Families Group Open Meeting

On Wednesday 7th November at 7.30 in the Church Vestry there will be a talk given by Chris Payne which is open to everybody. Chris will be speaking about his recent researches into the life of his grandfather who trained and fought in the First World War.

Thanks for supporting the Curry Evening for the Good Samaritan Orphanage

The big Village Hall was full for the Curry demonstration and most people will have learned something more, or different from what they knew already. Curries vary considerably  however, - the demonstrator learned her craft in Keighley - and some of this variety was tasted in the different curries provided for the meal which followed.

The generosity of those who came to the event is much appreciated - over £668 was taken. Although some of this will be spent on expenses, the trustees of the Good Samaritan Orphanage charity intend to send the money shortly to help in the building of a school for the orphans which is currently in the course of construction.

Broadband Contract Slippage

Broadband Update: Please take a minute to let BT know how poor your service is!

Sadly the details of the contract being signed between BT and Cumbria County Council for the provision of better broadband throughout the county are still being hammered out and it looks as if the final signature may slip to January. The plan is currently to begin roll-out in March 2013 but the Council claims that decisions about which areas will get what when are still far from being made.

If your service provider is BT, there is something that you can do to help BT understand what’s going on. The Chief Executive of BT Openreach, Olivia Garfield, has specifically invited BT customers to email her and tell her when the speeds they are getting widely vary from what they have paid for. Her email address is olivia.garfield@openreach.co.uk. Please take a moment to let BT know how frustrated we’re all feeling (and copy your email to me at lois.sparling@gmail.com if you feel able to).

A good website to use to check your speed is http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk. There is no need to ‘run a scan’ before you click on ‘Start speed test’. This is a marketing ploy.

Thanks for taking action to improve our rural broadband coverage!

Lois Sparling
Broadband Champion

Telesales Campaign

This is a message from Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Information sent on behalf of Cumbria County Council:

Cumbria Police and Cumbria Trading Standards have been alerted to a telesales campaign by a security company called Direct Response based in Sutton Coldfield.  These are a bona fide security company, Inspectorate Approved (SSAIB) and meet Police policy standards.  However, Cumbria Police and Cumbria Trading Standards do not have any active involvement in this telesales campaign, which is a legitimate commercial venture, but not endorsed by our organisations.

Trading Standards would always advise that before agreeing to have work carried out or agreeing to buy something following an unsolicited call, that you have considered seeking further information about the supplier and getting additional quotes from other suppliers.

To reduce the number of unsolicited telephone calls you receive you can register with the Telephone Preference Service which restricts the supply of your telephone number to organisations who may ring you with offers and information you do not wish to receive.  To register for free, visit www.tpsonline.org.uk or telephone 08450 700707.

If you would like further advice contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506 or contact Cumbria Police on 101


Comment by Don Shore, 30th October 2012
 
I had a call from these Direct Response people yesterday, trying to ask me information about our house and who owned it. I responded by asking who Direct Response were and the phone was immediately put down.

The fact that we are registered with the TPS seems to make no difference to such organisations who often pretend it to be a market research call rather than a sales call. Ho Hum!

I find it more satisfying to play them some loud relevant music like Bob Dylan "There must be someway out of here....." or The Flying Pickets' cappella version of the Stone's classic "Hello, Who's there on the line? Hi, Hello! How are you? Well I think I'm doing fine...........". Meanwhile I leave them to it and go and have a cup of tea.

 

Outdoor Classroom opened

The children from the primary school will now be able to study outdoors thanks to this new building which has been constructed in the school field. 

October W.I. Meeting report

• At the October meeting of Natland and Oxenholme W.I. the President  and members, plus 6 visitors welcomed guest speakers, David and Pat Shackleton who gave a  heartfelt account of their study of the War Graves Cemeteries in Northern France.
• The competition 'Poppy Red' was won by Elizabeth Chandler.  
• Rambling and Cruising the Thames was the chosen course enjoyed by Kirsten Canon on the County Federation's recent visit to Denman college , Oxfordshire.  
• Next meeting, November 21st the A.G.M  and  Jacobs Join Supper. (7.30 Village Hall).

NATLAND PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

There will be a meeting of the Council in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 29^th October 2012. Please follow link to AGENDA

More Church News

The Coffee morning on Thursday raised £120 for CancerCare. Many thanks to all those who came and contributed in various ways.

Church News

 The Church was redolent with the scents of autumn for the Harvest Festival. Every window ledge was decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables. Here are some pictures of the flower displays made by by Eva Gardner and her team.

The Festival was followed by an auction of all the produce at the Harvest festival supper the next day. £464.00 was raised which, after expenses, will be divided between the Bishop's Harvest charities (Christian Aid and the Mothers' Union), and St.Mark's School chosen charity, Seeds for Africa. Dry goods were given to Manna House in Kendal. Thank you to everyone who gave goods and supported the events.

Families @ 4 has also been busy. At their service last Sunday they considered the story of creation and this is the result of their deliberations.

Grateful thanks have been received from the Salvation Army for the donations made to them at the Songs of Praise on the Village Green following the Open Gardens event. They were very pleased to have received £220 from the people of Natland for their work in the Carnforth area.

A calendar has been produced for 2013 which is available for £4.75 at all church events, and here are the pictures of Natland that it features:

Helm Poly Tunnels

Natland News has been informed that an applications has be made to SLDC  for Poly Tunnels that could be of interest or dismay to Helm users.  Follow link to POLY TUNNELS.

Stephen Editor - After this summer it might be the only way we can get things to grow in South Lakeland. Three apples on 5 trees, small spuds and spot the Damson.  

Parish Council Minutes

Follow the link to view the minutes of the last meeting of Natland Parish Council held on Wednesday 26^th September 2012 - MINUTES

Coffee Morning in Church for Cancer Care

On Thursday 18th October there will be another Coffee Morning in Church, this time in aid of Cancer Care. It will start at 10.30am. There will be a Home Produce and cake stall and a Phoenix card stall, the profits from which will all go to Cancer Care. The new Natland calendar for 2013 will also be available for sale at £4.75. 

 Thank you very much to all those people who supported the Coffee Morning last month when £126 was raised for Church funds.

Help Needed - New Police Office

Saturday, 6 October 2012, 17:09

Dear All

As you may be aware Milnthorpe Police Station is now up for auction.  In order to maintain our presence within your community we are looking for an alternative base to work from.  If you have anywhere that you think may be suitable to house myself and Jayne (Park), and allow other officers to call in during their duty, thus allowing 24/7 access, then please email us with your suggestions.  They would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Jess  

This request triggered an email correspondence between Jessica Bullock and Pru Jupe, the Lib Dem police commissioner candidate. It can be seen by clicking this link.

Helen Nicoll - Famous Natlander

Helen Nicoll 1937 - 2012

Helen Nicoll, who has died aged 73, inspired generations of children with her hugely-successful series of books featuring Meg and Mog. 

Born in Natland in 1937 she was educated at schools in Bristol; Dartington Hall, Devon; and Froebel Education Institute, London. 

Helen Nicoll married Robert Kime in 1970 and they have one daughter and one son.

Helen Nicoll was a television producer with the BBC for many years. It was here, as Producer of the children's educational series Watch, that she first met Jan Pienkowski. After working together for four years, they decided it was time to preserve their creativity in book form for future generations of children to enjoy. The result is the immensely popular Meg and Mog series.

Please follow the link to see The Telegraphs Obituary - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9587995/Helen-Nicoll.html#

Metal, Power Tool and Oil Thefts

Please be aware that metal theft is still occurring in this area.  Please keep items of metal and scrap metal out of sight and if possible locked away.  If you see anyone going around looking for such items please report them with as much description as possible to Cumbria Police on 101.

Power tools are also being stolen from both insecure and secure garages and out buildings.  Again please keep these items out of sight and locked away.

It is also coming to that time of year when heating a diesel oil thefts may increase.  Below are some steps you may wish to take to try and avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Location of the tank - Out of sight of the main road and in view of the house.  Whilst hiding it behind an outbuilding is common, this can give thieves the advantage.

Securing your oil tank - Secure with a wall or fence.  A lockable access point can also improve security.

Control switches - that control the flow of oil should be turned off and the electricity supply isolated when the tank is not in use.

Padlocks - Use a good quality lock.  Closed shackle padlocks are the best as due to their design they have very little of the metal hoop exposed and bolt croppers cannot get a good grip.

Oil level gauges - Remote electronic oil gauges that set off an audible alarm if the oil level suddenly drops below a quarter full are available.  Check oil levels regularly to monitor usage and if any has gone missing.

Security Lights - Low energy 'dusk til dawn' lights positioned close to the tank should provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity.

CCTV - If considered why not talk to your local crime prevention officer on 101.

Securing Diesel in vehicles - Ensure you vehicle is locked when unattended and consider anti-siphon devices.

Be vigilant and report any suspicious activity including registration numbers of suspicious vehicles to the Police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

Message Sent by Jessica Bullock (Police, PCSO, Milnthorpe (S))

Monday Club

The next meeting of the Monday Club will have as its speaker Robin Collins BEM who will give a talk entitled 'Reflections from "Britannia".' It will be held at 2pm on Monday 15th October in the Village Hall.

Visit to see Countdown

The Rotary Club of Kendal has organised a visit to Media City,  Salford Quays,  to watch 3 recordings of COUNTDOWN  on Wed Nov 14th.

We have a few spare places.    The cost is £10 pp.

We leave Kendal at 10-00am and return by 7-30 pm.

If anyone is interested in joining us please contact  Ruth Otway  [015395 60818].

This month's winners

The winners of the Village Hall 200 Club draw for October are:

1^st           129          M Burns

2^nd           32           D Wade

3^rd           111          W Fairhurst

RSPB Hot Buffet and Film Evening

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Hot Buffet and Film Evening

At Natland Millbeck Farm Parlour

Tuesday 20th. November, 2012 at 6-45pm.

Choose from a hot buffet, with vegetarian options, and follow this with your choice from the Parlour’s speciality ice-creams.

Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available from the cash counter.

The film

 Born to Fly  

which follows the life-cycle of Cranes in the U.K. and Europe, will be shown following the meal.

Tickets £12.50 per head.

All proceeds in aid of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Advance booking is essential as numbers are limited, so please contact David Stocks on 01539 724026 or email david.stocks6@mypostoffice.co.uk 

Full disabled access by lift to first floor.

W.I.prove that they are Young at Heart.

Here are some photographs from the WI coffee morning/age concern games last Saturday from Pat Tetlow.

On Monday 12 November Age UK, with Ruth Taylor their representative, will be holding an open event for anyone who would like to come and join in the activities. It's at 13:45 in the Village Hall. 

An Autumn Serenade

The Helm Trio (Flute, Oboe and Piano) and Old Hutton Ladies Choir are having a concert on Saturday 13th October at 7.30pm in St.Mark's Church, Natland. Adults £5 (including refreshments). School Children free.