THE Arnside branch of the Royal British Legion wishes to thank all those who have helped in any way with collecting funds for the annual Poppy Appeal, for which the interim total for this year is already more than £7,000.
In recent years, on three occasions, the total raised has broken the previous record, and on one such occasion we received the County Award for the best collection by a small branch.
In no small part, our success has been due to the efforts of our Poppy Appeal organiser Elaine Willacy, who in recognition last year was the first recipient of the new annual county award of a silver salver for outstanding service.
She has recently retired from the position and is taking a well earned rest, but this means that a successor is required.
Should anyone feel able to take over this important role please contact Elaine on 01524 735409 who will provide further details.
There is still a willing band of helpers ready to assist.

SOUTH Cumbria Rivers Trust is looking for a team of volunteers to help with water quality sampling along Leighton Beck near Arnside.
A monitoring programme is being established in this area between January 2020 and September 2020, focusing on sampling 6-7 different sites at fortnightly intervals.
Sampling will be scheduled across different time frames to include evening and weekend sampling and some wet weather events.
Further guidance and the appropriate kit will be provided to anyone who is interested. 
Please note as a volunteer you don’t have to sign up to sampling fortnightly, sampling can be on a one off basis or as frequently as suits. 
There will also be opportunities during the summer months to undertake some river fly sampling and fish surveys. 
There are plans to run a training session with an introduction to the project and a chance to meet other volunteers in January. 
If you are interested or would like to find out more, please contact jayne@scrt.co.uk.

ARNSIDE and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Beauty volunteers enjoyed their Christmas event when 60 people met at the Silverdale Hotel to celebrate the year of volunteer work and bring in the festive season in style. 
Countryside officer Dougie Watson gave a review of the year with some fantastic pictures of the volunteers’ hard work and exploits.
Former countryside officer Tony Riden came along to catch up with old friends and a wonderful evening was had by all. 
A huge thank to all our volunteers for their hard work and commitment during 2019.

AS the leaves fell and the winter loomed, the AONB volunteer programme switched its focus to habitat management works.
We have been carrying out valuable coppice work in Dobshall Wood for the Woodland Trust, helping Silverdale Parish Council manage Woodwell and Bank Well, as well as starting a programme of works on the Local Nature Reserves - Trowbarrow and Warton Crag. 
Monthly litter picks continue and make a real difference in keeping the area tidy. 
The work that the AONB volunteers do week in week out all year round brings many benefits to the area, its residents and visitors.