Archive

  • SPORTS: New squad selected

    KENDAL RUFC named a squad this week to take them into the start of the new season, writes Richard Daniels. The core of last year's successful First XV set-up remain but there are a handful of new faces including ex-Orrell prop/hooker Phil Learney. Cumbrian-born

  • Police seek witnesses

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man apparently attempted to grab a young girl as she walked with another girl along the B6384 towards Holme on Tuesday (July 31) afternoon. The girls, who are both in their mid-teens, saw the man jogging before

  • Going against the grain

    Deep in the heart of the Lake District, a woodcutter from Somerset is busy going against the grain. Conjuring up oak beams, country chairs, and garden trellises out of raw materials from his workshop on the forest floor Ben Harris believes in creating

  • Parking problems need solutions

    PARKING has become a perennial problem in Kendal as it has in towns and cities over Britain. It is perhaps not surprising when you consider that in 1956, fewer than one in four households owned a car. By 1994, more than two out of three households had

  • People flock to see osprey chick

    THE first osprey chick to be hatched in northern England for 150 years is preparing to spread its wings and make its first flight from the nest. Wildlife experts have visited the nest near Bassenthwaite Lake to carry out a quick health-check on the young

  • Napolean's mask sold

    THE death mask of Napolean Bonaparte featured in The Westmorland Gazette was sold to a collector at auction in Swindon for £1,000. The death mask of the French Emperor was found on a bric-a-brac stall in Wetherby, North Yorkshire, by Kendal-based historian

  • Top archers in Kendal

    ONE of the major events on the national archery calendar visited Kendal when the 'Grand Northern' tournament took place in the grounds of Queen Katherine School at the weekend. Several Grand Master and Master Bowmen were present at the two-day event hosted

  • Farmers urged to find new markets

    RURAL affairs minister Alun Michael has urged farmers to take a "can do" approach in coming up with viable and sustainable ways of farming in the wake of foot-and-mouth. During his first official visit to the Lake District, Mr Michael yesterday met with

  • Green grants

    MONEY and materials for farmers and landowners to carry out projects such as restoring hedges and field walls, enhancing rivers and eradicating Japanese knot weed are available in a new grants scheme operated by the Lake District National Park Authority

  • Country fair goes ahead

    BRIGHT weather and traditional crafts resulted in a good turn out for a country fair which went ahead against the odds last weekend, reports Beth Broomby. The fifth annual Cockshott Fair, Windermere, which is organised by the National Trust, was smaller

  • Mixed reaction to paths re-opening

    FOOTPATHS in a vast area of central Lake District have been re-opened to the public in a move which it is hoped will boost the beleaguered tourist trade, but has sparked concern among some farmers. On Wednesday, foot-and-mouth restrictions were lifted

  • From Our Files

    25 Years Ago July 30, 1976 Digging deep IF THE mining of Lake District minerals becomes an economic proposition then they should be got out - providing the mining is done with the least possible damage to the environment. This was the view expressed by

  • Shark watch nets big ones

    FOUR basking sharks have been spotted in Morecambe Bay as the latest sightings to form part of this summer's major marine study. The Solway Shark Watch aims to assess the status of basking sharks and 22 other marine species throughout the North East Irish

  • Osprey chick draws crowds

    THE first osprey chick to be hatched in northern England for 150 years is preparing to spread its wings and make its first flight from the nest. Wildlife experts have visited the nest near Bassenthwaite Lake to carry out a quick health-check on the young

  • Footpaths re-open

    FOOTPATHS in a vast area of central Lake District have been re-opened to the public in a move which it is hoped will boost the beleaguered tourist trade, but has sparked concern among some farmers. On Wednesday, foot-and-mouth restrictions were lifted

  • New look for What's On guide

    South Lakeland's comprehensive events guide What's On has had a re-launch to celebrate its 15th anniversary. The magazine, which helps to promote local events, has been given a completely new look and has also benefited from a £3,500 grant from 'Spirit

  • What's online...

    What's new on site? Let's explore our competitions ... l Look on the right-hand menu of the homepage for the 'Win a prize' button. This takes you through to our competition page where you'll find the list updated each week. l For dedicated competition

  • PrizeTime: Win an Olympus photo kit

    HOW often has the excitement of collecting your photos been replaced by disappointment because your photos don't look as good as you remember? Boots Store in Kendal now has state of the art digital photo processing technology from Fuji. Unlike ordinary

  • FEATURES: CheckOut...your weekend grocery guide

    What's in the shops this weekend, with the emphasis, where possible, on locally-produced, seasonal and speciality foods. Cartmel Village Shop: From the Westmorland Damson Association - damson wine - a medium fruit wine made from local damsons.........

  • A590 accident zone solution

    RESIDENTS of High and Low Newton were celebrating yesterday after learning that the long-awaited bypass of the two villages has moved a step closer to reality. A Government-sponsored report has recommended that the proposed scheme " should be delivered

  • Fire safety guidelines

    EVERY eight minutes a house fire breaks out in the UK. In 43 per cent of house burglaries someone is home. Fire and security company ADT has issued tips on how you can make your home a safer place to live. l Keep a regular check that smoke detectors are

  • NEWS: Surveys shows gloomy outlook

    The economic outlook is gloomy, judging by the findings of two national surveys. The CBI's latest quarterly industrial trends survey shows a decline in domestic and export orders, weakening investment intentions and increased job losses. Manufacturers

  • Exciting plans for old station

    THE Eden Valley Railway Trust is acquiring the former railway station at Kirkby Stephen East to begin phase two of long-standing plans to reopen the railway between Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. The station was being held in trust by Stainmore Properties

  • Anger over footpath posters

    A ROW is festering in a lakeside community over notices highlighting re-opened fell routes. In one corner stands Coniston businessman Philip Johnston and in the other the village's parish council, which says consent for the signs is needed. The information

  • Council budget slashed

    THE first likely casualties in South Lakeland District Council's radical budget-slashing exercise have come to light following months of deliberation by top council figures charged with setting council finances back on track. Concessionary bus fares,

  • Fizzing with optimism

    AN INTERNATIONALLY recognised Lake District hotel, a top Champagne label and local wine and spirit merchant have raised a glass to the future of Kendal College by announcing a series of sponsorship deals, writes Beth Broomby. The college is undergoing

  • Landmark ruling

    A family man, ruined by a disastrous hotel venture, has won the right to compensation from solicitors after a landmark Appeal Court ruling. Leonard Longstaff, 54, and his wife Patricia, who died last year, lost their £50,000 life savings when they ploughed

  • Farmers urged to find new markets

    RURAL affairs minister Alun Michael has urged farmers to take a "can do" approach in coming up with viable and sustainable ways of farming in the wake of foot-and-mouth. During his first official visit to the Lake District, Mr Michael yesterday met with

  • Footpaths re-open to mixed reviews

    FOOTPATHS in a vast area of central Lake District have been re-opened to the public in a move which it is hoped will boost the beleaguered tourist trade, but has sparked concern among some farmers. On Wednesday, foot-and-mouth restrictions were lifted

  • Protest against tennis courts

    RESIDENTS have spoken out against plans for new floodlit tennis courts. Kendal Lawn Tennis Club hopes to create four more hard-surfaced courts at the tennis club on Appleby Road, Kendal, plus parking for 40 cars. The plans prompted eight letters of objection

  • Sharks bask in the Bay

    FOUR basking sharks have been spotted in Morecambe Bay as the latest sightings to form part of this summer's major marine study. The Solway Shark Watch aims to assess the status of basking sharks and 22 other marine species throughout the North East Irish

  • Hovercraft launch

    THE first hovercraft rescue service in the United Kingdom is to be launched at Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, and will provide cover in the Morecambe Bay area. Patron of the service Lord Cavendish is to officially name the rescue craft 'Lady Ada' at a

  • The Twilight Zone

    THE Government is today, apparently, on the verge of finally grasping the grim reality of the foot-and-mouth crisis, and fighting the disease with the sort of ruthlessness so absent over previous months. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural

  • Festival under way

    A FORTNIGHT of fun is set to unfold in the Lakes starting this weekend, as Windermere Community Festival gets under way. The annual seven-day event has been specially lengthened to two weeks in a bid to boost the region's economy which has been hard hit

  • Landmark appeal ruling on business loss

    A family man, ruined by a disastrous hotel venture, has won the right to compensation from solicitors after a landmark Appeal Court ruling. Leonard Longstaff, 54, and his wife Patricia, who died last year, lost their £50,000 life savings when they ploughed

  • New jobs in step with opening

    A TOTAL of 20 new jobs will be created when Kendal's latest store opens its doors for the first time later this month. Shoe chain Famous Footwear has recruited six full-time staff and 14 part-timers for its store on Sandes Avenue, due to be open on August

  • Grave inspiration to Beatrix Potter

    BEATRIX Potter's world-famous cast list has been found on headstones in a London graveyard, writes Karen Barden Peter Rabbett, Mr McGregor, Jeremiah Fisher, Mr Nutkins, Mr Brock and even Mr Tod are all buried at Brompton Cemetery, near to where the author

  • Career Choice: Conservation

    FROM fund-raising to fencing, managing nature reserves to raising awareness of environmental issues - these are just some of the tasks that are all in a day's work for staff at Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Reserves officer John Dunbavin was an electrician

  • Fans flock to Flookburgh

    One of the few major summer events to survive the foot-and-mouth outbreak proved extremely popular as locals and visitors alike flocked to Flookburgh, writes Michaela Robinson-Tate. Young and old people, families, and enthusiasts headed to the Cumbria

  • SAILING: Mistral makes most of mistake

    AFTER an eventful week of racing the Royal Windermere Yacht Club's Forwood Trophy went to John and Tim Baron's Mistral. One win and two second places in the three-race series gave Mistral a total of 49 points, seven more than John Curtis' Deva, with Fred

  • RALLYING: Forests re-open

    THE Malcolm Wilson Rally has the green light to go-ahead this autumn after its postponement on March 3 due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The new date set is October 6 and the high-profile event will include the usual quality mileage within the Lakes

  • BOWLS: Coventry edge

    IT WAS a tale of two greens for Cumbria County Ladies who played their last match of the season against Coventry and District. The home leg was at Victoria, Kendal, and the choice of green proved to be a good one with Cumbria winning eight of the 12 games

  • RUGBY: Kendal choose squad

    KENDAL RUFC named a squad this week to take them into the start of the new season, writes Richard Daniels. The core of last year's successful First XV set-up remain but there are a handful of new faces including ex-Orrell prop/hooker Phil Learney. Cumbrian-born

  • CRICKET: 'Field see lead cut

    THE WELCOME spell of sunshine has made South African Pieter Strydom feel at home at the crease and he made 128 - his highest score of the season for Netherfield on Saturday. However, the Bay Northern League leaders had to be content with eight points

  • CRICKET: All-rounder leads heroic comeback

    KENDAL all-rounder Kevin Howarth and wicketkeeper Alan Fawcett turned what looked a lost cause on Saturday into a tremendous three-wicket victory over Preston, writes Richard Daniels. The 12-point win lifted the Shap Road club up a place to fourth in

  • Special powers to fight virus

    Efforts to eradicate the foot-and-mouth virus from farms in the so-called Penrith spur are set to be dramatically stepped up with the Government expected to announce radical new measures to fight the outbreak. DEFRA has asked the Government for special

  • Cumbrians dig deep

    SINCE the foot-and-mouth crisis began, the people of Cumbria and surrounding area have made heroic efforts to raise money on behalf of the beleaguered farming community. Among the many who have helped are staff from the agricultural banking section of

  • Aid direct

    VILLAGES are being offered direct access to new grant aid and specialist advice to help overcome problems such as accessing essential services, leisure opportunities and community facilities. The Countryside Agency's Vital Villages initiative aims to

  • Highest honours for crisis worker

    THE Rotary club's highest honour has been bestowed on the chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board Chris Collier for her service to the community during the foot-and-mouth crisis. The Windermere branch of the club awarded Mrs Collier with the Paul Harris

  • Bypass planned for A590 accident zone

    RESIDENTS of High and Low Newton were celebrating yesterday after learning that the long-awaited bypass of the two villages has moved a step closer to reality. A Government-sponsored report has recommended that the proposed scheme " should be delivered

  • Toads nearly scuttle waste management plans

    A PROTECTED species of toad almost scuppered plans for five new wastewater pumping facilities in South Lakeland. As part of the Duddon Estuary Wastewater Treatment Improvement project, United Utilities had summited planning applications for facilities

  • Edenfest 2001 comes alive

    THOUSANDS of music fans are gearing up for a festival to remember as Edenfest 2001 takes off next Friday. Three days of unmissable live music promise to attract festival-goers in their droves to the Deer Park, Brougham, near Penrith. The event has evolved

  • Bed blocking epidemic

    ELDERLY patients, well enough to be discharged, are occupying more than 100 beds in Morecambe Bay hospitals, writes health reporter Michaela Robinson-Tate. Figures just released show that last week, 101 beds - equivalent to more than three hospital wards

  • Special powers to fight virus hot spot

    Efforts to eradicate the foot-and-mouth virus from farms in the so-called Penrith spur are set to be dramatically stepped up with the Government expected to announce radical new measures to fight the outbreak. DEFRA has asked the Government for special

  • Animals and jobs to go at Park

    FOUR STAFF are to be laid off at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park after zoo owner David Gill was fined nearly £30,000 at an employment tribunal last week. Mr Gill, 39, was ordered to pay the money within 14 days to Lara Kitson after a Carlisle tribunal

  • A590 roadworks

    DRIVERS travelling along the A590 through Swarthmoor can expect major delays while resurfacing work costing £440,000 is carried out this month. A new road surface that reduces noise levels from passing traffic is being laid for 1.5 kilometres through

  • Hospital scheme gets go-ahead

    A £15 MILLION scheme to replace out-of-date Ulverston Hospital has been given the official go-ahead. Bosses at Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust and the Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust have been given final approval by NHS North West chiefs. The major

  • Traffic torment eases slightly

    KENDAL'S traffic torment eased slightly this week as The Westmorland Gazette's Park at Your Peril campaign started to bite. Motorists appeared to have been on their best behaviour although there were still some ignoring the traffic regulations including

  • Climbing course gets go-ahead

    A CLIMBING and rope challenge course suspended from mature trees is to be created in woodland above the Castle Green Hotel, at Kendal. Professional people attending training courses and conferences at the hotel will use the Tarzan-style outdoor activity

  • Helme Chase looking for new name

    MEMBERS of the public are being invited to have their say over whether Helme Chase Maternity Unit should be given a new name. There is now less than a month to go before the popular unit undergoes the controversial changes that will see it being run by

  • Quality homes

    A NURSING home whose sudden closure rocked Grange-over-Sands last year could be transformed into more than a dozen 'quality' homes. Milnthorpe-based Priory Building is seeking permission to change the use of Grange's former Bay View Nursing Home, which

  • Festival of Light and Water

    LIVE music is once again hitting the streets of Morecambe as the town continues rocking through summer. Just when you thought the seaside resort had enjoyed its fair share of crowd-pulling events, the Festival of Light and Water makes its comeback for

  • Footpath posters bring anger

    A ROW is festering in a lakeside community over notices highlighting re-opened fell routes. In one corner stands Coniston businessman Philip Johnston and in the other the village's parish council, which says consent for the signs is needed. The information

  • Fair shines through gloom

    BRIGHT weather and traditional crafts resulted in a good turn out for a country fair which went ahead against the odds last weekend, reports Beth Broomby. The fifth annual Cockshott Fair, Windermere, which is organised by the National Trust, was smaller

  • Over The Gate by Jeff Swift

    On monday morning, July 23, the news broke that the Prime Minister had ordered the suspension of the disinfection of farm premises in cases where stock had been slaughtered. Wham, bang, everyone was in shock, then later in the day a correction was broadcast

  • Look at Nature by JM

    Way back before 1150, in both France and Spain, it was the 'Malvis'. By 1400, in mediaeval England, it had changed to 'Mavis' - a straight pinch from the French title but corrupted as only the English can. By 1664 it was the 'song thrush', but in much

  • Surveys point to gloomy outlook

    The economic outlook is gloomy, judging by the findings of two national surveys. The CBI's latest quarterly industrial trends survey shows a decline in domestic and export orders, weakening investment intentions and increased job losses. Manufacturers

  • Sports day triumphs

    A CHILDREN'S sports programme and an evening dance will become a regular feature of Ambleside Sports following the success of Saturday's sports fun day at the town's rugby club. Youngsters took part in flat races, boys' sack, girls' skipping and 'round

  • Crisis plays role in bakery closure

    A COMPANY which ran a bakery in Milnthorpe has gone into voluntary liquidation, partly as a result of the foot-and-mouth crisis and low visitor numbers. Lakeland Bakeries Ltd was formed in February last year but, at a meeting of company members in Carlisle