LAKES Parish Council recommended refusal for several planning applications, including Natwest for installation of a security door to service the cash machine after the Ambleside branch closure.

Councillors criticised the design as inappropriate in a conservation area but would not object to a more appropriate design.

Council also recommended refusal of a five-bed local occupancy house on the former Orchard at Elterwater because they felt it was un-neighbourly, there was no proven need, and a five-bed house did not meet NPA criteria for local needs affordable housing.

Councillors objected to a projecting sign for the Lancrigg Hotel, Grasmere because of its dimensions and distance away from the hotel. Grasmere councillors reported hotel and advertising signs were being padlocked to trees and railings in Grasmere.

Council raised no objections to the development of four houses to the north of McIver Lane in Ambleside on land which already has permission for three open market houses.

Councillors said one out of the four would have to be affordable, as stipulated in Supplementary Planning documents for developments exceeding three houses.

Highways were heavily criticised for giving no advance warning of work to resurface the road from Skelwith Bridge to the cattle grid at the entry to Elterwater Common on the way to Chapel Stile, during the busiest time of the visitor season.

Use of the road was so severely restricted that the school bus had to be suspended and quarry wagons unable to get through backed up on minor roads.

County councillor Will Clark said he had not been informed either and would look into the matter.

Tennis players climbed a fence one evening to access Lakes PC’s White Platts recreation ground when it was closed, and played on newly refurbished tennis courts, which had been placed out of use for four days to allow the surface to dry.

Fortunately no damage was done, and councillors suggested treating the wire fence with anti-burglar paint. Summertime evening opening will be considered.

AMBLESIDE Kirkstone Rotary is appealing for children’s outgrown shoes to send to children in countries where walking with shoes is rare.

Ambleside Kirkstone Rotarians will send donated pairs to Sal’s Shoes, a charity which has sent nearly 200,000 pairs to needy children in Africa and other places, and they need wearable, clean shoes to fit primary-age children.

These include flip flops, sandals, school shoes, slippers, trainers, winter boots and football boots.

They must have solid soles without holes, and laces for shoes that need them.

Donated footwear can be left in the container in Ambleside Parish Centre foyer, for more information contact Allison on 33241 or go to www.salsshoes.com

A NEW trophy will be presented at Ambleside Sports on Thursday, July 27, in memory of sports stalwart, the late Gerry Meneaud, who was well known as a fell runner and an expert trail setter for the hound races.

The Gerry Meneaud Memorial Trophy will be presented to the top hound trailer, who was a loyal and hardworking member of the sports committee.

Ambleside Sports begins when the town crier’s bell is rung at midday and the first event at 12.05pm is the Rydal Round. Cycle and track events and heats will run throughout the day, as well as Junior and Senior Guides races and hound trails.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling events begin with under-12s boys and girls up to senior classes and the Women’s All-Weight World Championship is at 1.50pm. The popular Children’s Sports for toddlers and children aged 4-13 are at 2pm. The sports will have a food court, trade stands, children’s rides and games, climbing wall and live brass band and ukulele band. Local beer will be sold at the bar, with a Pimm’s Corner in the marquee. Gates and car park open 10am, and sports ends at 5.30pm.

Details on www.amblesidesports.co.uk