TICKETS are still available for next week’s Ambleside Players’ production of A Bunch of Amateurs, which promises plenty of laughs from the pen of Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and fellow playwright Nick Newman.

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steel arrives in England to play King Lear at Stratford – only to discover that this is not the birthplace of the bard but a sleepy Suffolk village.

Jefferson’s monstrous ego is tested to the limit by enthusiastic amateur dramatic thespians but as his career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner King Lear!

Performances from Tuesday, October 22 to October 26 (7.30pm) at the Kelsick Centre, St Mary’s Lane. Tickets from Fred Holdsworth’s bookshop or online at amblesideplayers.co.uk. 

STUDENTS who are resident in Lakes parish are reminded not to miss out on educational grants from the Kelsick Educational Foundation. Those under 25 years of age and going to university for the first time can apply for the annual basic subsistence grant, plus a one-off first year computer grant.

Second, third and subsequent year students should apply annually for the subsistence grant, plus cost of all course books.

Students in further education, training or apprenticeships are also eligible for certain grants and young people of all ages under 25 can apply for funding for special needs and a wide range of educational activities, including music lessons, swimming, performing arts and sport, as well as annual travel grants for post-16s towards the cost of transport to sixth form or further education college.

All grant applications submitted before October 31 will be considered in the Kelsick’s November grants meeting. Details and grant application form can be obtained by visiting kelsick.org.uk. The form is to be printed off, completed and submitted to the clerk to the trustees at the Kelsick Centre in St Mary’s Lane, Ambleside. Unlimited numbers of grant applications can be made at any time in the year by individual students, to be considered at the next scheduled trustees’ meetings which take place in November, February, May and August. 

SILVER Sunday was celebrated in style when members of Ambleside-Kirkstone Rotary entertained more than 50 older people, all of whom live alone, to a splendid afternoon tea at the Kelsick Centre.

This was followed by a quiz and a medley of popular songs from the shows, performed live by Gary Adams, director of Ambleside’s Theatre Voices.

Silver Sunday, launched in London seven years ago, has become a special day nationally to show how much older people are valued and to celebrate their contribution to the community.

Since Ambleside’s first Silver Sunday four years ago, the popular event has become firmly established on Ambleside-Kirkstone Rotary’s calendar and guests look forward to meeting up again with old friends and enjoying a convivial afternoon together. 

MEMBERS of Ambleside’s fledgling swift group met with other groups from the Swifts in the Community network to share information about their summer’s surveying of the birds in the village.

Group members had found 37 nest sites, in 25 separate buildings. And while the season seemed late, both for birds arriving and departing, some high counts were recorded: 63 feeding over Todd Crag in July, and 45 mobbing a peregrine in June.

For a more detailed report or to join in with the group’s activities next year, telephone Pete Martin on 07816-686166 or email: thorncottage@hotmail.co.

A FREE, fun-packed day for children of primary school age is taking place on October 25 (9.45am-2.45pm) at Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Stile, Langdale.

The day will include stories, music, drama, activities and crafts and is being organised by Holy Trinity and the Network Youth Church. Parents and guardians can leave children for the day, but every child must be registered beforehand for safeguarding and planning purposes.

For detailed information and registration form, email: teresa@teresaonions.co.uk. 

WILLOW lantern workshop sessions will be held from Tuesday to Thursday, October 22-24 to make lanterns for Ambleside Christmas Lights’ lantern procession on the lights switch-on day which is November 16 (10am-noon and 2pm-4pm).

The workshops, at Ambleside Rugby Club, Borrans Road, will be supported by volunteers to help anyone needing a hand.

There will be a cost for materials provided per lantern or you can collect a make-at-home kit from Ambleside Toy Shop, Compston Road. 

AMBLESIDE and District Art Society’s annual art exhibition began earlier this week and is open daily (10am-5pm) and Sunday (10.30am-5pm); finishing (10.30am-3pm) on October 28.

Admission is free, works are for sale unless otherwise stated and the exhibition is showing work by both professional and amateur artists, including some of the best-known names in local art.

There will be greetings and Christmas cards painted by members also for sale plus refreshments are available.