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LakelandWebs News Welcome to the new News section on the LakelandWebs. I intend to use this section to report on activities news and events as and when they arise. If you have a Lakes-related news story please email them to us Click here to email your story to us For past news from the WasdaleWeb visit our News Archive section by clicking here 30 April 2009 : May pole in place just in time ! A REFURBISHED maypole which is classed as a listed building has been added to the attractions at the Nether Wasdale May festival on Saturday. The afternoon event will celebrate the area’s heritage with a number of activities as well as showing off the maypole which is being relocated to its original 1897 position on the village green. The event was organised as part of a Heritage Lottery funded project called Our Green Space. The project highlights the importance of heritage in communities today and has paid for the restoration of the village maypole. When the maypole was taken down and inspected last year it was found to be in a very bad state of repair and deemed unsafe. It was also decided that it should be moved to its original place. David Killick, Nether Wasdale group secretary, said: “The maypole is classed as a listed building because of its historical importance. It was originally put up to celebrate Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1897. “The pole was moved about 12 yards in 1960 but because it’s a ‘listed building’ this has caused problems when we wanted to refurbish it. We had to fill in an 11-page document about the number of windows which were going to be refurbished and access points to the building!” Repair work was done to the pole, by Shepley Engineers, including restoring the cast iron and capping off the top of the pole to prevent corrosion inside. Last week the maypole was put back up in the village ready for Saturday’s festival. The event will start at 1pm and will run all afternoon. Activities include a fancy dress competition, sports activities, parade with Whitehaven brass band, maypole dancing and home made teas in the Old School. 30 April 2009 : Statue unveiled A statue commemorating he comedy genius of Laurel and Hardy has been unveiled in the Cumbrian town where Arthur Stanley Jefferson better known as Stan Laurel was born. Fundraisers spent 10 years raising £60,000 for the sculpture which was placed outside the Coronation Hall theatre in Ulverston on Saturday. 30 April 2009 : Habour rescue An elderly man had to be rescued from a Cumbrian harbour this morning after going into the water to save his blind dog. The man is believed to have climbed into the water at Sugar Tongue, Whitehaven, swimming out to save the animal, which had fallen in. He was then rescued himself by a passer-by at about 10.15am and taken to hospital. Gordon Atkinson, a Sellafield diver, said: “We were doing routine work when we saw someone running along Sugar Tongue with an inflatable ring. “We believe after the dog fell in, his owner began panicking and climbed down the ladder on the wall into the water. He saved the dog and was then helped out by the passer-by.” 30 April 2009 : Earthquake hits THE earthquake that shook Environmental scientist Dr Hugh Tuffen, of Then chimneys toppled into the streets or fell through roofs and people ran out of their homes in panic. In contrast, this morning's earthquake below Ulverston caused no visible damage to buildings, although several people rang The Westmorland Gazette to say they heard 'explosions'. Dr Tuffen said: "The earthquake this morning is the biggest in the "We have between 200 and 300 earthquakes a year in the "The last earthquake to actually occur in 25 March 2009: Nuclaer debate continues OUTRAGED homeowners have vowed to abandon their village should a nuclear power station be built nearby. An action group has now been set up to fight plans to build the plant at Layriggs Farm in Kirksanton. A private vote carried out by campaigners found that 90 per cent of villagers said they would leave Kirksanton if the nuclear power station was built. Construction would leave 75 residents living less than half-a-mile from the plant. Furious homeowners crammed into the village hall yesterday to voice their fears at what marks the beginning of a two-year consultation process. Fears over the impact on house prices and damage to tourism were also aired. Action group spokesman, Michael Wills, 45, said: “We have been totally ignored. We are very upset. A huge proportion of the village has made it quite clear they will move from the area if it goes ahead. We will just have to cut our losses. “Just the talk of a nuclear facility nearby is going to have a detrimental effect on house prices and the tourism trade. “We aren’t against nuclear power as a concept, just not in our parish boundary. “The boundary of the proposed site would literally come 200 yards from people’s gardens.” Condensation dripped off the walls of the small room at Kirksanton Village Hall as 100 angry residents demanded answers. A panel, which included nuclear development manager for RWE npower, Stuart Dagnall, which is fronting the plans, Copeland Borough Council leader Elaine Woodburn, John Sandford, from Silecroft, said: “It would lower our quality of life. A lot of people are being bamboozled that Millom will get the jobs. How many people in Millom will actually get jobs? We would lose the beautiful views. We moved here for the tranquility of the place. “It is so quiet and peaceful. That is all going to go.” It is hoped that the plant will create 600 jobs and could supply power to five million homes. Six other sites have been named across the country as possible land for development, including one at Sellafield and another at Braystones near Egremont. During the meeting Councillor Woodburn defended the plans. “If we don’t secure this plant it will be the death knell for Mr Dagnall also defended the company’s method of consultation, after residents made accusations of “done deals” and sly negotiations during the meeting. He said: “This is the beginning of a long consultation process, not the end.” Resident Carl Carter said: “I am very excited by this. I have worked in the nuclear industry for 25 years and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure the future for our children and their children.” The topic will also feature as part of a Japanese television documentary on the pros and cons of nuclear power. A film crew attended the meeting to capture the debate on film. The documentary will be aired in July. 25 March 2009 : More than 5% of the Researchers have been studying ways to generate renewable energy by using the “natural motion “ of the tides around the North West of England and The results showed that four barrages stretching across estuaries at The study was carried out by the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and the Professor Richard Burrows, from the university’s Maritime Environmental and Water Systems Research Group, said: “With concerns mounting over the ”Unlike the wind, tides are absolutely predictable. The geographical location of the The barrages, which would run from one bank of an estuary to the other, would guide water through sluices and power turbines for up to 11 hours a day. Prof Burrows added: “In terms of the four The study, funded by the North West Development Agency, used advanced two-dimensional computational modelling to gather its findings. Those in favour of building barrages also say they would provide substantial sea defence, as well as flood alleviation, by draining the estuary following heavy rainstorms. 25 March 2009 : Historic lakes hotel for sale AN HISTORIC hotel in the heart of the The Sawrey Hotel, in Far Sawrey, which dates back to 1700, has 19 en-suite bedrooms, a 45 cover dining room, and a 50 cover bar with many original features still intact such as exposed beams and an open log fire. Mark Bailey, an associate at selling agents Knight Frank, “This profitable business has been in the same ownership for 41 years and there is now potential to capitalise on its position by expanding the food and beverage element of the business, as yet not fully exploited.” 25 March 2009 : Balloon drama in Langdale ! Visitors enjoying the sunshine outside a A hot air balloon preparing to take off in a field near to the New Dungeon Gyll Hotel, Great Langdale, Ambleside got into difficulty when it started to drift towards the hotel, at one point resting on the roof of a parked car before snagging on a barbed wire fence. 25 March 2009 : Whitehaven News re publish account of Wastwaters famous lady in the lake AIRLINE pilot Peter Hogg believed he had committed the perfect crime. Eight years after dropping the weighted body of his strangled wife from an inflatable rowing boat into the watery grave of Had it not been for the disappearance of Veronique Marre on a walking tour in the western lakes, he might well have done, and Wastwater 72 metres deep might have held its grizzly secret forever. The personable Air Europe holiday pilot flying Boeing 757s was not to know that police, aided by amateur divers, were carrying out intensive searches for the 21-year-old student from Eight years earlier in October 1976 Hogg had driven 300 miles from Guildford, Police frogmen brought the body ashore from the icy water after being alerted by local amateur divers. One of them, Colin McCourt, from Moresby Parks, revealed to The Whitehaven News this week that the sack had been seen in the lake years before but the divers in the Egremont and Solway clubs had been completely oblivious of its content. Now and again the divers used it for lifting exercises. Twenty-five years ago to the month since police brought the body ashore, the drama continues to fascinate locals, criminologists and anyone interested in mystery stories, however macabre. It was also one of the most fascinating news stories I have been involved with. It all started with an early evening phone call from a friendly police officer. “There’s been a body found in Wastwater and you’d better get out there,” said the caller. First thoughts were that it was the body of Veronique, who had vanished without trace. But despite many years in the water the body was so well-preserved that within six days of discovery it was positively identified as Margaret Hogg. Police travelled from Whitehaven to Surrey and knocked on the door of a 56-year-old stunned husband, a former boarder at The couple met while she was working as an airline stewardess. Her husband, 19 years older, was the prime suspect. He was immediately arrested, and charged with murder, which he denied, at the Old Bailey. Had he rowed further out into Wastwater, his wife’s body would almost certainly have fallen to the very bottom of the lake, below normal diving depths at the time. Instead the grim package settled on a shallow part of the lake bed not on a ledge as commonly thought and due to the lack of oxygen it failed to decompose: it was preserved like wax because Wastwater is so cold. Hogg’s trial at the Old Bailey brought out revelations of Margaret’s infidelity and a stormy relationship. He had strangled her after another row in their home. But it was the events in the local police investigation that led directly to his own discovery. The local media were summoned to Whitehaven police station to witness a gold wedding ring. Hidden engraved around its inside face were the wedding details of Margaret and Peter Hogg. This was the fatal mistake: Hogg, notwithstanding all his meticulous pre-meditated preparations, forgot to remove it from the body. The inscription read: “Margaret 15-11-63 Peter.” A friend in Surrey recognised the well- publicised description and Whitehaven police were hot on the trail. Another vital clue which confirmed her identity was her dentures. Then followed the knock on the door of the couple’s £90,000 home. Detective Des Byrne was one of the officers there. He and Whitehaven CID colleague David Harrison were already in Guildford making initial inquiries before a second team followed on to make the arrest. Des recalls: “We found out that the sack or the wrapping had links with carpet-making in Surrey and we were also able to locate the dead woman’s dentist. It was a lucky break because her dental records were just about to be destroyed. With this and publicity over the wedding ring, we quickly found out where the couple lived.” While other West Cumbrian officers went to the house to be greeted by a bemused Peter Hogg, Acting Detective Sergeant Byrne kept watch round the side of the property. “You could say it was a shock to him. He had been out of the country and knew nothing about what was going on “In an interview, Hogg told us what had happened. He said his wife was having an affair, an argument developed and he killed her. He thought about how to dispose of her body, decided to wrap it up and put it in the boot of his car, drove his son to school in Taunton and then up to Wasdale.” Detective Byrne searched the house. “We found quite a lot of evidence connected to the crime. There were still bloodstains under the carpet in the bedroom. We also found rope matching what was used to tie the sack. “What we also learned was that Hogg had gone to see a solicitor to get a divorce claiming she had run off with somebody else.” At Hogg’s Old Bailey trial, the jury heard in his defence that, for years, he had been provoked by the unfaithful and bad behaviour of his wife who had flaunted her three-year affair with banker Graham Ryan. Hogg’s QC said: “The law recognises that within every human being lies the fires of emotion and you can provoke a human being so far.” Margaret Hogg was strangled in October 1976, only a week after she had been to Dorset with her lover. When asked if he had murdered his wife, Hogg said: “Murder is not the right word. Certainly she died. I think I strangled her. We had an argument, she did her usual act, she was always throwing things at me. She was scratching my face, kicking me in the crotch and I belted her. She flew at me, hitting and kicking, then I grabbed her round the neck and squeezed hard. I realised one of her eyes was glazed and I let go. She fell back on the floor and I realised she was dead.” But the accused was described to the jury as cool and calculating, for within minutes of the strangulation he had changed his clothes and trussed up his wife before working out how best to dispose of her. Describing his long drive north and rowing an inflatable boat out on to pitch-black Wastwater, he said: “It was the longest day of my life. You don’t realise how difficult it was. I nearly went in with her. “I was in a perfectly logical frame of mind once I put my mind to dealing with the current emergency.” One month later Hogg reported his wife’s apparent disappearance to Surrey police. The jury found Hogg not guilty of murder but convicted him of manslaughter. He was jailed for three years and another year was added for obstructing a coroner and for perjury in divorce proceedings. Margaret’s ashes had been scattered on Wastwater (her family’s wishes) after her body was cremated at Distington. When deputy coroner John Taylor opened an inquest in Whitehaven he heard from a Home Office pathologist that death was from strangulation and also from a Hertfordshire dentist that the dentures belonged to Margaret Hogg. Former Marchon worker Colin McCourt, a member of the Solway diving club, said: “I remember thinking what a scene it must have been. Wastwater is a particularly desolate spot in winter with the dark screes on far side of the lake. So imagine somebody rowing out there, probably as darkness was falling and just as the sun was going down so there was still enough light to see where he was going and what he was doing. “Also imagine someone rowing out and trying to tip a dead body in a sack with a heavy kerbstone tied to it and trying to roll it off the inflatable. “People still say you would never have found the body if it hadn’t dropped on to a ledge, but we had previously moved it on to the ledge before the police removed it. The actual resting place was 36 metres on the bottom of the lake and we were led to believe it had been in the lake for a number of years.” Both the Egremont and Solway frogmen were using Wastwater for diving and lifting exercises. “Our understanding was that this package had been seen for many years, you couldn’t tell what it was, it wasn’t like a body. We never opened many packages underwater because it was not unusual to find dead dogs or cats. We located this particular package at 36 metres which meant we had under 20 minutes diving time. “This day was particularly cold when we went down, I remember the package was tied to a concrete block, we lifted it up to a higher level, decided to leave it and go back. “It was Neil Pritt who went to tell the police who were searching for Veronique at the time. We knew it couldn’t be her because the sack had been seen long before she went missing.” Colin’s diving record read: “It was nice calm day, we actually went looking for the package in a lifting exercise, we lifted it but never opened it. Perhaps next time. I added later ‘No next time, female body found.’ “We were down there for 14 minutes, that was the first time I myself had seen the package, we decided we would go back and move it, probably one of the reasons as a bit of fun get one back on the Egremont divers. We had a good relationship and some friendly banter.” And the missing French student Veronique Marre? In April 1984, she was found lying dead at the foot of Broken Rib Cragg where she had fallen 1,100 ft above awe-inspiring Wastwater a month or so after the divers recovered the body of Wastwater’s Lady in the Lake. 23 Feb 2009 : Maid of Butermere by the lake ! PEOPLE in The Maid of Buttermere will be a collaboration between the theatre and members of the immediate Cumbrian community. The cast of 11 professional actors will work closely with the community cast of local amateur performers who will represent the Cumbrian communities of Keswick and Buttermere in the story. 23 Feb 2009 : Life saving skills used A BARROW man put his Army life-saving skills to the test when he gave emergency first aid to a heart attack victim. 23 Feb 2009 : Wainwright statue shold go on fell THE owner of a popular Lakes tourism business believes that a proposed statue of Alfred Wainwright should be built in the Lake District mountains - rather than a high street in The Westmorland Gazette exclusively revealed plans earlier this month to build a bronze statue in Kendal as a tribute to the legendary fell walker, writer and artist. But Mark Weir, of Honister Slate Mine, said the statue should go on the top of a Lake District peak and become the area’s answer to the Angel of the North - or as he called it, ‘The Alfred Of The North.’ “I appreciate Wainwright lived and worked in Kendal but his heart and soul was in the middle of the “If you are going to build a statue to him, don’t make him a pigeon roost in a town centre. Build it in the place he loved, where people can appreciate what he stood for and have to put in effort to go and see. Considering his passion for the fells, to put him in a town would be a travesty.” Mr Weir said that he was planning to commission a sculptor to make a giant slate Wainwright monument to be placed on the fells. He compared its size to the Corcovado statue in The proposal has sparked a lot of interest, with letters flooding into The Westmorland Gazette. Most of the writers have opposed the plans, saying Wainwright was a very private man and would not want a statue. However, Eric Robson, chairman of The Wainwright Society, believed that Wainwright would have been proud to have had a statue in his honour, but he would certainly not have wanted it on the fells. 12 Feb 2009 : More information released about digital switch over and its effects on local population Many of you, I know, have already been through the switchover process when the Bigrigg, Gosforth and Eskdale Green transmitters switched over in October/November 2007. You may well feel that you would not want yet more information about the switchover, but, as I am sure you know, switchover will once again impact on Copeland. I thought it might be helpful if I outlined what the effect will be for Copeland viewers: Analogue only viewers receiving their signals directly from Caldbeck or via the relays at Bleach Green or St Bees will need to switch over as there will be no analogue signals from any of these three transmitters after 22nd July Analogue viewers in the Millom area receiving their signals from the Millom Park , Lancaster or Winter Hill transmitters will need to switch over when the Granada switchover takes place in November/December 2009, as there will be no analogue signals from any of these transmitters after 2nd December. ALL digital terrestrial (Freeview) viewers will need to retune their set top boxes or digital televisions at switchover in order to pick up digital channels on revised frequencies. This will affect Bigrigg, Gosforth and Eskdale Green viewers who switched to digital in 2007. Gosforth viewers will be able to receive Channel 5 in digital for the first time as the existing digital Channel 5 is moving to a public service multiplex on Caldbeck and so will be included in the public service channel line-up from Gosforth for the first time. I hope that most viewers are well used to retuning their set top boxes or digital televisions and that this will not present too many problems. 10 feb 2009 : Date set at the Bridge Inn Friday 13 March 2009 at The Bridge Inn
Ian Dee Hypnotist with Tatie Pot supper from 7.30 pm - £10.00 per ticket or stay the night for £85.00 double bed and breakfast and two tickets
10 feb 2009 : Wainwright to be honored A bronze effigy of Alfred Wainwright, author of the famed Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells, is to be commissioned at an estimated cost of £80,000 to be placed in Kendal, the former Westmorland town where the grumpy fellwalker was borough treasurer. 10 feb 2009 : Back the bus route CAMPAIGNERS have helped to put a bus route between two busy towns back on the timetable. The 511 route between Ulverston and Broughton-in-Furness was cancelled last year, leading to protests and a petition from residents and town councillors in both towns. It will return on February 23,but funding will cease at the end of October. County councillor Geoff Cook said: "I really hope that the service will now be better used to bring more money in and the route can prove to be self-sustainable." 10 feb 2008 : Early opening for some NT properties NATIONAL Trust properties are making a romantic start to the 2009 season by opening their doors early on Valentines Day. Hill Top and the Hawkshead Beatrix Potter Gallery both open on February 14. “The Trust has extended its open season longer than ever before, so now you can visit properties from February through to early November,” said Property Manager at Hill Top, John Moffat. “We’re delighted that Hill Top and the Beatrix Potter Gallery are the first in the The gallery currently has a new exhibition on, entitled Because I Never Grew Up, celebrating 100 years since the publication of The Tale of Ginger and Pickles, featuring original watercolours from the story. There is also a new Conservation in Action display where visitors can learn more about the behind the scenes conservation work carried out by the Trust at the Gallery. Visitors to Beatrix Potter’s former home at Hill Top are able to see the author’s personal collection of china, paintings and furniture. 10 Feb 2008 : Two walkers die in the Lakes Two The body of a 60-year-old man was discovered today by Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue team. 20 JAN 2009 : WASDALE HEAD SHPEHERDS MEET SHOW SECRETARY PASSES AWAY We are Very Sad to announce the unexpected death of David Smith, Our show secretary for many years. David passed away on Friday 16th January, he had been in good health and had attended the funeral of another of Wasdale Head Show’s Stalwarts, Jack Lancaster the day before. David will be sadly missed by everyone, including his fellow Wasdale Head Show Committee Members and our deepest sympathies go out to all his friends and family David’s Funeral will take place at Saint Mary’s Church at Gosforth on Monday 26th January at 10.45, followed by a Cremation service at Distington Crematorium. No Flowers Please, Donations for Cancer Research 19 Jan 2009 : Wasdale MRT celebrates 40 years A HOST of long-service awards have been handed out as part of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Team members and their guests gathered at the Wasdale Head Inn for the dinner that saw a number of dedicated team members presented with framed awards and a glass tankard with plaque showing their name and years of service. David Allan, chairman of Mountain Rescue ( The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team members who received awards on the evening were: 25 years (retired): Dave Barras, Allan Dunn, Bill Pattison, Maurice Pringle; 25 years (active members): Pete Baines, Martin Bentley, Julian Carradice, Dave Fryer, Peter Holburt, Penny Kirkby, John Noake, Susan Noake, Dave Willey; 40 years: Joe Moody, Martin Willey.
19 Jan 2009 :A CUMBRIAN charity is encouraging budding conservationists to take to the hilltops and volunteer with the Fix the Fells project. Ten million people trample across popular paths every year, leaving lasting scars on the landscape. The Fix the Fells project aims to protect some of Ten million people trample across popular paths every year, leaving lasting scars on the landscape. Run by the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England, the Fix the Fells partnership works to prevent further erosion of upland paths through repair work by contractors, staff and a large volunteer force. Tim Duckmanton, of LDNPA, said Heritage Lottery Fund money did a lot to help with path repairs, but manpower had an enormous part to play. “We are looking for volunteers to monitor and maintain upland paths, doing practical tasks and talking to the public about our work,” he said. “Experience isn’t essential, because we will be giving full and diverse training, from path repair work to first aid, upland heritage to working with the public. “We would like to hear from anyone willing to work in stunning locations and would like to make a major contribution to safeguard some of the finest fell paths in the national park.” Dave Emery, who has volunteered with Fix the Fells since 2007, said it was a great opportunity to meet like-minded people. “As I enjoy walking in the Lakes, but unfortunately cause my own personal erosion through being out on the fells, I felt this was a perfect chance for me to give something back,” he said. “Since becoming a volunteer, I now have a new circle of friends of all ages, who are really friendly, come from all walks of life and we all share a love of the outdoors.” For more information about volunteering, contact Tim Duckmanton on 01539-792674 or email: tim.duckmanton@lake-district.gov.uk
19 Jan 2009 : praise for The Lakeland Trails team are celebrating national recognition after being awarded the most scenic race in the UK award, along with an overall top three placing for the best running events in the UK by the publishers of Runnersworld magazine. The first of the Lakeland Trails events, the Puma Hawkshead Trail Race and Challenge was rated third overall, when the list of the Race Director Graham Patten was enthusiastic when talking about the acolade saying: "It’ s a tremendous achievement for everyone involved in last year’s Lakeland Trails event in Hawkshead - competitors, marshals, landowners, sponsors and all the local businesses that supported the event. "Last year was only the third year of the event, and to come from nowhere to being up with the biggest and best running events in the Entries are now flooding in from all over the
19 Jan 2009 :A memorial gig will be held for a Workington man who died last year. Glen Oglethorpe, the former drummer of local band Opium Breed, tragically died at the age of 28. The remaining members of the band, which has changed its name to The Breed, are hosting the Gig for Glen in Monroes Bar on Saturday February 7, Five other local acts will take to the stage, with each performing mainly original material. Dicky Clark, an original member of Opium Breed, said that he was adamant that only bands playing their own songs should play. He said: “We had offers from a couple of bands who usually specialise in playing covers who wanted to play, but we wanted to remember Glen, who had a degree in Digital Music, and was a keen fan of bands and artists who wrote their own material”. Also playing that night will be Colt 45, who have just released a four-track demo recorded in Zero will play a totally original set on the night. Streamer from Workington , another of Glen’s former bands, also take to the stage. And IX Lives will bring the night to a close with a set of originals and covers. The first band will be on the stage at 8.30pm. Tickets are £5 and are available on the door, with all of the proceeds going to Amnesty International, which was a cause of special interest to Glen. 19 Jan 2009 :Major rescue underway after person seen struggling in Cumbrian river A major rescue operation is underway following reports that someone was seen struggling in the River Eamont near Penrith, this afternoon. Police, mountain rescue teams, an RAF helicopter and ambulance personnel are searching both banks of the Eamont and the Eden. A police spokeswoman said the alert was raised by a member of the public at 12.30pm after someone wearing a blue coat was seen in the swollen Eamont, near Brougham.
19 Jan 2009 : rain causes problems in AFTER the fierce cold last week came the weekend thaw and torrential rain which caused trouble in A land slip at Shap closed the West Coast Main Line just weeks after it was announced it was open for business following years of upgrading. It was later back open for business.
06 Jan 2008 : Fallen A 35-YEAR-OLD woman who died after falling from a 06 Jan 2008 : Police warning of dangers from playing on frozen lakes Police have issued a stark warning after small children were spotted playing on ice that had formed more than 50 yards from the edge of a Cumbrian lake.A skater on Derwentwater. Photo: Lisa GarnerOfficers are urging people not to go out on to ice that has formed on the county’s lakes, tarns and waterways.They say it puts lives at risk at a time when the ice can only be best described as ‘unstable’.The warning comes after two small children were seen far out from the edge of Derwentwater on Saturday afternoon.Keswick officers were called to Kettlewell car park on the Borrowdale road shortly after 2pm. They were horrified to discover children are taking out large boulders with them to smash the ice directly under their feet, watched or being accompanied by parents that are allowing them to do it.Sergeant Gary Armstrong said: “This is a very dangerous situation and people are putting their lives and possibly the lives of others in real danger.“There is no real pattern or uniformity to the formation of the ice and it can be thin in places.“It may appear suitable to walk on but you can’t really see or gauge how thick the ice is“If someone falls through the ice the consequences could be fatal.”He added: “Temperatures are not expected to rise much over the next four or five days and so we expect ice to remain unstable. Our message is don’t go out onto the ice.” 06 Jan 2008 :
06 Jan 2008 : dangers of A local mountain expert says he's gobsmacked by "senseless" people making their way up the 19 December 2008 : Fire at the Zoo A FIRE at a popular zoo claimed the lives of 30 lemurs on Monday. The lemurs died when fire raged through an animal enclosure at 19 December 2008 : UNION officials have reassured the public that postal strikes will have a limited effect on Christmas post in Industrial action: Seven sorting offices in the For the time being, affected mail in the county should not be delayed by more than one day. But Ian Taylor, of the Communication Workers Union, warned there could be more disruption if the row is not resolved. The strike over Royal Mail cutbacks will shut seven sorting offices on December 19, including those in Liverpool, Stockport and Mr Taylor, divisional officer for the The 24 hour strike on one of the last posting days before Christmas could include up to 2,000 workers. It has been organised in protest at proposed mergers of mail depots, which the union claims could cost up to 500 jobs. He added: “We’re still hoping we can avoid this action and I understand discussions are going on at a national level. There may be some scope for rationalising the mail network but Royal Mail need to understand the effects on the people and the service.” Plans by the firm include transferring work from mail centres in Crewe and Liverpool to a new regional office in 19 December 2008 : Caravan park to be developed A Beetham sheep farmer turned property tycoon John Morphet, is to spend £3.5million building state-of-the-art leisure facilities at The plans are awaiting approval from South Lakeland District Council this month but if approved will see the multi-million pound swimming pool, gym, restaurant and retail units up and running by June next year. The park, which is run by Mr Morphet’s Pure Leisure Group company, has already been given five stars by the country’s tourist board and boasts a Gold award from the David Bellamy Conservation Scheme. The project will offer the good news of 40 temporary jobs within the local economy, with a further five full-time positions being created when the facilities open. Mr Morphet, who owns several luxury holiday companies at home and abroad, including Hall More Caravan Park near Milnthorpe, Lakeland Leisure Village near Carnforth and the exclusive Royal Westmoreland golf estate in Barbados, said: “Our investment in Fell End Caravan Park emphasises how we continually strive to better cater for our customers’ needs and also highlights our long-term commitment to developing all of the holiday parks within our portfolio.” 19 December 2008 : Hill top assesors back Whilst most of us are snuggled up in front of a roaring fire, a fell top assessor is climbing to the top of Helvellyn to gather information for the 03 December 2008 : Cold day but clear at Wasdale Thought I would share todays photo with you as it was so blue and cold at Wasdale ! 03 December 2008 : Big Freeze hits Snow, ice and rain created treacherous conditions across This morning police were asking motorists to only drive if it was necessary because conditions on many roads were dangerous, with three-times as many accidents reported across the county today as yesterday. Problems emerged after temperatures reached as low as -5C on higher ground during the night. Police officers said they had reports of 16 minor road accidents across Copeland and Allerdale since midnight. They added that between 1am and 8.45am incidents had been reported to police from Moor Row, Cleator, Broughton Moor, Muncaster and Bassenthwaite. There were also incidents at Egremont, Frizington, Keswick, Cockermouth, Seaton, Maryport, and Ravenglass and Bigrigg in the early hours. A police spokesman said this morning there have been 39 incidents across the county. He said: “There has been significantly more today than normally.” Detective Inspector Cliff Walker said that the accidents were mostly minor bumps from cars hitting others. He added: “It is due to the weather, it has been treacherous.” Cumbria County Council deployed 27 gritters out on to the highways this morning - 11 in the east, nine in the south and seven in the west. A spokesman said: “These are on priority one and two roads and, as resources allow, we'll move out to the smaller roads, concentrating on more densely populated areas that haven't been gritted yet.” In the west, conditions are under control; in the east there is lots of snow, especially around the Penrith area; and in the south there is freezing fog which is keeping temperatures down. In Allerdale, the council warned some of its services would be affected by the frosty conditions. Due to the temperatures dropping below freezing point, several public toilets which are owned and maintained by the council have had to be closed for safety reasons. However, the following public toilets will remain open: Aspatria, Cockermouth, Keswick: Skinburness, Silloth Wigton Local Links Customer Service Centre Workington town centre A spokesman said: “The council is liaising with Cumbria Highways and will not deploy its road sweeping vehicles if roads have been gritted, so as not to sweep up the grit needed to thaw out icy driving conditions. “In addition, some residents may find that their wheelie bins for recycling |