Archive

  • Sweet taste of success

    One of the makers of Kendal's famous mint cake are licking their lips in anticipation after snapping up the rights of a company which once made Walnut Whip and Rolos a household name. J.E Wilson and Sons (Kendal) Limited and its Creative Confectionery

  • Elections: Parish councillors resign over red tape

    Residents of a South Lakeland hamlet are in political purgatory after members of the parish council resigned over red tape, writes Lisa Frascarelli. All five councillors handed in their resignation in protest of new regulations that meant they would have

  • Election: Candidates for Dalton North and Dalton South

    Dalton North and Dalton South wards on Barrow Borough Council are up for grabs at the elections on May 1. Both councillors representing the two wards have been nominated to stand again. Nominations for Dalton North include: Current Labour councillor,

  • 007 anti-10mph night

    ACTORS Sean Connery and Roger Moore are on the invitation list for a glittering James Bond-themed ball to help raise money for the fight against the 10mph speed limit on Windermere. But the prospect of rubbing tuxedo shoulders with the 007 stars over

  • Asylum fears for PoW camp

    A former prison camp in rural South Lakeland should not be used to house asylum seekers, according to Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins. Fears that Bela River prison site, near Milnthorpe, which was once home to German and Italian prisoners of war

  • Wrestling: Ringleader bows

    "I HOPE Bob doesn't want any redundancy money," said Tom Harrington when Robert Carter of Wigton stepped down as chairman of the governing board of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, for he had been in the job for 32 years, writes Roger Robson. His

  • Cycling: Irish eyes smiling

    ULSTERMAN Michael Hutchinson (Team MDT Giant) comfortably overcame the challenge of Preston's Gethin Butler to win Sunday's Booths Grand Prix/Rudy Project Series time trial around Windermere. The pony-tailed flier covered the testing 25 miles circuit

  • Football: Cowperthwaite gets nod on title hot spots

    DESPITE fielding a side missing five regular faces, Cartmel turned over Premier Division title favourites Slyne-Hest on Saturday and the iconic veteran Colin Cowperthwaite came up with the goods yet again. Cartmel's 1-0 victory avenged an earlier 6-1

  • Research and reunions

    SIR, From 1940 to 1970, Huyton Hill was a well-known boys preparatory school at the north end of Windermere in Pull Woods. It was originally the home of Sir William Crossley of Crossley Motors, Manchester. The setting for the house is magnificent. I spent

  • Over the Gate by Jeff Swift

    I WAS pleased to have several readers tell me they enjoyed reading my piece about the heavy horse stallions and the routes they followed in days gone by. Some of you told me it brought back memories. It becomes more difficult to come up with anything

  • Town drivers face parking challenge

    FRESH calls are being made for park-and-ride to be introduced to help ease pressure on Kendal's parking situation. The introduction of residents' parking zones in Greenside and Fellside has meant that commuters are being squeezed to the outer edges of

  • Park's management being reviewed

    THE National Park Authority frequently consults people on the many different aspects of its work. At the moment, it is consulting partners as part of the review of the National Park management plan. This is the document that sets the framework for managing

  • A bit of a flap

    WITHOUT thoughts of rabies or a potential hefty fine former Blue Peter gardener Chris Crowder leapt to the safety of a drowning bat, reports KAREN BARDEN. As the flying mammal flapped helplessly in Levens Hall fountain, Mr Crowder hooked out the young

  • Roadshow in town

    DUSTY china, ancient silver and a host of old curiosities will be on display at Queen Katherine School, Kendal, when popular BBC series The Antiques Roadshow comes to town on July 24. Doors open at 9.30am but producers warn people to arrive early to avoid

  • New security needed

    WORLD events and the threat of terrorism have made a new secure door entry system at South Lakeland District Council premises even more important, according to the authority. The £25,000 system is to be installed at South Lakeland House and Lowther Street

  • Record breaking temperatures

    THE scorching weather enjoyed across South Lakeland and Furness saw the thermometer reach a record-breaking 25.1C (77.1F) this week. Weather watchers at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Grange-over-Sands said it represents the hottest single April

  • Equine plans

    OLD wartime airfield buildings are set to disappear if plans for a riding centre are given the go-ahead. South Lakeland District Council planners will consider a scheme at Airfield Farm, Flookburgh, for an indoor equine school, livery yard, and small

  • Village outcry at permit fee rises

    TRADERS in one of the Lake District's most popular and picturesque villages say their businesses are at serious risk in the wake of massive car parking fee increases. The cost of Hawkshead parking permits this month rose threefold, from £50 to £150 a

  • Much ado...

    KENDAL Town Council is to show the quality of its mercy, and help South Lakeland District Council back the Royal Shakespeare Company's visit to Kendal. At their latest meeting, councillors agreed to the "judicious use" of a £1,500 sum towards sponsoring

  • Boost for road safety

    ROAD safety is set to receive a £1 million investment injection over the coming year in Lancashire. Life saving measures from improved lighting to speed humps and interactive warning signs have all been mooted in a list of proposed schemes for consideration

  • Plea to town

    BOSSES at the world-class Kendal Judo Club are appealing for help in their search for a new and improved base, reports Rachel Kitchen. The club has nurtured many players for the national judo squad during its proud 45-year history in Kendal, and is keen

  • Buddists secure Lottery funds

    AN ULVERSTON visitor attraction - also the home of many Buddhists - has secured almost £100,000 from the National Lottery. But the £99,600 award from the Heritage Fund will only cover a tenth of the £1.07 million project of essential repair work planned

  • Mountain Festival offers 'The Rock' challenge

    A THRILLING new climbing challenge will be part of the Cumbrian Mountain Festival this Easter. "The Rock" is a spinning, tilting, computerised climbing wall brought from London for the festival to provide the Climbing Wall Challenge which participants

  • This is your life at Rheged

    POPULAR television programme This is Your Life was transplanted to the Penrith visitor attraction Rheged this week when famous mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington became the subject of Michael Aspel's big red book. After being surprised at Heathrow, Sir Chris

  • Fire strike hopes

    FIRE fighters in Cumbria and across the country are being consulted on new proposals which could break the deadlock in the long-running dispute with employers. A possible compromise based around a 16 per cent pay award and changes to working practices

  • Ghostbuster at Muncaster Castle

    April is Tom Fool's time when Muncaster Castle's most famous and proactive phantom comes out to play. Four long nights "ghostbuster" Jason Braithwaite prowled the 800-year-old building, said to be Britain's most haunted house, with more recorded spook

  • Cheers greet Prince Charles during visit

    PRINCE Charles was greeted with cheers from school children and members of the public desperate to shake his hand when he visited Barrow last week. The Prince of Wales came to the new headquarters of Community Action Furness (CAF) on Rawlinson Street

  • Cheers greet Prince Charles during visit

    PRINCE Charles was greeted with cheers from school children and members of the public desperate to shake his hand when he visited Barrow last week. The Prince of Wales came to the new headquarters of Community Action Furness (CAF) on Rawlinson Street

  • This week in Gazette history

    25 Years Ago April 14, 1978 A MEETING, which would be open to the public, may be held soon to discuss plans which include building a new multi-million pound hospital at Kendal. Mr K.W. Ball, secretary of South East Cumbria Community Health Council, has

  • Intruder shooting: man must wait for sentencing

    A retired Broughton man who shot and blinded an intruder in one eye now faces an agonising four-week wait to find out whether he will be jailed after being found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm. A jury at Lancaster Crown Court took five hours

  • Intruder shooting: man must wait for sentencing

    A retired Broughton man who shot and blinded an intruder in one eye now faces an agonising four-week wait to find out whether he will be jailed after being found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm. A jury at Lancaster Crown Court took five hours

  • Campaigning for new playground

    PARENTS in Windermere are on the campaign trail to raise funds for new equipment in a dilapidated children's playground. Shirley Crisp is chairman of the newly formed Queen's Park Children's Playground Committee that aims to raise £60,000 to make life

  • A590 campaigners target transport mininster

    CAMPAIGNERS pushing for the A590 High and Low Newton bypass scheme to be given the go ahead are to press a Government Minister who has agreed to take a look at the notorious stretch of road in July. Transport secretary John Spellar is to inspect the road

  • A590 campaigners target transport mininster

    CAMPAIGNERS pushing for the A590 High and Low Newton bypass scheme to be given the go ahead are to press a Government Minister who has agreed to take a look at the notorious stretch of road in July. Transport secretary John Spellar is to inspect the road

  • Car parking wardens may tackle dog fouling

    Parking wardens and refuse collectors could soon be tackling errant dog owners in a move to stamp out dog fouling on pavements, parks and playgrounds. As part of the drive to clean up the streets, South Lakeland District Council has set about looking

  • First class idea

    STAVELEY villagers can now pick up ceramics with their stamps, and planters with their pensions, thanks to an enterprising venture at their post office. A showcase of Made in Cumbria goods has opened at the village PO, as sisters Gill and Adrienne Ford

  • Hoteliers go beyond bamboo curtain

    A pioneering Lake District hotel chain is testing the waters in a new overseas market which offers massive future potential. English Lakes Hotels is dipping its toe in mainland China, following a flag-flying visit to the country by group marketing manager

  • Outdoor festival success

    A SOUTH Lakeland outdoor retailer jointly scooped a top award at an industry event. Gaynor Sports of Ambleside and outdoor public relations agency MCS won the outdoor industries' retailer promotion of the year award for their October Outdoor Fest, at

  • Kendal Town's big night out in pictures

    UniBond League First Division Kendal tries to claim the Marsden Lancashire Junior Cup crown. The score was Kendal Town 0, Leigh RMI 2 - but the fans cheered on thoroughly enjoying Kendal's first big night out in 30 years. See Sports for the full story

  • Dame Thora Hird stage school planned

    A STAGE school could be on the cards for Morecambe as a fresh vision to breathe life into a local theatre is unveiled as a tribute to Dame Thora Hird. The Friends of the Victoria Pavilion (Winter Gardens) are exploring ways to restore and transform the

  • Police warn women about handbag snatching

    POLICE have issued a warning to local women to keep a firm grip on their handbags after four separate incidents in Lancaster and Morecambe. The three handbag snatches - and one attempted snatch - appear to be the work of opportunist' thieves and are probably

  • Police warn women about handbag snatching

    POLICE have issued a warning to local women to keep a firm grip on their handbags after four separate incidents in Lancaster and Morecambe. The three handbag snatches - and one attempted snatch - appear to be the work of opportunist' thieves and are probably

  • Special events set to continue

    THE additional events organised as part of the 27th South Cumbria Music Festival are to be repeated again next year following their overwhelming success, writes Zoe Casson. A choral workshop, which saw more than 250 children from schools all around the

  • Rail vandals to caught from the sky

    A HELICOPTER with a powerful on-board camera is to target a stretch of railway line in Furness in a bid to clampdown on crime. The helicopter is flying over the line between Barrow and Dalton and the camera will capture anyone spotted vandalising the

  • South Cumbria Music Festival: Friday - Youth vocal day results

    Vocal solo school year 4 up to and including year 6, London Birds: 1 Kirsty McLean, Kendal; 2 James Woodcock, Keswick; 3 Lindsey Hill, Millom. Vocal solo year 4 up to and including 6, own choice: 1 James Woodcock; 2 Kirsty McLean; 3 Paige Cook, Dalton

  • South Cumbria Music Festival: Saturday - Adult vocal day

    Novice solo: 1 Jenni Wilkinson, Aspatria; 2 Gillian Smout, Coniston. Gilbert & Sullivan: 1 Raymond McIlroy, Ulverston; 2 Paul Hoggarth, Workington; 3 Jennie Wilkinson. British Composer: 1 Paul Hoggarth; 2 Raymond McIlroy; 3 Susan Harrison, Flookburgh

  • Taekwondo - Dutch treat

    AFTER a year out due to injury and studies Louise Houlsworth made an amazing return to top-class Taekwondo. In her comeback competition she was up against a world-class field at the Dutch Open the Kendal girl battled her way to the runner-up trophy. She

  • Rugby: Smothered kick spoils the day

    TO GO to Rossendale and win at any time is difficult, but to have to go and win or draw in the final game to ensure safety in North Lancs/Cumbria was always a big ask. The final score was Rossendale 12 - Kirkby Lonsdale 10. The visitors knew this was

  • What's on at the flicks in your area this week

    AMBLESIDE: -Zeffirellis, 015394-33845 Johnny English (PG) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (12A) Chicago (12A) -Zeffirellis by the Park The Recruit (15) Jungle Book 2 (U) Adaptation (15) S Club Seeing Double (PG) BARROW: -Apollo 4 Cinema, 01229-825354

  • Beating a path to new sounds

    A KENDAL drummer has embarked on a mission to create some noise in South Lakeland starting with a gig tonight (April 18). Kendal College Student Dan Williams has set about organising a series of gigs under the banner of slab.c. short for the South Lakeland

  • Skippers' Say - Of orange balls and level playing...

    A NEW season is here again... and the captains of the Netherfield and Kendal Cricket Clubs, Tommy Prime and Dave Fallows have got together to answer a few pertinent questions....over to you skips. How's the ground looking at Kendal and Netherfield? Dave

  • Pick of the Week

    ACTIVITIES: -A FUN activity day to learn about castles and crowns for 4-7 year olds on Tuesday at Kendal Museum. On Thursday for 8-12 year olds come and learn about the Tudors and make a Tudor bag. Book in advance on 01539-721374. -CAMPBELLS on Coniston

  • Checkout

    What's in the shops this weekend with the emphasis, where possible, on locally produced seasonal and speciality food. A Taste of Lakeland, Ambleside: Cumbrian-brewed ale Hawkshead Gold (4.4%) hoppy, fruity & bitter. Also, Hawkshead Red (4.6%) rich

  • Wind turbine self sufficient cottage

    HOLIDAYMAKERS keen to seal themselves off from civilization for a week could soon take advantage of a self-sufficient cottage kitted out with its very own mini wind turbine. The National Trust is hoping to persuade national park planners to give the green

  • Wind farm protesters pack meeting

    RESIDENTS who claim a windfarm on the fells would destroy the landscape and devastate tourism are being urged to oppose the development before it even becomes a formal proposal. There was standing room only at a packed Orton Village Hall where local people

  • Reggae with bite

    REGGAE group Misty In Roots is appearing at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal tonight (Friday, April 18). Emerging from 1970s London with powerful lyrics inspired by the grit of the city and economic decline they were a major force in the Rock against Racism

  • Cricket: Changes made for brighter matches

    THE Cumberland View-Volkswagen Westmorland Cricket League gets undeer way on Saturday week and John Glaister , the league's official historian and 2002 personality of year, casts his eye over the forthcoming season for Gazette readers. ALL Westmorland

  • Cricket: Visa delays Kabir, Prime in charge

    TOMMY Prime takes over the captaincy of Netherfield CC for the new Northern Premier Cricket League season from Grahame Clarke and also the wicketkeeper's gloves perma-nently from Simon Dutton, who has retired. Netherfield, who open the campaign away to

  • Wind turbine self sufficient cottage

    HOLIDAYMAKERS keen to seal themselves off from civilization for a week could soon take advantage of a self-sufficient cottage kitted out with its very own mini wind turbine. The National Trust is hoping to persuade national park planners to give the green

  • Football - Party time in defeat

    The score was Kendal Town 0, Leigh RMI 2 - but the Kendal fans cheered on. Conference side Leigh had a little too much streetwise experience to allow UniBond League First Division pretenders Kendal to claim the Marsden Lancashire Junior Cup crown. But

  • New Beginnings: 11th hour deal clinched

    AN ELEVENTH hour deal to buy a house for destitute street children in Kiev was clinched amid Mafia death threats, reports Karen Barden. Kendal-based charity New Beginnings had raised £20,000 to buy a centre which will provide the first real home for ten

  • 11th hour deal clinched

    AN ELEVENTH hour deal to buy a house for destitute street children in Kiev was clinched amid Mafia death threats, reports Karen Barden. Kendal-based charity New Beginnings had raised £20,000 to buy a centre which will provide the first real home for ten

  • Sports look ahead

    This week's line up. RUGBY Saturday (3pm) Friendly match Kirkby Lonsdale XV v Cumbria Rams Windermere & Furness KO Cup Kirkby Lonsdale A v Windermere A Westmorland & Furness Trophy Upper Eden v Kendal Thirds Merit League Kendal 2nd v Sedgeley

  • Taste of the Lakes entices chef

    WHEN Gazette food writer Gillian Cowburn sent Rick Stein a copy of the newspaper's latest Taste of the Lakes supplement, little did she realise the impact it would have. Rick was so impressed that not only did he say "keep up the good work" but he also

  • Damson Day cheers from celebrity chef

    Celebrity chef Rick Stein has found a new food hero' for his next TV series of the same name. The Westmorland damson looks set to have a starring role when the programme is shown on the BBC this autumn thanks to the best Damson Day to date. Anne Wilson's

  • Purging drivers using mobile phones

    USING a mobile phone while at the wheel makes your reactions slower than that of a drink driver, according to new statistics. At the launch of another purge on drivers using mobiles while at the wheel in South Lakeland and Furness, Cumbria police revealed

  • Lights glitch halts Kendal traffic again!

    FOR the second time in two weeks Kendal's rush hour traffic was brought to a virtual standstill by a technical fault with town centre traffic lights. Angry motorists were trapped in a sluggish queue along the length of Highgate and Stricklandgate from

  • Motorists react to speed cameras

    MOTORISTS are already adapting to a serious police effort to cut road deaths at accident blackspots in Cumbria by warning other drivers that mobile speed cameras are in operation, reports Ellis Butcher. Police getting to grips with the new roadside technology

  • Election: Candidates in the running

    THE fate of town hall control rests in the hands of South Lakeland residents as they head for the polling booth on May 1, reports Lisa Frascarelli. In South Lakeland, controlling parties the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have the most to lose

  • Low-cost Lakes homes plans

    FIVE low-cost homes are being planned for a former allotment at Troutbeck Bridge. Applicant Roger Burrow, of Kendal, is hoping to persuade the Lake District National Park Authority to approve his proposal to build the terraced houses on a half-acre site

  • 007 anti-10mph night

    ACTORS Sean Connery and Roger Moore are on the invitation list for a glittering James Bond-themed ball to help raise money for the fight against the 10mph speed limit on Windermere. But the prospect of rubbing tuxedo shoulders with the 007 stars over

  • Sailing: Folly leads fleet

    A LIGHT south-easterly was forecast for the Sunday's Royal Windermere Yacht Club Flying Fifteen race in the Spring Series. On the lake, the wind direction swung round between south-easterly and southerly, freshening all the time to Force 3, gusting to

  • Hoof it....

    THE JOCKEYS and not the horses will be running at Carlisle races over the Easter holiday. A special jockeys' furlong and a half foot race in aid of Racing Welfare takes place at the Bank Holiday meeting. Saturday's showpiece race is the £20,000 Tote Placepot

  • Swimming: Lam loses by mere hundreths

    ONLY the electronic timing device at Copeland pool could split the top five swimmers in the 50m freestyle sprint as George Lam took second place in a time of 29.59secs for Troutbeck Bridge in the latest round of the Cumbria Age Groups championship. Windermere

  • Cycling: Cowperthwaite gets nod on title hot spots

    DESPITE fielding a side missing five regular faces, Cartmel turned over Premier Division title favourites Slyne-Hest on Saturday and the iconic veteran Colin Cowperthwaite came up with the goods yet again. Cartmel's 1-0 victory avenged an earlier 6-1

  • Thank you council for putting nail in Kendal's coffin'

    SIR, This morning I left for as usual at 8am to travel to work in Kendal, via two school drop-offs. Thirty-five minutes after arriving in Kendal (and 15 minutes late) I arrived at work. As I and several of my colleagues can no longer park on the roadside

  • Speed cameras - an 'unacceptable' form of policing

    SIR, So the scourge of the revenue collection speed camera finally descends on Kendal - it was only a matter of time! Here are 10 reasons why this form of policing is completely unacceptable. 1 It does not work! For 30 years the accident rate on UK roads

  • CommuniGate - thank you

    SIR, I'm one of the mums who has profited by your Communigate Gulf families support scheme. I hope I'm speaking' to the people who helped Pam Flitcroft set it up We don't get your newspaper in this area of the North West (just outside Preston) and I knew

  • The Way I See It

    THOSE posh folk down South never miss an opportunity to have a little dig at the Northern way of life, as shown in this example sent to me by Gazette reader Susan Heyes. On closer inspection it may, however, have been written by a Northerner, as those

  • Burial plan eases fears

    LASTMINUTE plans for a Government-backed carcass disposal scheme look likely to quell widespread fears that a ban on the on-farm burial of fallen stock would plunge the livestock industry into chaos. This week the Government announced it would write to

  • Growing standards at spring show

    THE judges at the 22nd Silverdale Horticultural and Gardening Spring Show held in the Gaskell Hall last Saturday commented on the overall high standard of exhibits. In particular the children's painting and the horticultural exhibits won praised. The

  • Hedge-hunters wanted

    WILLING hedge-hunters are needed to take part in a summer survey of the region's hedgerows, writes Countryside Reporter Lisa Frascarelli. Little is known about the location, condition and age of the county's verdant barriers but it is hoped research collected

  • New group launches campaign to save building

    A MAMMOTH fund-raising effort has been launched by a newly-formed association to keep a building in the heart of Kendal in community use, reports Mike Addison. The Castle Street Centre Association is looking to raise an initial sum of £175,000 to buy

  • Record-breaking micro-beer challenge

    A RECORD-BREAKING ten competitors from across the county took part in the seventh Cumbrian Challenge micro-beer festival sponsored by The Westmorland Gazette, reports Gillian Cowburn. The three-day event held at Burgundy's in Kendal also attracted the

  • Litter outcry

    COUNCILLORS in Ulverston are kicking up a stink about the amount of litter in the town. Coun Phil Lister told members that while walking to the council chamber on Queen Street from his home on Lightburn Avenue he counted more than 100 pieces of litter

  • Fire warning issued

    VISITORS to the Lake District National Park this Easter are being urged to take extra care not to accidentally cause fires which could devastate forests and fells and harm wildlife during the present dry spell. In the past four months only half of the

  • Fiver fetches £750

    A RARE 150-year-old Kendal bank note fetched £720 at auction in London. The monochrome £5 note, issued by the Bank of Westmorland in the early 1800s, had been predicted to fetch £500. The rare currency, which went under the hammer at Spinks and Sons auction

  • Mail for troops

    THE Government has announced a free postal service for personnel in the Gulf. The service, which began Thursday (April 17), is aimed to help cut costs for close family and friends who regularly send mail to relatives participating in the conflict. Under

  • Eighty new jobs hope

    A BID by Asda to expand its Kendal store with the creation of 80 jobs is on the desks of council planners this week. The American-owned supermarket giant has submitted plans to South Lakeland District Council for a 1,200 square metre extension on the

  • Buddists secure Lottery funds

    AN ULVERSTON visitor attraction - also the home of many Buddhists - has secured almost £100,000 from the National Lottery. But the £99,600 award from the Heritage Fund will only cover a tenth of the £1.07 million project of essential repair work planned

  • Mountain Festival offers 'The Rock' challenge

    A THRILLING new climbing challenge will be part of the Cumbrian Mountain Festival this Easter. "The Rock" is a spinning, tilting, computerised climbing wall brought from London for the festival to provide the Climbing Wall Challenge which participants

  • Marathon effort for charity

    Police officer Steve Broadbent is a veteran of many marathons but he surpassed even his own expectations when he managed to complete the equivalent of eight of the gruelling races in as many days. The 43-year-old completed the Paris marathon in two hours

  • Rail strike will have little impact in Lakes

    INDUSTRIAL action by railway workers was expected to have little impact on the numbers of people visiting the Lake District over the Easter Bank Holiday. Members of the RMT rail union were on strike yesterday (Thursday) over the safety role of guards

  • Campaigning for new playground

    PARENTS in Windermere are on the campaign trail to raise funds for new equipment in a dilapidated children's playground. Shirley Crisp is chairman of the newly formed Queen's Park Children's Playground Committee that aims to raise £60,000 to make life

  • Lake District ready for Easter tourists

    THE LAKE District is expecting a profitable Easter Bank Holiday as the area basks in one of its driest starts to spring for decades. Tourists attracted by the unexpected warm weather and a reluctance to holiday abroad during the Gulf War have provided

  • Lake District ready for Easter tourists

    THE LAKE District is expecting a profitable Easter Bank Holiday as the area basks in one of its driest starts to spring for decades. Tourists attracted by the unexpected warm weather and a reluctance to holiday abroad during the Gulf War have provided

  • Women's rugby team met with sexist slights

    SUGGESTIONS for a Kendal women's rugby team have been met with sexist slights from club supporters. Fans, members and officials of Kendal Rugby Union Football Club who gathered this week to shape a "forward-thinking" vision for the 98-year-old institution

  • First class idea

    STAVELEY villagers can now pick up ceramics with their stamps, and planters with their pensions, thanks to an enterprising venture at their post office. A showcase of Made in Cumbria goods has opened at the village PO, as sisters Gill and Adrienne Ford

  • Gold glow

    SHAP-BASED structural engineers JS Engineering Design Ltd kept its gold award in this year's environmental awards scheme run by Carlisle and Eden Business Environmental Network. The awards assess a company's awareness and commitment to environmentally

  • GPs hit out at EMAU rooms

    THE GPs who have been providing vital cover at Kendal's emergency unit have spoken out amid claims that hospital bosses have reneged on a deal over accommodation. Members of the Westmorland Primary Care Co-operative have taken the unusual step of publicly

  • Jobs blow at Kendal Internet company

    A KENDAL-based Internet company has made more than half its staff redundant and is expected to be sold soon as a going concern. LocaVista, formerly known as TrinetIMB, has gone into administrative receivership after experiencing what has been called "

  • Dame Thora Hird stage school planned

    A STAGE school could be on the cards for Morecambe as a fresh vision to breathe life into a local theatre is unveiled as a tribute to Dame Thora Hird. The Friends of the Victoria Pavilion (Winter Gardens) are exploring ways to restore and transform the

  • Craven museum is now open

    THE Museum of North Craven Life, based in Settle's historic Folly, re-opens this weekend for the 2003 season. Among many new attractions, visitors will be able to see a major exhibition entitled Reginald Farrer: the Father of Rock Gardening. Farrer, whose

  • Children help shape forest

    CHILDREN at Ambleside Primary School are to act as consultants for a day to help shape a new playground. They will be spending a special day of fun, play, exploration and creativity at Grizedale Forest on May 1 in an event that marks the beginning of

  • Rehab hostel plans back

    RESIDENTS are gearing themselves up for a new fight to stop a drug and alcohol rehabilitation hostel being built on their doorstep. People living on Benson Street, in Ulverston, launched a campaign to prevent house number three from being converted in

  • War: Swathmoor soldier moved to safety

    INFORMATION from the intelligence unit in the Gulf led to a 26-year-old Swarthmoor soldier being moved to safety. In one of three airmail letters to arrive at his parents house this week in Park Avenue, Swarthmoor, Corporal Colin Opie, said he had been

  • War: A 'strong shoulder'

    AN RAF chaplain who grew up in Crosscrake is providing a strong shoulder and sympathetic ear for squadrons stationed at a coalition airbase in the Gulf. Rev Flt Lt Stephen Radley, 34, has found himself counselling airborne forces and conducting religious

  • South Cumbria Music Festival: Sunday - Brass day results

    Brass solo school year 7 up to and including 9: 1 Peter Jones, Kendal; 2 Simon McCullough, Barrow; 3 Maria Lacey, Askam. Junior Brass solo up to and including year 6: 1 Charlotte Tomlin, Kirkby Lonsdale. Brass solo year 7 up to and including 9, polka

  • Fell Running: Winter title for Harding

    THE curtain came down on the Kendal Winter League season with Inverclyde's Tom Tipping winning the final race on Kendal's Helm Hill, writes Mike Addison. Tipping, who lives in Kendal, was a clear victor with nearly two minutes between him and second placed

  • Rugby: Play-off wait for Windermere

    WINDERMERE'S rearranged Cumbria League fixture with Millom on Saturday was cancelled with the agreement of the league secretary. Millom had reuqested to be released from the fixture because of a previous club commitment and it was called off as the result

  • Rugby: Kendal pulse still beats

    ONLY self-esteem was at stake for Kendal, but the willingness to keep on battling away when a winning chance had gone suggests heart and soul are still in the right place, writes Richard Daniels. The final tally was Wharfedale 48 - Kendal 28. It seemed

  • Youngsters reach for the stars in style

    Rock, pop and dance joined forces in one of the biggest gigs the region will stage this year. Kirkbie Kendal School's Reach for the Stars 3 was a real party atmosphere with the choir's Get Happy kicking off the Tuesday night event. One of last year's

  • Ruth's big fat Greek feast

    When, in the late 70s, Ruth Wharton departed Kirkby Stephen for a short holiday on the Greek island of Antiparos, all the signs were that she would be staying far longer than a fortnight. Unlike Shirley Valentine, it wasn't for love. Some of it was the

  • Angling: Harrop lands Watendlath whopper

    STILLWATER TROUT anglers have been enjoying the exceptional spring weather. A new fishery record was set at Watendlath by boat angler, Tony Harrop, with a 19lb rainbow trout. He also landed 18 rainbows and a brown all on black cat's whiskers. Other anglers

  • Golf: Medal attracts 180

    AN ENTRY of 180 contested Kendal Golf Club's monthly medal. Mark Billington, 70-9-61, won the first division. Steve Rothwell, 70-8-62, was second and Mark Cleasby, 69-6-63, third. Len Cornthwaite had the best gross with a 71. Kendal junior Graeme Archer

  • Gig Guide

    TO HAVE your gigs included FREE of charge in the Gig Guide, telephone Beth Broomby on 01539-720555, or send a fax on 01539-720990, or drop a line to the Gig Guide, The Westmorland Gazette, 22 Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4NE, at least TWO WEEKS before

  • Cricket Skippers' Say column launched

    A NEW season is here again and the captains of the Netherfield and Kendal Cricket Clubs, Tommy Prime and Dave Fallows have got together to answer a few pertinent questions....over to you skips. Get their views in our Sports - Coaches' Corner section.

  • 'Monastic' guitar makers

    DEEP in the heart of Eden a pair of self-styled "monks" are singing the praises of guitars. The Mad Monks Music Company at Orton is the spiritual home of fret-board and pick - a place well worth a pilgrimage! From Baby Taylors to Fender guitars in every

  • Seasoned sound

    SEASONED South Lakeland performers Mountain Road are in session every month in Kendal. Multi-instrumentalist Tony Kelly, bass player Steve Roberts, Robin Dawson on fiddle and vocalist John Shields appear at Dickie Doodles on the first Monday of every