Homeland by Clare Francis (Pan, £6.99). Clare Francis's book, set in the Somerset wetlands, takes the reader back to 1946 and the eve of the harshest winter for 100 years. Those who served during the war are returning to a country where there are
LANCASTER City star Stuart Howson can play for the Dolly Blues on Saturday after the FA corrected a bizarre administrative cock-up, which led to the defender receiving a three-match ban. Howson faced three matches on the sidelines after City were notified
Morecambe have solved their goalkeeping crisis with the loan signing of Steven Drench from Blackburn Rovers. Drench, a young England keeper, moves to Christie Park as cover for the injured Ryan Robinson. Robinson was hurt towards the end of Tuesday's
MOTORCYCLE ace James Ellison looks set to become the first British rider in 20 years to win a ride with a full factory-backed MotoGP team. The charismatic Kendalian had looked set to sign for Pramac d'Antin Ducati after a sparkling test drive, but Tech
Gatebeck cyclist Andrew Barlow collected both the senior and the veteran best all-rounder awards at Kent Valley Road Club's annual dinner and prize presentation at the Lindeth Howe Hotel, Bowness. Andrew topped the BAR with an average speed over 10,
Sue retains title ROWING: Kendal athlete Sue Little wowed a 7,000-strong crowd by again winning a gold medal at the 2005 British Indoor Rowing Championship the country's biggest indoor sporting event. Sue (54) raced in the Women's 50-54 lightweight
CONISTON avoided the wholesale fixture wipeout caused by the freeze-up on Saturday and a 2-0 home victory over Carleton Rovers moved them up to second place, two points adrift of Wetheriggs, who have two matches in hand. The win extended Coniston's unbeaten
REMARKABLE runners from Victoria High School, Ulverston, have lifted the main trophy at the British Schools Orienteering Championships for the 11th year in succession. They found their way over the step hillsides and through leg-scratching bramble patches
KENDAL now have sufficient striking talent to go on and win the league, says Town manager Tony Hesketh, but success brings its own pitfalls with Football League clubs eyeing two players with interest. Keeper James Salisbury, who is looking more and more
DESPITE resting five first- team regulars and with two other key players still on the injured list, Kendal Town made it nine games without defeat as they eased into the second round of the Lancashire Cup. Both Town and fellow UniBond League First Division
BOOKS make a great present at Christmas and this year there are some fantastic new titles available. Here are some of the books which many youngsters would be delighted to receive in their stocking this festive season. Love Lessons by Jacqueline Wilson
The life of a "remarkable" man of letters, whose legacy is certain to live on among the lakes and fells which he loved, was celebrated in a ceremony of music and poetry yesterday. Hundreds of mourners braved icy weather to pay tribute to Dr Robert Woof
The life of a "remarkable" man of letters, whose legacy is certain to live on among the lakes and fells which he loved, was celebrated in a ceremony of music and poetry yesterday. Hundreds of mourners braved icy weather to pay tribute to Dr Robert Woof
A busy post office which serves a "honey pot" Lake District town could be demolished to make way for a new outdoor sports shop, it has emerged. Outdoor sports and clothing company Gaynor Sports has lodged a planning application with the Lake District
Half of all GP surgeries across Morecambe Bay are having to re-stock with flu jabs as demand has risen in response to fears over bird flu. Public health specialist Carole Wood said she was not aware of any practices running out of flu vaccine, but stocks
Half of all GP surgeries across Morecambe Bay are having to re-stock with flu jabs as demand has risen in response to fears over bird flu. Public health specialist Carole Wood said she was not aware of any practices running out of flu vaccine but stocks
THE costumed crowds at Ulverston's Dickensian Festival this weekend can get refreshment from a specially-brewed ale designed to recapture the flavour of a Victorian pint. The recently-launched Ulverston Brewing Company has produced their third beer aptly
COCKLERS have rounded on a sea fisheries regulator for threatening the industry by announcing that low stocked cockle beds would reopen when an access point became safe. The North West and North Wales Seas Fisheries Committee announced this week that
COCKLERS have rounded on a sea fisheries regulator for threatening the industry by announcing that low stocked cockle beds would reopen when an access point became safe. The North West and North Wales Seas Fisheries Committee announced this week that
Established British cocklers who worked the sands of Morecambe Bay resented Chinese workers encroaching on their patch and resorted to acts of violence and intimidation to move them off the beaches, a court heard. Chris Mossman who led a team of 15 men
A KENDAL family has been left devastated after their two pet dogs were stolen while out walking in a village near Lancaster. The Lakeland Terriers, an adult female named Griz and her two-year-old pup Manic (pictured) were taken from the vicinity of Halton
This lovely walk of contrasts starts from Elterwater. It climbs over the ridge and down through idyllic Wyke Plantation. It carries on towards Grasmere, where you might wish to dawdle. The return is made along the skirts of Silver How, bearing left before
AN independent school in South Lakeland has responded to the findings of an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading which alleges it has "provisionally" breached UK competition law. Sedbergh School was one of 50 across the country, including Harrow
WHACKING great signs have been put up on the A590 at High Newton telling motorists there have been 470 casualties on the road in the past five years. The figure even surprised me and I know the road and its reputation well, but I can't help wondering
ADVANCED tickets are already available for the nation's premier leisure home show to be held in the North West in January 2006. The Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show will this year celebrate its 10th anniversary as well as the fact that membership
DRIVERS of Rover cars could benefit from a special offer from Vauxhall. Owners of Rover models can reap back some of the value, which diminished following the company's demise earlier this year, in a unique part-exchange or discount scheme offered at
OVER 400,000 people across the North West are planning on buying a used car before March 2006. The figure was released this week by Sainsbury's Bank for the launch of its new online valuation tool designed to give owners and buyers a quick guide to
PLACES are still available on the supporters' coach going to Kendal Town's big match in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy at Worcester City tomorrow (Saturday). The bus leaves Parkside at 10am and seats can be booked by phoning Stuart Brown
FORD'S revised Fiesta and Fusion are now available to view and purchase at Pye Motors' new Kendal showroom. The Fiesta has been given a fresh face both inside and out for 2006 and now comes with new features usually only seen in larger cars. After previewing
MINI fans around the globe are already waiting to get their hands on one of the limited run special edition models due out next summer. Just 2,000 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit will be released in July next year - of which a mere 400 will
THREE welcome points lifted Kendal Town back up into the UniBond League First Division play-off zone, but they were hard-earned against Woodley Sports side who looked a good deal better than their bottom half of the table position might have suggested
The former presenter of One Man and His Dog says that he plans to report the National Trust to the Charity Commission over its decision to split up High Yewdale Farm, at Coniston. Robin Page said he planned to complain to the commission, which regulates
IT'S no secret that cars depreciate faster than unwanted Christmas presents and, as we all know, some lose pounds faster than others. So the only way to attempt to defy this trend, unfortunately, is to invest a fair amount of cash in four wheels in the
THE UK has just launched its first most wanted' website. When checking it, the site appeared to be down' after reportedly receiving more than 21,000 hits in five minutes. Our interest in crime-related news is now out in the open, along with the most
KENDAL could get a 'Christmas present' in the shape of an agreement to increase the size of National League 3 North to 16 clubs and the likelihood that relegation this season would be suspended to achieve it, writes Richard Daniels. The First Division
RISING levels of homelessness may see South Lakeland District Council plough more cash to try to tackle the problem. The number of people recognised as homeless by SLDC has risen by 51 in the last three years, forcing the authority to house people in
PETER Ward is licking his lips in anticipation after the draw for the second round of the United Co-Operatives Lancashire FA Shield handed Lancaster City a possible dream tie with Morecambe. The Shrimps must beat Daisy Hill in their delayed first round
PEOPLE could be breathing fresher air in the future after plans to introduce a no smoking' policy in all South Lakeland District Council-run public buildings was given full support, reports Andrew Daniels. Rather than just creating a smoke-free atmosphere
A NEW farm diversification venture is looking backwards for inspiration to the days when tractors had four legs and ran on oats in a bid to preserve the history of one of Cumbria's remotest rural communities. In the picturesque village of Dent, where
FOUR decades after being cast out to sea, a message in a bottle has washed up on the sands of South Lakeland and awoken poignant memories for the family of the young teen who sent it. A couple holidaying in Cark-in-Cartmel found the battered Coke bottle
A TRUST whose main objective is to restore and reopen navigation of the Lancaster Canal towards Kendal has welcomed proposals to develop a 100-boat marina at Over Kellett. After hearing about the proposal, the Lancaster Canal Trust said it welcomed the
AS the BBC's seven-hour charity extravaganza netted Children in Need a whopping £17.2 million, Pudsey's South Lakeland pals dug deep during a number of events, reports Ellie Hargreaves. From eye-watering leg-waxings and fundraising fish, to fancy dress
Speculation that nuclear power could once again be used to generate electricity in Cumbria is being dismissed by industry experts as "way too premature". Claims that new power stations will automatically be built on existing nuclear sites such as those
PAPER profits at one of South Lakeland's largest employers have shrunk due to a combination of rising overheads and increased pension costs. James Cropper plc notched up interim pre-tax profits of £163,000, on a turnover of £31.5m, compared with £700,000
MUSIC coach Beth Helsby is staging a showcase concert for students of the Yamaha method of learning. The show is part of an open day tomorrow (Saturday, November 26, 1pm-3pm) held by Beth at Kendal College's Creative Arts Centre on Beezon Road, when
A group of nurses, health professionals and patients has launched a fight against what they claim are "shameful" proposals to close wards at Kendal's hospital. Under the banner of NHS SOS Save our Services, the group is campaigning against the proposed
FOUR decades after being cast out to sea, a message in a bottle has washed up on the sands of South Lakeland and awoken poignant memories for the family of the young teen who sent it. A couple holidaying in Cark-in-Cartmel found the battered Coke bottle
SPEEDING motorists will no longer be able to escape detection under cover of darkness as new hand-held night-time enforcement cameras are pioneered across the region in a bid to cut road deaths. Kendal and Ulverston will be among towns targeted after
BARRY Sharkey picks up the baton once again to galvanise the Westmorland Orchestra into action as it gears up for the first concert of the new, exciting series. Rehearsals are apparently going swimmingly, with Barry stepping in to play Beethoven's Piano
THERMAL imaging of plants could be used to help crop growers save valuable water in an increasingly water-scarce world. Lancaster University is leading moves to develop a state-of-the-art irrigation system, which lets growers know when their plants are
A WORKING life spent in the NHS will come to an end next week when Professor Idris Williams retires, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate. Prof Williams is leaving Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust, of which he has been chairman since it was created in 1998
A group of nurses, health professionals and patients has launched a fight against what they claim are "shameful" proposals to close wards at Kendal's hospital. Under the banner of NHS SOS Save our Services, the group is campaigning against the proposed
UNBEATEN Swarthmoor Social Club kept their bid for North Lancashire League Premier Division status on target with a 2-2 draw against Caton United. First Division leaders 'Moor have won nine league games and drawn three, but faced a potential banana skin
THE increasingly dark skies over Kendal and Ulverston will be aglow with thousands of tiny bulbs this weekend as civic dignitaries step forward to switch on the Christmas lights, writes Ellie Hargreaves. An "all singing, all dancing" spectacle has been
HER clients have bitten her, scratched her, they've even wee'd and poohed on her - but a Bowness businesswoman still insists she loves her job, writes Ellie Hargreaves. After sitting at a computer five days a week, Carolyn Smith has swapped her marketing
HUNDREDS of school children and county council staff will be wearing blue today (November 25) to show their support on the final day of anti-bullying week. This year's theme is all about getting children and young people involved in tackling bullying
K SHOES Male Voice Choir is back on the concert trail with a festive feast of song at Kendal Town Hall on Friday, December 2 (8pm). Conductor Martin Webster and the boys' share the stage with the ladies of the Amble Singers in a splendid curtain-raiser
A group of nurses, health professionals and patients has launched a fight against what they claim are "shameful" proposals to close wards at Kendal's hospital. Under the banner of NHS SOS Save our Services, the group is campaigning against the proposed
FOR the second week running, Corinthians were to count the cost of a host of missed chances which cost them victory in this President's Cup game against Norcross. Cors took the lead after only two minutes when a misplaced back-pass was chased down
WESTMORLAND Gazette Business Editor Jim Smith was a runner-up in the weekly newspaper journalist of the year section of the Northern Business Journalist Awards. Jim was one of five business journalists from across the region to be shortlisted for the
AS Britain braces itself for what experts fear could be the coldest winter for a decade, two men will pit themselves against the elements for a daily mountain marathon to protect thousands of lives, reports Ruth Lythe. Global warming and its impact on
BETTER facilities at bus stops, more buses at night and all-day tickets were just some of the ideas put forward to improve future bus services in Kendal. The strong feeling among bus passengers has also prompted calls for a user group to be set up in
THE Home Secretary's proposed shake-up of Cumbria and Lancashire police forces under a sweeping review of the UK's policing structure has been met with mixed views. Cumbria Police Authority expressed its disappointment after Charles Clarke MP told them
HELM Hill's Paul Brittleton won Saturday's seven-mile Kirkbymoor Fell Race by the narrowest of margins. He beat Cheshire's Colin Fray by just one second in the downhill road sprint to the finish outside the village hall in Kirkby-in-Furness. They
BILLED as Cumbria's very own Art Circus', a dazzling selection of paintings, prints and crafts, rolled into Staveley. The show runs until December 4 at the Roundhouse Theatre, doubling as an exhibition space - its circular shape likened to a circus big
'THE Eagles they fly high" goes the old rugby song but on a cold November Saturday at Underley Park the Aspatria variety were grounded. With Law, Slingsby, Storey and Barton all absent, the Kirkby supporters wondered how the rearranged side would cope
A COMBINATION of bright winter sunlight and frost may have contributed to a morning of chaos on a South Lakeland road, reports Ruth Lythe. The morning rush hour on Friday (November 18) saw three separate two-vehicle pile-ups on the A590 at Plantation
HUNDREDS of school children and county council staff will be wearing blue today (November 25) to show their support on the final day of anti-bullying week. This year's theme is all about getting children and young people involved in tackling bullying
A MOTHER has described how she and her young son resorted to living in a tent after falling victim to South Lakeland's "dire" housing shortage. Natalie Searle and her nine-year-old son spent part of the summer living under canvas at a popular Lake District
KENDAL could get a 'Christmas present' in the shape of an agreement to increase the size of National League 3 North to 16 clubs and the likelihood that relegation this season would be suspended to achieve it, writes Richard Daniels. The First Division
It's Taffy Time... TAFFY Thomas performs a tribute to the late television star Johnny Morris as part of the Grasmere Festival of Stars this weekend. Hot Chestnuts and Warm Words on a Cold Night starts at 5.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) and 1.30pm on Sunday
"It was one of those very frustrating mornings. When the weather is doubtful, and an early-morning pitch inspection is arranged, the scenario is always the same. Whatever time is agreed, there will always be an advance party of wise men already on
A WORKING life spent in the NHS will come to an end next week when Professor Idris Williams retires, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate. Prof Williams is leaving Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust, of which he has been chairman since it was created in 1998
CLAIRE Martin scored her first goal for Kendal on Sunday to keep them close to the top of the Cumbria Women's League table. Kendal faced Penrith - both teams playing for their place in the top three of the league - and the game started and finished
KENDAL Men conceded their first home defeat on Saturday at the Cinder Ovens. Visitors Bowdon are one of the main challengers for promotion and the game lived up to its promise as a top of the table clash. It was end to end stuff from start to finish
NEWS that parcels of woodland owned by the Lake District National Park Authority are to be sold has attracted a staggering' amount of interest, staff confirmed this week. More than 50 telephone calls and a further 50 email inquiries have been received
IF YOU'RE keen to keep your car going during the winter, it's likely that a few essential tasks will soon need doing. Topping up the radiator with anti-freeze, having the ice-scraper to hand and maybe even a shovel in the boot will all help to keep you
Now the dark nights are back I thought it might be a good time to go back to basics and take a look at what stars actually are. People have all sorts of funny ideas about stars. Some think they are balls of fire hanging above us in the atmosphere. Others
RENAULT has long promoted the cute and cheeky Clio as a fun car, with a fun image. But the latest version of Renault's runaway best-seller is a bit like a schoolboy getting too big for short trousers: it has now become a wee bit more than a supermini
THE Cumbria Fairtrade Network says it is tantalisingly close to becoming only the second county in England to receive the prestigious Fairtrade County status. The bid received a boost when Cumbria County Council unanimously resolved to back the network's
Gardening tools make excellent Christmas presents, whether you are giving or receiving, but which are the most useful? No point in spending hard-earned cash on expensive tools that will end up languishing in the back of the shed. Last week we looked
Get your baskets out... Steadmans, Sedbergh: Venison from Lilymere estate (Sedbergh). Steaks, T-bones, haunch joints, & diced. Also, venison, pork & cranberry sausage ..................Various prices starting from £2.98 (500g). Hazelmere Bakery,
COMPOSER and guitarist Pavlo has quite a following around Cumbria. So much so, that the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme brings the purveyor of Mediterranean music' back to Kirkby Lonsdale's Queen Elizabeth School on Tuesday, November 29 (7.30pm), and
AMBLESIDE Zeffirellis, 015394-33845. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (12A). Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (U) Sat & Sun. Mrs Henderson Presents (12A). Flightplan (12A). The Constant Gardener (15). The Exorcism of Emily Rose (
A SINGER-songwriter who has worked with Sophie Ellis Bextor and Atomic Kitten is making it her mission to teach Cumbria to sing! Saphena Aziz will be heading up a singing workshop at The Lantern House, Ulverston, tomorrow (Saturday) to mark the launch
BRITISH Sea Power launched Barrow's Canteen & Media Arts Centre as a live music venue in fine style last Thursday. The evening began with an illustrated talk from Terry Hurlock of Barrow's Submarine Heritage Centre because the venue is in the heart of
AIR Of The Gods is Pete Lashley's fifth album and, while I'm not familiar with the first three, I played his fourth album Slate endlessly in the car, on the stereo and the iPod! Slate featured a mixture of both self-penned and well-performed cover versions
TO HAVE your gigs included FREE of charge in the Gig Guide, telephone Ellie Hargreaves on 01539-710155, or send a fax on 01539-720990, or drop a line to the Gig Guide, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, LA9 4DP, at least TWO WEEKS before the
YOU are flying at 37,000 feet, in a new state-of-the-art airlinerso how on earth could a child suddenly disappear from your plane? This nerve-shattering question lies at the heart of Flightplan, a suspense thriller that transports the audience into the
