Last updated 25th April 2008

Ambleside Shop Blaze                          Friday, 25th April 2008 SMOKE engulfed Ambleside as a fierce blaze roared through the roof of a town centre shop. A fire took hold in the roof of a complex of retail buildings at Market Cross, at around 12 noon today. The blaze appeared to come from above the Field and Trek shop - but also spread into the roof above the Boots, Fat Face and Black's shops, in Compston Road. Fire fighters from Windermere and Kendal battled to bring the fire under control, along with an aerial ladder platform from Barrow The blaze is believed to be under control, and fire fighters are continuing to dose the building. No one has been reported as injured by the fire. Compston Road and The Slack were blocked off to traffic. Police say southbound traffic is moving freely, however there are some delays to motorists heading northbound as they are being diverted through Loughrigg Road.  Ambleside resident Keith Morgan described how he had arrived at the scene at 12.20pm, just as the roof of Field and Trek was starting to break through and that he had been told that the blaze had started in one of the storage rooms at the top of the building. He said: "I was talking to one of the fire lads and he said the fire was too intense and so they had had to back out. Basically they tried tackling it from the square in Ambleside in front of the shop and then they went to the other side of the building and climbed on top of the Sportsman pub and tackled it from the roof." Fire Brigade and Police were on the scene and all of the shops had been evacuated. Ambleside town centre was blocked off, with traffic being diverted through the back lanes.

Fire at Ambleside, Field and Trek outdoor shop. Photo by Victoria Middleton

Sat nav gets lorry stuck on mountain road                                   Friday, 25th April 2008

AN ARTICULATED lorry has got stuck on a steep narrow South Lakeland road after the driver followed the instructions of his satellite navigation system.

The 45ft long lorry became stuck on Red Bank Road, in Grasmere shortly after midnight last night.

Efforts to remove the vehicle from the road, which runs from Grasmere to Langdale via Loughrigg, last night were unsuccessful and had to be abandoned until this morning. Further attempts have begun this morning, but police estimate that the road could be blocked until around 1pm.

A police spokesman said: "The road is an extremely steep, narrow, windy road which is probably unsuitable for the vehicle and the sat nav system was a contributory factor to the predicament the vehicle is in."

Londoners queue for their Traditional Cumberland Sausages from Sillfield Farm

Sausage fight in London                                                                                                 Wednesday 23rd April 2008 A Cumbrian farmer took the campaign to protect the Traditional Cumberland Sausage to the heart of London today (Wednesday). Peter Gott from Sillfield Farm displayed a Traditional Cumberland Sausage 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 organised 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 lining up to try them. He says: "We've been waiting a long time to protect the Traditional Cumberland Sausage so we want everyone to know that we mean business. We wanted to make sure that Londoners know the difference between Traditional Cumberland Sausages and the poor imitations being produced by some businesses outside Cumbria." John Anderson, Made in Cumbria's food specialist, says: "We're delighted that Peter Gott has taken our campaign right to the heart of London. With the British Government due to send our application for protected status to Brussels any day now, we're determined to step up the campaign to protect the Traditional Cumberland Sausage." If the application is successful it will only be possible for Traditional Cumberland Sausages to be made in Cumbria and they would also need to contain at least 80% meat and be left unlinked. In addition, the application specifies a number of other key features, including using a mincer with mincing holes that are a minimum of 4.5mm diameter in diameter to ensure a rough cut texture. Traditional Cumberland Sausages have been a local speciality for around 500 years. They are unique because of their distinctive shape, rough cut texture and the high meat content. Rather than being divided into links, they are made in one continuous rope-like coil that is sold by weight. They also tend to be more seasoned than other sausages. For more information on Traditional Cumberland Sausages visit www.fellsanddales.org.uk/trails/sausage_secrets.php For information on Made in Cumbria visit www.madeincumbria.co.uk. For details about Sillfield Farm visit www.sillfield.co.uk.

Airport plans move a step closer                                          Friday 18th April 2008

THE final planning obstacles appear to have been overcome in Stobart Air's bid to develop Carlisle Airport.

Company boss Andrew Tinkler and CarlisleCity Council leader Mike Mitchelson have agreed a revised list of conditions for the multi-million pound plan.

The deal now paves the way for the city's planning committee to approve the development when it meets next Friday (April 25).

Agreement came after four days of negotiations to salvage the project. Mr Tinkler had threatened to abandon his airport ambitions and move the Stobart haulage empire to Widnes.

Lakeland park in picnic battle                                                Saturday 12th April 2008

A LAKELAND park is in the running to be named as the UK's favourite place to enjoy lunch in the great outdoors.

Fell Foot Park at Newby Bridge has been named as one of ten beauty spots vying for the accolade of best picnic site in

the North West in the regional heats of this year's Warburton Picnic Awards.

If successful it will go through to the national final.

Picnic lovers are being encouraged to register their votes at www.welovebread.co.uk and all entrants will go into a prize

draw to win the ultimate family picnic in New York's Central Park.

The closing date is May 16.

Ospreys swoop into the Lake District                                     Friday 11th April 2008

VISITORS to the Lake District will once again be able to witness the glorious sight of one of the world's most majestic birds ofprey circling over Bassenthwaite, this summer.

After a spending the winter months in Africa, the male and female ospreys which have made Bassenthwaite Lake their summer home for the last eight years, were dramatically reunited back at their nest site.

Staff from the Lake District Osprey Project had been eagerly scanning the skies for the returning ospreys and were stunned when a female osprey "appeared from nowhere" to land on the nest before being joined minutes by a male bird.

The Forestry Commission's Whinlatter Visitor Centre has an exhibition area dedicated to the ospreys and live pictures from a camera overlooking the nest are beamed to a giant videowall, where visitors can watch all the action as it happens.

Osprey fans will also be able to follow the latest twists and turns in the osprey's lives on the website at www.ospreywatch.co.uk.

500 walkers helped by fell rescue team                                   Friday 11th April 2008

MOUNTAIN rescue team volunteers responded to 425 incidents last year and helped more than 500 people who had got into difficulties on the fells - a seven per cent increase on last year.

The Lake District Mountain Rescue Association's 2007 annual report says of the 551 people assisted, 100 had needed to be rescued after becoming lost.

Fatalities dealt with by the 12 Lake District mountain rescue teams fell to 21 compared to 28 in 2006.

The report says that the overwhelming majority of callouts were to assist people who had become injured while fell walking, usually after a slip or fall. Of the 257 casualties, 68 were ankle injuries, most being fractures.

The book also records the collective response to the Grayrigg rail disaster, where teams worked in co-ordination to stretcher casualties to helicopters and search the derailment site for passengers wandering from the scene.

Lakes Alive outdoor performance season unveiled                  Friday 11th April 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 festive to the area's towns and villages.

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

The ambitious season is organised by Kendal Arts International. Spokeswoman Julie Tait said: "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 season, which is being supported by the North West Development Agency, opens on June 14 with the WOW Factor, the finale of the Windermere on the Water festival.

Cumbria gets a new sheriff                                             Monday, 31st March 2008

A NEW High Sheriff has been appointed in Cumbria continuing more than 1,000 years of history.

Graham Lamont has been appointed to the one-year-term unpaid position. His duties will be mainly ceremonial but will include providing residence for judges visiting the county.

The office of High Sheriff is at least a millennia old and dates back to Saxon times, before the Norman Conquest.

Top TV presenter dives with virtual sharks in South Lakeland   Saturday, 29th March 2008

A TOP television wildlife presenter has officially opened the World's first £100,000 Virtual Dive Bell attraction at a South Lakeland aquarium.

Michaela Strachan, former presenter of The Hitman and Her, but best known for her work on wildlife programmes like the Really Wild Show, Wildlife Rescue, Elephant Diaries and now Animal Rescue Squad, opened the Virtual Dive Bell at the Lakes Aquarium, at Lakeside, Newby Bridge, this afternoon.

The interactive attraction comprises of three large computer projection screens which simulate a journey underwater in an African fresh-water lake.

The dive bell combines fun and education as visitors learn more about crocodiles, Bull Sharks and hippos.

More Peter Rabbit shops opening up                                 Wednesday 26th March 2008

A PROPERTY letting company has announced plans to open six new Peter Rabbit and Friends shops throughout the Lake District in the next three years.

Lake District Estates Ltd made the announcement after former British Ambassador to Japan, Sir John Boyd, officially reopened the Peter Rabbit shop at Ash Street, Bowness, on Monday.

The shop has reopened thanks to Lake District Estates negotiating a new agreement with the Copyrights Group, which looks after licensing for the Beatrix Potter estate.

Sir John said: "Our friends from Japan play a significant role in supporting the Lake District tourism economy, and the re-opening of these retail outlets will provide more choice when they are visiting the area, enabling them to return with quality  

Lakes watersports centre licenced for adventure            Sunday 23rd March 2008

CHILDREN can now take part in a host of wet and wild activities on Lake Windermere thanks to a leading watersports

centre.

The Low Wood Watersports Centre at Ambleside is launching a series of new outdoor activities for children after being

awarded a license from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), which allows instructors to teach children

without a parent or guardian present.

The Low Wood is a recognised training centre for the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the British Canoe Union and

British Water Ski, so it can now offer canoe and kayak courses and RYA Start Sailing, Basic Skills and Seamanship

Skills courses for children and adults.

Ale guide celebrates county breweries                                  Sunday 24th February 2008

CUMBRIA now has more breweries per head of population than any other county in Britain, and there are

potentially three more in the pipeline.

So there was cause for celebration earlier this week when the Campaign for Real Ale's Cumbrian contingent

launched its latest guide at the award-winning Pheasant Inn, at Bassenthwaite.

The full colour 200-page pocket-sized Cumbria Real Ale Guide (CRAG) lists all premises in Cumbria which

serve real ale to the public, and contains nearly 600 pub entries.

It also has a Breweries' section, which gives detailed information on each of the 23 breweries now operating

in Cumbria, including beer listings and tasting notes.

Marmalade mad at Dalemain                                            Monday, 11th February 2008

Hundreds of people went marmalade mad at the weekend when they flocked to the second world marmalade festival'

at Dalemain near Penrith.

There were more than 400 entries bidding for the honour of best in show' with competition categories including

man made', clergy', and children'. Entries were sent in from throughout the country, and some from much further

afield, including one from Australia, such is the marmalade event's universal appeal. But after much debate and

deliberation the top prize eventually went to a contender from UK shores, the delighted entrant from Somerset

having read about the competition in the national press.

The festival kicked off last Thursday and included a private event on Saturday for brownies, beavers and rainbows

culminating in Sunday's mass public celebration of all matters marmalade.

The day's fun and games were also a chance to celebrate Paddington Bear's 50th birthday - his creator Michael

Bond is a patron of the festival - and the character proved an extra special crowd-puller for families with young children.

The festival was also a chance for foodies to indulge in some tasty treats with this year's food marquee organised

by artisan-food.com.

Sarah M from  Sedburgh was doing a roaring trade with her marmalade flapjack, while Churchmouse Cheeses from

Kirby Lonsdale and Cowmire Hall Damson Gin from Crosthwaite also proved popular.

Pupils from Windermere St Anne's School took a stand to sell their new cookbook Food of the Fells which earned

them the title of best overall company' in this year's South Cumbria Young Enterprise awards.

The student's business LD Creations is already on a second print run for the book which not only features some

delicious recipes but also includes a local restaurant guide (l_d_creations@yahoo.co.uk).

Another book launched at the festival was the special Citrus cookery book Recipes with a Citrus Twist in aid of

Hospice at Home, which is the main beneficiary of the marmalade festival.

Poster pooch raises rescuers' profile                                                          Wednesday 13th February 2008 MOUNTAIN rescue dog Kess has a canine profession that takes some licking - so it is perhaps appropriate she should be roped in to help launch a new set of postage stamps. The seven-year-old border collie - one of 12 dogs working with the Lake District Search and Rescue Dogs Association - was recruited along with her handler, Les Telford, to publicise the Royal Mail's latest set of stamps, the Working Dogs collection. The stamps, which are now on sale, pay tribute to the wonderful work ethic of man's best friend. Life-saving and crime-fighting dogs and those making everyday tasks a little easier for blind or disabled people are all honoured in the six-stamp collection. It is the first set of stamps to be devoted entirely to such highly-trained dogs, with the issue celebrating two important events in 2008 - the Year of the Assistance Dog and 100 years since the first police dogs walked their beat at Hull Docks. Julietta Edgar, head of special stamps at Royal Mail, said: "It's easy to forget that there's a secret army' of thousands of hardworking dogs who make a real difference to many lives. "I hope that this issue will help to raise the profile of their important work as customers see the dogs on millions of letters and parcels every day."

Torchlight Carnival changes formats                                                                        Wednesday 13th February 2008 KENDAL'S 2008 Torchlight Carnival is to be held on a Saturday for the first time in its 39-year history. Plans to revamp the colourful annual procession are being put in place in a bid to solve problems that have plagued the event in recent years, including the struggle to attract sponsorship. Peter Winston, of the Torchlight Committee, said the decision followed a period of consultation with local people, businesses and organisations, and the general response to the proposals had been positive. Mr Winston added: "Holding the event on Saturday will be more appealing to visitors, who will come for the whole day or even make a weekend of it. "We spoke to local camping and caravanning clubs and coach tour companies, who are also behind the idea because when the event was on a Friday evening, visitors would often decide against it, as it was too much of a rush getting from work to Kendal before the roads closed." The date for the festival - which can attract up to 30,000 people - is Saturday, September 13, with North, South, East and West: but Kendal's Still Best the theme most likely to be chosen. Mr Winston said: "We wanted something that people can interpret as widely as possible and North, South, East and West could be applied geographically, culturally, mathematically, environmentally and in all sorts of other imaginative ways." The Torchlight Committee hopes that this year's event will be the best yet, with all manner of events taking place in Kendal throughout the day. Mr Winston said: "We are trying to approach various clubs and societies in the town to see if they would like to take part in the festival to help promote the town and their own organisations." So far, proposals include a large car boot sale, various street artists, a lunchtime performance by Kendal Concert Band and, of course, the carnival itself. Entry forms for the carnival will be sent out in the next few weeks to all the people and groups who have taken part in the event within the last five years. However, Mr Winston stressed that all those who were interested in joining in the procession, but had never taken part before, were more than welcome to request a form. "We are also very interested to hear from anybody who would like to help out with the festival and, perhaps more importantly at this stage, join the Torchlight Committee, as we have lost a few members in recent years," he added.

Ambleside Scrabble holidays          Friday, 8th February 2008                                   DICTIONARIES are at the ready at an Ambleside hotel in preparation for a Scrabble holiday. The Scrabble break has been launched at the Rothay Manor Hotel in the wake of a national resurgence of interest in the game. But bookings started to pour in after the hotel's advertisement appeared next to an on-line version of the game, Scrabulous, on networking site Facebook. Now the five-day break in March has attracted a raft of media interest including coverage by The Guardian newspaper and Radio Solent. Anne-Marie O'Neill, marketing manager for the Rothay Manor Hotel, said she had been surprised and delighted by interest in the new holiday venture.

Bluebird engine goes on display                               Thursday 7th February 2008

THE BRISTOL-Siddeley Orpheus engine that powered Bluebird K7 on Donald Campbell's ill-fated World Water-Speed Record attempt in 1967 has gone on display in the Ruskin Museum,  Coniston

The engine has proved of particular importance to the restoration of Bluebird, as while under water, the magnesium coating surrounding the engine acted as a sacrificial anode: A readily corrodible metal that is attached to another to act as a barrier against decay.

In Bluebird's case, the engine magnesium effectively acted to protect Bluebird's chassis, and is the reason the aft section of K7 emerged from Coniston so well preserved.

Restorer, Bill Smith, who has led the recovery and restoration of Bluebird, has also acquired a useable Orpheus jet engine that will be installed in the rebuilt Bluebird. Once returned to its former glory, the craft will be installed in a new purpose-built extension to the Ruskin Museum.

Ruskin Museum curator, Vicky Slowe, said the extension would be finished around October, with the restored Bluebird hopefully entering its new home in the latter half of 2009.

"People are going to be quite gob smacked when they see it. Much of Bluebird was Aluminium, which is malleable and can be beaten back into shape. The restored Bluebird will be almost entirely original," she said.

Cumbria prepares for Fairtrade Fortnight                          Monday 28th January 2008 

All around Cumbria plans are being put in place for Fairtrade Fortnight, with local businesses preparing to showcase over 3,000 products that are now available in the region.

Between February 25 and March 9, a variety of local promotions and events will take place across the county, as Cumbria lives up to its status as the flagship county for fairtrade in the UK.

This is partly due to the fact that Cumbria now has 16 fairtrade towns, villages and districts -the largest number of any county in Britain.

At a meeting held in Sandylands Methodist Church in Kendal, over 40 members of the Cumbria Fairtrade Network (CFN) joined together to celebrate the achievements made in the county so far, as well as to discuss plans for Fairtrade Fortnight.

In Kendal, the group has organised for a theatre group from Manchester to come to the Castle Street Centre to perform a short play about child trafficking in Ghana, an issue closely related to fairtrade.

For more information about the CFN or any of the forthcoming events contact Sarah Webb on 01539-721450.

Thumbs up for airport plan                                Thursday 24th January 2008

PLANS to construct a new airport for Carlisle have won unanimous backing from Cumbria county councillors.

Although Carlisle City Council is the planning authority which will make the ultimate decision on whether the application for the new airport should go ahead, the county council has signalled its support by approving a report on the development.

The document says the airport, proposed by Stobart Air Ltd, would give "significant potential to support growth in Carlisle city and stimulate improvement in the economic performance of the county".

Coati found in Lake District chicken shed                   Thursday 24th January 2008

Top line-up for Keswick literature festival                 Sunday 13th January 2008

POPULAR BBC Radio One and Radio Two presenter Stuart Maconie has been named in the line-up for the Words By the Water Cumbrian Literature Festival, staged at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake.

Best known for his music shows, Mr Maconie will discuss the so-called North-South divide and his book Pies and Prejudice.

The festival also features other prominent figures such as journalist and one-time MP Martin Bell; artist Maggi Hambling; Cumbrian author Sarah Hall, and writer, broadcaster and singer Sid Griffin, who has written the story of Bob Dylan's musical breakthrough based on the influential singer/songwriter's The Basement Tapes.

Words by the Water runs from February 29 until March 9.

Swallows and Amazons to sail again                   Thursday 10th January 2008

A FILM adaptation of Arthur Ransome's classic novel Swallows and Amazons looks set to bring the picturesque landscape of the Lake District to the big screen once again.

The film will bring to life the adventures of John, Susan, Titty and Roger Walker, when BBC Films and Harbour Pictures take on the first of Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series.

Set in the Lake District between the two World Wars, the novel is inspired by a summer the author spent teaching children to sail and this popular story tells the tale of two sets of siblings who have a series of adventures, involving sailing, camping, fishing, exploration and piracy.

Lakeland rescuers face crisis                               Friday, 4th January 2008

LAKE District Mountain rescue teams are bracing themselves for a recruitment crisis.

As they struggle to cope with record numbers of call-outs, caused by the growing popularity of fell walking, rescue volunteers are also being pressured

by a 'hardening attitude' among some employers who are tiring of staff leaving their jobs to take part in search and rescue operations.

Chairman of Mountain Rescue England and Wales Dave Allen said the situation had become so critical there were real fears of teams being unable to continue.

Ulverston-based Mr Allan said rescue teams in remoter areas, away from the larger population catchments, were suffering the most.

The Wasdale team had been called out 31 times in 42 days recently and to let someone leave work to go on 31 rescues in 42 days, you need a veryconsiderate employer.

Corrie characters' dramatic Lakes 'cliffhanger'    Tuesday 1st January 2008

A LAKE District tourist attraction is to be featured in a dramatic episode of Coronation Street.

The popular soap's characters Maria and Liam get into trouble in the mountains in two action-packed episodes to be shown on Friday (Jan 4) and Sunday (Jan 6) at 7.30pm on ITV.

The cliffhanger scenes were filmed for nine days at Honister Slate Mine.

Owner Mark Weir worked alongside Corrie bosses to help them film around Fleetwith Pike - a sheer 2,100ft mountain which is part of the Victorian mine workings at the tourist attraction.

The episodes involve the couple getting into difficulty when their pet dog Ozzy goes missing and the elements take a turn for the worst. The episode builds to an exciting climax as Liam attempts to rescue the dog from a cliff face hundreds of feet up and then falls 200ft.

Mr Weir said the dramatic storyline could work wonders for promoting safety on the fells in 2008.

Tree swap planned                                             Friday, 28th December 2007

A THREE-year project to transform the forest surrounding Thirlmere reservoir to create a more attractive landscape for visitors will move into its next stage in January.

The forest surrounding the reservoir is undergoing the biggest change since it was established last century, thanks to its owners United Utilities who are commissioning the work.

January will see the next stage of the transformation with the removal of 114 acres of conifers and non-native trees from the lake margin to allow for indigenous species to be planted in their place.

Huge Easter egg hunt set for South Lakes             Wednesday 26th December 2007

DOZENS of people across South Lakeland will compete in the North of England's biggest Easter egg hunt in 2008 to celebrate Jemima Puddle-duck's centenary year.

The hunt will cover an area of 6,800 square kilometres (2,600 square miles) and stretch from Hadrian's Wall in the north to Morecambe Bay in the South, and from Alston in the East to Cumbria's west coast.

The hunt begins on Wednesday 19 March and features brightly coloured Easter eggs placed in prominent positions.

Each egg comes with a prize, including a weekend break in the lakes, and special Beatrix Potter collectibles.

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness will host the event, where a large screen will show the general location of each egg and whether or not it has been found.

General Manager, Richard Foster, said: "An Easter egg hunt is obviously an ideal way to celebrate Jemima Puddle-duck's centenary year. She is by far the most popular character at the attraction, after Peter the Rabbit."

For further details contact Paul Gardner at Osprey Communications on 015394 42436 or email paul@ospreycommunications.co.uk

Felltop Christmas for Jon                     Sunday 23rd December 2007

SCALING the rugged heights of Helvellyn on Christmas Day might not be many people's idea of festive fun, but for one  Ambleside  man it is all in a day's work.

Leaving the turkey behind, Jon Bennett will set out for a 950-metre summit trek to gather information for the Lake District National Park Authority's Weatherline, a service used by almost half a million people each year.

Mr Bennett is in his first season checking out weather conditions for the service after leaving his hospitality career to undertake the challenging new role, which involves a daily mountain ascent - even at Christmas.

The weatherline phone and online reports help protect the area's 12 million annual visitors, and locals, from conditions that can change rapidly and fatally on the fells.

In a seven-day Helvellyn shift, Mr Bennett climbs almost the equivalent of Everest's summit and faces wind chill temperatures that can plummet to minus 32, drifting snow and even badly equipped walkers.

Weatherproof maps aim to help Lake District walkers   Saturday, 8th December 2007

EAGER winter walkers in the Lake District will no longer have to contend with soggy maps thanks to the launch of a new weatherproof series. Ordnance Survey has created a series of highly durable versions of its Landranger Map that has been finished with a lightweight protective plastic coating, which can be written on to highlight favourite routes. The weatherproof series includes Active Landranger Maps for Penrith, Keswick, Ambleside and Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland and in addition to roads, the maps also feature major tourist attractions such as public gardens, nature reserves, walks and trails and visitor centres.

Titles from the OS Landranger Map - Active Series (12.99 each) are available at bookshops or can be ordered from www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/snow

Green light for second 'Go Ape'           Wednesday 5th December 2007

A second Go Ape attraction is to be created in Cumbria after planners did a surprise U-turn. The Forest Commission has now got the green light to transform Whinlatter Forest Park, near Keswick, into an adventure course and 19km of mountain bike trails. The original Go Ape site is in Grizedale Forest, near Hawkshead.

Tarn Hows goes for green in new build project     Wednesday 5th December 2007

For years there has been a lively debate - to build loos or not to build loos at the iconic tourist spot of Tarn Hows, Coniston. But now the National Trust has been given permission to build an education shelter and toilets on the site. Obviously this idyllic and nationally important site means that the Trust wanted to come up with something more fitting than just your average information hut and toilet block, plus there are challenges too as the site is a protected sensitive SSSI site.

Working with local partners the Trust has come up with a creative solution, using a 21st century design on a 4 month build project due to be finished just after Easter. The design includes a septic tank with low water use systems. It will be clad with larch from the estate and have a green roof, so that it blends into the back of the car park. It is anticipated that the education shelter and loos will be very subtle with minimum impact on the Tarn Hows landscape. Disruption will be kept to a minimum, but there may be slightly fewer parking spaces during the build period. The work will start during the week commencing Monday 3rd December.

Wainwright artwork on its way home               Wednesday 5th December 2007

TWELVE original drawings by Kendal's famous son, Alfred Wainwright, are on their way back home after being sold to a local antique books dealer.

AW's Indian Ink line drawings were sold by Robert Senft to Kirkland Books of Kendal for £4,500. In addition, a leather-bound and signed copy of Wainwright in Lakeland was sold for £500.

Mr Senft acquired the drawings for £50 in 1970 from AW's wife, Betty, but decided to sell them after redecorating his home. The 215 x 170mm drawings depict Little Langdale, Brim Fell, Coniston Old Man and Dow Crag Ridge.

AW would routinely sell his drawings to raise money for the Animal Rescue Cumbria charity. "My wife's parents had a holiday cottage in Oxenholme” explained Mr Senft, “and we would visit at least three times a year to go walking in the lakes. Alfred's books were our bible. I took the opportunity to visit his home and buy these drawings from his wife. Alfred was in the house but I never met him. He was very shy, but it was a great honour to be seeing these drawings for the first time, and fortunate that I had the chance to buy them before they were auctioned for charity."

The drawings form a small part of the huge works undertaken by AW when, in 1952, he began to accurately chart the many walks through Lakeland that eventually became the seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. AW's hand-drawn keys, compass directions, altitudes, and pictures reveal all the information necessary to navigate a path through the Lake District's many walks, but as Robert explained, the recent second editions of Wainwright's Pictorial Guide were a welcome revision of an old masterpiece: "We used to follow Alfred's directions religiously, even when he described a bridge that wasn't there and we had to wade through a river to keep on track."

Indeed, AW was very conscious of the Lakes' changing nature, stating in the third volume, Central Fells, of the probability that "the books will progressively be withdrawn from publication after a currency of a few years." How wrong he was. Honoured with an MBE, AW's masterpiece lives on even after his death in 1991 as the definitive guide to the Lakes, and like the second editions of AW's work, Mr Senft hopes the pictures inspire a new generation of walkers.

National first for South Lakes equestrian centre      Sunday 2nd December 2007

A SOUTH Lakes equestrian school is to pioneer a national scheme to make horse riding more widely available. Bigland Hall Equestrian at Haverthwaite is the first centre in the UK to provide horse riding in return for supermarket tokens. The centre, which offers everything from beginners' lessons to classical dressage and trail riding, has signed up with supermarket giant Tesco to provide equestrian activities in exchange for Tesco Clubcard tokens. The store decided to include horse riding in its scheme after being approached by the school's owner.

‘Star’ festival                                                                                       Friday 30th November 2007    

THE Lake District Summer Music Festival has been awarded a Star Turns trophy by Culture North West.

The festival was held around South Lakeland in the late summer for the 23rd time this year.

The organisation's vice chairman, Charles Lauder, presentated the award to Andrew Lucas, the festival's executive organiser, at the annual meeting of Culture Cumbria at Redhills, Penrith on Wednesday.

The festival had a 40 percent increase in ticket sales this year, said Mr. Lauder.

Mountain festivals are box office blockbuster              Friday 23rd November 2007

THIS year's Kendal Mountain Festivals broke all box office records with thousands of altitude enthusiasts converging on South Lakeland to enjoy the finest in mountain culture. Organisers said that the number of visitors to the festival was 1,500 up on last year, which they said was evidence of how much the festival was growing in popularity and prestige among the climbing community at home and abroad.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest events was the first public big screen presentation of Joe (Touching the Void) Simpson's latest film, The Beckoning Silence. The film, which follows an ill-fated ascent of the North Face of the Eiger, scooped top prize in the festival's mountaineering section.

The maker of a film following the high altitude exploits of Langdale-based rock climber Dave Birkett once again featured heavily in the final awards. Psyche, which features Mr Birkett's first ascent of a challenging new route on Skye, won top spot in the Adventure and People's Choice categories. Film-maker Alastair Lee said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to win the People's Choice again - the fourth year on the trot - and this year is probably the biggest win as I was up against the massive blockbuster The Beckoning Silence and just edged it by four votes."

The Westmorland Gazette web editor Kate Whiteside made an important contribution to Keen Youth, the winner of the Best Film Short category. "I met Keen Youth director Paul Diffley at the Adventure Film Academy, which is run by Mountain Film Festival and he asked me to do the narration on the film, which was in the early stages of production," she said. "I was delighted it won the award for best Film Short. Keen Youth has superb scenes and really tells the story of how climbing gets into your blood at a very early age."

Winner of the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature, which is considered to be the Holy Grail of mountain book awards, was The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane, a book following the author's travels to the remotest parts of Britain. This was only the second time the awards were held in Kendal since it was tempted away from its home at the Alpine Club in London, where it has been based since its inception in 1983.

Kendal's Canal Exhibition                  Wednesday, 22nd August 2007

The future of the Kendal stretch of the Lancaster canal will be brought into focus with the opening of a new exhibition. Entitled Kendal's Canal - bringing a waterway back to life, the exhibition explores the canal's history and reveals details of the £60 million plan to restore it to its former glory.

For years, the canal has been without water and it has become a popular cycleway. The exhibition, which runs from August 25 to December 22 at Kendal Museum, has been organised by Claire Chapman, of the Lancaster Canal Trust.  Ms Chapman said: "The plans to restore the canal into Kendal are really very exciting. Instead of cycling, you'll be able to get a boat into town." Historically, the canal was a lifeline for Kendal and much of the town's wealth was based on trade along the waterway. "Many people in the town can trace their family trees back to canal folk, so it's a great opportunity to come and learn more about what's going on."

Morag Clement, curator at Kendal Museum, said: "This is a fascinating exhibition which will look at the history of the canal and plans for the future. It is aimed at all ages, as there will be lots of activities and even a play canal."

Swiss engine makes debut on Lakeland railway     Tuesday, 21st August 2007

Lakeland rail enthusiasts can take a ride on an exact replica of a train more commonly seen winding through the Swiss Alps, this weekend. Millerbeck Light Railway at Staveley-in-Cartmel has taken delivery of a new Pfeifferbahn Electric Loco modelled accurately on the trains that operate on the railway network in Switzerland.

The new train will be making its maiden Lakeland journey and inviting passengers on board on Sunday and Monday (August 26 and 27) as part of Millerbeck's Bank Holiday Open Weekend.

Coniston to launch new festival                         Sunday, 12th August 2007

CONISTON is to host its first ever walking festival next month in a bid to showcase its stunning landscapes. The debut event will celebrate the history of the village's geology and geography through a series of themed walks where people can follow in the footsteps of the adventurers, artists, poets and philosophers that drew their inspiration from the area. Running from September 28 - 30th, the festival will feature a diverse programme of walks that will suit people of all abilities and highlights include a sunrise walk to the top of Coniston Old Man, an opportunity to join world-famous mountaineer Simon Yates on his favourite fell walk and an historic family walk through time.    

In addition to the daytime events, there will also be an evening programme, which will include a Kendal Mountain Film Festival Tour that will highlight examples of the best dramatic new films on mountain sport from around the globe.

Wainwright's book launch goes to new Heights           Wednesday 8th August 2007

One of the very few patches of the Lake District which Alfred Wainwright never trod was reached at the weekend during the launch of a new book on the famous writer.  Defying rain and mist, a party of enthusiasts held a champagne picnic on Helm Crag, above Grasmere, whose spiky, sheer rock summit was too much for the famously cautious author.

London architect Owen Watson, 22, was cheered by Wainwright fans as he climbed the short but challenging pitch of the Howitzer, the slanting pinnacle which crowns the fell.  Its tiny platform over an abyss was only ever seen by Wainwright from 30ft below. He deliberately left a space in book three of his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, saying: "this corner was reserved for an announcement that the author had succeeded in surmounting the highest point. Up to the time of going to press, however, such an announcement cannot be made."    Wainwright's characteristic drawing of the rock also shows himself, frustrated, at the foot of the pinnacle - where he remained on the many occasions he climbed the fell. Widely known as the Lion and the Lamb, Helm Crag was one of his favourite mountains.

He compared it in The Central Fells to ‘a shaggy terrier among sleek foxhounds' - the same description he gives to Haystacks, the Lakeland peak he lovd best, where his ashes were scattered.

 Owen Watson's climb ended with him waving a copy of the new book, Wainwright - the Man who Loved the Lakes - which goes with the BBC TV series Wainwright Walks. He said: "Its pretty nasty - not many holds and very greasy, wet and slippery rock. But I was determined to get to the top and take a bit of Wainwright with me." The launch party included John Pulford, president of the Wainwright Society, Denis MacShane, the Labour MP for Rotherham and former Europe minister, novelist Joan Smith and some 30 other enthusiasts.

Lake District Ospreys reach new heights              Thursday 2nd August 2007

The Lake District Osprey Project reached new heights this week as one of the famous chicks took flight for the first time. The chick, believed to be a female, took the first plunge from its Bassenthwaite nest on Tuesday (July 31) and landed in a nearby tree before it took a few more ambitious flights up a hillside. Two chicks remain in the nest and are expected to take their own maiden flights any day now.

 It has also been revealed that an osprey raised in the Lake District in 2004 has been located safe and well in Norway, which is the first time that there has been definite news of any of the young ospreys that have flown from their Lake District.

Lake District most visited national park            Tuesday 31st July 2007

The Lake District is the most popular national park in England and Wales, a survey has revealed.

Of 1,000 adults from across the UK who took part in the poll by NOP, 70 per cent of respondents said they had visited the Lake District - up from 64 per cent in 2001.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the fifth most popular in England and Wales, with 49 per cent of respondents saying they had visited the Dales, compared to 44 per cent in 2001.

The survey to gauge awareness of national parks was commissioned by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority on behalf of all English and Welsh national park authorities. Carl Lis, the YDNPA chairman, said: "More and more people are starting to appreciate that the country's national parks have special and unique qualities that make them the jewels in the UK's crown."

Record members for National Trust                 Saturday 28th July 2007

The National Trust has praised the "astonishing" amount of people - 3.5 million - who are now supporters of its cause. The organisation, founded in 1895, owns several beloved centres of interest in South Lakeland, including Beatrix Potter's Hill Top cottage, at Near Sawrey, and William Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, in Grasmere, as well as doing much to promote the area's natural beauty.

The trust is mapping out its future with a new strategy to 2010 and beyond, focussing on cultural heritage, the natural world, climate change and local food, in order to "resonate strongly with visitors, supporters and the wider public."

The trust's director general, Fiona Reynolds, said: "The levels of support we receive are truly inspiring. The National Trust plays a unique role in British life and in the world conservation movement, but none of what we do would be possible without the extraordinary backing of our supporters.

"A century ago our founders believed that places of natural beauty could bring out the best in human nature delivering benefits to a society all but overwhelmed by materialism and the daily grind.

"Scanning the horizons of an ever more anxious and embattled world, we believe that the principle at the heart of the Trust's work - beauty, quality, authenticity, local distinctiveness, access, inclusion and conservation - are needed more than ever."

Hall garden unveiled                              Friday 20th July 2007              Play video

The tranquil gardens of an historic Lake District hall have been unveiled following a £1.8 million project to restore their Edwardian charm.

Rydal Hall's intricate gardens have undergone a major facelift that has taken almost two years to complete and with the help of local volunteers, donations and grants have now become an inspiring attraction.

First shaped by landscape architect Thomas Mawson almost 100 years ago, the garden's sweeping Italianate terraces and striking stonework began to deteriorate following the Second World War and in September 2005 work to restore the features began. After years of planning and co-ordination by project manager Paul Groat, of Paul Groat Associates, the work was undertaken by head gardener Tom Attwood and Kendal-based contractors Cox and Allen, along with students from Newton Rigg College, at Penrith, and Myerscough College, at Preston.

"It has been an absolute whirlwind two years and what has been so good about it is that it has been very mucha group effort," said Mr Attwood, who joined Ambleside's Rydal Hall in 2005.

"It was very hard work, but I am thrilled to bits with the result because the garden is now looking like it always should have done. It actually looks better that. I thought it would as it looks more established. The best thing though is just to see the garden looking loved again.".

Brockhole's future under discussion                       Friday 13th July 2007

LAKE District National Park Authority members could decide to invest millions transforming Brockhole into a world class visitor attraction - or turn it into an exclusive hotel. The future of the famous Lake District attraction, which boasts a proud position on the shores of Windermere but is deteriorating and being run at a loss, will come to the fore when the park authority meets to look over the results of a six-month study of the site.

Among the wide-ranging options are ambitious plans to spend £30 million turning the Grade II listed property into an attraction that could draw 170,000 annual visitors to the area.

But a report, which the LDNPA's head of property services Martin Curry will present to members on Monday (July 16), also makes a number of controversial suggestions - from selling off the site, which is estimated to be worth between £2.1 million and £2.9 million, to transforming it into a hotel or using it as a conference centre.

Osprey lays egg                                         Tuesday 1st May 2007

The Lake District Osprey Project team are celebrating after an egg was spotted on the nest near Bassenthwaite Lake. The news comes less than two weeks after the male osprey, who has been nesting in the Lake District since 2001, found himself a new partner.

Following the new female's arrival in the Lake District just after Easter, the pair of ospreys quickly settled in together at the nest. Bill Kenmir from the Lake District Osprey Project said: "We're all very excited that the new female has laid an egg. Everyone will now be watching the nest for signs of more eggs." The female bird is now incubating the egg and it is hoped that more will be laid in the coming days.

Splash helps locate last piece of Bluebird