NPC Footpaths Officer
News and information for Natland residents and visitors
Thursday, 25 June 2015
New kissing gates on canal path
Keen walkers will no doubt have noticed two splendid new kissing gates on the canal path, just north of Natland Hall Bridge, replacing the two damaged stiles. A job well done by CCC's Countryside Access team, and much appreciated!
Rhian Peters
NPC Footpaths Officer
NPC Footpaths Officer
St. Mark's School's Year 4's Woodland Adventure.
In May of this year, Year 4s from St Mark’s were taken to Low Park woods for an overnight sleep out. The trip was designed to offer the children a challenging experience in a brand new learning environment and to help them understand more about Stone Age life. Interestingly, the trip also allowed the children lots of opportunity to experience the Christian Values that the school is trying to embed.
Our journey began with a walk to the woods through farmland and along the river. Thankfully, the sun was shining and all the children were in good spirits. On arrival at camp, the children were introduced to Ro and Debs from Wood Matters, a local organisation offering Bush craft experiences for school groups, youth groups and families. Having explored the woods and settled into their new environment, the children set about working together to make fire. Each group was given a flint and steel and cotton wool tinder and instructed on how to use them safely. The task required real endurance and some children began to get disheartened very quickly when their cotton wool did not instantly ignite! However, they persevered and each group was able to contribute a flame to the camp fire which burned for the entirety of their stay in the woods.
The children again had to work together to build shelters to sleep in. After only minimal instruction, it was a tricky undertaking but the children got stuck in. They quickly became frustrated as they each had their own ideas and were keen to put them into practice. Initially, strong characters led the way but after a few bumped heads and a bit of falling out the children began to realise the importance of communication. They stopped and formulated a plan, listening to each other’s ideas and reaching a compromise. In the end, both the boys and the girls built successful shelters and kept their fingers crossed that it wouldn’t rain during the night!
The children had done research into camp fire cooking and had decided on their own menu, with groups of children having responsibility for particular meals. The children prepared and cooked all the food, serving the other members of their class and taking charge of all the cleaning up afterwards. The sausages were a triumph and the pancakes were a challenge but the children particularly enjoyed toasting marshmallows to make smores.
During our two days in the woods, the children undertook a whole range of activities including carving with wood, using natural dyes to make art and learning about the woodland as a habitat. It was a very special and valuable experience for all the children and as well as the practical skills they developed, they also learnt a lot about themselves and each other.
Hazel Sutton
Year 4 Teacher
Our journey began with a walk to the woods through farmland and along the river. Thankfully, the sun was shining and all the children were in good spirits. On arrival at camp, the children were introduced to Ro and Debs from Wood Matters, a local organisation offering Bush craft experiences for school groups, youth groups and families. Having explored the woods and settled into their new environment, the children set about working together to make fire. Each group was given a flint and steel and cotton wool tinder and instructed on how to use them safely. The task required real endurance and some children began to get disheartened very quickly when their cotton wool did not instantly ignite! However, they persevered and each group was able to contribute a flame to the camp fire which burned for the entirety of their stay in the woods.
The children again had to work together to build shelters to sleep in. After only minimal instruction, it was a tricky undertaking but the children got stuck in. They quickly became frustrated as they each had their own ideas and were keen to put them into practice. Initially, strong characters led the way but after a few bumped heads and a bit of falling out the children began to realise the importance of communication. They stopped and formulated a plan, listening to each other’s ideas and reaching a compromise. In the end, both the boys and the girls built successful shelters and kept their fingers crossed that it wouldn’t rain during the night!
The children had done research into camp fire cooking and had decided on their own menu, with groups of children having responsibility for particular meals. The children prepared and cooked all the food, serving the other members of their class and taking charge of all the cleaning up afterwards. The sausages were a triumph and the pancakes were a challenge but the children particularly enjoyed toasting marshmallows to make smores.
During our two days in the woods, the children undertook a whole range of activities including carving with wood, using natural dyes to make art and learning about the woodland as a habitat. It was a very special and valuable experience for all the children and as well as the practical skills they developed, they also learnt a lot about themselves and each other.
Hazel Sutton
Year 4 Teacher
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
The Ibbs are back!
Natlanders who remember Stuart and Jacqueline from around twenty years ago when they lived in Wandales Lane will be pleased to hear that they are retiring here. They will be moving into the Old Joiners Workshop near the school. Welcome back!
Monday, 22 June 2015
Parish Council meeting next Monday
The agenda for next week’s meeting of the Parish Council (on Monday 29 June) has now been published and can be read or downloaded here, along with copies of the papers circulated in advance of the meeting. Among other things, we will be discussing feedback from attendees about the Annual Parish Meeting in May and the proposed new 50mph speed limit between Natland and Endmoor. If you wish your views to be heard, you can contact a parish councillor or attend the meeting and speak in the public participation section of the agenda.
Monday, 15 June 2015
Keeping safe in a power cut
The summer meeting of the South Westmorland Local Area Partnership (a body made up of representatives from 20 parish councils in our area) heard an excellent presentation about the Priority Service Register, by Nicola Collinson, the Vulnerable Customer Manager at Electricity North West.
Hundreds of thousands of people on this register in the North West alone are contacted when a disruption to the electricity supply is planned, and as soon as an accidental power cut is reported, and offered support, supplies and advice as needed for as long as is needed. They are also given a welfare pack (containing things such as a flask, blanket, torch and analogue telephone) to help them prepare.
If you or anyone you know is dependent on an electrical device, or medication that they could not replenish in case of a power cut, or immobile or in any way worried about how they would cope in a power cut, they should be on the register. You can apply by post, by email, online or on the phone and full details of the Priority Service Register are available here.
Hundreds of thousands of people on this register in the North West alone are contacted when a disruption to the electricity supply is planned, and as soon as an accidental power cut is reported, and offered support, supplies and advice as needed for as long as is needed. They are also given a welfare pack (containing things such as a flask, blanket, torch and analogue telephone) to help them prepare.
If you or anyone you know is dependent on an electrical device, or medication that they could not replenish in case of a power cut, or immobile or in any way worried about how they would cope in a power cut, they should be on the register. You can apply by post, by email, online or on the phone and full details of the Priority Service Register are available here.
Sunday, 14 June 2015
A Good Time had by All at the Church Summer Fete
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The choir from St Mark’s School sang to an appreciative audience.
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A big thank you to everyone who came along; around £2,100 was raised for church funds.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Music for a Summer Evening
The next Pro Nobis Concert will be on at 7.30pm on Saturday 20 June in St Mark’s Church and is entitled Music for a Summer Evening – comprising a wide range of short pieces. Full information can be read or downloaded here.
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Natland and Oxenholme Preschool Nearly New Sale.
On Saturday 20th June the Preschool are holding an
Adults, children's and babies
Nearly New Sale
in the Village Hall, Natland,
at the Village Hall, Natland. 1.30 - 3.00 pm.
For more information or to book your selling code contact Chrissie on 07809281220 or email: crissi1020@aol.com. 20% of sale price will go to preschool funds on sold items only.
For more information or to book your selling code contact Chrissie on 07809281220 or email: crissi1020@aol.com. 20% of sale price will go to preschool funds on sold items only.
Registered charity no. 1035967
Thursday, 4 June 2015
Anyone seen SID?
No you can not buy gas shares from this SID but you will find SID lurking half way up a lamppost somewhere in the village logging all those drivers who transgress and drive at faster than 30 mph. If you spot SID please feel free to send in a photo or else your suggestion as to what SID might stand for. SID will be staying with us for a couple of weeks and when its work is done we will be able to publicise its findings! Watch out all you speedsters!
Collin
Collin
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
All Annual Parish Meetings reports now up
All the reports given at this year’s APM are now available to read or download here (except for the presentation by the school which could hardly be captured without the contributions of all the schoolchildren in any case!). They make you proud to be a Natlander!
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