderful but they do not need to be everywhere. We wish someone would cut the verges along Natland Road to make it a safer walk to Kendal.

Rhian Peters said...

I also commend the public spirited and anonymous members of this community who regularly, without being asked or thanked, keep our village tidy - trimming verges (thus discouraging dog fouling), sweeping footways, clearing the ginnel between Abbey Drive and Wandales Lane of leaves and silt which make it slippery, and of snow in the Winter, cleaning the two bus shelters at the top of Oxenholme Lane, trimming the brambles and nettles along the Sedgwick Road footway, picking up litter. The person who trimmed the verge in question( which is rapidly greening up again) also made a beautiful job of the Church hedge. Natland is more than a village - it's a community. Please let's encourage this positive involvement.

Sarah Roberts said...

      Some of the trimming of verges is being done by someone other than the householder.  I had hoped to allow wild flowers to establish in the roadside bank along my frontage but in early July it is trimmed by I know not who.  I come home to find the deed done -  and the trimmings in the gutter so when it rains the water spreads across the road even more than usual.  The July trimming has happened for the past three years.  Most wild flowers have no chance of self-seeding, shrubby plants have been killed off, and though celandines and spring bulbs survive the greatest winner is the dandelions. 

Council contractors do cut some road verges but I am not aware of their doing this on householders' frontages - and it doesn't occur on similar frontages elsewhere in Helm Lane - so any suggestions as to who might be responsible?

Don Shore said...

If the verges were full of wild flowers, I might be persuaded to vote to have them left wild. Sadly, however, within the village they are as likely to be full of nettles or with a selection of those little black plastic bags with nasty content. I can't understand the mentality of cleaning up after your dog then dumping the bag for someone else to deal with. Not nice when your strimmer blade hits one.

Judith Robinson said...

I thoroughly agree with John Inglesfield on the question of Strimming and I hope no one acts on the suggestion of strimming the wild flowers on the wonderful verges along the road to Kendal. "Wild flowers do not need to be everywhere"?? But there are few wild flowers in the fields nowadays (they are mostly re-seeded mono-culture rye-grass) and most gardeners remove wild flowers as weeds. The verges are the one area of land where wild flowers can still grow. My late husband, Neil, provided the Council with a long list of the species found growing in the verges of the Natland to Kendal Road and on Helm Lane, which he hoped the Council and villagers would value. Look again next time you go along these roads!

Elspeth Jayne said...

     Inspired by the verges which the County Council has left to bloom, attempts are being made in the churchyard to encourage wild flowers in specific areas, too. The Cumbria Wildlife Trust advised that areas could be left to grow and the growth cut and then removed from July onwards. That way the soil would become less fertile and more interesting and rare wild flowers might be able to grow with less competition. Wild flowers should be encouraged!

URGENT - Parish Broadband Champion Required

Natland Parish Council has asked Natland News to help them find a Broadband Champion.  A rapid response is required to ensure Natland is represented in the first round of meetings.  Please email David Peters Chair of NPC asap 

'Cumbria County Council is hoping that every parish will appoint one or more broadband champions.  These will be parish representatives who will work with CALC and the County Council to try to ensure that they are not left out of the current drive towards next generation access.  Central Government is committed to ensuring that broadband provision across the country meets minimum standards and has charged Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) to work with rural areas via the County Council to ensure that this happens in Cumbria.  Shortly BDUK and Cumbria County Council will be announcing plans to set this in motion in the county'. 

For more information follow Link to Broadband Letter

Natland News 10,000

Not yet four months old and Natland News has just clocked-up its 10,000 viewer.  Thanks for all your news items and comments, please keep them coming.  I assume the recent increase in viewers is down to the local information and cutting edge news stories and not the decline in the News of The World.

Stephen - Editor

Natland News is Better Than ebay

Following Mike Bagnall's posting last week seeking a 8mm Cine Projector Martin Tetlow has contacted Natland News:

You beat me to it Mike!
I too could do with a Super8 projector to look at our wedding and honeymoon(yes, they are old films!) so that we can get them onto CD.
Thanks in anticipation, Martin Tetlow'. 01539 722230

Cine Projector

Dear Natlanders,

My recent request for the loan of an 8mm cine projector met with immediate success. Not only one but three projectors were offered. Thank you for your prompt replies and I would unreservedly recommend this forum for your attention in future.

Regards to you all  Mike Bagnall

Overgrown Footpath

Re Posting Yesterday - The date is Thursday 28th July

Hi There

The footpath between Natland and St Mark's fold/ Appletree school is very overgrown. just wondered if anyone would be around on Thursday morning to help cut it back. We will be starting at 9 am.

Please bring your green bin and shearers

My phone number if you need to contact is 01539 561332

Vintage train coming through

45305 loco Alderman A.E. Draper will be northbound through Oxenholme tomorrow 23rd July at approx. 10-38am.

Pat Williams

More Scams

Pat Williams reports:

She had a call from a very heavily accented Indian gentleman. Who said something about an endowment mortgage, and asked her to confirm her name, address and phone number. She couldn`t get a word in edgeways, then rang off. She tried the number which is 01243 521 256, which rang once then a high pitched whine. She rang the police, yet another scam! They will probably ring back to offer a better deal and want bank details. The police lady said tell them you have informed the police and they should not ring back.

Bus Surgery

Ann Parnham reports:

Bus Users UK are holding a surgery in Kendal Market Place on Wednesday 3rd August 10:00 - 16:00. Staff from the bus companies and officers from CCC will be available to provide information, discuss concerns and listen to suggestions about local bus services. KADBUS will also be represented.

Overgrown Footpath

Hi There

The footpath between Natland and St Mark's fold/ Appletree school is very overgrown. just wondered if anyone would be around on Thursday morning to help cut it back. We will be starting at 9 am.

Please bring your green bin and shearers

My phone number if you need to contact is 01539 561332

Many thanks Carol & Richard

8mm Cine Projector Wanted

Dear Natlanders,

I would like to borrow an 8mm Cine Projector to view some old film I have found in my loft. If anyone has one or knows where I can borrow or hire one I would be grateful.

Thank you

Mike Bagnall 01539-739285

Parish Council Agenda - 25th July

Kevin Price the Parish Clerk has sent us the agenda for the Next Parish Council Meeting on 25th July - Follow the link - AGENDA

Farewell from Natland Meals-on-Wheels

Sadly, the Natland Meals-on Wheels round has delivered its last lunch. 

Originally set up by Whin Inglesfield, the organisation of the delivery rota was taken over by Margaret Shore in 1984.  Margaret reports that whereas a few years ago there were often more than ten (and for a while nearly twenty) clients to whom lunch was delivered on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the number has fallen markedly. 

Monday and Wednesday has only had one customer for some months so her meals have been delivered directly from Kendal.  Friday numbers have now also dropped and the remaining client no longer needs the meals so the Natland service has been stood down. Indeed, it is understood that the future of the entire Cumbrian service is currently under review.

Meals were originally prepared at St Mark’s School but in recent years have come from the Whinfell Centre in Kendal.  The Natland team has delivered all over the area between Natland, Oxenholme, Sedgwick, Hincaster, Gatebeck, Endmoor and Crooklands.  

Margaret thanks Graham Needham for allowing Natland Post Office to act as the collection point for the meals and also thanks the large number of volunteers who, over the years, have given their time to deliver this valuable service which has provided not just a hot meal but vital human contact for the elderly and the infirm.  Their efforts have been much appreciated by the recipients, many of whom were great characters.

Natland & Oxenholme Village Hall

In this year's Annual General Meeting of the Natland and Oxenholme Village Hall Management Committee, Chair Ray Richardson drew attention to its continued good use, the majority of users having a connection with the village. Both halls need regular maintenance; recent work has included refurbishing the kitchen, re-painting and replacing the heating system.  It has now become apparent that the roof of the original building and the entrance hall needs repairing.  This will take place during the first two weeks of August at an estimated cost of £8,700, replacing timber where neccessary, re-using some of the slates and replacing the rest with new ones.

The poor state of the Village Hall roof

Where does the money come from?

Hall users and the Management Committee work hard to provide a regular income, with reserves to draw on for such large projects.  Events organised include the Quiz, Art Exhibition and Craft Fair, all well attended. The 200 Club provides a regular income, though numbers are down from last year.  Anyone wishing to join, and stand to win a cash prize each month (a modest amount, it's not Camelot!) can contact Midge Fairhurst, 01539 73172, or any member of the committee.  Your contribution to this important part of our community will be greatly valued. 

We also welcome any practical help, especially with setting up events - we are a rapidly ageing group of people!

Rhian Peters

Secretary, VHMC.

End of Term Newsletter

 

St. Mark’s Church of England Primary School

15 July 2011

NEWSLETTER No. 9 SUMMER 2011 (Excerpts)

End of Key Stage 2 Assessments (SATs) Results

We are really pleased with the results of Year 6 children in the national tests in English and Maths this year. 81% of children achieved Level 4 (the level expected) or Level 5 in English and 90% in Maths. 90% of children made the expected 2 levels of progress from Year 2 to Year 6 in English and in Maths. This is a vast improvement on last year’s results. Well done to all the children in Year 6  and the staff who have worked with them throughout their time at St Mark’s.

Summer Productions: Jonah and Bugsy Malone

This week has been a wonderful celebration of singing, dancing and acting with our two Summer Productions, Jonah and Bugsy Malone, going down really well with audiences throughout the week. We are grateful for all the extra work so many staff put into this experience and the support parents have shown. The staging is now packed away and things have returned to some sort of normality today !

End of Term: Thursday 21 July

The Summer term finishes on Thursday 21 July at 1.00 p.m.

Class Organisation 2011 - 2012

Below is information regarding class teacher allocation for each year group next year.

Reception: Mrs Thorne
Year 1:       Mrs Grant
Year 2:       Mrs Sansom (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
                   Mrs Yarker (Mondays and Thursdays) 
                   (Mrs Mukerji will be on maternity leave for most of the year)
Year 3:       Mrs Porter
Year 4:       Miss Sutton
Year 5:       Mrs Hamer (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings
                   Mrs Whittaker (Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays)
Year 5/6:    Mrs Burrow 

Summer Building Works

This summer the following work will be carried out in school:

·         Refurbishment of Key Stage 1 toilets.

·         Addition of toilet and wet area to Year 5 classroom.

·         Provision of additional staff toilet and changing facilities.

We return for the new school year at 9.00 a.m. on Wednesday 7 September.

Peter Barfoot

Headteacher (on behalf of the Governing Body)

Bears Loose in Natland

 46 Children and Adults along with numerous Teddies and Cuddly toys descended on the sun drenched Vicarage gardens on Sunday afternoon to enjoy the annual Families @ 4 Teddy Bear’s picnic.

After a dramatised story of the feeding of the five thousand and singing a few songs and thanking God for all our food and gifts, we all tucked in to an enormous selection of food which covered two tables.

Great fun was had by all.

Albino Robin ?



Natlander Martyn Hill normally sends us pictures of trains steaming through the Parish, however he has sent a photo to us from his holiday in Dartmoor he thought readers might find interesting.

"I couldn't really get too close to it but maybe some of our twitcher readers might be able to elaborate. Certainly the bird hopped and bobbed like a Robin moving from one rock to another. Maybe other albino varieties have been seen locally" ?

Albino Robin ?



Scams and Doorstep Selling

John Fisher reports:

 The Office of Fair Trading has produced some useful leaflets about how to deal with scammers, doorstep traders and suspicious callers. I have a few copies of these, alternatively they are available from Hazel Sankey, the Community Support Officer, tel 01229 587528.

Trading Standards also have a direct telephone number for checking suspicious callers: 01454 040506

Editors Note - I hope to add some links to the publications soon

June Weather Statistics

John Dobson has sent us the June weather statistics:

WEATHER STATISTICS JUNE

                                                                           2011                     2010

Temperature at 8 am                                        12.6c                    13.6c

Minimum Temperature                                        9.5c                    N/A

Maximum Temperature                                     18.3c                    N/A

                                                                           mm        in            mm        in

Rainfall                                                               56         2.23        36.5       1.5

June's temperatures were slightly below average but there were big swings during the month. The hottest day was 27 June with a maximum of 28c. Rainfall was also slightly below average

Lucky Winners

Midge Fairhurst reports the July lucky numbers in the Village Hall 200 Club draw?

1^st                         54

2^nd                          1

3^rd                        89

Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Attached are the minutes of the June Natland Parish Council Meeting - Minutes

Editors Note - I went along to this meeting, why not try it yourself, notices with Agendas will appear on future postings

Destroying Our Verges

There is a strange mania in Natland for "tidying" the roadside verges, the latest example being by the south wall of the churchyard. This verge, already partly destroyed by careless car parking, has been so closely strimmed that it is now largely reduced to bare earth. Cutting back so heavily removes beautiful grasses, which contrast so well with the stone walls, as well as the characteristic flowers - buttercups, dog daisies, cow parsley, meadow cranesbill, nettles (so attractive to butterflies), and so on. One only needs to go further up Helm Lane to see what beautiful roadside verges can look like.

Worst of all is the pernicious (and illegal) practice of spraying verges with weedkiller. The verges, householders need to be reminded, are part of the public highway.

John Inglesfield

Natland Parish Annual Meeting

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting on 19th May are now available - please follow the link - Minutes

Cumbria Police June Newsletter

Jess Bullock our local PCSO has sent us the June Newsletter - Follow the Link June Newsletter

Opera in St. Mark's

Encore Opera Group, a talented group of singers based in the North West, are presenting "An Opera Extravaganza" in St. Mark's Church on Sunday 17th July at 7.30pm. They will be singing the works of some of the world's most famous composers and it is an evening not to be missed. Tickets are £6, including refreshments, and they are available on the door.

Village Hall 200 Club Winners

The lucky numbers this month were

1^st prize                54

2^nd                          1

3^rd                           89.                    

From Midge Fairhurst on behalf of the Village Hall Committee.

St. Mark's Church Magazine for July

The Church Magazine is now available for sale in the back of church for 60p. There is news of:

• Families@4 Teddy Bears' Picnic on Sunday 10th July in the Vicarage Garden.
• Songs of Praise at Holy Trinity, Kendal, on Sunday 10th July at 6.30.
• Helm Group Fun Day for all the Family at Old Hutton Village Hall on Saturday 16th July, 3-6.30pm.
• Invitation to Year 6 children to join the Push Youth Group for a barbecue. Sunday 17th July, 6.30-8pm at St. Mark's School.
• The Spring Singalong is described, and also the Church Fete, where £2470.14 was raised for church funds.