Agenda for Parish Council meeting on 4th July

 It’s a full agenda for the next Parish Council, when new initiatives for the community will be discussed, amongst other things.

Parish News for July and August

There are plenty of fun and fundraising events over the summer months - a Walk and Talk, a Party, the Pro Nobis Summer Concert and a Tea and Teddy Bear Fundraiser in the Vicarage garden. Click here for all the details. 

Look out! Grey squirrels about!

People are reporting seeing grey squirrels in and around Natland’s gardens and bird feeders. As cute and athletic as they might seem, did you know that: 

• The law designates them as vermin.

• They take birds’ eggs and fledglings.

• Food from bird tables and feeders encourages grey squirrels to multiply and spread, quickly presenting a threat to our native red squirrels by spreading disease or out-competing for food.

• Squirrel-proof bird feeders deter grey squirrels but still allow your garden birds to feed.

If grey squirrels are visiting your bird feeders and you are not in a position to trap them, using squirrel-proof feeders helps to save our red squirrels. We know that residents, as well as visitors staying in self-catering accommodation, like to feed the birds. Making this small change to squirrel-proof feeders helps them but also protects Cumbria’s red squirrels and increases your chances of seeing red squirrels back in the village.

Reasonably priced squirrel-proof feeders are available at local garden centres and online. For more advice on deterring grey squirrels from your garden and other ways you can support Westmorland Red Squirrels please visit our website at www.westmorlandredsquirrels.org.uk.

Bob Cartwright Trustee and Deputy Chair, Westmorland Red Squirrels

Additional Meeting of Parish Council last Tuesday

 Natland Parish Councillors were summoned to attend an additional meeting of Natland Parish Council on Tuesday 28th June 2022 at 9.30am.  

 The meeting was called simply to ‘sign off’ the financial documents for 2022-23 as the ‘new’ date of 4th July for the next Council meeting was past the permitted deadline. Minutes here. Here are all the Financial Statements for 2021/22.

Desert Island Discs

On Sunday 26th June at 7.30 at St Mark’s Church Natland, Curate Craig Bentley will reveal what records he would take to a desert island and how his life has influenced his choices. With a background as a police dog handler in the RAF Craig became a TV “star” early in the pandemic when he featured on Border TV whilst climbing the church tower 500 times  to the height of Mount Everest. He is now approaching the end of his curacy and this may be one of the last chances to hear from him before he leaves the Helm Mission Community.

There will be refreshments  and a retiring collection for church funds.

Spread the Word

If you want your event notified or reported in the Natland column on the Community News page of the Westmorland Gazette please contact Kathryn Smith on pandksmith1995@gmail.com or 015395 60531 

Thank You to Jubilee Helpers

 A Huge Thank You to everyone who helped in whatever way, to make the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Natland such a success.

Over 250 people enjoyed listening to the brilliant Kendal Big Band on Friday. There were some wonderful crowns paraded and lots of delicious cakes eaten!

On Sunday, about 100 people ate their picnics together, tried to find where the Queen’s corgi had hidden his bone and enjoyed other more energetic games.

It was a fantastic weekend. THANK YOU ALL. (Thank you from the organising committee, and THANK YOU too, to the organising committee, Ed.)

Cost of Living : help available

Cumbria County Council have produced a Cost of Living Public Information Leaflet that provides local information for Cumbrian residents on a range of helpful topics, including:

• Financial Support
• Food Support
• Domestic Abuse Support
• Mental Health Support

Cost of Living Booklet (cumbria.gov.uk)

 If you require the leaflet in another format (e.g. CD, audio cassette, Braille or large type) or in another language, please telephone: 0300 303 2992.

Meanwhile, on Wandales Lane

 Her Maj had a little sit down after a busy day.

Natland Parish Council Minutes

The newly elected Parish Council met for the first time on Monday 30th May and elected Ian Ellison as its chairman. Ian Gleave was unanimously co-opted to join them. Click here to find out all they discussed, including the possible reason why development hasn’t started on the Home Field.

Natland Weather Report for May

Natland weather report                  May 2022                  May average

                                                                    c                                    c

Average temperature at 8am               10.6                                10.3

         "         minimum   temperature       8.8                                   7.8

           "       maximum              "              15.6                                15.6

Rainfall                                                      67.5 mm                          81.5 mm

      "                                                             2.7 ins                            3.3 ins

May had average temperatures which were similar throughout the month. Last year we had a very hot spell at the end of May, but this time we had no temperature above 19 c.

Rainfall was slightly below average. Lets hope the Jubilee holidays are sunny and warm !  John Dobson 

Natland Parish Council - Change of date

The meeting of the Parish Council for the 27th June has been postponed until the 4th July in order that it should be quorate.