• The agenda for the AGM
• The minutes and notes of last year's AGM / Conference
• The achievements of Neighbourhood Watch in Cumbria over the last year
• A summary of results from the 2007 survey of members
• A form through which you can submit questions to the speaker panel

The Board hopes you will find the event helpful and interesting and urges you to provide as much grass roots feedback as possible for Neighbourhood Watch today and tomorrow.

Paul Caine, Cumbria Police, 5th September 2008

From the Scrapbook #03:

Natland: The Best Kept Village

Editor, 5th September 2008

Closure of Prizet Crossroad
A previously unreported item discussed at the last Parish Council meeting is the proposed closure of the central reserve gap at the A591 Prizet Cross Roads.  Do you have a view on the proposal?  Do you think it will significantly enhance road safety and at the same time reduce traffic on Hawes Lane or is it the unnecessary removal of the quickest way to the Lakes (and to north Kendal when the town is closed for Kendal Gathering)?  If you have an opinion, why not share it on the Open Forum?

For a full report of the Parish Council discussions, see July NPC minutes.

Editor, 3rd September 2008

200 Club Winners

For only £1 per month you can support the Natland & Oxenholme Village Hall
and win the chance of a prize every month in the 200 Club draw!

The winning numbers in this month's draw were:

To learn how you can join in the fun and support your Village Hall at the same time,
see 200 Club.

Midge Fairhurst, 2nd September 2008

Natland.info Update

After last months' heady figures and given that it is holiday time with not a lot of news it was perhaps inevitable that website visitor numbers dropped off somewhat in August, albeit 655 is still a lot more than last year.

The statistics that record what people were searching for if they reach the site from a search engine (e.g. Google) continue to amuse me.  Although once again "many dogs" was the top entry, it was beaten by the aggregate of people who were looking for things to do with "book week" characters or costumes.  Just why escapes me!

I learned a useful lesson in the month which others might find of use.  I get really annoyed by the way that Microsoft sometimes changes the way files are saved when it brings out new versions of its software.  I may be wrong but it seems to me to be a cynical ploy to try and force me to buy upgrades that I don't really want or need.  Twice this month I was sent files that I could not read- one from Publisher 2007 and the other a "docx" file from Word 2007.  I have the 2000 versions that work perfectly satisfactorily except that they do not open the 2007 files.

A little internet searching led me to PDFOnline, a website to which you can e-mail the file that you are unable to read and they convert it for free and, in a matter of moments, send it back to you as a pdf file.  It worked a treat with the Publisher 2007 file. I then tried downloading the pc based version but, paradoxically, that does not do the trick.  Its purpose is to create a pdf file and will not work if you are unable to open the file.  So, if you have the problem of unreadable Publisher files, stick with the online version.

Sadly PDFOnline does not yet convert docx files so if anyone knows of a way to convert these to doc or pdf files without first opening them (other than asking the originator to save them in a different format), I would be grateful to know it.

Editor, 1st September 2008

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Log of visitors to www.natland.info/News (previous year in grey)

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 .

What does one find to say about an August that has been virtually without sunshine? Well, there's the departure of the Swifts, the shortage of Butterflies, a plague of Flying Ants and the liking of Carder Bumblebees for Fuchsia flowers.

To find out more, see Neil Robinson's Wildlife News.

Natland Weather Report

Summary of the month:

What a poor month August has been for holidaymakers! There were only 4 days when no rain was recorded and, although warm, the sun hardly appeared. Perhaps Autumn will be an Indian Summer this year?

Weather Forecast

To see the weather forecast for the Natland and Kendal area try the following links:

If you are going walking in the hills you might find it helpful to consult

St Mark's News:  September 08

The new edition of St Mark's News is now available in the church, price 50p.  
This edition includes:

• "The trouble with Fred is he's too hasty!" by Martin Drew
• St Mark's Social Group plans by Mike Bagnall
• "An Elderley Chinese Woman" by Hilda Walker
• "Come Ye Thankful People Come" by Diana Dickinson
• Plus details of all Church services and events this month

Tim Evans, 1st September 2008

Come and Try It!

Natland & Oxenholme Table Tennis Club are holding a "Come & Try It" night on Monday 1st September. It will be in the Village Hall starting at 7:30pm. All ages are welcome and we will provide the necessary equipment. Qualified coaches will be present to assist and guide but the main aim is to have fun. I can be contacted on 01539561944 to answer any queries.

David Ratcliffe, 30th August 2008

Ka Hae Hawai'i in Natland

If you have walked down Hawes Lane recently you will have noticed an unusual flag flying on Billy Moffat's flagpole.  Unable to identify it, Natland.info asked Billy about its significance.  He explained that it is the Hawaiian national flag and he bought it at the recent steam fair because he liked it!

The flag, official name Ka Hae Hawai'i, is remarkable in that Hawaii is a state of the USA and has never been British, yet the Union Jack fills the top quarter closest to the mast.

Editor, 26th August 2008

Paley & Austin: The Architects and Their Works

Janet Thompson, 25th August 2008

Photo supplied by Richard Williams as a Natland: The Lake District contribution

Natland: The Lake District Continued!

We are used to the field alongside St Mark's Close and Sedgwick Road flooding in winter, but I don't recall it ever being as high as it is currently in mid summer!

Don Shore, 22nd August 2008

The Barrows Green Cave

Editor, 18th August 2008

Helm Apples

One of the more unlikely specimens to be found on Helm is an Apple tree, hidden behind a Rowan near the George Holmes memorial seat.  Barry Charnley sent Natland.info these photos of it in blossom and then laden with fruit.  

Does anyone know the story of how it came to be there?  Did it miraculously survive from a thrown-away apple core or was it deliberately planted and protected from the grazing sheep?

Editor, 16th August 2008

The Kendal Light Railway

Editor, 16th August 2008

Natland: The Lake District?

Dave Ward sent in the photo shown below on the left, taken on 7th August this summer(?) with the comment "From the evidence in the photograph, can we assume that this is confirmation that Natland is now truly in the Lake District?"

The picture on the right was taken by Daphne Lester in July 1979.  It seems nothing much has changed!

Richard Williams was also out with his camera and sent these pictures, taken a few minutes earlier than Dave's:

As ever, click (or maybe double click, depending on your settings) on the photos for an enlargement.

Editor, 11th August 2008

Natland Allotment Progress Report

A meeting was held on 29th July in the Village Hall, Natland to progress the provision of allotments in the village.  Chaired by Parish Councillor, Keith Jackson, there were eight other villagers in attendance.  

• Jim Atkins, from Sedbergh and District Community Office, gave practical advice on the steps to be considered.
• Sites: Various sites were identified around Natland as being suitable for allotments
• Action: a document to be produced to present to individual landowners for first approaches.  Copies of the local village map would be made.
• Date of next meeting: to be announced.

Summarised from Ingrid Beattie's notes of the meeting; 9th August 2008

Natland Guides Say Goodbye To Joyce

In reminiscing, Joyce told of her constant problem with remembering girls names!!  At one point, there were four Hannah's in her group, which caused great problems!!

Camping plays an important part of Guiding and during her time with Natland Guides, Joyce has taken her group to World Camp in 1999 in New Forest, Silver Jubilee for Cumbria in 1999 in Low Lindeth, Switzerland (on two trips) to the Guides Chalet, District Camp and regular Natland camping trips to Hawkshead.

"Camping with Guides is a great chance for the girls to experience new outdoor skills including fire lighting and cooking.  They live with their friends, cook their own food and take part in activities that they choose.  I have a lot a happy memories of camping trips."

Joyce's daughter, Rachel, will be taking over the leadership of 1st Natland Guides and will be helped by Barbara Hitchcock.  Joyce will remain involved in Girlguiding UK as a mentor for new Guiders and will remain Cumbria's Baden Powel Coordinator (Baden Powel Awards, being the highest award in guiding).

On behalf of all the girls, thank you Joyce for your dedication to 1st Natland Guides

1st Natland Guides were asked to write down their favourite memories of Joyce:

She's always smiley!                

When we get hyper and talk a lot, she rarely gets angry.

She respects the contributions that people give to Guides.

When she set off the alarm at camp it was dead funny!

She encourages a caring, fun learning environment.

Good luck to you Rachel, as the new Guider in charge at 1st Natland Guides.

If you have a daughter or grand-daughter who is between 10 - 14 years old and who might be interested in joining Guides, please contact Rachel on 015395 61373 to add her name to the waiting list.

Reproduced with permission from St Mark's News: August 08

Descent and Natland's Pipeline Cave

Coming soon- a walking tour of Natland's caves and treacle mines plus the story of another cave that suddenly opened up locally.  

Don Shore 8th August 2008

Upper Kent Neighbourhood Forum: Extracts

Extracts of the meeting at New Hutton Institute on Tuesday 29th July 2008

• Digital Switchover
• Road Safety Training
• Windfarm Application
• Miscellany

Digital Switchover

Sarah-Jayne Gray from Digital UK explained that her remit was to explain the roll out of Digital TV to Cumbria and the Isle of Man, a task complicated by the fact that not everyone is in the same ITV region.   The first ITV region to switch from analogue to digital is Border in summer 2009, followed by Granada in autumn 2009.  Cumbria will, therefore, be a digital only area by the end of 2009, although the roll out nationwide will take five years.   Sarah-Jane stressed that you do not need a new TV to watch digital TV, you can convert the TV you already have.  Out of 28,000 TV's in Copeland where the pilot scheme is running, only one television could not be converted to digital.  

Sarah-Jane said she was well aware that a lot of people suffered from 'ropey' TV reception and suggested that whilst this could be a geographical issue, sometimes it is an issue with the aerial.

The general rule is that if you have a good picture now, you will have as good or better after the changeover, but digital will not solve an almost unwatchable picture now. Sarah-Jane suggested teletext, page 284, offers a home diagnosis - if all the blocks are there it means your aerial is doing the best it can to pull a picture down.  If four or more blocks are missing, it means that it is not pulling in a perfect signal and there could be a number of reasons why this happens.  Ofcom suggest that less than 10% of the nation will need to buy a new aerial.

Sarah-Jane explained how the changeover will bring in a fundamental change in recording. It will no longer be possible to record on video equipment.  People will need a digital television recorder to record to a memory or disc, eg. Sky Plus or the Freeview version. She stressed a digital television recorder is infinitely easier to use than VHS and also mentioned a 'safety net' scheme in place whereby anyone over 75 or with a disability which 'triggers' certain benefits can get free advice/ assistance to changeover from analogue to digital.

Sarah-Jane explained why TV's receiving transmissions from relay transmitters will get fewer channels than those receiving from main transmitters, and listed the channels which would be available via relay transmitters.   She confirmed that Freeview is Digital TV and that Freeview boxes are available from around £15.

Sarah-Jane responded to questions on the Kentmere transmitter; the clarity of digital versus analogue and the roll out of digital radio.  She said it is possible to receive some radio channels via digital TV, but not Radio Cumbria, though Radio Cumbria can be listened to on a digital radio via broadband.  Sarah-Jane stressed ordinary radios will work for some time yet, mentioning Cumbria may well come at the end of the digital radio changeover.    For more information on the digital switchover visit digitaluk.co.uk or phone 08456 50 50 50

Road Safety Training

Fiona Hanson, Road Safety Officer (South Lakes) talked about the pedestrian training she undertakes with years 1 and 2 in 49 primary schools within South Lakes, teaching children how to keep themselves safe on the road.   Cycling proficiency is undertaken with years 5 and 6 involving Police Community Support Officers and Fire Service volunteers.  

The 'Better Ways to School' initiative involves a team going into school and working with a range of agencies and volunteers to help formulate a travel plan to get children to and from school safely.  Funding is available from the County Council to develop schemes and funding from central government can be put towards road safety initiatives.  

Outside schools, Fiona works with the Casualty Reduction and Safer Highways (CRASH) team. She mentioned a forthcoming initiative, "Operation Vibrant" when the CRASH team will use shock tactics to raise safety issues/ awareness with drivers in the Kendal area, which otherwise could result in fines or driving licence points.  

Wind Farm Application

The Old Hutton wind farm application is still waiting for consultees to report back on landscape and noise issues, but hopes to go to planning on 28th August.

Miscellany

Trading Standards is offering free electric blanket safety checks - if your blanket fails, you get a free replacement! - week commencing 29th September.  Ring 01539 713577 for an appointment.

For Information on how to become a Magistrate, the Cumbria NHS consultation on services for adults with mental health issues or the Cumbria in Bloom design competition please contact Debbie on 01539 713180.

For details on which public phone boxes BT plans to remove, contact your Parish Council or Debbie (as above)

The next Upper Kent Neighbourhood Forum with be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday 13th October at Longsleddale Village Hall.