Virtual Treasure Trail

Many of you probably have not walked around Kendal since the lock-down began, so I bring you a way to virtually wander around the Old Grey town, hopefully having some fun and maybe learning a thing or two by following a trail around the Civic society’s historic plaques. There is no prize for the first one to complete it, take your time, and unlike a normal treasure trail you could do a little every day. You could even do it, in between doing the quizzes in the Church magazine or the Christian Aid quiz.    David Walker.

Click here for the Virtual Treasure Trail.

Scam Alert

There seem to be even more scams about at the moment. If you are in doubt about any call you receive you can click on any of these links to Cumbria Trading Standards to notify them or to see what they advise. 
https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/tradingstandards/consumers/scams.asp
https://www.facebook.com/cumbriats/
https://twitter.com/cumbriats

Click here for the poster which tells you what to look out for.

May Parish News

There is a tremendous amount to read, entertain, meditate on and learn in this month's magazine. Click here for all 36 pages.
The St. Mark's Church page is regularly updated with recordings of services from the homes of the Rev'd Angela or the Rev'd Craig. Just click on the St. Mark's Church tab above to see what's available.

Italian Night In

In case you are missing having a night out, a local business (Alison Blake's Spanish teacher's husband) is offering Pizza. Click here for the full menu.

"We take the orders through our Facebook page. "La Pekora Nera UK"

If people don't have access to Facebook they can order to this number with a text 07753393069."

Open Gardens

Here is paeony 'Mlokosewitchii' in full flower and close-up - more easily dubbed "Molly the witch" ! At The Anchorage, Sarah Robert's garden.

A happy hosta in Hilary Atkinson's garden in Hincaster, before the rain and snails and slugs.

The Green Bin is Back

Only once a month and you have to put it out on a normal recycling day when it might not be collected, but will be a fortnight later. Click here for details.

Open Gardens

David and Hilda's Walker's Azalea in full bloom.

Collin Mansfield hopes for no more frosts.

Here is a paeonia tenuifolia in Bernice and John Owen's garden on Oxenholme Road.

The view from Miggy Scott's kitchen window, on Sunnyside.

Watch This Space

Plans are afoot to organize a Giant Jacob's Join Tea Party in Natland when lockdown restrictions are lifted.  A chance to celebrate and socialize with the whole community. Meet up with old friends and make new. More information nearer the time but obviously at this stage we do not know when that will be. 

The Funcom Team

Open Gardens

Since our well-loved scout round neighbours' gardens is being put on hold this year, thought has been given by the Funcom Committee of St. Mark's Church, to the possibility of holding the Open Gardens event anyway.

So, everyone is invited to join in by displaying their favourite garden feature on this platform by sending their favourite photo of the week through the coming weeks and months. Flowers, shrubs, trees and artistic combinations of them, all are welcome. If you don't know what they are, you never know someone might identify them for you. 

Crab apple blossom humming with bees at the Tythe Barn.

Please send your photos in any format  to me at elspethjayne@gmail.com

The spring meadow at 12 Longmeadow Lane.

Tulip Princess Irene in Martin and Elspeth Jayne's garden

Donations Wanted for the King's Foodbank

200 Club April Prizewinners

The Village Hall may be closed, but their 200 Club monthly prize draw continues.
In the April draw the winning numbers were: 1st - 10, 2nd - 66, 3rd - 38.

News from St. Mark's Church.

See the St. Mark's Church page via the tab above for links to all the virtual services that are happening.

The initiative started by Families @ 4 to mark World Toilet day has now resulted in the toilet in St Mark’s Church being twinned with a school toilet block in Chisimuka, Rumphi District, Malawi. Thank you to all who contributed.
You are now able to twin a tap as well as a toilet; this is to help to stop the spread of the Corona-virus by teaching communities how to wash their hands correctly and to limit the spread of the virus. Your donation will help provide hygiene promotion and support in vulnerable communities across more than 45 countries.

For more information please check out their website at 
www.toilettwinning.org/tap-twinning

Gizmo's back

Pat Williams is very glad to report that her cat, Gizmo, who went missing over a month ago, has returned, thinner and wiser.

Crocheting Spring

I have noticed wonderful crocheted butterflies and rainbows pinned to footpath signs locally.  Just wonder if you know who has done them.  I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU. A wonderful and uplifting idea which has been commented on by lots of people.

 Jenny

Comment: We know who the phantom crocheter is but think he/she wants to stay anonymous! I can ask if he/she is taking orders.

A Public Spirited Easter Rabbit

Here to give a smile to anyone who sees her. 

Help from Age UK during Coronavirus pandemic

There is help available from the local Age UK group for people 70 or over, or anyone who is having to self-isolate. Click here for more details.

Easter at St. Mark's Church

Easter Day. The Sunrise Service. The Easter Service from St. Mark's Church Vicarage.  Service Sheet.

Coronavirus Update from SLDC

Here is an update newsletter from SLDC.  There's some further information that David Peters has been sent at intervals and which might be of use, including a request for PPE, support for vulnerable adults, grant payments to business, how to run remote meetings, waste disposal and bins, safeguarding, help for residents and businesses, driving buses and advice for pet and livestock owners. Click here for this document.

Daily Newspaper Delivery Offer

If you are unable to get your daily newspaper whilst the post office is shut I am going to buy some papers every morning and am happy to deliver them to you in the village. I am also going to Stainton.
Please ring me 07852 913181
Carol Catnach - from the post office.

Natland Post Office closing for now

Tomorrow, Saturday, 9am - 12, will be the last opening time for the Post Office. Advice was given by P.O. H.Q. to close it because there is a danger to health when people live in the same building. Thank you to Post Office staff for keeping it open while you could, and it’s hoped that you will be back soon.

The Weather in March

March	2020	Mar. average
Temperature at 8 a.m.	5.3° C	4.3° C
Minimum Temperature (Ave)	4.7° C	2.7° C
Maximum Temperature (Ave)	9.9° C	8.2° C
Rainfall	117.5 mm 4.7"	99.06 mm 3.96"

All the rain fell up to 18 March: it has been dry since then. March temperatures were slightly above average. We are now in the driest part of the year here, just when our enjoyment of the outdoors is limited !                           John Dobson

Another scam

There is another scam doing the rounds, this time pretending that you need to renew your T.V. Licence and asking for your bank account details. Just put the phone down on them.