1 May 2008 : more reportings of ghostly goings on in St.Olafs church

The following email was received in relation to the story we ran a while ago regarding ghostly sightings in the church of St.Olafs at Wasdale head, the original article can be found by clicking here

Just a message regarding the hauntings at Wasdale Head Church, St Olafs.

1 May 2008 : Sponsored walk annouced

This Summer I will be walking to every Newspaper office and Radio Station in England, UK, about 3,500 miles all told, to raise crucial funds for two Multiple Sclerosis Charities - The Accelerated Cure Project, an American national non-profit organisation which is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the IRS, and The British Trust for the Myelin Project (Registered Charity No.1000614).

further information, please feel free to use any from my website, or from www.aboutms.co.uk

29 April 2008 : May day event draws closer

24 April 2008 : Festival of fools underway

PLANS have been unveiled for this year's Festival of Fools at Muncaster Castle in the Lake District from Saturday, May 24 to Thursday, May 29.

Muncaster Castle was home to the original Tom Fool and the Festival, which is sponsored by Jennings Cumberland Ale, is the Castle's annual celebration of all things foolish.
The culmination of the Festival is the International Jester Tournament on Thursday, May 29 when a new Fool of Muncaster is appointed. Six entertainers will be competing for the prestigious title, using a mad mix of comedy, juggling, fire eating and magic.
The event will be compered by last year's winner, American entertainer Paul Garbanzo. The prize for the winning jester includes a crate of Cumberland Ale every month for a year.
On the evening of Saturday, May 24 the festival gets underway with a Comedy Cabaret evening with performances by comedians, jugglers and musicians.
From Sunday, May 25 until Wednesday, May 28 there will be a packed daytime schedule of entertainment in the castle's gardens. This will include performances by some of Europe's wackiest entertainers, as well as walkabouts by comedians, magicians and musicians.
The performers include Robert Blake from Holland who has been the Dutch Street Magic Champion three years in a row. He will be wowing the crowds with his hilarious Cowboy Magic Show.
Washing machines that play music, disco dancing with sink plungers and the legendary Ironing Board of Death all feature in the one man kaleidoscope of circus, music and comedy from Circus Fudge.
Danny Zapparelli's amazing performance features fireworks, circus skills, magic, comedy and audience participation, climaxing in a daring and spectacular display of fire juggling on a ten foot unicycle.
There will also be a host of other entertainment including Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery, a Pirate ship inflatable, a Space Ball and a variety of stalls.
Normal entry prices for Muncaster apply during the Festival. Adults £7.50; children aged 5-15 years £5.50; family tickets (two adults and two children) £24.
Entry to the castle costs an extra £2.50 per adult; £1.50 per child and £5 per family ticket (two adults and two children).

24 April 2008 : Sausage mad !

CUMBRIAN farmer Peter Gott took the fight for the Traditional Cumberland Sausage right to the heart of London yesterday.

Peter, from Sillfield Farm, Gatebeck near Kendal, displayed a banner in Trafalgar Square as part of the campaign to persuade the European Union to protect Cumbria’s favourite banger from poor quality imitations.

An application to stop anyone outside Cumbria calling their sausages Traditional Cumberland Sausages is due to go to Brussels in the next few weeks, as part of the European Union’s Protected Food Name Scheme. The EU initiative gives special protection to the best regional and traditional foods.

The campaign to win protected status for the Traditional Cumberland Sausage is being headed by Made in Cumbria and the Cumberland Sausage Association.

Mr Gott was in Trafalgar Square with the famous Borough Market as part of the capital’s St George’s Day celebrations. His Traditional Cumberland Sausages proved to be a big hit with Londoners .

He said: “We’ve been waiting a long time to protect the Traditional Cumberland Sausage. We wanted to make sure that Londoners knew the difference between Traditional Cumberland Sausages and the poor imitations being produced outside Cumbria

24 April 2008 :HARECROFT Hall School in west Cumbria is to close with the loss of 18 jobs.

The Gosforth school is shutting in July, after nearly 80 years, due to dwindling numbers.Headmaster and owner Paul Block said: “Harecroft has always been a small school but falling numbers mean I have made the decision to close in the best interest of the pupils.”“I have made the decision to close before the situation gets worse. I felt this was fair to pupils, parents and staff.’’ All staff, including 11 teachers, have been paid to the end of August this year. The fee-paying school takes in pupils aged three to 16 and has seen classes fall from between eight and 12 to four pupils at their lowest. Attempts to boost pupil numbers by recruiting boarders from Hong Kong proved unsuccessful and the school’s roll-call is now “in the 60s.”.Small classes, while not detrimental to pupils’ academic education, could affect their social development, Mr Block explained.

The school was established in 1925, but the Hall dates back to 1881 and was formerly the home of the late Sir John Ainsworth. A meeting was held on Tuesday night at Santon Bridge between parents of pupils from Year 4 and upwards and staff from St Bees School, to look into the youngsters transferring to the school.Philip Capes, headmaster of St Bees School, said: “We have had a long relationship with Harecroft, as it has been our main feeder school.“It is sad when a school community has to close and we will be doing all we can to help.’’

24 April 2008 : Road won’t last

THE road alongside a West Cumbrian gun range will be washed away by coastal erosion within three years.
That’s the fear of councillor David Moore, who is alarmed at the state of the road alongside Eskmeals Gun Range, near Bootle.
Fears have also been raised that failure to protect the whole coastline from Millom to St Bees Head would mean the loss of tourism, business and heritage.
The Seascale councillor and Tory group leader on Copeland Borough Council wants more money spent on protecting the West Cumbrian coastline.
Cllr Moore said: "I was amazed the other day to discover how much erosion there was on the Eskmeals road. In the next three years that road will be gone. I would not like emergency services waiting for the tide to go out.
“It is about protecting the shoreline, which is our heritage. If money is not spent tourism would be lost and business would be lost."
A full council meeting heard that a new shoreline management plan was being completed.
St Bees councillor Norman Clarkson said help had been given in the past with sea defences at Haverigg and he thought they would be "worth looking at."
Haverigg councillor Doug Wilson said: "In the seven years I have been in Haverigg, I have seen no maintenance to the shoreline.
“The best coast defences were in the 1920s when people were out of work. Some of these defences will stand now, but are sadly in need of repair."
Deputy leader George Clements said public shoreline meetings will be held in various parts of the borough in September, December and next June.
He added that £11,000 had been budgeted for shoreline flooding.
Shoreline management plans, which aim to develop a flexible policy that allows people, places, industry and wildlife affected to adapt at a reasonable pace without committing future generations to expensive coastal defence options, are being completed around the country.
Cumbria has been broken into two units - Walney Island to St Bees Head and St Bees Head to the Scottish border.
Co-ordination and management of the North West costal group has been assigned to Blackpool Council,who will liaise with Halcrow to arrange public consultation and stakeholder workshops.
The plan is expected to take up to two-and-a-half years to complete.
No-one from defence company QinetiQ Ltd, who run Eskmeals Gun Range, was available for comment.

24 April 2008 : Ospreys on the move

THE BASSENTHWAITE ospreys have surprised bird experts by moving home.

Big attraction: Experts say they are keeping their eyes peeled and fingers crossed for the ospreys’ returnAfter seven successful breeding seasons at a nest in Wythop Woods on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, the ospreys have switched to a new nest on the other side of the lake.Experts say that it is unusual for a pair of ospreys to move in this way, as a well-established nest is often used by many generations of ospreys, with some nests known to have been in use for more than 100 years.

Graeme Prest, of the Lake District Osprey Project, said: “Over the years we have learnt to expect the unexpected when it comes to our ospreys and clearly this year it's going to be no different with yet another twist to the tale.“It looks like it's going to be business as usual for our ospreys but just at a different nest and it means that we'll need to alter our osprey viewing arrangements for visitors slightly.”It's likely that the arrival last year of a new female in the pair may have something to do with the change of location.Mr Prest said: “Each osprey has its own personality and the team felt that the new female never looked settled in the Wythop Woods nest.“Hindsight is a great thing and, looking back, some members of the osprey watch team now think that the behaviour of the female last year probably hinted at the change of nest site.“We think that the Bassenthwaite area can support several pairs of ospreys and so we've put up artificial nest platforms around the lake to give new colonisers a helping hand. It looks like the returning ospreys have shunned the old nest site and have taken a shine to one of these new starter homes.”

Since ospreys first nested in 2001, more than 500,000 visitors have watched the birds nesting and rearing young from the viewpoints provided by the Lake District Osprey Project. The Project is a partnership between the Forestry Commission, the RSPB and the Lake District National Park Authority.The existing viewpoint at Dodd Wood is still in use and the osprey team is working to set up a new viewpoint near to the new nesting site.

24 April 2008 : New season of arts events set to inspire and amuse

Lake District audiences in 2008

The hills and streets of the Lake District will come alive to the sights and sounds of a new season of arts events in 2008.

Lakes Alive will feature some of the world’s best outdoor performers, bringing a taste of the Edinburgh fringe festival to the Lake District’s towns and villages.

The summer season of arts events will start with a spectacular show on the shores of Lake Windermere in June and culminate in Kendal, where more than 150 artists will be performing over three days at the Mintfest international street arts festival.

Kendal Arts International is organising this ambitious summer season. Julie Tate, from Kendal Arts International, says: “After the huge success of the inaugural Mintfest 2007, a lot of people told us that they would like to see similar events held around the Lake District.

“Most cultural events in Cumbria take place indoors. Lakes Alive will enable large numbers of people to enjoy some really stunning and exciting performances in the great outdoors, set against a backdrop of lakes and mountains.”

The Lakes Alive season is being supported by a number of organisations, including the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

It will open on the 14^th of June with a free breathtaking performance, the WOW Factor, the finale of the Windermere on Water festival (WOW).

Internationally-acclaimed French performers Transe Express will provide an uplifting experience as they take to the air in an extraordinary human mobile. The evening will finish with a thrilling fireworks display by pyrotechnic geniuses Walk-the-Plank, who helped start Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture with a bang.

In August Swiss circus company, Nicole et Martin, will be touring Ambleside, Ulverston and Kendal. The duo, who won the prestigious Tapwater Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2006, use music, storytelling and simple props to re-tell traditional fairy stories from central Europe including ‘Hansel & Gretel’, ‘The Bremen Town Musicians’ and the ‘Fisherman and his Wife’.

Also in August, all the fun and amazing skills of an African circus will come to the Lakeland villages of Grasmere and Hawkshead as part of a new street arts roadshow. Bani Obashwe’s performances include the bamboo pole, in which a young acrobat climbs up to 12 metres above the ground and changes from a young sportswoman into an African Queen.

Lakes Alive will come to a dazzling conclusion with the three day Mintfest street arts festival in Kendal from 29 to 31 August. Like last year’s successful pilot event, this will include a packed line up of top acts from all over the world performing at usual and unusual locations across the Town.

Mintfest’s grand opening will include a performance by Dutch entertainers Tuig who use fire, air and water to spectacular effect as a man is slowly raised 14 metres above the ground before making a breathtaking jump.

Over the next two days every corner of Kendal will come alive with comedians, acrobats, jugglers and musicians.

The highlights will include a giant pig in Abbott Hall Park. The show by the Whalley Range All Stars features a 30’ long sleeping sow snuffling and snoring in a pen. A farm-hand offers the public the opportunity to act like pigs and take a peek at a 10 minute long show that takes place inside her belly.

Other acts confirmed so far include performers from across the UK as well as Finland, the United States, France, and Germany.

More information on the Lakes Alive season will be available at www.lakesalive.org towards the end of April. Details on Mintfest can be found at www.mintfest.org.

Julie Tate says: “Lakes Alive is going to be an adventurous, contemporary and stylish season of events. We believe it will inspire, amuse, amaze and captivate audiences in the Lake District.

“We hope to continue to develop the festival over the next few years and to help re-define the image of the Lake District by playing our part in giving the area a new, more dynamic identity.”

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the NWDA says: “The Lake District is already home to a fantastic array of cultural events. Lakes Alive will enhance this cultural offering and help to shape the image of the area and of the North West as a culturally dynamic region.”

“Events play an important part in the visitor experience and through the Lakes Alive programme we hope to further cement Cumbria’s reputation as a world-class visitor destination.”

Councillor Peter Thornton, South Lakeland District Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Well-Being, says: "Mintfest is exactly the kind of exciting and innovative event that South Lakeland is becoming known for. SLDC is really pleased that Kendal Arts International are building upon last year’s success to produce an even bigger and better street arts festival. We encourage everyone in South Lakeland to take the opportunity to see this unique and fantastic event."

22 April 2008 : ANOTHER TWINNING SUCCESS FOR THE “WESTERN VALLEYS”

Wasdale, Eskdale and District recently hosted another group of visitors from their twin town of St. Martin d’Auxigny near Bourges in Central France. This time the Western Valleys Twinning Association (WEVA) welcomed 43 visitors ranging in age from 10 to 80, and accommodation was provided for them in homes from Thornhill in the north to Broughton in the south.

During the 4 full days of the visit hosts helped the visitors to get to know the area. They all went to Wasdale Head to see the “smallest church” and enjoy a farm visit. Howard Christie of the Wasdale Head Inn celebrated WEVA by instituting a new brew from his brewery called “Oui, Va!” With amazing generosity Howard gave all the visitors and their hosts a superb free lunch – hospitality the French will surely never forget.

Another day was spent enjoying the Ratty railway, with their locomotive resplendent in a new twinning headboard made by Bill Bailey for the occasion. Visits were made to the Boot corn mill, St. Catherine’s church and the Dalegarth Falls before the return to Ravenglass for yet another example of generous hospitality – a free tea for about 80 people provided by the ladies of the Ravenglass WI. Many of the French went away gleefully clutching the WI’s own recipe book which they had bought in order to enjoy those delicious cakes again the other side of the Channel.

WEVA members gave their guests a choice of other activities. Some went to Muncaster Castle, others visited Whitehaven harbour or undertook car tours further afield in the National Park. There was also a fell-walk for those who were suitably clad, and fortunately the weather was kind and the views dramatic.

The final event was yet another delicious free meal – this time afternoon tea generously provided by Samantha Clamp of the Wastwater Youth Hostel, where everyone enjoyed excellent cooking in splendid surroundings looking out over the spectacular lake of Wastwater and its Screes. But before that there had been a Saturday-night Anglo-French Party at Drigg Village Hall, decked out for the occasion with French and English flags and buzzing with excitement. Guests were “piped in” to the Hall by a finely-dressed Highland Piper, and inside there was entertainment provided by the Holborn Hill Royal Band and an Eightsome of Scottish Dancers – who succeeded wonderfully in getting the French to join in some hilarious and energetic highland flings!

Representatives of the St. Martin Twinning Committee and Town Council gave speeches of thanks to their Cumbrian hosts, and they paid tribute to the hard work of WEVA in organising their visit without the benefit of any help from the local Council. (On the French side of the Channel such things are heavily subsidised.) WEVA’s response was given by Lord Rea of Eskdale, who had just agreed, to everyone’s delight, to become Patron of the Twinning Association.

WEVA hopes future visits will be made in both directions by special-interest groups such as cyclists, rugby-players and musicians, as well as by individual families who have formed genuine friendships across the Channel. The next organised group will be going to France in 2009, probably in the Spring, and anyone reading this who would like to take part should contact either the WEVA Secretary, Steve McLeod, on 01946-822982 or the Chairman, David Killick, on 019467-26258.

22 April 2008 : Low Wood Hall , Nether Wasdale

The Low Wood Hall Hotel, now open to non-residents.  Serving lunches & evening meals in a relaxed atmosphere over-looking the Wasdale Valley.  Also open for teas & coffees throughout the day.

For more information please click here

11 April 2008 : Latest member to join the Lakelandwebs project !

08 April 2008 : Middle Fell Race results announced

The local Middle Fell race sponsored by the Screes Inn

have been published, for more info please click here

31.03.08 : Fell runner ina race with a car !

31.03.08 : Old Post Office

‘The Old Post Office Campsite’ has the following promotion for April 2008; for Caravans & Motor homes.
Picturesque Riverside hard standing pitches with electric hook up £14.00 per night or £40.00 for three night stay.

Contact us on 019467 26286 or through website enquiries@theoldpostofficecampsite.co.uk

Or click here !

18 March 2008 : House wanted to rent in Gosforth Cumbria

A public service announcement ! I have been asked if I can see if anayone has a house to rent in the village of Gosforth, Cumbria.

A professional local lady is looking for a 2 or 3 bedroomed house to rent long term in the village. For preferance she would prefer it to be un furnished.

So if you have a property to rent or indeed know some one who has please could you let me know or 019467 25667 or email me on Guy@214fells.com

18 March 2008 :THE public footpath over the Wetheral Viaduct near Carlisle will be closed temporarily from tomorrow.

The move will allow the walkway, which runs alongside the Carlisle-Newcastle railway line over the River Eden, to be inspected.The path, which is owned by Network Rail but managed by Cumbria County Council, is visually checked every two years for any obvious defects.But this time a specialist team will carry out a full inspection, including underneath, using ropes. That means the closure of the high-level walkway which links Wetheral with Great Corby, is likely to last for about a fortnight.No alternative provision can be made for pedestrians and people will face having to travel between the two communities via Warwick Bridge – a journey of several miles.People use the footpath over the viaduct to get to the railway station at Wetheral, for trains to Carlisle, and to the village shop and post office. It is also used by many recreational walkers.The Wetheral Viaduct, which was constructed by Francis Giles between 1830 and 1834, stands 100 feet high. It was one of the first railway viaducts to be built in this country. It has been the scene of a number of fatalities in recent years and there have been calls for video cameras to be installed there.

18 March 2008 : A FAT camp for teenagers is expanding.

The Wellspring UK camp, has moved to a new home, at the YMCA’s National Centre in Newby Bridge, in order to cope with demand.
The weight loss camp will be held for the third year running this July.
It has had to more than triple in size to cope with increased
numbers due to parents’ fears over their growing youngsters.
This year it will be able to accommodate around 100 youngsters, compared to 30 in 2006. Course fees range from £3,500 for four weeks, £5,000 for six weeks and £6,500 for eight weeks.
Camp director Ian Carter said: “Every time there is a news story about childhood obesity, we get a flurry of calls.
“We are expecting around 100 students to attend camp this year. There is a tangible feeling among the parents we speak to, that they want to take action before it is too late.”
It is estimated that almost one in four children in Britain are either overweight or obese, with studies showing that along with poor diets, children aren’t exercising enough.
Youngsters who attend the camp, which runs from July 6 to August 30, will engage in activities like abseiling, rock climbing and canoeing while aiming to walk 10,000 steps per day.
Along with healthy meals there will be unlimited foods like fat-free yoghurts, fruits, and salads. Children will also get cognitive-behavioural therapy during group and individual sessions that help them change the way they look at diet and activity.
Mr Carter said: “Wellspring UK’s techniques are one of the most widely accepted approaches to long-term weight-loss success.”
Last year, on average, children lost 2kg per week and more than 16-19kg over the course of their stay.
Tracy Dixon, from the YMCA National Centre at Lakeside, said: “We are delighted to have secured the partnership with Wellspring Camps in the UK.
“We are assisting in the design of a programme which will really make the best of the facilities here, including climbing, sailing, hiking and aerobics.”

18 March 2008 : WINDERMERE TRADERS TOLD BE PATIENT!

Traders and shoppers have been reassured as work continues to improve a main road in Windermere.

The resurfacing of Crescent Road means there will be disruption until around the end of May, with contraflows in operation and a reduction in parking spaces.

However The Windermere enhancement scheme have stated that once completed traffic flow will be improved, and free parking will also remain.

They've dismissed fears that the road could be pedestrianised.

13 March 2008 : Camper van for sale !

Continuing our spate of public service announcements we have been asked to advertise the below !

13 March 2008 : Cumbria by night

PHOTOGRAPHER Henry Iddon is mounting a special exhibition of remarkable colour pictures taken at night from the summits of many of the Lake District fells.

His 'Spots of Time' photography, exploring the vast landscape of the Lake District at night, will be on show at the Wordsworth Trust's 3º West Gallery in Grasmere from this Monday, March 17 until Sunday, June 22.
His extraordinary photographs were taken from the summits of the peaks between November 2005 and February 2007, and capture the extraordinary Lake District landscape at night, but with some surprising results.
Iddon climbed 53 fell summits for the project and camped out for 19 nights, often in freezing conditions, spending in total 44 moonlit days and nights on the mountains.
During Wordsworth's lifetime, the Lake District was a relatively remote and peaceful area, but with the huge number of visitors today the only time when it's possible to experience anything like 'peace' is the dead of night.
Henry Iddon's 'Spots of Time' photography, at the Wordsworth Trust's 3º West Gallery in Grasmere explores the vast landscape of the Lake District at night and runs from Monday, March 17 until Sunday, June 22.
The project aims to produce a cohesive body of work that considers the vast landscape of the Lake Dis

trict at night. The work centres on the themes and philosophies of Wordsworth and other Romantic poets such as Coleridge.
They were among the first British poets to work in the peaceful surroundings of the Lake District. Here they found a place where they could ponder the relationship between nature and human life, explore the power of the imagination, reflect upon the mythological, fantastical, gothic and supernatural.
There was an emphasis on the sublime – a spiritual awareness that could be stimulated by a grand and awesome landscape – now showcased at night by Henry Iddon.
He has more than 10 years' experience as a professional photographer and art practitioner. Working in both the still and the moving image for a range of commercial, non-profit and news organisations, his work has featured in several individual exhibitions as well as having been included in group shows.

13 March 2008 : Body found in river

A POLICE investigation is underway after a body was found in the River Esk at Langholm earlier today.The discovery was made at about 8.15am by a member of the public, who spotted the body near the south side of the bridge, just off George Street.Police have not released any further details of the identity or ruled out that the death was suspicious.A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said: "Our enquiries have only just commenced so it is too early to speculate what may have happened."However we would ask anyone who was in the area early this morning or late last night to get in touch on 0845 6005701."

March 13 2008: ULVERSTON is set to be transformed with major developments planned for the town.

South Lakeland District Council says towns such as Ulverston, Kendal and Grange must break their current boundaries and expand to cope with demand for housing and employment land.
Ambitious developments planned for Ulverston over the next 17 years include:

• 1,130 new homes built by 2025

• 20 hectares of land for employment

• A new medium sized supermarket

• A green gap between Ulverston and Swarthmoor to keep both areas separate.

The public will now have their say on the SLDC document, Core Strategy: Preferred Options Report, which outlines the redevelopment earmarked for Ulverston.
The preferred site for the 1,130 homes in Ulverston is to the south of Birchwood Drive and West Hills Drive, part of which is currently in use as a golf driving range.
Around 20 hectares of land will be needed for employment. The town’s Canal Head area and Canal Corridor have been put forward as the likely choice in line with the Ulverston Canal Masterplan.
Further employment land has been highlighted in West Ulverston next to the A590, with the railway acting as a border to the south.
The strategy proposes new retail development in the town centre to accommodate a small to medium sized supermarket and around 2,300m/sq of comparison shopping space – for retail items bought infrequently such as televisions and fridges.
The document suggests maintaining a ‘green gap’ between Ulverston and Swarthmoor to keep the two settlements separate.
It also recommends improved transport links, supporting and building on the town’s tourism and festival themes and continuing economic regeneration on the back of the Market Town Initiative.Ulverston town and SLDC councillor Brian Wilkinson said: “I think it is something that the public needs to be aware of.
“They need to take part in the consultation because it is about the development of housing and affordable housing for the next 10 to 15 years.
“It is the next generation that this is being prepared for. The more the public can grasp it, the better.
“It has got to be good news for the area.”
Council chiefs say South Lakeland needs to expand by the equivalent of 350 football pitches over the next 17 years.
Development is also earmarked for Grange, Cartmel and Allithwaite, with the need identified for 12.5 hectares of new residential land and 10 hectares of employment space.
It identifies the Berners site in Grange as a “major regeneration opportunity” and proposes small-scale retail development including a new small supermarket.
Kendal will see the biggest changes, with 43 per cent of new housing and employment development being targeted at the town.
About 92 hectares of development land will be required.SLDC portfolio holder for housing and development, Councillor Brenda Gray, said: “This document is key to achieving the council’s corporate priorities of housing to meet local need and prosperous and healthy communities.“In particular, it is crucial to help us retain young people in the area and attract others.”
The preferred options report will now be published and a consultation period is expected to start in the middle of next month.

13 March 2008 : Storms collapse road

STORMY seas and spring tides have washed away a 12-metre long section of the B5300 after the sea breached defences.The stretch of road at Dubmill, approximately one mile north of Allonby, collapsed after the water breached the sea wall and undermined the road on yesterday.A section of carriageway 12-metres long and three metres deep has disappeared. Around half the width of the carriageway is already missing and there is a real danger that the rest is unstable and likely to collapse, a county council spokesman said..Local businesses remain open as usual, but the road itself is closed from the Salta junction to the south of the collapse to the Mawbray to the north.Motorists are using alternative routes and heavy goods vehicles are being required to follow an official diversion along the A595 to Aspatria and Silloth.While local drivers may know alternative routes, width restriction will be used to keep HGVs and other wide vehicles away from inappropriately narrow routes.With the tide remaining high and more rough weather forecast in the days ahead, it will not be possible to begin repairs for several days.The spokesman said: "When work can begin, repairs are expected to take around four weeks and the road is likely to have to remain closed until the job is complete."Cumbria Highways is working to get this stretch of the B5300 back to normal as soon as possible and is appealing for people's patience in the meantime."

13 March 2008 : Windermere road works to stop for Easter

DESPITE continuing work on the Windermere enhancement scheme Crescent Road will be temporarily re-opened to traffic over for the Easter break from March 21 to 30.Some barriers will remain in place to ensure the safety of pedestrian safety and temporary traffic flows on Main Road (southbound) and College Road (northbound) will remain in force.

05 March 2008 : Low Wood Hall Nether Wasdale under New ownership and looking to recruit new staff

The Low Wood Hall Hotel in Nether Wasdale has recently come under new ownership and the proprietors are now looking to take on some new staff.

Positions available are for a Chef / Cook and a general assistant.

More information and contact details can be found by clicking here

25 Feb 2008 : Fairtrade events in Gosforth, West Cumbria

Wednesday 27th February, 2.30-4.30pm, Fairtrade Teaparty at Foulsyke, Nether Wasdale,

13 Feb 2008 : Irton Hall sold in an exciting new project

Up to 25 jobs are set to be created after an historic Cumbrian stately home was sold in a £1.5m deal.

Irton Hall, Holmrook, in West Cumbria was built in the 13th century and it is believed former guests included Oliver Cromwell and Henry VI.

In recent years a hotel was built at the site and the new owner, accountant Steve Cottrell, intends to build more holiday cottages.

The hall, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, will also be restored.

Mr Cottrell acquired Irton Hall from Corp Limited after staying there for a family holiday and falling in love with the place.

He said: "I intend to ensure that Irton Hall is a great success. I've had plenty of support from the local community who are keen to see the place thriving again.

"The previous owner had not realised the full potential of the cottages as an alternative to the mass tourism of the main lakes."

6 Feb 2008 : Star walk anounced, click below for more info

6 Feb 2008 : Birds eye view at Brockhole

Photographer Si Homfray got up close and personal with some of the Lake District’s most amazing sights as he hung precariously out of a helicopter to capture the iconic nature of the area.
Hundreds of exceptional photographs taken from the Lake District skies in a single day are set to enthral crowds in a compelling new exhibition.
An aerial perspective revealing hidden treasures that cannot be seen from the ground, ‘Rugged Reflections’ will be unveiled at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole.
It features the inspirational work of Derbyshire-based Si Homfray, whose not for profit organisation Living Art promotes the beauty of nature and importance of environmental support. Capturing the ‘sheer magnificence’ of the Lake District National Park from the air, Si said: “Hanging precariously out of a helicopter, with the shattering noise of rotor blades and 80 miles an hour winds, it was possible to develop a closeness and intimacy with the landscape. It was a very privileged insight into just what makes this iconic place so revered.”The first flight set out from Newby Bridge and headed north via Windermere, Borrowdale and Keswick to Caldbeck, returning along the eastern fringe of the lakes, taking in Blencathra, Haweswater, High Street and Helvellyn. A second ascent produced dramatic shots of western gems, including Buttermere, Ennerdale and Pillar down to the Langdales, Hardknott Pass and Coniston.
Lake District National Park Authority designer James Cook said it was a major coup to be hosting exhibits of such breathtakingly high calibre. He said: “We know this is going to be a major draw for our visitors, who will be treated to a veritable feast of world class photography.

“Even those who are less mobile can experience the joys of the high fells through these wonderful images.”
Si said: “I hope the exhibition will be a major attraction for the Lake District’s 12 million visitors, particularly as it opens up the whole of the national park to absolutely everyone. We want to encourage a wide audience to view the detail, warmth and essence of the landscape. We want people to learn, to be inspired and to respect the environment as a national treasure and to safeguard its future.”
A fervent fan of the outdoors, mountains, photography and the arts, Si has lived in the heart of the Peak District for the past 20 years, embracing every opportunity to explore diverse landscapes; running, climbing, taking pictures, mountain biking and caving. He has 22 years’ experience in graphic design and marketing, stages exhibitions and works with the internet, traditional media and a variety of clients on environmental art projects.
Rugged Reflections can be seen from February 9 until the end of Brockhole’s season.

6 Feb 2008 : K village to concentrate on Food

KENDAL'S new K Village retail and leisure complex, due to be opened in 2009, will have five riverside restaurants and cafes, the company behind the £100 million redevelopment project has revealed, reports Allan Tunningley.

The water front setting could ensure the eating places becoming visitor attractions in their own right, according to Kendal Riverside project director John Drummond.

And Mr Drummond revealed a research company had been recruited to survey local residents and visitors to discover what kind of food they would like to see served up at the restaurants.

The research company interviewed more than 1,000 people across a number of locations, including Kendal, Windermere and Bowness. Core information was collected to determine attitudes on catering, such as quality, service and price; lifestyle; behaviour; and demographics.

05 Feb 2008 : Music festival announced

THE hills of Cumbria will come alive to the sound of the North West's most exciting music festival in May.

Up to 15,000 people a day are expected to flock to Forgotten Valley, which will kick off the UK festival season between May 23 and 25 at the Westmorland County Showground at Crooklands.
With organisers planning one of the strongest talent line-ups ever seen in the region, an array of other exciting entertainment and the opportunity to camp on the site, it promises to become the North West's very own 'boutique festival'.
The first bands signed up for the new festival give a taste of what's to come. They include fast-rising indie trio The Wombats, who were recently the first band on at the opening ceremony to launch Liverpool Capital of Culture. Their latest single, Moving to New York, was released in January.
Also in the initial line up for Forgotten Valley are one of the most prolific bands to emerge from the 'Madchester' scene of the late 80s and 90s, the Happy Mondays, with their mix of house, funk and rock.
Among the new talent are Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, described by the NME "as the freshest and most downright sizzling young pop pretenders currently grasping at the rungs of the indie ladder of glory".
Other bands signed up so far include Parisian band The Teenagers, New Young Pony Club, Crystal Castles and Zenfo. The Early bird weekend camping tickets will be available until the February 21 for £80, a £20 discount on the normal price.
People living in Cumbria and Lancashire are also being given the chance to win VIP passes to come backstage, meet some of the ma

in stage talent and hang out in the VIP bar!
Forty pairs of VIP passes will be available and for a chance to win you simply have to buy your weekend tickets before February 21 and provide an address in Cumbria or Lancashire.
Bookings can be made on ticket hotline – 01900-820601 – or email locals@forgottenvalley.com, with the subject 'Forgotten Valley ticket registration', including your name, address with post code and telephone number. For further information visit the website – www.forgottenvalley.com.
Festival organiser, Rob Dunphy said: "We're really going to put Cumbria on the festival map with this major new event."
As well as the music, Forgotten Valley will have much more to offer, including themed bars, food, dance tents, comedy tent, games, cinema, and a children's area.

05 Feb 2008 : Brantwood exhibition announced

BRANTWOOD, Coniston's exhibition programme for 2008 opens with a photographic exhibition by Ulverston based photographer, Rene Knopfel.

With no formal training, Rene has learned what works and what doesn't from his experience of taking thousands of photographs, resulting in an impressive collection of atmospheric and carefully composed images.
In his younger days, Rene traveled as a backpacker to many spectacular locations around the world and has an eye for atmospheric light and colour. His travels also taught him to look hard at what he was composing and asking himself if it was interesting, unusual, special and worth using film on. Rene still composes with the same hard eye

, but now, thanks to digital photography, has the luxury of experimentation without reams of wasted film.
Rene's current work reflects his interest in the local and Lake District landscape, including more quirky compositions, as views and objects take his eye.
Each photograph is special to Rene: "Experience is feeling and a successful photo is one that closely relays and repeats the feeling of the original scene.
He finds this personally fulfilling, but added: "If I can share the feeling with others via a photo then I believe, as a photographer, I've created a meaningful work."
Kaleidoscope – Kalos, Eidos, Skopeein is on display in Brantwood's Severn Studio until Sunday, March 9.
Brantwood is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 4.30pm.
Admission to the Studio is included in the daily house or garden ticket.
For further information, please call 015394 41396.

4 Feb 2008 : Don’t forget to feed the birds !

CUMBRIA Wildlife Trust is urging people to help the creatures in their gardens survive severe weather.
They say leaving out food and making your garden more hospitable could help save some animals from the harsh winter.
Water shortages are caused by frozen pools, ponds and lakes, and there is a general lack of wild food at winter.
Animals that hibernate can become confused by the swing from warm to cold weather.
Hedgehogs can come out of hibernation too early, then expend too much energy – hedgehogs made it on to the list of UK endangered species last year for the first time.
Animals that stay active such as small birds are susceptible to cold snaps and after the cold winter of 1963 it was estimated that up to 60 per cent of Cumbria’s small bird population were lost.
A Trust spokeswoman said: “Feed your garden birds. Use good quality, mixed wild birdseed, peanuts or sunflower seeds.
“Buy fat balls or make your own by mixing leftovers such as cake, breadcrumbs or bits of meat into melted fat and let it set. Blackbirds love apples. Keep feeding birds regularly, they will often rely on your source of food.