AMBLESIDE Parish Centre is acting as the hub for information and resources needed during the Corona outbreak.

Anyone willing to volunteer to help the community should register at the Cherry Didi shop at Market Cross where volunteers will be coordinated.

To find out people’s most urgent needs, Parish Centre staff want those self-isolating to list their requests, such as dog walking, delivering shopping or light gardening. Welfare phone calls can also be made to those isolated at home. Those needing hand soap can take empty bottles to be refilled to the Parish Centre, at a small charge.

Centre Manager Caroline Gunning is also asking for donations of wool so that knitters who are isolated at home can use the time to knit items to include in Christmas Boxes of Hope.

The Parish Centre would also appreciate donations of non-perishable food such as Long-life milk and tinned goods as well as cleaning products to make up welfare packs and supplement the Food Bank. More details on Facebook @amblesideparishcentre, follow the link to corona virus support group.

AS THE country faces Coronvirus, people living in the Ambleside area can offer up a collective prayer from wherever they are at 09.15 each morning.

Team Rector Revd Beverley Lock said that if prayer is not their thing, people could spend a few moments of reflection instead: “The idea is that all who can, at the same time, stop for a couple of minutes together and reach out of themselves to each other.

People may not be able to meet physically but can join their thoughts and prayers together so nobody needs feel that they are alone,” she said.

St. Mary’s Church will continue to be open for private prayer, with prayers to pick up at the back of church to help guide reflections. Prayer requests can be left on cards on the window sill, to be prayed for each Wednesday.

LAKES Parish Council’s office upstairs in Ambleside Library will now open on Fridays only for the time being from 10:00 - 17:00, and there will be no council meetings until at least May 6.

Throughout this period, the Clerk Michael Johnson will respond to any Parish issues, phone 07706 847112 or 015394 31656, or email lakesparishclerk@yahoo.co.uk.

AMBLESIDE'S Armitt Museum has closed until further notice and its exhibition celebrating the centenary of Canon Hardwick Rawnsley will take place at a later date.

DONATIONS of staples such as cereals, tinned food, pasta, cleaning products, toiletries, baby formula and nappies are needed by Ambleside Food Bank, which remains open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the Parish Centre.

AMBLESIDE Choral Society cancelled all further rehearsals this term.

The coffee morning due to take place yesterday was cancelled as well as the Society’s performance of Bach’s St John Passion on May 9 in Ambleside Parish Church.

AMBLESIDE Rotary Club’s VE Day concert with Burneside Brass Band in St Mary’s on May 8 is also cancelled.

AMBLESIDE Sports AGM and supper at The Salutation due to take place tonight Thursday March 26 has been cancelled, but the organisers hold out every hope that the Sports will be able to take place on Thursday July 30.

FRESHER'S Café staff outwitted all the other teams to win Ambleside/Kirkstone Rotary Club’s ‘Smarty Pants’ trophy in its recent Big Easy Quiz at the Kelsick Centre and raised almost £600 for Rotary charities.

CUMBRIANS, especially the housebound, should guard against cold callers and be extra vigilant of threats posed by telephone scammers who may target increasing numbers of people at home as a result of the spread of Coronavirus.

Scams could include bogus health products, offers to check for coronavirus in your home and false claims about a new government tax refund programme. The County's Trading Standards Authority urged people to speak to elderly and most vulnerable neighbours warning them about the potential risk.

People self-isolating are warned never to hand over their bank or credit card or PIN number to anyone who offers to do their shopping.

PRIOR to Coronavirus cancellations, Ambleside Action for a Future held a day of planting, growing and compost-making at the Kelsick Centre.

Handmade wooden window boxes were planted up with herbs and pollen rich flowers and given to those Ambleside residents who had a suitable space for them.

Children were helped to plant up their own pots to take home and Luke Evans, head gardener from the Samling, demonstrated how to grow intensely flavoured and nutritious micro salads.

Master composter, Pete Martin, gave a fascinating illustrated talk on how to make good compost and experienced gardeners, Sally Capewell and Rebecca Costello, who is restoring the kitchen garden at Allan Bank, along with herb expert Jennifer Moffett from Holehird advised on all aspects of growing things.

Cakes from Rattle Ghyll were appreciated by all.