Planning permission refused

The planning committee of South Lakeland District Council refused permission for the development off Longmeadow Lane on Thursday. "The most outrageous planning application I've heard in my time on the planning committee" was one  comment. “The only way to get access to this site would be by helipad or a new railway station” was another. David Peters, Collin Mansfield and Keith Jackson spoke for those who wanted the application refused. Oakmere Homes sought to defer the decision while they found more evidence, but this was refused as well. 
Click here to read Collin Mansfield's account of proceedings.

Jokes and singing at the June W.I. meeting.

President Kirsten Cannon welcomed 35 members, 2 guests and gave a special welcome to Lindsay Parr from Kendal Parr W.I. to the monthly meeting.

Lindsay Slater gave a comprehensive report of the AGM held in Liverpool, she informed members that the new W.I. website had been launched and the resolutions on Alleviating Loneliness and Plastic Soup had both been passed.

President Kirsten then welcomed the entertainer Jacqueline McDonald.   Jacqueline was one part of the first female folk singing duo Jacqui and Bridie who performed to audiences around the world and who sung at a Royal Command Performance for H.M. Queen Elizabeth. Jacqueline was also the female singer with The Spinners for 3 years. 

Jacqueline treated members to a medley of folk songs, some of which were accompanied by dancing jig dolls and interspersed with an amusing account of her life.  Stella Howse gave the vote of thanks.

The competition for a puppet was won by Dorothy Goddard with Sue Ashton in second place.

The monthly raffle was won by Pat Dodgson.

Date of next meeting is August 16th at 7.15pm in Natland Village Hall when the guest speaker Dr Julia Piggott will speak on Identification of Bees

SLDC planning committee report on the Longmeadow Lane development

Planning Officers have now prepared their report on the proposal by Oakmere Homes. They recommend refusal. The report can be read at the top of the file - click on this link.   The application will now be considered at the planning meeting on the 29th June.  

Another planning application in the pipeline.

There is a pre-application consultation about a potentially major development of up to 107 extra care housing units in Natland civil parish.  It's on a site allocated in the Local Plan as "Land South of Fell Close" (2.71 hectares 61 dwellings) formerly referenced as site R108M. Here are links to plans of the location: Plan. Satellite view. Map.

One of Oakmere Homes's arguments in favour of the site east of Long Meadow Lane is that this site is unlikely to be developed.                                       David Peters.

Men - Find Your Voice with K shoes Male Voice Choir.

K Shoes Male Voice Choir is committed to promoting male voice singing. 
We believe there are many men who could enjoy this fun packed (yes, it's true!) hobby, but who may not think themselves good enough to sing in public. To give local men the opportunity to find their voices we have created a Free of Charge course run by an excellent local, professionally qualified, singing teacher, Tracie Penwarden. 
The course commences Wed 19th July and to register, please just click here: http://www.trybooking.co.uk/1499

Helm is for sale.

Helm Quarry, source of the stone used in Natland's oldest buildings.

After 780 years of ownership of our side of Helm, the Hornyold Strickland family is putting it up for sale. So far Kendal Town Council alone have shown an interest. Click here for details in the Minutes of Natland Parish Council from the 30th May.

May's Weather

                                               2017 2016
Temperature at 8 am              10.8c 11.0c
Average minimum temp.           7.7c   8.8c
Average maximum temp.        18.0c 15.6c
                                               mm in mm   in
Rainfall                                 117 4.7 39.5  1.6

We had long dry and warm spells in May interspersed with a few days of heavy rain. The result was higher than average rainfall which is misleading as it was basically a dry month. The end of the month saw some hot days which triggered the downpours. John Dobson

Church magazine for June

There is even more going on than usual this month. Here is a list,  click on this link for all the details.
Friday 2nd June. 10.30am. Coffee Morning, organised by the MU Families Group. All welcome.
Sunday 4th June 5pm Concert in church by The Kendal Millennium Youth Choir
Thursday 8th June. 7.30pm. Open PCC Meeting - Item for discussion ‘Mission Communities’
Friday 9th June 2-5pm. 50th Anniversary Celebrations at St Mark’s CE School. All welcome.
Saturday 10th June. 2-4pm Summer Fete in Natland Vicarage Garden.
Monday 12th June. 1.45-3.45pm. Natland Young at Heart Social Group meets in the Village Hall. 
Saturday 17th June7.30pm Pro Nobis Concert in church
Wednesday 21st June. 7.15pm Natland & Oxenholme WI meet as Jacqueline McDonald talks about ‘Her Travels and Folk Singing’. All ladies welcome.
Thursday 22nd June. 10am. Holy Communion in St Mark’s CE School (not church) followed by coffee. All welcome.
Tuesday 27th June. 3pm until late. Open House at Peter & Marion Mashiter’s home, 5 Esthwaite Drive, Kendal
Friday 30th June 11am Coffee & Chat at Kendal Care Home - all welcome.

Church Fete