Natland and Oxenholme W.I. Report

Natland and Oxenholme W.I. Held their first meeting since the November A.G.M.

Kirsten Cannon presided and 21 members attended.

Introduction was given for two new committee members Alison Hall - Register duties and Marley Hunter - Minutes Secretary.

Diana Dickinson reported on " An Afternoon of Christmas Entertainment" held in the Coronation Hall Ulverston, this included a flower demonstration depicting Christmas through the ages with poetry and prose, which proved very enjoyable.

The guest speaker for the evening was Jackie Huck who gave us a very entertaining recitation of poems, short stories and passages from her recent publication.

Joan Ratcliffe gave the vote of thanks in composed poetic rhyme, which was very fitting for the occasion.

The evening ended in festive mood with mulled wine, mince pies, and shortbread.

The monthly competition, best-wrapped Christmas parcel was won by Lynne Procter, with  Marjorie Horn second.  The parcels will be delivered to Riverside Home Kendal.

Next  meeting will be Wednesday January 21st (7.30pm) Terry Bond will give a talk on " Pendleton Witches"

Visitors welcome.

Marley Hunter

Green Deal reopens for business

The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund reopened for applications at 9am on Wednesday 10 December, with up to £5,600 available to households in England and Wales to help with the cost of installing energy-saving measures.

Through this second release of funding, domestic energy customers can now receive:

• up to £4000 for installing solid wall insulation; 
• up to £1000 for installing two measures from an approved list; 
• up to £100 refunded for their Green Deal Assessment; 
• up to £500 more if applying within 12 months of buying a new home. 

The measures included are: condensing gas boiler on mains gas, double or triple glazing as a replacement for single glazing, secondary glazing, energy efficient replacement external doors, cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, flat-roof insulation, insulation for a room in the roof, a replacement warm air unit, fan-assisted storage heaters, waste water heat recovery system. 

For more information, go to:

www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures/get-money-back-from-the-green-deal-home-improvement-fund

A present from BT Santa

Last week for several days there was one and sometimes two BT vans at the end of Robby Lea Drive and a man or two in a tent working in our “new” green phone junction box. When accosted they assured me that our Christmas present would be high speed broadband “provided United Utilities connect up the electrics from the lamppost to the box”

No sign of any electrician since and perhaps connecting electricity in the weather we have had not a good idea – perhaps a new year present!!

The gentlemen did advise to register interest on the BT site to be told when the connection is made and then contact ones broadband supplier to tell them high speed was available to get the full benefit.

Collin Mansfield

Christmas Tree on the Green

Once again we have a Christmas Tree on the Village Green. What you see on the Green is the top third of a large tree that was kindly offered to the Village by Guy Weller and which had somewhat outgrown his garden. As much of the tree as possible was transported, erected and illuminated by members of St Mark’s Church.

Scott Matthews of Signature Landscapes generously volunteered to fell the tree and succeeded without any threat to Guy’s neighbouring greenhouse.

There will be carols around the tree on Monday 22nd December at 6.00 pm with the accompaniment provided by Kendal Concert Band. Following the singing there will be hot drinks and mince pies in church. A collection will be taken for a charity to help the homeless.

There is an open invitation for residents in the village to add a decoration (s) of their own to the tree.  If every household in the village added a decoration it would be a true village Christmas tree! Please tie any decorations on well so they do not blow away and become litter

Christmas Events in Natland

Pro Nobis Christmas Concert next Sunday.

Christmas Coffee Morning

Missing Person

Cumbria Police are trying to trace a missing man believed to be in the Kendal/Windermere area.

His name is Jason Lee and is 33 years old, he is white, 6ft tall, 100Kg, stocky build, short very dark hair, no facial hair and a tattoo on his inside forearm of an Arabic symbol.

He may have travelled from Windermere to Kendal at about 16:00hrs this afternoon.

If there are any sightings of Jason, please contact the police on 101.

The Weather in Natland in November

                                                                             2014                                                2013
Temperature at 8am                                            6.8c                                                  3.3c
Minimum temperature                                         5.5c                                                  1.9c
Maximum temperature                                        8.6c                                                  6.3c
                                                              mm                             in                 mm                               in
Rainfall                                                 111                           4.4                 120                             4.8

Much milder than last November with no frosts. Not much sun with a lot of drizzle. 21/22nd had an inch of rain overnight. A fairly typical November really.

John Dobson.

St. Mark's Church magazine now available

Click here to find out what is going on in the parish in December and January.

Christmas Flower demonstration in Village Hall

Council lobbies for action on Natland Road footway/cycleway

A lot of this month’s meeting of the Parish Council was spent reporting back on issues raised at the October meeting and lining up lots of exciting new areas of activity for the January agenda (when we hope to be taking several new actions from the Parish Plan forward – including the formation of a history group and the better coordination of village activities). One thing decided on the night was, following a proposal from the new Traffic & Highways Working Group, to write to our County Councillor Brenda Gray reminding her of the strong case for a footway/cycleway along Natland Road, including the significant support for it shown by residents during the Parish Plan process. The County Council is currently deciding how to allocate money from the Local Growth Fund and so we are striking while the iron is hot!

These are exciting times on the Parish Council and we’ve still got room for one more councillor with an interest in seizing the opportunity to make a difference for our parish. Do get in touch if you’re interested. You can read the full draft minutes of the November NPC meeting here.

Report of the November Women's Institute Meeting and AGM

      The November meeting of Natland and 0xenholme W.I. was presided over by Marion Thornton and preceded the A.G.M. Two members of Preston Patrick W.I. Noreen Webster and Fay Bailey were welcomed to act as tellers.

Kirsten Cannon had attended the Annual Council meeting and gave a comprehensive report of a very busy year, and events now being planned for the 2015 Centenary year. A 50 year membership certificate was awarded to Doreen Galbraith,  and Jean Clement received a 30 year certificate.  The trophy for the best co-operative yeast cookery exhibit at the County show was presented to the five members who contributed. An excellent speaker at the group meeting hosted by Crosscrake W.I. had resulted in a very enjoyable evening, reported Diana Dickinson. A team of  four members had had an unsuccessful but fun night at the Federation Quiz. The winner of the Evelyn Cottam Cup for the most points gained in the monthly competitions was won by Kirsten Cannon.                                                                  
The years financial statement was then presented, and the Committee's Annual report of meetings given by Stella  Howes.  The chairman, Marion, thanked all for their support and help over the past 5 years.  Doris Aldsworth thanked her for her leadership, and Kirsten presented her with a gift token, an appreciation from the group's members.

As a result of the ballot by the members, Kirsten  Cannon was elected as president. Two new members joined the committee. Our thanks to the tellers were expressed by Lynn Pritchard.

Supper provided by members was enjoyed, and  a lively social half hour ended the evening.

Next meeting, Wednesday 10th December at 7.30pm. in the Village Hall Natland.
Jackie Huck, entertains with an evening of  Poems and Stories. Visitors welcome. 

Extra recycling service comes to Natland in January

Following the presentation to the parish council last month, SLDC has now confirmed that it will start collections of plastic and card for recycling from homes in the following roads in the New Year:

• Abbey Gardens
• Cracalt Farm
• Longmeadow Lane
• Natland Hall Farm
• Oxenholme Lane
• Park Close
• Robby Lea Drive
• Wandales Lane

New recycling bags (for plastic and also cans) and information about the new service will be delivered to these households before the end of the year.

• Cardboard will be collected along with paper in the recycling box.
• Glass will continue to be collected in the recycling box, but not mixed with cans.

We are asked to put bins and boxes out by 7am on recycling day, whatever time you have been used to having your recycling collected in the past. Collection times are likely to change.

SLDC say that they hope to expand the service to all households in the parish in the future.
For more information visit www.southlakeland.gov.uk.

Parish Council November meeting

The agenda for the next meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 24 November has now been published and you can read it here or on the post office noticeboard.

As usual, anyone is welcome to come along and raise concerns with the council on the night, at the very beginning of the meeting (at 7.30pm at the Village Hall). Alternatively you could email the Chair here or contact Lois, David, Rhian, Sarah, John or David (contact details on this website and on the post office noticeboard) before the meeting if you would like a subject discussed.

Lighting up the Natland Night

Curtains twitched in our sleepy village as the procession of schoolchildren processed from the school the the Green, accompanied by drumbeats

The lanterns lit up the Village Green

Then a small group of children danced in a way that evoked experiences of the First World War - it was a moving experience. The occasional cartwheel and complete body flip were impressive.

Then the music really started, as every child saw their own artwork projected onto the church tower.

Cumbria County Council Budget Consultation

Cumbria County Council is trying to find £83 million of savings over the course of the next 3 years and this includes estimated savings of £30.6 million within 2015/16. A series of proposals have been developed and the residents of Cumbria are being asked for their views. In addition, we are being asked about our views on creating a ‘unitary’ council, or ‘unitary’ councils. 

You can read more and tell them what you think by visiting http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/budgetconsultation/default.asp before 20 January or by attending a  local drop-in meeting. The closest one to Natland is being held at Kendal Library, from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday 19 November.

Vote NOW to keep massive new pylons away from Natland!

The ‘North West Coast Connections’ consultation – about how National Grid will get power generated out in the Irish sea and a new power station near Sellafield into the electricity network – has only a fortnight left to run. Have you told them that you don’t want huge additional pylons across the bottom of Natland parish yet? If not – please take a moment to do so now at:

www.northwestcoastconnections.com

At October’s Parish Council meeting, we agreed to submit an objection to the full ‘Onshore South’ citing the visual damage to high quality landscape and to valuable ecological sites (Roudsea Wood, Foulshaw and Meathop Mosses and others) caused by the construction works. You may want to make similar points and add your own.

Please don’t just leave this one to everyone else. The deadline is Friday 28 November.

Desert Island Discs on Monday.

Missing Cat

Our much loved cat, Tiggy, went missing on the afternoon of 5th November 2014 from Long Meadow Lane, Natland.
Tiggy is micro chipped no: 9772 0000 741 7201

Please check your garages, sheds and any warm spaces.
If you have seen her please call Sonya:
015395 60145    or      079585 01360

Lantern Procession and Pictures on the Church Tower next Friday

Help with fuel in winter for the over 60s

Thanks to Sarah Roberts for highlighting this news item in the ACT Gazette this month...

Cumbria Community Foundation have recently launched their fifth annual Winter Warmth Appeal to raise money for elderly people in the county who struggle with heating bills. Last year the fund helped more than 1,000 people and raised £105,000.

If you would like to donate (many people donate a sum equivalent to their Winter Fuel payment if they don’t need it) – or if you know someone who may be eligible for help (over 60, Cumbrian resident and struggling to maintain a basic acceptable standard of living because of their heating costs) – contact Cumbria Community Foundation on 019000 825760 or visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund

Calls to action from the Parish Council

After a short presentation from SLDC officers about new recycling options for some households in Natland in the New Year, October’s Parish Council meeting worked its way through a packed and wide-ranging agenda – from the establishment of the new Traffic & Highways Working Group and the work of the Natland Volunteers on restoring the Sam Inglesfield memorial seat to requests for dog fouling bins, complaints about the signage at The Beeches on Natland Road and the redrafting of the Parish Charter which defines the working relationship between SLDC and local parish councils.

PCSO Mark Hutchinson also urged us to ask Natland residents to take part in the current consultation on local policing (http://www.cumbria.police.uk/about-us/public-consultation-survey-2014 by 14 November) and Cllr David Peters reminded us of the importance of telling the North West Coast Connections consultation if we DO NOT want outsize new pylons marching across the bottom of our parish (by opposing the full ‘Onshore South’ option and supporting the ‘Onshore South with Tunnel under Morecambe Bay’ option at www.northwestcoastconnections.com (by 28 November).

You can read the draft minutes of the meeting by clicking here.

10 days left to have your say on local policing

The police launched a public consultation last Monday. Paper questionnaires have to be in by Friday 7 November but if you can complete one online you have until Friday 14 November to have our say on the future of local policing. PCSO Mark Hutchinson came to October’s Parish Council meeting to present his monthly report and began by urging us all to take part and tell our friends and neighbours to do so, too.

The police service has been asked to make huge cuts and is looking at options such as cutting numbers of PSCOs, or of police officers, or selling off buildings, or closing police station front desks. None of us want to see any of this but it’s important to log in to let them know that we care about the future of the police service – even in rural areas! – and have opinions on which bits are important.

The survey will only take you 5–10 minutes. Please log in today at http://www.cumbria.police.uk/about-us/public-consultation-survey-2014

Pre-School Jumble Sale

It's on Saturday 15th November at the Village Hall and starts at 2.00pm, entry is £1 to include a drink and a biscuit.
Anyone wishing to donate jumble can bring it to the hall on either Friday or Saturday morning.

Desert Island Discs in the Church

Then let's rejoice with loud Fal la--Fal la la!

That Nature always does contrive--Fal lal la!

That every boy and every gal

That’s born into the world alive

Is either a little Liberal

Or else a little Conservative!

What would W.S. Gilbert have rhymed with UKIP or The Monster Raving Looney Party? Well we had a little Liberal on our Desert Island and now we are going to send a little Conservative
On Monday 17th November at 7.30 in church you can find out how our Conservative candidate, Dr Ann Myatt would fare on her own as a castaway when she is subjected to searching questioning on her survival skills. By May next year we may be all so fed up with politics we will all want to be on a far away island."
Dr Myatt is a consultant Dermatologist at WGH and Barrow, she will be asked to tell us how she would survive, choose her eight favourite pieces of music for you to listen to as well as nominate a book and a luxury item. The bad news for those interested in politics is that all party political questions (and answers) will be strictly off limits.
Afterwards there will be refreshments available (donations requested) and a chance to meet Ann and explore her musical tastes.
Entry is £5.00 each (under 16 free) pay on the night. All proceeds are to help defray the cost of recent drainage works in the churchyard.

Monday Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Monday Club, the club for the over 50s, is to be on November 17th at 2.00pm in the Village Hall when the speaker will be Maurice Steele, his subject being "Irish Gems" (illustrated).

Members are reminded that payment for the Christmas Lunch (£14 per head including drinks) on the 8th December is due at this meeting.                             Paul Singleton.

Craft Fair Result and Village Hall Committee Meeting

Some of the stalls at the Craft Fair

At the meeting on Monday, thanks were expressed to the many people who helped make the Craft Fair and Exhibition a success again this year. The takings for the Village Hall from the Craft Fair and Exhibition totalled £763.67.

Part of the Craft Exhibition including the Noah's Ark knitted by Marion Thornton, which was voted favourite item.

The 200 Club winners for November were
1st           W Cavenay
2nd          R Frankland
3rd           C Wilson

Natlanders Return

British Sea Power
Sea of Brass
Sat 8 Nov | The Factory 7.30pm | £20

Homecoming gig from the Mercury nominated indie rockers with an exciting new musical project alongside the acclaimed Foden's Brass Band. Two of the members of this famous band were born and brought up in Natland.

This gig will take place at the Factory cultural hub, Aynam Road, Kendal

Church Magazine for November

Click on this link to find out details of everything that is happening at St. Mark's Church this month.

Cardboard and plastic collection coming to (parts of) Natland

The much-anticipated doorstep collection of cardboard and plastic for recycling is coming closer! At the October Parish Council meeting Andrew Vickers and Nick Pearson from SLDC came to tell us about plans for ‘Phase 1’ of the rollout, which will start early in the New Year with a ‘Kendal’ trial which will include some streets in Natland. (Sadly, they can’t confirm just yet which areas of Natland will be included in Phase 1 but we’ll let you know on this blog as soon as we get do.)

The houses that are included will get a big new bag for putting their plastic in and be asked to flatten cardboard and include it with the paper in their paper box. Collections will happen on the same day as the current green waste, bottles and glass collection – although probably at a different time of day as the new lorries will be taking different routes. They ask that we have everything out by 7am to be sure of collection until things settle down. 

Latest on bus services

Over the past few months Cumbria County Council has been phasing out its financial support for scheduled bus services. Previously subsidised services may be withdrawn, or re-scheduled by the operator as a similar or reduced commercial service. 

Changes to the timetable for 551/552 Kendal-Arnside service came into operation a couple of months ago (http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/544/931/6586/6592/41849113110.pdf).  Timetables for the Kendal town services are unaffected, but those travelling further afield are advised to check travel times beforehand (http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/transport/publictransport/busserv/timetables/southlakeland.asp). In particular, there are reductions in the evenings to both the 555 services between Kendal and Ambleside and the X6 services (Kendal-Grange-Barrow). 

Cumbria County Council is not publishing its usual county-wide winter timetable this year because of the uncertainty over the future of certain services so it’s best to check the website for information.

If you want to keep abreast of bus-related info, campaign for better bus services locally, or make suggestions and ask questions of the County Council’s Integrated Transport team or local bus operators why not join Kendal & District Bus Users Group (KADBUS)? The annual subscription is a very modest £2. For more details contact Barbara Colley (01539 821629, colleygarth@btopenworld.com). 

Sarah Roberts

(Natland Parish Council’s KADBUS representative)

Weather in October back to normal

	2014		2013
Average temperatures
Temperature at 8am	9.1C		10.0C
Min temperature	7.4C		8.8C
Max temperature	12.0C		12.3C
Total rainfall	mm	in	mm	in
	184	7.4	174	7.0

It was back to normal in October with rain on most days. It was mild although not quite as warm as last year. The temperatures were higher in the latter part of the month which is unusual.

John Dobson

Superheroes Party this Friday!

Calling all primary school-age children! Why not dress up as your favourite superhero and join us for a party on Friday evening (from 5pm to 6.15pm) at the Village Hall. It’s free!

You can bring your parents, too, but younger siblings will definitely need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. To find out more, email Angela at St Mark’s Church.

Update on Household Recycling Tonight

A quick reminder that Nick Pearson, of SLDC, will be giving a presentation at tonight's Parish Council meeting (7.30pm, Monday 27 October at the Village Hall) on forthcoming doorstep cardboard and plastic recycling in Natland. All welcome.

Craft Fair and Exhibition on Saturday

The Craft Fair in 2012

This year will be the 15th time the Craft Fair and Exhibition has been held and it looks as if it will be as good as ever. Twenty-three stalls will be there selling jewellery, Christmas crafts, woodcraft, sewn bags and accessories, plants, glassware, embroidered and silk pictures, pottery, paintings, toys and rag-rugs, jams and woven willow baskets. There'll be loads of really original Christmas presents to choose from.

There will be 23 stalls in all, and lots of local crafts on show as well, and tea and home-made cakes. It runs from 10am until 4pm on Saturday the 1st November, admission is 50p, and there will be a raffle.

Bible Story Exhibition in Church

Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th October, 11am - 5pm. Free admission - donations welcome.
Refreshments available.

Followed by Bible story songs of Praise, Sunday 26th Oct., 6.30pm.

Oxenholme Station... 116 years ago!

New parish councillor John Bateson has unearthed and improved this rare photograph of Oxenholme station back in 1898 and was happy to share it with Natland News. The signs on the platform used to say: ‘Oxenholme – Junction for Kendal & Windermere’ until about 30 years ago.

Report of October Women's Institute Meeting

     At a well attended October meeting of Natland and Oxenholme W.I., President Marion Thornton
welcomed all and introduced three new members to our Institute.

     Diana Dickinson reported that several members had enjoyed their visit to the Theatre at Keswick to see a production of  'Rookery Nook'.

     As the result of a ballot, Kirsten Cannon will be our delegate, representing us at the National
A.G.M. in London in June 2015.

    The meeting welcomed guest speaker Brenda Austin who brought samples of her vast collection of tins, each one had a fascinating story and associations with our country's history, which brought back many memories. She was thanked on our behalf by Joan Airey. The competition for an empty tin was won by Audrey Casson, second Joyce Ormrod.

    The next meeting, the A.G.M. and Jacobs Join Supper, will be held on Wednesday, 19th November, at 7.30pm, in the Village Hall, Natland.     Margaret Lancaster, secretary.

Household recycling update at the next NPC meeting

Next Monday’s Parish Council meeting (7.30pm, Monday 27 October at the Village Hall) will kick off with a talk from South Lakeland District Council about plans to introduce doorstep cardboard and plastic recycling in Natland. As usual, you are welcome to come along and it’s not compulsory to stay and listen to the rest of the meeting if you’re not interested in such matters as progress on the Parish Plan, the latest on the North West Coast Connections consultation, dog fouling and so on...

You can download the full agenda for the October meeting by clicking here.

Steam Train this Saturday

On Saturday 25 October 46233 Duchess of Sutherland will be northbound through Oxenholme at 10:39. 

Pat Williams.

The Headteacher's Daughter

Adrienne Storm was the Natland Primary School Headteacher's daughter. 

She lived at School House on the Natland Village Green in the late 1950s and early 60s.

Recently she discovered Natland News and its Scrapbook pages of old photos. As a result, she has sent us these old photos of the Village Green and written about her time in Natland.   

Does anyone know who is the young girl running alongside the Village Green?

To read Adrienne's memories of Natland click on The Headteacher's Daughter.

Age UK Wartime Singing Event

Celebration Service of the life of Alan Paley

ALAN of Natland died suddenly on 28th September; loving husband of Jenny, dear father of Mark and Jonathan and proud grandpa of Toby.  Committal at Lancaster Crematorium on Monday 13th October at 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of his Life  at St. Mark's Church, Natland at 12.30 p.m.  Family flowers only please.  Donations if desired for either the North West Air Ambulance or Kendal Mountain Rescue c/o Hayes & Parkinson Ltd., Captain French Lane, Kendal, LA9 4HS.

Craft Fair and Exhibition

The Craft Fair and Exhibition is taking place again this year, in the Village Hall on 1 November in the large and small rooms respectively. If you have any craft items which you would like to display, it would be lovely to see them. We take great care of your treasures. We will have stewards on duty at all times to watch over the exhibits. Insurance has also been taken out to cover them for the day. While on exhibition each item will have a small card (like a place card) inscribed “Exhibited by …………..” 

For insurance reasons, we need to compile a comprehensive list beforehand, noting each item and also its value. Therefore we are asking you to complete a form and return it to me soon so that we can get all the arrangements made.

A form to send in before the event can be downloaded here..

   
Elspeth Jayne (Craft Fair Organiser)

200 Club winners

The first prize this month goes to Dennis Pook, the second to Barry Evans and the third to Renee Frankland.

St. Mark's Church Parish News now available

Find out about the church's harvest celebrations this weekend, as well as all the other activities going on in October in the church and the village, by clicking on this link.

The Weather in September

                                                                                               2014                           2013

Temperature at 8 am                                                              11.5c                          10.7c

Minimum Temperature (Av)                                                   10.6c                           9.5c

Maximum Temperature (Av)                                                  16.0c                          14.0c

                                                                                    mm           in                mm               in

Rainfall                                                                         8            0.3                94                3.8

By far the driest month ever (or since 2004 when my records began!).

It was also the warmest September so, apart from August, we have had a good summer.

John Dobson

Churchyard Repairs

A few gravestones in the Churchyard have been overturned by a stonemason at the request of the church because they were loose and liable to fall. The graves in question are:
The Read family; - William died 1929, Bessie Shepherd d. 1928, Elizabeth, d. 1930 and Sarah Jane, d.1966.
John and Isabella  Howson of Cracalt House, died 1908 and 1909.
William and Margaret Harrison, died 1924 and 1913.
Charles Henry Wilson, Master and Huntsman of the Oxenholme hunt, died 1927, and his niece Frances Laura Wilson died 1949.
Charlotte and Isaac Nelson, died 1909 and 1926 with their daughter Ena who died in infancy.
Please contact the churchwarden, Marion Thornton, on 015395 61253, if you have an interest in restoring these graves.

Collapse of Treacle Mine?

Three strong Natlanders (Guy Weller, John Ritchie and Sarah Roberts) removed the collapsed old paving from under the bench outside the church yesterday, averting a possible sticky disaster.

Old paving slabs (7 - complete but each in at least 2 pieces!) are free to anyone who wishes to take them away.  Also some sharp sand (grit sand).   Anything still left there on Saturday will be removed and disposed of.

The bench on its new paving.

Report of September W.I. Meeting

     President Marion Thornton opened a well attended September meeting of Natland and Oxenholme W.I. and welcomed four visitors.  She congratulated all who had successfully entered craft or produce items in the Westmorland County show.

     Stella Howes thanked the Institute for her bursary to attend Denman College, where she had recently enjoyed an excellent course on water colour painting, reviving her interest in the craft.

     A chemistry workshop given by scientists from Bristol University had been a 'hands on' entertaining day discovering the properties of everyday substances, Midge Fairhusrt reported to the meeting.

     Guest speaker Chris Bibby entertained his audience with tales of the family business started by his grandfather as a local haulage business of fruit, vegetables and milk, to the holiday tourist coaches today travelling the U.K. and Europe. He told many amusing anecdotes encountered on his journeys, most especially on W.I.members outings. He also entertained us with nationwide tunes, played on his Euphonium. He was thanked on our behalf by Dawn Ridgeway. The competition, a holiday postcard, was won by Midge Fairhurst, second Marion Thornton.

     Our next meeting will be held in the Village Hall Natland on October 15th  at 7.30pm. Speaker  Brenda Austin's talk will be 'Collecting Tins'.

     Visitors always welcome.

Progress on the Parish Plan at September’s Parish Council

A few more small steps forward were taken at September’s parish council meeting on implementing the Parish Plan 2014. Councillors reported that the first meeting of the Traffic & Highways Working Group has been fixed for Tuesday 22 September and that our network of Neighbourhood Watch volunteers has agreed to help us with making sure that new people moving into the parish are all welcomed and given a copy of the Parish Directory. We have sadly had less success in getting those who volunteered for a Community Energy group together, despite several attempts, and are going to leave this parish plan action to one side for now, unless residents ask us to do otherwise.

We also heard from County Councillor Brenda Gray that the speed limit on the A65 is going to be lowered to 50mph from Oxenholme through to Endmoor, which is good news for residents and road safety, although we had hoped for a lower limit as far as Barrows Green and will continue to look for opportunities to pursue this. The plan to install a pedestrian crossing on the A65 across from Helmside Road has been abandoned on cost grounds but signage reminding drivers to slow down for crossing schoolchildren is to be renewed and reinforced.

Draft full minutes of the September parish council meeting can be read or downloaded here.

A fresh look to your village hall

Hall users will already have noticed the newly-installed front doors which will keep the rain and wind out and the warmth in during the winter. 

The eagle-eyed might also have been wondering why the hall’s nameboard, designed and crafted by Roger Pimblett a few years ago, had been taken down. The weather had taken its toll. It has now reappeared looking fresh and pristine thanks to the skills and time devoted by Don Davies, a recent newcomer to the village.  His efforts are very much appreciated by the management committee. Thank you, Don.

Houses on Natland Road selling well

There was a long queue of interested people when the new houses on Natland Road were put on sale, according to the Westmorland Gazette. Click here for more details.

Church Coffee Morning in aid of Boxes of Hope, Cumbria

There will be a Coffee Morning on Wednesday the 24th September from 10am to 12 noon in St. Mark's Church Vestry. There will be stalls and refreshments - £1.50 entrance, All proceeds will go to a local charity which sends Christmas boxes to children in Romania.

Corrected bus timetable now available

Users of the 552/552 bus service to Kendal may have seen notices at some stops about errors in the printed timetable that only came out in August. (The times on the Park Close bus stop in Natland, however, are correct.) The correct timetable is now available on the council website but you can also download a copy of it as a PDF here.

Sarah Roberts, KADBUS rep

200 Club Winners

The following members of the 200 Club supporting the Village Hall won prizes in the draw held at the Village Hall Committee meeting last week:

1st           37           C Payne
2nd          29           B Holmes
3rd           96           M Butterfield

Dog attack on Helm

Message sent by
Tom Robinson (Police, Community Support Officer, Kendal NPT)

Police are requesting information about an incident involving 3 dogs that happened on THE HELM, KENDAL, on the 31/08/2014 between 0700 and 0800 hours. A dog and a member of the public were both hurt in the incident. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident. The 2 suspect dogs are described as staffy type dogs, one is black and one is white with one of the dogs having lacerations to the ears, the suspect owner is described as male, plump and wearing a baseball cap with 2 young males aged 9 or 10 years.
If you have any information regarding the above or if you are a dog walker and have had a similar experience with 2 staffy type dogs, one black and one white please contact Cumbria constabulary one 101 and ask to speak to PC 1045 AUBREY regarding log number CP-20140831-0096.

Weather statistics for August

	2014		2013
Average temperatures
Temperature at 8am	11.5C		14.0C
Min temperature	10.3C		12.2C
Max temperature	15.8C		17.6C
Total rainfall	mm	in	mm	in
	169	6.8	185	7.4

After a couple of months of summery weather, August was disappointing. It was fairly wet, which is not unusual for the month, but cooler than normal. This was due to the wind direction being mainly north or north east. The aftermath of hurricane Bertha brought gales on the 10th/11th.

John Dobson

Steam train coming through

On Saturday 30 August 6233 Duchess of Sutherland will be southbound through Oxenholme at 16.59.

Pat Williams

Police and Crime Commissioner coming to Kendal

Richard Rhodes, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner will be holding a ‘surgery’ at the Westmorland Shopping Centre in Kendal on Thursday 28 August from 10am to 12pm. Everyone is invited to come and share their views on local policing. You can book an appointment by emailing commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or just drop in on the morning.

Les Foden at the August WI meeting

President Marion Thornton welcomed members and visitors to the August meeting of Natland and Oxenholme WI and introduced speaker, Les Foden – a broadcaster, national flower judge and writer for the national press – who gave us invaluable tips on gardening, and his innovative ways of controlling pests. He illustrated with slides some of his methods for re-potting and pruning, and the beautiful results of his work. His audience had many questions to ask. Our thanks were expressed by Dawn Ridgeway. The competition for a single bloom was won by Margaret Lancaster, with Jean Clement in second place.
     During the July summer break members had enjoyed an evening visit to Holehird and a meal out, and a trip to Hawes.
     Ruth Hunter reported that the Burneside brass band concert in Kendal Parish church to commemorate the centenary of World War I had been excellent.
     Marion Want reported a well-attended and interesting meeting at Selside about the building of the Thirlmere Viaduct.
     At the next meeting Chris Bibby will talk about ‘Bibbys Past and Present’ on Wednesday 17 September at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Natland. Visitors always welcome.   Margaret Lancaster.

Table Tennis: start of new season

Natland and Oxenholme Table Tennis Club, new season 2014 - 2015.  

Starts 2 September 2014.

Our club sessions start soon for the new season, and we invite anyone interested in table tennis to come along.  New members of any standard are most welcome.  The details are:

    Club sessions are on Tuesdays, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Natland Village Hall, first session 2 September 2014.
    Junior coaching is on Mondays, 6.00 to 7.00pm, Natland Village Hall, starts 22 September 2014 (TBC).

    We run 5 or 6 teams in the local Kendal and District Table Tennis League, plus two teams in the Junior League.  However there is no necessity to play in a team, several members just enjoy coming for a friendly game or practice on club nights.
   
If you are interested, please get in touch with either myself or our Chairman, our contact details are below.  Or simply come along to one of our Tuesday club sessions, it would be great to see you.

Mick Taylor, Club Secretary, 015395 60904, email Mick Taylor
Rin Colombi, Chairman, 07947 093226, email Rin Colombi

A lot of interest has been expressed in the new houses on Natland Road

The builder says that 500 people have contacted him expressing an interest in these new houses according to the Westmorland Gazette. Click here for more details.

Kendal to London by Kayak!

The 2014–15 season of the Monday Club starts again on Monday 15 September 2014 when the speakers will be Trevor Hughes and David Oates, whose illustrated talk will be entitled ‘Kendal to London by Kayak’.

The Monday Club meets on the third Monday of the month (September to May inclusive) at 2pm in the Village Hall and encompasses a varied programme of speakers. There is also a Christmas Party in December as well as a summer outing in June. The Club annual subscription is £10 (to include tea and biscuits after every talk) and the Club welcomes new members.

For more information, contact Chairman Paul Singleton.

Steam train coming through

On Saturday 16th August 60009 Union Of South Africa will be southbound through Oxenholme at 17.00 hours.

Pat Williams

Parish Council presses on with Parish Plan objectives

At the July meeting of the Parish Council, further progress on some key parish plan objectives was reported, including the launching of the Natland Volunteers scheme (see the Volunteer! page on this website) and plans afoot to get the Traffic & Footpaths Working Group together for the first time in the autumn.

The Council is also working to make sure that any new arrivals in the parish receive a welcome and a copy of the Parish Directory. (If you live in Natland Mill Beck Lane, Helme Lodge or Watercrook and would be happy to let us know when new people move into your area, please email Lois.) And you may have noticed that the Website Team has made some changes to this website, in order to make sure that visitors find key information more easily, which was another Parish Plan objective.

Councillors have also had some helpful recent meetings with Cumbria Highways in order to talk through key issues affecting Natland. We will see whether this bears fruit over the next few months. If you’d like to help us put Natland nearer the top of their priority list, please volunteer to be a Highways Hotline Reporter for your area. (More information on the Volunteer! page.)

We are still looking for one more person to join the Parish Council. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Lois or any of the other councillors listed on the Local Council Contacts page.

The full draft minutes of the Council’s July meeting are now available to download on the Parish Council meetings and archive page here and will shortly be published on the Parish Council noticeboard by the post office.

200 Club Winners

The lucky winners of the Village Hall draw this month are:
1st     56     Barbara Bowley
2nd    62     Audrey Ireland
3rd    68     Mike Bagnall

The weather in July in Natland

                                                                                                                    July
                                                                                                 2014                             2013
Temperature at 8am                                                                   15.2c                            16.8c
Minimum Temperature                                                               14.0c                            14.3c
Maximum Temperature                                                              20.5c                            22.6c

Rainfall                                                                               mm.      in.                        mm.       in.
                                                                                         85.5      3.4                       101      4.04

Not as hot as last July, but still summery. Half of the rain fell in one 24 hour period, 4th to 5th July, so we had a lot of dry days.                                   John Dobson.

New bus schedules

From Monday 4 August there are new timetables for the Kendal to Arnside bus services 551/552.

Weekday 552 services via Natland are unchanged, but on Saturdays there will be only one bus in each direction: 10.03am from Park Close, Natland (same as Monday to Friday), returning from Kendal at 1.30pm.

On the 551 route (via A65, Endmoor and Milnthorpe) the weekday mid-morning journey in each direction has been discontinued, and on Saturdays there will be only one bus in each direction (leaving Kendal at 8.55am and leaving Arnside at 2.25pm).

You can see the full timetable by clicking here.

Road closure in the village from Monday

Cumbria Highways are closing a short section of road in the village from Monday (28 July) for up to a maximum of 5 days for urgent waterworks. The closure is the 50m between the post office and the turning to the village hall, at the bottom end of Oxenholme Lane and should be clearly signed. Pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed through.

Commemorations of World War 1

Church Services

Sunday 3rd August 7.30pm in Church: a reflective service with prayers and reading.

Special prayers and an Act of Remembrance will take place at the 10am service on the same day.

YOU ARE  INVITED TO AFTERNOON TEA IN NATLAND VICARAGE GARDENS (in the Vicarage in wet), also on Sunday 3rd August, at 3-5pm. There is no charge for this though donations are invited for Church funds.

Friends of the Lake District Invitation to a Pony Event on Helm

Come and meet our ponies at a fun event for all the family on 16 August on our property at The Helm, Oxenholme.
Just turn up, the event is FREE and you can find out more details by clicking here:
We hope to see you there.

Steve Houltram

Membership Officer

Steam train going south on Saturday

The Union of South Africa will be southbound through Oxenholme on 26th July at 17.00.  Pat Williams

Open Gardens a great success

The weather was perfect for the Open Gardens event and around 250 people came from far and near. Just over £1,700 was raised for St. Mark's Church, and the Village Hall raised over £200 from the sale of refreshments.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event. Collin Mansfield

Click here to see pictures.

Agenda for July Parish Council published

The agenda for the July Parish Council meeting has now been published. It is up on the Parish Council noticeboard at the Post Office and also available to download as a PDF by clicking here.

If you wish to contribute to our discussions on Monday 28 July you can do so either by contacting one of your parish councillors or by attending the meeting on the night and making a statement in the ‘public participation’ section of the meeting, which councillors can then take into account during the main part of the meeting.

Can you help improve hospital discharge procedures?

If you’ve had recent experience of being discharged from any sort of health or social care setting – good or bad – Healthwatch Cumbria would be grateful for a few minutes of your time.

They have recently launched a special enquiry into unsafe discharge of patients and are hoping to be able to share those experiences across the county to improve procedures and services.

You can complete the simple survey – in complete confidence – on their website at http://healthwatchcumbria.co.uk/survey-into-unsafe-discharge.

Thanks for doing your bit to improve health services in Cumbria.

Village Hall Meeting

At the committee meeting on Monday thought was given to work that could be done on the building while it is less used during August.

• The notice board has suffered from exposure to the weather and a volunteer - Don, who is new to the village, has offered to repair it. 
• There will be a working party clearing weeds and leaves and generally tidying up, starting at 10am on the 9th August. 
• Further investigations will continue into the possibility of a grant for the new acoustic panels in the large hall.
• The floor in the large hall will be cleaned and treated again by Ray, the chairman

The winners of the 200 Club are:

1st           86           Maureen Holmes

2nd          17           Lucy Lewis

3rd           43           Brian Miller

Steam train on Saturday.

On Saturday 12th July 60009 Union Of South Africa will be northbound through Oxenholme at 11-40am.

 

Pat Williams

Open Gardens on Sunday in Natland and Oxenholme

Don't forget the Open Gardens day on Sunday. It's from 11.30-5.00pm and programmes cost £4 on the day, from the church or from one of the gardens that are open. There'll also be refreshments in the Village Hall.