Contentious Issues

In their e-letter to the Open Forum, John and Whin Inglesfield take issue with my comment in Strange Creature In Hedgerow that the Sedgwick Road footpath is much the better for the hedgerow having been cut on both sides.  

Their contention is that the "slashing and hacking" process has so badly mauled the hedge in parts that it may never recover and that it should have been properly laid by traditional methods.

They may have a point but something had to be done as the footpath had become terribly overgrown.  It's just a pity that the non-hedged part at the southern end has not been tidied up as well.

What do you think?

Whilst on the subject of contentious issues, word has reached Natland.info that not all residents agree with the comment in the minutes of the recent Parish Council meeting concerning the proposed Holmes site development that "Light pollution is NOT a contentious issue in Natland (despite the comment in the Design and Access Statement)".  See Holmes Site Discussed.

What do you think?  Is there too much stray light pollution obscuring the night sky or is the lighting an essential part of village life?

And while we are at it, what else annoys you about modern village life?  

• Creeping urbanisation?
• Traffic sign clutter?
• Irresponsible dog owners?

Why not share your thoughts on the Open Forum?

Editor, 3rd September 2010

Lock Up Your Bikes

South Cumbria Constabulary are investigating an increase in cycle thefts and would urge the public not to leave cycles unattended and to report any suspicious activity to police on 0845 3300 247

Donna Taylor, Cumbria Police, 3rd September 2010

Prize Draw Warning

John Fisher reports that someone has been calling door to door asking for the homeowners' names and telephone numbers and this caused some concern. Cards for a prize draw on 7th December 2010 have been handed out.

The cards mention:

KDA (UK) Trust:  There was an unflattering article in Wigan Today in January 2010 about this business and their prize draws.

KSC Ltd: This is registered as a vacuum cleaner sales and service company. Again, John found some unflattering comments about the Kirby Service Centre.

PSGD: no information has been found about the administrator of the draw. The intials appear on the KDA Winners website but only in the South African section and the address given appears to be a private terraced house in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

Anyone providing personal details in response to these calls should be aware that they are likely to be contacted with "an invitation to receive a gift for watching a demonstration of a Complete Homecare System..... in the comfort and convenience of your own home".

Editor, 2nd September 2010

Scrapbook 2 #05
Reaping For Victory

The Westmorland Gazette of 17th August 1940 carried this photograph and text

Harvesting in Natland Park

The binder reaping for victory at Natland Park, near Kendal

Reproduced with the kind permission of The Westmorland Gazette

The photo below is Judith (ex Kendall) Slater's from about the same time.

For more items of Natland of yesteryear, see From the Scrapbook and Scrapbook 2

Arrest on Helm

Holmes Site Discussed

The minutes of the Special Council Meetingon 23rd August to consider the development plan for the Holmes of Natland Sedgwick Road site can be seen by clicking on Minutes.

Editor, 1st September 2010

Cormorants on the Kent

I was walking with my wife down at the river on Monday morning and noticed a cormorant standing on a rock looking out for food. It then proceeded to jump into the river and then disappear under the water.

I'm not sure how common this bird is around here, but I managed to get a couple of photos of it on my iPhone (attached).

John Johnstone, 1st September 2010
Click on the photos for a fuller picture

Happy Days on the Canal 2

I read Brian's article Happy Days on the Canal with interest. I, too, can recall there being fish up to end of the stretch down Hawes Lane. My sister Geraldine used to take me for walks down there, in particular there was a wood we called "Bluebell Wood" on the west side of the canal which used to have literally millions of bluebells.

When I got to the age of 12 or13, my cousin Martin and I used to cycle from home to Stainton to where the canal now starts. Complete with rucksack full of sandwiches, pop, fishing tackle, selection of worms from Mr Dodgson's manure heap at Natland Hall, and even a few maggots from recently departed hedgehogs we would pass on our way there. Times were hard then!

No restrictions on when you got home, no mobile phones to bother you, parents were unworried as to who you might come across, what good times they were. And the fishing was brilliant..

Good times indeed!

Steve Sharpe, 1st September 2010

Your Heath Service Needs You

The Future of Health Care in the South Lakes

South Lakes Health Action invites You to a Public Meeting
7 p.m. Thursday 9th September at Kendal Town Hall

Speakers:

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale:
The White Paper: the Coalition View,
a Personal View and Opportunities Locally

Dr Hugh Reeve, Leader of Local GP Consortium:
A GP's Perspective on the Local Provision of Services

John Kaye, Shadow Governor, UHMB NHS Trust:
Whose Trust is it Anyway?

Followed by Questions and Answers, chaired by Dr Colin Wilkinson

St Mark's Parish News

The new edition of St Mark's Parish News is now available in the church, price 50p
or it can be ordered from Peter Crossley on 01539 734835.

This includes:

• Hasn't September come around quickly by Martin Jayne
• The Helm Group Worshipping together
• Natland Parish Council Summary
• Appeal for Pakistan
• A prayer for deliverance from the Christian Aid Website
• Ethical Investment- Does Social outweigh Financial Return?
• The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
• St Mark's Church History Exhition
• Plus details of all Church Services and Events this month

Old editions of St Mark's News can now be downloaded from the Church's dedicated page: St Mark's Church.

Natland Weather Report 2010

August was yet another month with lower temperatures than usual. Global cooling seems to have taken over!  Rainfall a bit lower than average so good for the visitors

Summary of the Year

January was quite dry with just one very wet day on the 16th. We had some snow mainly during the first week. The main feature of the weather was the freezing temperatures, the coldest average I have recorded for January by 2 degrees! Some years it has been over 5 degrees. Last year was low at 2.5 degrees, so perhaps it is the start of a mini ice age!

February was another exceptionally cold month; the first time I have recorded an average of zero!  It was, however, fairly dry with a couple of snowfalls.

March was another cold month with a short spell of warmer weather near the end before winter returned. The warmer period was due to a westerly wind which brought rain after a very dry fortnight.

April started cold but, towards the end of the month, it started to feel more Spring-like.
It was very dry with recordable rain falling on only ten days.

There was a very cold spell early in May, when I was away, so the average temperature should be a bit lower. Rainfall was very low with most of it falling in the last few days.

June was yet another dry month, the rain on 28th / 29th being the first for 15 days.
The latter part of the month was very warm.

The drought is over! We had several days in July when over an inch of rain fell. It is interesting to note that the 12 months to the end of July produced 53 inches of rain. This is about normal so, despite the dry spell, it has averaged out.

 Statistics and comment kindly supplied by John Dobson

Natland.info Update

August has generally been a quiet month for Natland.info but not this year.  The number of visitors to this website in the month was a record 1,730, no doubt helped by the fact that there were seven separate Update Alerts.

One change to the website may have gone unnoticed- the Features page has been redesigned to make it easier to find those otherwise potentially difficult to find special topic pages.

The discussion on High Speed Broadband has had an unexpected spin-off benefit. Following an e-mail from one Natlander about the Kencomp Radnet service having seemingly got faster, I went to my normal speed test site, Think Broadband, and discovered that they now offer a program, ttbmeter, that runs on your computer in background and monitors your broadband usage for you continuously, thereby providing you with periodic statistics of both speeds and quantum of useage.  First impressions are that it could be very useful in keeping tabs on actual speeds experienced.

 Editor, 1st September 2010

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Log of visitors to the Natland.info News page:

If you are not on the list to receive Update Alerts by e-mail (i.e. notification when significant new items are added to the website so that you don't have to remember to visit it) click on and send us a blank e-mail.  It is secure and your e-mail address will not be abused for other purposes! 

If there is anything that you think we could do better or if there are particular ideas or suggestions that you would like us to explore, do get in touch. The simplest way is to click on the link to send me an .

Broadband Confusion 3

Richard Hewlett has provided more information about the Broadband Confusion.  He told Natland.info that when the trench was being dug past his house on Oxenholme Lane, he asked the BT workmen what was going on?  He was informed that the previous government had decided that every school should have fibre optic high speed broadband. He asked if it meant that the village would benefit?  The answer was that the cable was big enough to serve the whole village but there was not the remotest chance that this would happen.  What was more likely was that a copper cable would be run to Natland from the junction box at Murley Moss.

If correct, this would seem a sub-optimum yet more expensive solution!

Editor, 26th August 2010

Scrapbook 2 #04
The Natland Park Farm Fire

On 1st August 1937 there was a fire at Natland Park Farm which became the subject of a Westmorland Gazette article:

NATLAND FARM FIRE
100 Tons of Hay Destroyed

In all, the firemen played over 36,000 gallons of water on to the fire.  Part of a building containing about 25 tons of hay had to be pulled down and the contents removed.

Article reproduced with the kind permission of The Westmorland Gazette
Thanks to Judith Slater for the photos.

For more items of Natland of yesteryear, see From the Scrapbook and Scrapbook 2

The Train Approaching Platform 2

Meanwhile, Pat Williams advises the following anticipate steam visits:

Saturday August 28th: 46201 Princess Elizabeth departs from Crewe northbound and passes through Oxenholme at 10:41 a.m. on its way to Carlisle, returning via the Settle and Carlisle line.

Friday 3rd September: The West Highlander (day 1) 45690 Leander will be north bound and is scheduled for watering at Oxenholme from 10:03 to 10:35 a.m..

Monday 6th of September: The West Highlander (day 4)  45690 Leander will be south bound around 16:20 p.m..

Click on Steam for Natland.info's locomotive archive.

Editor, 25th August 2010

Strange Creature In Hedgerow

The Unique Station Cottages

The Station cottages

Of the Station Cottages, in recent years only 4 & 5 have been occupied as housing, 2 & 3 were converted into offices but are now empty and No.1 has been derelict since about 1939.

Editor, 21st August 2010

Broadband Confusion 2

Further to the recent item High Speed Broadband Confusion, Sarah Roberts wonders if Keith Jackson's comment on the BT lines entering Natland via Helm Lane refers just to those on the Sedgwick exchange and whether the gateway for those in the village on the Kendal exchange is different?

Martin Tetlow reports that the BT men putting the cable down Oxenholme Lane told him that they had connected to the main large optic cable that runs to the hospital and that this is now an extension from there.

Can anyone add anything further about the prospect of high speed broadband in Natland?

Editor, 21st August 2010

Gone But Not Forgotten

George Wenman (remember George's Story ?) reminisced about the lost horse chestnut tree at Appletree, formerly St Mark's Children's Home, that was reported in the item Conker Tree Gone.  George wrote to Natland.info saying:

What a shame.  The boys from St Marks must have had thousands of conkers from that tree, a lot of them brought down by throwing sticks up into the tree.

Having acquired them, a horse shoe nail from the Smithy on the way to school was ideal for driving a hole through the centre.  As I remember we didn't have a preference for bootlaces or string.

We had a whole lot of fun without any thought of The Health & Safety Aspects

George Wenman, 20th August 2010

Happy Days on the Canal

More reminisences came from Brian Nicholson, this time about the canal in Natland.

Do any of our readers remember the fishing matches which were held on Sundays on the Canal down Hawes Lane in the early 1950s?

The Canal was blocked off at the bridge and the stretch towards Larkrigg was used for competitions with anglers coming from as far as Wigan. I spent many weekends and school holidays fishing for Perch and Roach. I also had a home-made rod which I used for catching Pike of which there were quite a lot, some very big. I used to ride my bike along the towpath as far as Crooklands where the best Roach could be caught.

I remember having to buy a Iicense and carry it at all times when fishing. I used worms, bread and maggots for bait and remember my mother not being very pleased when she found a tin of maggots in the kitchen.

I also remember an older angler instructing me the skills required to catch Tench which were on certain stretches of Canal.  My mother used to gut and clean any fish I brought home and fry them for me. I made my own floats from bird feather quills or corks and painted the tops bright red. In summer time, the village lads would sit on long planks left by British Waterways and paddle along the canal towards Larkrigg.  I cannot remember anyone falling in. In winter the canal always froze over so we would all be there skating and enjoying ourselves.  When spring came we would walk the canal banks looking for Waterhen Coot and Duck nests or climb trees in Larkrigg wood if we spotted a nest.

Great times...

 Brian Nicholson, 20th August 2010

High Speed Broadband Confusion

Martin Tetlow got quite excited recently at the prospect of high speed broadband reaching Natland.  He wrote to Natland.info:

No doubt you are aware that BT have been installing a fibre optic cable down Oxenholme Lane to the school. The workmen say that we can all have fast supply from it if we can get a transmitter on the school (especially in the evenings when school is closed).

However, Keith Jackson was less optimistic and was far from sure that the work was for BT.  He explained:.

I know that Lancaster University have their own network linking schools etc. Could it be fibre provided for them? I am pretty certain it's nothing to do with broadband access for Natland. If it were BT, then the network enters the village via Helm Lane, and not Oxenholme Lane. I would have expected any fibre provision to be delivered down Helm Lane. It sounds like whoever is providing it, it is coming from Kendal. Just because contractors advertise they work for BT, doesn't necessarily mean that that particular job is for BT.

Can anyone provide the definitive explanation of what has happened and whether Natlanders will be able to benefit?

Editor, 16th August 2010

Princess Steps In For Duchess

For the second week running, the Duchess of Sutherland was replaced by Princess Elizabeth for the trip through Natland on Saturday morning.  Martyn Hill captured her in full flow near Sedgwick.

Pat Williams advises that Princess Elizabeth will be back on Saturday 28th August, departing from Crewe northbound and scheduled to pass through Oxenholme at 10:41 a.m..

Editor, 16th August 2010

Name That Vicar 3

Regarding Name That Vicar 2, Steve Sharpe told Natland.info:

Is it Reverend Marrs, vicar from 1950 - 1957 ?  
Barry Charnley thinks so but John Inglesfield disagrees.  
What do you think?

Editor, 16th August 2010

BT Telephone Scam

Natland.info warned last year, thanks to June Tower, about a devious telephone scam of which to beware. See Telephone Scam Explained.  Cumbria Police advise us that it is still happening:

Please be aware of a very convincing scam from someone claiming to be from BT. This person called claiming to be from BT with the name John Peacock with an African accent and demanded payment of £31 or he would disconnect the line and there would be a £118 reconnection fee.

To demonstrate that he is from BT, the caller said he would disconnect the line then reconnect and call back. The recipient put the phone down then picked it up again, no dial tone and could not dial out. The caller then called back stating "Is this enough proof that I am from BT?"

The way the caller did this is when you put the phone down, the call is still connected as he has not hung up (the person who initiates the call is the only one who can terminate it), instead he put the call on mute. This means you cannot dial out as he is still on the line but you cannot hear anything. When the caller heard the phone had been put down, he simply called back.

The caller will give the BT business phone number 0800 800 152, which is the actual number for BT but this is just another way he tries to prove he is from BT.

Please be vigilant and pass this message to as many people as possible. Do not make any payments over the phone without validating the caller's information first.

If you need any more information please call Cumbria Police on 0845 33 00 247.

Luke Chandler, Cumbria Police, 14th August 2010

Scrapbook 2 #03
1935 Natland Sports Results

The Westmorland Gazette of 8th June 1935 reported on the Natland Sports held the previous Saturday.

Reproduced with the kind permission of The Westmorland Gazette

For more items of Natland of yesteryear, see From the Scrapbook and Scrapbook 2

Natlanders Targetted by Rogue Trader

At least two Natland households have, this week, been targetted by the firm mentioned in the recent Police Warning about Rogue Trading.

In one case, the caller described himself as calling from the National Crime Prevention Agency and said that as the house had a LA9 address it qualified for the installation of a security system worth £2,000 for just £1 and proposed to send someone round to survey the property.  This was described as being part of a government scheme.

In the other, to a number that is supposedly protected by the Telephone Preference Service- a fact conveniently ignored by the caller- he said he was from the Crime Research Group.  He referred to Neighbourhood Watch schemes and stressed how closely they workd with NHW and the police.  The offer was the same.  He went on to give details of the SAS Fire & Security Ltd website and telephone number 0870 760 7770.  As requested by the police in the recent item, the call has been reported to Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 and the spokesman asked that anyone else receiving such a cold call should do likewise.

Editor, 13th August 2010

Conker Tree Gone

With the conker season approaching, boys and girls in Natland will be disappointed to discover that one of the village's best source of conkers exists no more.

Clair Davies, Principal of Appletree, told Natland.info that they were very sad about it but the Horse Chesnut tree by the lane to Cracalt Farm was diseased and could have been dangerous.

Editor, 13th August 2010

Name That Vicar 2

Special Parish Council Meeting

The development of the Holmes of Natland site on Sedgwick Road will be the subject of a special meeting of the Natland Parish Council in the Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Monday 23rd August.  See Agenda.

The plans for the "Demolition of Nursery buildings and erection of 12 houses including 4 affordable units, together with associated access works" can be seen at SL/2010/0653.

Kevin Price, Clerk to Natland Parish Council, 12th August 2010

Scrapbook 2 #02
1935 Natland Open Sports

as advertised in the Westmorland Gazette.

Reproduced with the kind permission of The Westmorland Gazette

Next time in Scrapbook 2:
The Results and a "tense moment" of life-endangered drama at Natland Sports.

 Silage Trailer Overturns

These pictures show the aftermath of a group of tractors going at some speed through the village.  They were collecting silage from a field at the end of Long Meadow Lane, turning down Abbey Drive then on to Natland Park farm, I believe.

Luckily no-one was passing when the tractor in the pictures lost control on the corner of Long Meadow Lane and Abbey Drive.

Ken Petcher, 6th August 2010

Centenary Quiz Results

A big thank you to everyone who purchased a Centenary Quiz and a special thank you to Jim Cooper, who helped sell so many. In all about 120 were sold and I received 33 back, most of them completed but a few did have some spaces.

Nobody managed to get 100%, there were a few questions that caused people problems: Mallard set the World SPEED record in 1938; Redgrave won his FIFTH gold medal not his FIRST in 2000; JFK middle name is Fitzgerald not Frederick, 1963 question.

There was one mistake on the quiz sheet which I apologise for, 1957 should have read (7, 8) not (7, 7) so answers with Sputnik followed by Launched, Liftoff, Landed were accepted

I had six entries that managed to get 99 correct so their names were put in to a bowl and the Centenary Committee members drew the three winning names out at their last meeting.

1st place: Mrs J Evans of Filby, Great Yarmouth

2nd Place: The Outhwaite Family of Natland

3rd place: Mrs J Ratcliffe of Natland

For the full set, click on Answers.

David Walker, 6th August 2010

Rogue Trading
involving SAS Fire and Security Ltd and Crime Research UK

There has been an increase nationally in the number of older people receiving unsolicited telephone calls from a company offering the installation of security systems. Cumbria Constabulary wish to alert Neighbourhood Watch members to a company trading as
SAS Fire and Security Ltd. They also use the name Crime Research UK and carry out telephone cold calling to arrange the visits. Other names may be used.

Recipients of unsolicited calls should treat with caution calls that say or indicate they are:

• from a company who fit security systems that are linked to the local police
• offering only four houses in the road a free security system
• from the National Crime Prevention Unit and giving away four free alarms in the area
• offering monitoring alarm systems with a guaranteed response from the police
• offer finance through First Cheshire Finance

Whilst the alarms are installed free, or for a nominal cost of £1, the ongoing maintenance costs are very high and there is a large cancellation fee.

An injunction was obtained in a Scottish court (but enforceable in England also) which prevents the company from indicating they have approval of any authorised body (Police / Government / Local authority) or describing the alarm as "free" or "gratis" or engage in aggressive commercial practice.

This company is being investigated by Scambusters - the Trading Standards Regional Fraud Unit.  All calls relating to cold call telephone calls by SAS Fire & Security Ltd or Crime Research UK should be referred to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 33 00 247.

If you, or other person known to you, have had dealings with this company and are having problems with your contract, you should contact Graham Thompson of Scambusters on 01372 371 687 or via .

If you do not want to receive unwanted calls, you can register with the Telephone Preference Service, on line at, or by calling 0845 070 0707. This is a FREE service.

If you would like any further information, please call Cumbria Police on 0845 33 00 247.

Luke Candler, Cumbria Police, 6th August 2010

Name That Vicar

Scrapbook 2 #01
Bonny Jane and the 1935 Jubilee

Third World Clothing Collection

Cycling Along The Danube

The first meeting of the Natland Monday Club for the 2010-11 season will be on Monday 20th September when the speaker will be Norman Godfrey.  

His subject will be "Cycling along the Danube and the Inn" - a musical journey.

Subscriptions (still remaining at £6) are now due.

Paul Singleton, 3rd August 2010

Thick and Fast

Like the steam and smoke, the times are coming thick and fast! In addition to the already announced visit of 6233, The Duchess of Sutherland, on Saturday August 7th around 10:40 a.m., the following week (Saturday 14th) at the same time sees the return of 6201, Princess Elizabeth, northbound through Oxenholme.

Pat Williams, 3rd August 2010

A Day on The Fellsman

Meanwhile, Christine Moore had a day out on The Fellsman last week.  
She told Natland.info:

The Fellsman (Settle to Carlisle steam train [LMS Jubilee Class 5690 "Leander" on this trip]) runs every Wednesday between 28th July and 8th September. You have to board at Lancaster at 0805 - the nearest station to Kendal. From there the train picked up passengers at Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn, Clitheroe and Long Preston. We were well looked after by the voluntary staff, who supplied us with interesting literature, maps, etc. However, we are still waiting for our complimentary hot dog!  There is a buffet car, but we took a picnic to avoid wobbling up and down the many coaches - I think there were 11.

The trip is well known for its magnificent scenery - limestone peaks, deep valleys, over the "roof of England" to the 24-arched viaduct at Ribblehead - a masterpiece of Victorian engineering.

The engine had to work hard to climb to the 24-arched Ribblehead viaduct with stunning views of the three peaks before entering the very long Blea Moor Tunnel, before emerging into Dent Dale. As we approached Garsdale we saw sweeping views of Wensleydale with our engine in full flight as we climbed at 1 in 100 towards the summit of Aisgill.

Then on through the Eden Valley to Appleby, where we stopped for water and a photo opportunity. Passengers were then invited to leave for 4 hours in Appleby, or move on and instead spend two hours in Carlisle.  

After leaving Carlisle, we retraced our journey mid-afternoon, stopping once more at Appleby for water and collect those passengers who had originally left the train to sightsee there, our return giving us another opportunity to experience the beauty of the high Pennines.  We arrived back in Lancaster early evening.

For train buffs, other trains making this journey are:

• LMS Royal Scot Class 46115 'Scots Guardsman'.
• LMS Stanier 8F 48151
• LMS Stanier Black Five 44932.

  Christine Moore, 3rd August 2010
Photos thanks to Mr D Rowlandson of Barrows Green

Little Rosslyn

For a village so close to the Lake District, Natland has been strangely lacking in holiday or other visitor accommodation.  

Until now, that is!

Stephen and Julia Baker of Rosslyn, Barrows Green, have converted one of their outbuildings to form a romantic cottage for two, called Little Rosslyn.

Julia told Natland.info that, boasting lovely features throughout, Little Rosslyn has an open plan living room with designer kitchen and cosy sitting area with stairs leading to the galleried bedroom featuring a king-size bed and delightful furnishings. It makes an ideal romantic getaway and a perfect base for enjoying the peace and tranquility of the countryside, including magnificent views of the Lakeland Fells, from the cottage's private patio.

Available for weekly lets; to find out more, see Little Rosslyn.

Editor, 2nd August 2010

Which Team? 5

In response to Which Team?, Angela Whittaker reports that all the Whittakers (Natland Vicarage) support Blackburn Rovers.   At a pinch, the children can cheer for Darlington and Sunderland, depending on where they were born, but the loudest cheers in the house are definitely for BRFC.

Dave Ball advises that his family is a Manchester City stronghold.  He goes on to wish support and success to the new occupants of The Punch Bowl.

Editor, 2nd August 2010

200 Club Winners

The winning numbers in the recent Natland & Oxenholme Village Hall prize draws were:   

For only £1 per month you can support the Village Hall and win the chance of a prize every month in the 200 Club draw!  To learn how you can join in the fun and support your Village Hall at the same time, see 200 Club.

Midge Fairhurst, 2nd August 2010

Magic Box Fraud

At the July Natland Parish Council Meeting, PCSO Jessica Bullock reported an attempted telephone fraud about which Natlanders need to be aware.  She subsequently told Natland.info:

I reported on an incident involving an elderly female who received a call from a "company" stating that because she was elderly she was entitled to a "Magic Box" which would lower her electricity bills.  The lady passed her bank details to the person on the end of the phone but soon after realised she shouldn't have done that.  When she tried to re-contact the company on the number they left her ,the number was non existent.  The lady contacted her bank to inform them and stop any pending transactions.  It was apparent that there was an attempt being made to withdraw funds.

So my message is to remind residents not to give bank details and also pass this on to any vulnerable elderly people they know.  

The potential fraud was not electrical itself, but the attempt to get money from the account.  These criminals will for example say that an item would cost £10 but in fact try to take £100 and lot more in some cases from the account.

There is such a thing as a magic box and it does lower electricity readings - but it is illegal.  I doubt the person on the phone to lady would have even sent her anything, merely taken funds from her account.

Jessica Bullock, 2nd August 2010

Whilst on the subject of scams, a Natlander was phoned today with someone purporting to be from Microsoft, trying to hack into her bank account as per the scam mentioned in Natland.info Update.  Editor. 3rd August 2010

The first, From the Scrapbook, is a "trip down memory lane" that was triggered by Natland.info being passed a number of old photographs.  It then developed into a series of anecdotes and reminiscences, illustrated by photographs of Natland of yesteryear.

Scrapbook 2 will continue in a similar manner, merging photos kindly donated by Philip Ball, Alan Brown, Barry Charnley, Daphne Lester, Billy Moffat, Judith Slater, David Tatham, and others into a broadly chronological record of the changing, and sometimes unchanging, life of villagers in Natland.

If you have any tales to tell about times gone by in Natland or old photographs or other such old material, do get in touch with Natland.info.

Don't worry about having to write things down or converting photos to electronic format,
we will do that it for you.

Why not send an to Natland.info or phone 015395 61027 and share your memories?

Editor, 2nd August 2010

Natland.info Update

Fortunately, the year on year drop that was reported last month appears to have been a blip and the number of visitors to Natland.info in July 2010 was the second highest and well up on 2009. Indeed this is the 10th month in sucession with over 1,000 visitors to the website News page

You may remember that, some months ago, several Natlanders (me included) were telephoned by someone purporting to have identified a virus on their comupter and wanting to give them instructions on how to remebdy the situation.  The precise details varied from call to call but the gist was the same.  A fuller description of this scam has appeared on the August edition of HoaxSlayer- see Scammers pose as support workers to hijack computers.

 Editor, 1st August 2010

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Log of visitors to the Natland.info News page:

If you are not on the list to receive Update Alerts by e-mail (i.e. notification when significant new items are added to the website so that you don't have to remember to visit it) click on and send us a blank e-mail.  It is secure and your e-mail address will not be abused for other purposes! 

If there is anything that you think we could do better or if there are particular ideas or suggestions that you would like us to explore, do get in touch. The simplest way is to click on the link to send me an .

St Mark's Parish News

The new edition of St Mark's Parish News is now available in the church, price 50p
or it can be ordered from Peter Crossley on 01539 734835.

This includes:

• Dear Friends by Angela Whittaker
• Children's Pagef
• Natland Parish Council Summary
• Festival of Flowers by John Chandler
• A Grand Day Out by Martin Jayne
• Youth News: Ablaze Under Canvas!
• St Mark's Centenary Quiz (including answers) by David Walker
• Plus details of all Church Services and Events this month

Old editions of St Mark's News can now be downloaded from the Church's dedicated page: St Mark's Church.

News Headlines:

• Contentious Issues
• Lock Up Your Bikes
• Prize Draw Warning
• Scrapbook 2 #05
  Reaping For Victory
• Arrest on Helm
• Holmes Site Discussed
• Cormorants on the Kent
• Happy Days on the Canal 2
• Your Heath Service Needs You
• St Mark's Parish News
• Natland Weather Report 2010
• Natland.info Update
• Broadband Confusion 3
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• Gone But Not Forgotten
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• Scrapbook 2 #03
  1935 Natland Sports Results
• Natlanders Targetted by Rogue Trader
• Conker Tree Gone
• Name That Vicar 2
• Special Parish Council Meeting
• Scrapbook 2 #02
  1935 Natland Open Sports
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• Name That Vicar 
• Scrapbook 2 #01
  Bonny Jane and the 1935 Jubilee
• Third World Clothing Collection
• Cycling Along The Danube
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• Little Rosslyn
• Which Team? 5
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• Introducing Scrapbook 2
• Natland.info Update
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