GLEBE markets will recommence on Sunday July 19.

It will be on a smaller scale to ensure it is COVID secure, but the organisers would like to extend an offer to any local traders who may wish to have a pitch.

They have a local offer of £25 per pitch (normal price £40) with an additional £10 gazebo hire if required.

If any local traders would like to book a pitch for 19th please contact us via e mail on nice2bnice90@yahoo.com

The markets are looking forward to getting back on track and welcoming people to the markets.

WINDERMERE Town Council has recently taken the decision to re-open the three public toilet facilities at Bowness Bay, Rayrigg Road car park and Broad Street.

Several changes have been necessary in view of the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Signs and ground markings for social distancing are in place.

Internal hand sanitizers and other consumables are provided.

External sanitizers are now fitted to allow adequate hand sanitation on entry and exit. Hand driers are turned off and replaced with new automatic paper towel dispensers. Each toilet has been fitted with contactless payment at 50p per entry.

Coins can no longer be used. Bowness Bay toilets will have two external stewards for queue control. This is necessary due to

the expected large number of users over the next few months and social distancing rules.

Extra sinks for washing have also been installed.

Each toilet block will now be cleaned regularly every day.

Cleaners will wear PPE equipment. The two disabled toilets will be reserved

for the elderly and vulnerable. Gloves and masks should be worn (these are not provided). It must be stressed that anyone using these toilets does so entirely at their own risk.

For now, the Town Council will be carrying these extra costs.

However, having only taken the toilets over a few weeks ago, putting all these new facilities in place has been a real challenge.

Thanks, have extended to Windermere Lake Cruises for their support and assistance with health and risk assessment and potential stewards. They have also offered to provide free rest and food facilities for the toilet stewards.

But most of all, thanks to our part time Town Clerk, Julie, who has put in endless hours to get us here. Keep safe everyone.

WINDERMERE and Bowness Chamber of Trade have during the Covid-19 lockdown recruited 2 new members - Windermere Rugby Club Ltd and Elaine Rémy, Jamaican Rum Cakes.

It would seem to be the case that were viable, a number of members will have opened their business doors to the public as from the July 4, of course abiding by the government 'social distancing' guidelines.

The Secretary spent a weekend recently, delivering to most businesses in Windermere and Bowness, posters emphasising the need for social distancing.

THE Chamber have been working with Tim Farron MP to draw to the attention of the Government the need to extend financial support to the accommodation and tourism sectors into 2021 as it is envisaged there will difficult times ahead.

Tim Farron MP has had a reply to a letter he wrote to Lord Callanan which was not very supportive. This letter can be seen at www.wbcoft.org.uk/Coronavirus.htm and scroll down to Tim Farron MP. At the request of a member, the Chamber has undertaken a 'cycle rack' audit

throughout Bowness and Windermere detailing the sites and asking those responsible for better publicity as to their location and in one case a tidying up of overgrown vegetation at a site where 12 racks are situated.

Representatives of the Chamber on various outside groups have been involved in 'Zoom' conferences including the Lakes Line Rail User Group and a senior level meeting with Bowness and Windermere Forward.

It is hoped the chamber will be able to hold its first meeting of the 2020/21 season in September.