White Lines Comments

The Natland News team has received several comments relating to the new white lines in the vicinity of the Green.  Regrettably they are posted as anonymous, it is our policy to delete unnamed comments.  It would appear that these comments are genuine and raise valid issues, we also recognise that the procedure for posting a comment can be a little challenging.  If you are struggling and would like your comments to appear on Natland News you can also email them to The Editor sbaker@inn2change.co.uk for inclusion (don't forget your name).
 

Theft from Vehicles

Kendal Police have received several reports of thefts (especially power tools) from motor vehicles over the last couple of days covering quite a large area including Kendal, Sedburgh and Arnside.

This means there is an increase in thefts from motor vehicles in the area and police are working hard to spread the message to vehicle owners regarding how to steer clear of car crime.
Please be vigilant when leaving items in vehicles - even an old coat on the back seat is a target for someone to smash a window and grab it. Don't become a victim - remove all items from sight, particularly tools and sat navs which are desirable items to a thief.
Remove the sucker marks left on windows by your sat nav to show potential thieves that you have nothing to steal!
Keep car doors locked and windows closed at all times when parked .

Any suspicious incidents or persons should be reported to Police on the non emergency telephone number 101.

Kind regards, PCSO 5250 Nicky Yates, Kendal police station.

BEKO Fridge Freezer Fire Warning

Message from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria Trading Standards

It has been reported that last week a family in Glasgow had a lucky escape when a recalled BEKO fridge freezer caught fire in their kitchen.  The fire started at about 6.30am whilst the family were still in bed. They heard a hissing sound coming from the kitchen but before they could investigate the fridge freezer had caught fire and they had to evacuate the house.

Since 2011 serious safety concerns have been raised about an estimated 500,000 Beko fridge freezers, made between January 2000 and October 2006. The fridge freezers can catch fire because of problems with their thermostats.  In July a fire started in a kitchen in Carlisle involving a Beko fridge freezer and London Fire Brigade reported in 2011 that the faulty fridge freezers had caused 20 fires and one death in the UK capital since 2008.

We would like to remind residents, that should they own a BEKO Frost Free Fridge Freezer and the 12 digit serial number starts with the following digits:
00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 or 06 they should contact BEKO on 0800 009 4837 who will arrange a modification free of charge.

The affected model numbers are: CA 5411 FFS/FFW/FFX / CA 7014 FFX / CA 7015 FFW/FFS/FFX / CDA 539 FS/FW/FX / CDA 543 FS/FW/FX / CDA 645 FW / CDA 647 FS/FW / CDA 648 FS/FW / CDA 653 FS/FW/FX / CDA 659 FS / CDA 751 FS/FX / CDA 752 FS/FW/FX / CS 460 FF/FFS/FFW/FFSD CS 461 FFW/FFS / CSA 4706 FFX CSB 4606 FFSD/FFS/FFW.

Further details can be found on BEKO’s website at http://refsafety.beko.co.uk/ 

 For general advice on product safety contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06

 

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More steam trains

On Saturday 2nd February northbound through Oxenholme 11-41am will be either 45305 Alderman Draper or 60009 Union of South Africa.

On Saturday 9th February northbound through Oxenhome 11-41am will be again either 45305 Alderman Draper or 60009 Union of South Africa.

Pat Williams.    

Steam Train makes it through the snow

The 44871 Black five and 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier, heading north through Natland on Saturday.

Photos taken by Don Shore.

Age UK Heart Start Course

The team at Age UK South Lakeland includes more than 250 volunteers of all ages. Motivation might be about employability, wellbeing or making a difference. All are critical for our work.

Opportunities are wide. People might try teaching computing or leading exercises; working with individuals or helping with day care; assisting in our shops, delivering magazines or supporting admin. Contact Jean Park on 01539 728118 or jpark@ageuksouthlakeland.org.uk

Wild Flower Seeds

The Parish Council has obtained a small quantity of free wild flower seed that we can use to hopefully brighten up those summer days (remember them?) There is enough to seed about 80 sq metres which can be anywhere in Natland parish that is open to the public (but not in private gardens). It really needs to be somewhere likely to be seen by lots of people.  It is mixed species seed suitable for overseeding into existing vegetation so minimal ground preparation is needed, although the area would need some aftercare to  get the best from it.   So, any suggestions for  where it might be used?

If anyone is interested in taking on the seeding and then being responsible for some minimal aftercare that would be really helpful - could you contact me please.


Guy Weller
Parish Councillor
015395 61224

Goodbye Jess

Dear All

I am moving on to pastures new.  I will be joining Durham Constabulary as a Police Officer, something which many of you will know I have wanted for some time.  I have many good memories of my four years with Cumbria and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and working alongside you within the community. 

This is now my last working week with my last shift being Sunday.  It has come about sooner than expected due to a number of rest days in lieu needing to be taken.  I will officially start my new role early February and I'm very keen to get started.  Despite what is portrayed in the media amongst other things I remain very positive for the future of the Police.  As they say, find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support during my time here.  If I can help with anything prior to Sunday then please don't hesitate to contact me.  After that you may wish to contact PCSO Jayne Park at jayne.park@cumbria.police.uk who will continue to cover the South Westmorland area or Police Sgt John Stephens at john.stephens@cumbria.police.uk. 

Many thanks and best wishes for the future,

Jess

Comments:

All the best, Jess, in your new job. Thanks so much for looking after us so well! 
Cate Minahan 

Police Newsletter

Please follow link to Police Newsletter

White Lines Controversy

White lines were painted around the village green and in front of the church last week.  The white lines go around the corner of Helm Lane and extend as far as the church gate which could make access to the church difficult for elderly and disabled people, and wedding and funeral parties. Where are visitors to the church to park their cars now that so many white lines have blocked so much parking space around the green? I accept that there has been damage to the green, parking on the corner of Helm Lane is dangerous, and that owners of houses next to the church need access, but the extent of the white line coverage seem to me greater than it needs to be. Who authorised these I wonder and wouldn’t it have been better to paint some double yellow lines in the vicinity of the school in Oxenholme Lane to stop some of the ridiculous parking which happens twice a day?

Clive Walkley

Comments:

I do not see any plates anywhere near these lines which inform of a legal restriction being in force, neither are these lines yellow or red, so I would infer that they are advisory only. It might be that if illegal parking occured too near a junction, or by causing an obstruction in any way, that ignoring the lines could be taken into consideration as a factor in deciding to prosecute; similarly if an accident occured there. Anyway, I note with surprise the sudden increase in their length. I wasn't aware this was going to happen until more people started parking outside our house further up Helm Lane and I had difficulty in getting our car into our drive. 

Chris Sutcliffe

On-Line Shopping Warning

Cumbria Trading Standards are advising residents to know their rights when shopping on-line and to carry out some basic checks.  This follows a recent complaint from a consumer who purchased goods from an online company he believed were based in Carlisle.  When the goods were delivered they were not as described and had parts missing.  It was only when he tried to resolve these issues did he find out that the company were actually based in Hong Kong.

Before you start shopping on the Internet there are a number of questions you have to ask yourself:-

• Do you trust and know the seller?
• Do they have a UK mailing address?
• The web address should begin with ‘https://’.  The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’
• Can you contact them if the order goes wrong?
• Are there any hidden charges?

Always check the terms and conditions and remember that paying by credit card can offer greater protection in terms of fraud and non-delivery.

For further information – or if you have a particular problem resulting from Internet shopping you can visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06.  They will refer the matter to Trading Standards if appropriate. 

Wanted: A responsive upright piano (in light wood)

Does anyone have an older, light wood, upright piano with a really responsive action that they would like to sell, please? I have a small, modern piano with a rather solid action which I plan to pass on to a friend or godchild but now that I am playing the piano a bit more I would really like to 'upgrade' and have a little money to do so. I would be very interested to try one anywhere in the South Lakes (lois.sparling@gmail.com). It would be going to a good home!

Phone Scam

Received a phone call (allegedly) from BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill.. He demanded payment immediately of £31.00 or it would be £ 118.00 to re-connect at a later date. The guy wasn't even fazed when I told him I was with Virgin Media, allegedly VM have to pay BT a percentage for line rental! I asked the guy's name - he gave me the very 'English' John Peacock with a very 'African' accent - and phone number -0800 0800 152. Obviously the fellow realized I didn't believe his story, so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT. I asked how and he told me to hang up and try phoning someone - he would disconnect my phone to prevent this. AND HE DID !! My phone was dead - no engaged tone, nothing - until he phoned me again. Very pleased with himself, he asked if that was enough proof that he was with BT. I asked how the payment was to be made and he said credit card, there and then. I said that I didn't know how he'd done it, but I had absolutely no intention of paying him, I didn't believe his name or that he worked for BT. He hung up. I dialed 1471 -number withheld I phoned his fictitious 0800 number - not recognized. So I phoned the police to let them know. I wasn't the first! It's only just started apparently, but it is escalating. Their advice was to let as many people as possible know of this scam. The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it's real, so please make as many friends and family aware of this. How is it done? This is good but not that clever. He gave the wrong number - it should have been  0800 800 152 which takes you through to BT Business. The cutting off of the line is very simple, he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can't dial out - but he can hear you trying. (This is because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back. You could almost be convinced! The sad thing is that it is so simple that it will certainly fool many. By the way this is not about getting the cash as this would not get past merchant services - it is all about getting the credit card details which include the security number, to be used for larger purchases.          From Pam Mansfield via her sister-in-law.

Monday Club Meeting this Monday, 21st Jan.

The meeting on Monday will be held in the Village Hall at 2pm and will be a talk by Dr. Rob David about The Ice House at Levens.

W.I. Report for January

Natland  and  Oxenholme  W.I. President, Marion Thornton welcomed members, introducing six new members and a visitor to the first meeting of 2013.

A team was volunteered for the Reading Aloud competition, and ideas were invited for an event to meet the County Chairman's Challenge for recruitment in the  W.I. Centenary Year. 

Local Registrar Susan Oliver spoke of the many services  now offered by the Registration Service since it began in 1837, including Naming ceremonies, Civil Partnerships , Renewal of Vows.  Approved venues in Cumbria and specially the Lake District are one of the most  popular in the Country for marriages.

The winner of the competition  for a Birthday or Wedding gift was won by Diana Dickinson, second was Lynne Procter.

The speaker at the next meeting on 20th February  will be Jim Bispham, 'The Pacific Crest Trail'.

Visitors always Welcome.                                           Margaret Lancaster.  Secretary.

Meet The Police Commissioner

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes, is keen to have your views on policing priorities and any other community safety concerns you have. He will be at the following locations on the dates shown below:

Monday 28 January              10am-12        Westmorland Shopping Centre, Kendal

Friday 8 February                10am-12        Alston Town Hall

Friday 8 February                 2 – 4pm         Devonshire Arcade, Penrith

Monday 11 February           2 – 4pm          Civic Centre, Carlisle

Friday 15 February              10am - 12      The Carnegie Theatre, Workington

Friday 15 February              1.30 – 3.30    The Beacon, Whitehaven

Wednesday 20^th Feb           10am-12        The Forum, Barrow

This is your chance to meet the new commissioner and express your views.

Also a reminder that you can also express your views through an online survey at: www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk

Parish Council Meeting 28th January

There will be a meeting of the Natland Parish Council in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 28^th January 2013, pleas follow link to AGENDA

Oxenholme Cold Caller Warning

Residents are being warned by Trading Standards about a company operating in Oxenholme who are cold calling residents offering to carry out painting work this week. 

Enquiries are ongoing but if you have any information relating to this incident or received a cold call, please can you contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506.

Trading Standards advise residents to say 'NO' to cold callers and always obtain three quotes.  For a list of Trading Standards approved businesses visit the Buy With Confidence website at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

If residents need further advice or have any information they would like to report they should contact Trading Standards on the number above or the Police on 101.

Natland Art Exhibition 2013

It’s that time again for THE NATLAND ART EXHIBITION. Artists Old and Young, new and experienced are invited to enter some of their paintings in the 2013 EXHIBITION. It is being held in the Village Hall on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March 2013. As usual, the idea is to show the work of LOCAL ARTISTS, and at the same time, raise funds for the Village Hall. 

To enter please follow link to ENTRY FORM

To enter the Natland News webvote send a photo of your entries to the Editor sbaker@inn2change.co.uk  please ensure you include title and price.

2012 Webvote Winner

John Lannaghan A Wintry Kendal Castle Hill

Email Scams

Cumbria Trading Standards are warning residents of a new email scam.  It purports to be from Europcar and claims that there is an outstanding invoice that has not been paid.  The advice is not to open the email but to delete it immediately as it is linked to the Trojan Horse malware.

The consumer had never hired a car from them and Europcar confirmed that it is a scam, when he contacted them.  Further details can be found at https://tinurl.com/abscuny  

To report any scams contact  Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040  http://www.actionfraud

For free, confidential and impartial advice on consumer issues contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk 

Follow Cumbria Trading Standards on twitter at www.twitter.com/cumbriats

Parish Plan Survey - deadline extended to Monday 21 January

Thanks to everyone who has completed our quick 3-question survey entitled 'Tell Us What You Think of Natland' over the past week. Now that we've drawn up our rough action plan for the year, we feel it makes sense to give those who haven't filled in a survey form yet a chance to make their feelings known. So the forms are still available at the Village Hall, the Natland PO, the Oxenholme PO and in St Mark's Church and you can still go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZT55XJL and fill it in there.

Spring is here and the steam trains are heading north!

The first trains of 2013 will be on Saturday 26th January, northbound through Oxenholme 10-41am pulled by locos 44871 Black five and 45407 The Lancashire Fusillier,

Pat Williams.

A response and request from a Richard Ratcliffe, who will be travelling on that train.
Hello,
I found your blog and will be travelling on that CME (Cumbrian Mountain Express) on Saturday 26th January. It is unusual for me to be on the train, preferring to take a good walk and watching the trains somewhere along the way. My website is mainly about walks, but an increasing number of walks have railway content. Here's the cheeky bit ... I am writing to a few enthusiasts / photographers to see if anyone would be so kind as to email me (at least) one photo from the run on the 26th. These photos will be compiled and put on my website with full credit and copyright acknowledged to the photographer - they will be shown at 800 x 600 (max) and will be part of a story of the day.
My website is http://www.summiteer.co.uk and my direct email is richard.ratcliffe4@btinternet.com
I full understand that some photographers will not be able to share their efforts, but maybe if I get a few photos I can present a decent story.
Thanks,
Richard Ratcliffe,
Burnley, Lancs.

200 Club Winners

First Prize : M.Burns.  Second Prize: V.Hambleton  Third Prize : M.P.Jayne.

Village Hall Quiz

Natland and Oxenholme Village Hall

The 2013 Annual Fun Quiz 

(with hot pot supper)

will be held in the Village Hall on the 9th February 2013 at 7.30pm 

Teams of four (but we can help to make up a team if you are short) 

Entry forms available from the Management Committee or from:-
Ray Richardson, 4 Killington Drive, Kendal LA9 7NY  (tel:  01539 740845) or download one by clicking here. To be returned by 4 February 2013. 

Entry fee £8.00 per head which includes the supper and home made sweet.    Please bring own glasses and drink.

Please note cancellations received after the closing date will still be charged.

Parish Plan 2013 – Tell us what you think of Natland

As a way of shaping the full-length formal questionnaire which will go out to all households in Natland parish in the spring, the Parish Plan Steering Group is running a quick 3-question survey from today (Sunday 6 January) for 8 days. You can fill it in online now by clicking below. (This will take you to the survey on the SurveyMonkey website.) Or, alternatively, you can pick up a form from the church, Natland shop, Oxenholme shop, the village hall - or you may find one arrives with you from the village school.

<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZT55XJL">Click here to take part in the survey.</a>

Please try and take 5 minutes to 'tell us what you think'. It will be a great help to us as we try to consult the village on its hopes for the future."

Lois Sparling

December Weather

                                                           DECEMBER
                                                      2012                2011
Temperature at 8am                        2.1c                 4.2c
Minimum temperature                     0.9c                 2.6c
Maximum temperature                    4.4c                 6.5c
                                                mm.      in.       mm.     in. 
Rainfall                                    213       8.5       194      7.8 
Apart from a few dry days in the middle of the month (when it was cold), we had our equal wettest December. This brought the annual total up to 69 inches. The average over nine years is now 55 ins. so, in common with the rest of the country, it was way above normal. Temperature was about average, last December was mild. Let's hope 2013 will be a dry warm year!                      John Dobson.