ISSN 2516-1431
Your Independent Community Magazine
Eden 107
Paradise found and the Puffins Carnival of Cartoon Characters Recent Treasure Finds Generalising ALL young people! For the Love of Books
Eden107.5
Cumbrian Local Publications • Issue No. 137 • August 2018
LOCAL BUSINESS
Paradise found and the Puffins by Lee Quinn Some of our readers are on holiday, some have just come back and some will be getting ready for theirs. Not everyone can have a trip away for a holiday. I remember as a child, we went to relatives every year in Scotland. Then, one year it was Cornwall and from that point onwards, we had many years of Cornwall. When I was learning to drive, I drove to Cornwall when I passed my driving test. The first holiday I went on was to Cornwall. Our holidays to Scotland were to Greenock. It was a 12-hour trip in a Ford Prefect. We would leave at 9pm and arrive about 12 hours later, stopping at Leeds, Scotch Corner with the Primer Stove, then on to Appleby, Dumfries, then finally to Greenock. Looe in Cornwall was quaint but a very industrious little fishing port then. Because we stayed with the same family, we did a lot of local things and in 12 years of doing this, I experienced fishing with the fisherman, whether this was putting out lobster pots, conger fishing or sharking. I was told one day I wasn’t an ‘Emmet’ anymore, ‘Emmet’ being the Cornish word for ants and at that time Cornish people called tourists ‘Emmet's’ as they come in their thousands, just like ants! My last trip to Cornwall was sharing the last holiday with my nan and grandad for nan’s 80th, 14 years ago. I forgot to say that grandad was from Greenock and as my guardians from 6 months old, every holiday was with them until I was 18. I heard that Cornwall is still like an ant hill and Looe is 10 times busier. Three years ago, however, we ventured up on to the
2 • EdenLocal
North East Coast. We went to the small town of Seahouses, which was highly recommended to us as a family by a good friend. We went in the October for a week and for a 2 ½ hour drive, what a find. To many, a best kept secret, the wow factor, the stunningly beautiful factor. And for a moment, for those that can’t have a holiday for whatever reason and who don’t know what I’m talking about, imagine long, empty, sandy beaches and sand dunes, a blue ocean and an endless horizon. Bucket and spade at the ready, rock pooling, crabbing in the harbour, a local Co-op with ‘no’ big supermarkets and fresh fish caught that day for tea. Then add to it the Farne Islands, Holy Island and all my life if there was something I wanted to see, a dream shared with Mrs Q, it took three trips, this being our third year back to Seahouses and finally I got the photo that you now see. I had seen it so many times; that picture on so many postcards, but to see 1000’s of them and actually be in the right place, at the right time to share with my family, it was just amazing how something so small makes you feel so good, priceless. Easily pleased you might think, but to me it was like discovering my childhood memories of Cornwall all over again, only this was more special and whilst, we may venture further on holiday, I think to not visit Seahouses at least once a year and discover more about Northumbria at least once a year, would not be to complete a year, whatever the weather.
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 3
So we are into August Another month passes a summer to remember and it’s not over yet. Welcome to your August Eden Local. It’s a bit of mix, maybe a cocktail as some are in summer mode and many are already thinking October and November. I’ve shared with you on the first two pages a snippet of a holiday experience, but one I forgot to add was, for the first time in many years I had no calls relating to work. The trick I think is switching the phone off, but I didn’t do that, but gave people plenty of notice I wouldn’t be taking calls and I felt for the first in many that I could take a holiday from Eden FM. I call that progress, but I do need to say a big thank for steering the ship Stevie. On my final thought for family breaks at Seahouses, if you go on holiday and people remember you and you know their name on a fishing boat, in the pub, or in a local shop, how would you feel? At home was my thought, whilst also being away. My wife and I still talk about those Sunday nights, going home to London ready for the working week and then the transition over 20 years which, wherever we go now, whilst we enjoy the break, we also look forward to coming home. As I take you through this month’s
magazine, you’ll see many reasons why I enjoy what I do but also why I do have to switch off. A week ago our family had a huge sigh of relieve and a celebration. My grandmother (nan) had a fall on the morning of 19th May. There were no other patients in A & E around 9.30 am. We’ve experienced more than a few falls and visits to A & E. What we didn’t know was that the Royal wedding would be over before nan was taken up to the ward. Following x-Rays, scans and checks, we then had to wait for a surgeon to come and 6-7 hours later he did. He was told by the nurse in charge that he needed to be out in 20 minutes. He said if he had two extra pairs of hands he would be done in 30 minutes. An extra pair of hands arrived 30 minutes later. Nan had about 12 stiches each side of her face just below her eyes to re-attach the skin. However, the large dent in her forehead and the flesh and skin missing meant it could not be stitched. I am going to stop the story there, however, it continues on pages 30-31. I had to write about it to clear my mind, but also to share an experience which has lasted about 11 weeks that I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience. I believe this could have been avoided. Planning ahead is so important and I had a conversation about this with Susie Grainger when I was covering the story on this year’s Rowley’s Raspberries. It was Eden FM’s first visit, but Rowley’s second year of their advertising with Eden FM. It’s been another month of many hours spent taking photos. This leads to many hours of enjoyment for many that they then share with relatives and friends. Appleby set the stage for a phenomenal Carnival. I have covered hundreds of events for the magazine and for live broadcasts. In many years of doing this, I was quite taken back by the gratitude of the people attending and organising the Appleby event, towards Eden FM and the feedback I
4 • EdenLocal
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
Contents Paradise found and the Puffins
Pages 2 – 3
Introduction and Contents
Pages 4 – 6
Your Summer Checklist with Fellside Carpets
Page
A Walk Among the Raspberries
Pages 8 - 9
More Recruitment – Tips and Advice with Quinn HR
Pages 10 - 11
Old Mother Hubbard Pams Nursery Rhyme corner
Page
12
Light Up & Be Warm this Winter with Hearth & Home
Page
13
Visit Cumbria Oak’s Showroom Today
Pages 14 - 15
Appleby’s Carnival of Cartoon Characters
Pages 16 – 18
Recent Treasure Finds at the Penrith Museum
Page
Generalising ALL young people! By Emily Quinn
Pages 20 - 21
Introducing Tom Rose - For the Love of Books
Pages 21 – 23
‘Just a Game, Who are you Kidding’ by David Sargent
Page
24
The New 2019 Wainwrights Calendar
Page
25
New strategy & new outlook for Eden FM
Pages 26 - 27
Out of Town shows with MP Promotions
Pages 28 - 29
Falls Prevention Week
Pages 30 - 31
Marshall Conservatory Conversions
Page
7
19
32
Follow us on Facebook for additional stories and give us a LIKE
Phone: 01768 862394 Email: lee@cumbrianlocal.co.uk www.cumbrianlocal.co.uk Cumbrian Local Publications Ltd Rydal Crescent, Penrith, CA11 8PJ
Follow us on Twitter for regular updates
Cumbrian Local Notice: Eden Local prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in Eden Local, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. ©Copyright Eden Local 2018. The contents of this publication are written specifically for our readers, no part may be reproduced elsewhere without express and prior permission.
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 5
Jordon puts out some new trainer’s, people buy them. Dr Dre has new headphones, people buy them. Oprah promotes weight loss programmes, folks jump (if they can) on board. Beyoncé has a concert, people spend £250 on a ticket!
received personally. A thank you and a bit of praise from a group of volunteers to a group of volunteers is so motivating and before I received the booking for the Eden FM team for next year, I had already put the date in my 2018/19 dairy. Today we were invited to return. A special day requires a lot of special thanks to Colin ‘Mario’ Smith. As a member of the Carnival committee, he was like a member of the Eden FM team, making sure we had everything we needed. What has been noticed more this year by the people we are serving as a community group is how much time we put in as volunteers, which seems to command higher respect than those who are paid to do what we do as a station. Eden FM’s cost are minimal to the organisations and businesses we work with, but we seem to provide a personal and professional service, which is in part due to the fact that we enjoy what we do. A donation to Eden FM helps keep the radio on air. In exchange it serves the community. A bit from lining the pockets of a global commercial station. Maggie, my friend at the bakery, I look forward to that life story, posted something recently on social media which for local businesses struck a chord. I am hoping by reposting it here for those consumers who walk through the town or the village and then go on line, they may think differently about what they see in the window they are walking past. A number of you won’t know some of the celebrities mentioned, but people of a certain age will, our future lies with these people that know:
A friend or family member start a new business, people are wary. “Not sure it’s going to work”, “I’ll give it six months”, “they’re a bit expensive!” Why are we so quick to support someone we don’t know, who has plenty of money already, but we can find a million reasons not to support someone we know? Remember when you support a small business, you are helping families feed their kids and pay their mortgage. You’re not adding a few more zero’s to a celebrities bank account! So next time you see a friend posting about their business, give them a like, share or comment. You don’t have to buy the product or service. It all helps to gain more exposure for their business which really helps.” Well, I do post a lot of photos and whilst this point is fresh in your mind, for those on social media visiting the Eden FM or Cumbrian Local pages, whilst liking the photos, please take another 10 seconds and like the page. For all those who have no idea what I’m talking about, talk to someone about it, ask them if they’ll do something for you on social media, it all helps. Word of mouth is quicker than broadband in parts of Penrith and the Eden Valley! I hope the short insert about nan hasn’t upset too many people. Unfortunately it’s a real situation and for many of us with older parents and grandparents, you could find yourself in this situation. For those people on their own, they need to be known. Before you know it, that’s another Eden Local magazine completed. Thank you for taking the time to have a read through. Thank you also to the lady for calling me who lives on the Fairhill estate in Penrith who didn’t get her copy last month. I’ll be delivering yours personally this month.
“To all my self-employed, small business owner friends!
We’ll be back in September. Until then, enjoy the rest of the summer.
Rihanna releases a lip gloss, people buy it. Michael
Lee
We are looking for more people to help distribute the Eden Local in two areas of Penrith, Great Salkeld and we do have some holidays to cover for a 3 month period from October to December 2018 in and around Greystoke, Penruddock and Newton Reigny. Can you help call 01768 862394. 6 • EdenLocal
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
P P
EAM PACKED R C N U S D N A L TOWE MEASURE AND E E R F A D E K O BO CARPETS E ID S L L E F M O QUOTE FR AND FLOORING
You've booked your holiday and ticked everything off your checklist but have you booked your Free Measure and Quote from Fellside Carpets and Flooring for when you get back?
After your holidays and when the Kids are back at school, its time to think about revamping your home for the Autumn / Winter season! Let the team at Fellside Carpets and Flooring help you find the perfect flooring for every room.
you’ll know you can buy with confidence. Also with their own dedicated professional fitting team, its no wonder Fellside Carpets and Flooring are passionate about what they do!
Their knowledgeable staff offer exceptional customer service and good honest advice. Browse an extensive range of quality Carpets, Vinyls and Rugs, plus Roll stock and Remnants With flooring to suit all styles and budgets,
For all Interior & Exterior Decorating Requirements
Pop in or call to arrange your FREE measure today! 01768 868674
fellsidecarpets@hotmail.com Sandgate House (opposite the bus station) Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7TJ The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business www.fellsidecarpetsandflooring.comEdenLocal • 7
LOCAL BUSINESS
A walk among the Raspberries by Lee Quinn him out in the fields anymore and Eden Brewery moved out of Brougham a while back and onto the Gilwilly industrial estate, opposite Arches Carpet Centre. The raspberry bushes, however, aren’t moving anywhere. Susie Grainger has now been running the raspberry fields and sales for four years in between her day job. When the picking season arrives, which is dependent on weather, although it is generally early July to the end of July, it’s a full early start until dark. Generations of families traditionally do the ‘Pick your own Raspberry’ visit and as I walked up and down the rows of raspberry bushes, it’s exactly what I saw. Susie’s team had started at 7am that morning. We arrived just as some of the orders were being weighed and packed, picked that day for a local family retailer.
It was almost 10 o’clock in the morning on a warm but over cast Saturday in July. To add to the promotional activity and advertising that Eden FM was engaged in with its customer Rowley’s Raspberries, to give it another push in the last two weeks of its season, Stevie Dee and I were off to meet Susie Grainger out in the fields at Rowley’s Raspberries, Tarn House Farm, Little Salkeld.
I must confess I did get to eat some raspberries. Susie explained to me that the sizes of the raspberries were smaller than previous years due to the dry weather, however, it didn’t distract from the taste and how naturally sweet they are. For something so local and fully available to all, they hope to get more local businesses on board next year. Whilst I eat raspberries with other soft fruits most days on my cereal, for 11 months of the year I find the taste almost unbearable. I have the same thoughts on strawberries, blackberries and blueberries, but for 4 weeks next summer, you should taste the experience to understand it if you haven’t before. As a local grower you can pick your own or you can buy them direct from the farm. Please remember these are hand-picked, grown out in the open and whilst you see the end result and taste it, they didn’t achieve this
It’s something we’d not done before, so why not broadcast live from the middle of where it’s at! It’s the second time we’ve covered a story at Rowley’s Raspberries. It was back in 2012 or 2013 that I sent a chap up in to the fields with a camera, who had great potential. At that time, I was also working for the Penrith Co-op Society as well as my duties with the magazine and radio and one of my functions with the Co-op was sourcing local products. Raspberries being one, but after assisting a new business to get on the local map and who had just finished its first batch of a nice Eden Gold ale, my thoughts were on raspberries. Well Paul Witterick is still a good friend. I don’t send 8 • EdenLocal
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
all by themselves, just like any local products produced on a farm. So, until next year, the last words are from Susie…. “And that’s a wrap for this year everyone! We are all fruited out!! Thank you for your custom; look forward to seeing you all again next year. I'm betting we will open on Monday 8th July 2019. Put the date it in your diaries and let’s see if we are right! Enjoy whatever it is you have done with your raspberries.”
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 9
LOCAL BUSINESS
Q
HR
More Tips & Advice on Recruitment Last month, I provided some tips and advice on seeking and providing references. This month, I am going to explore how you might assess candidates to ensure you get the right person for your organisation. One size certainly doesn’t fit all when it comes to assessing who might be the right person for the job!
Interviews are a good way of:
Assessing candidates….
• Explaining the organisation’s values and presenting a positive image of the employer
A key stage in the recruitment and selection process is assessment, but what type of assessment should you use? Whatever you use, the assessment should be properly structured and appropriate for the role you wish to recruit to, particularly in terms of length and complexity. All assessors involved in the process should have the right training and skills and a good knowledge of the requirements of the role. Assessor training should extend to equality and diversity, focusing on the importance of understanding the implications of discrimination and the benefits that a diverse workforce can bring to any organisation. So, what assessment methods are there?
1. Interviewing Following a shortlisting process, interviews tend to be the most commonly used selection process. 10 • EdenLocal
• Exploring the details supplied by candidates in CVs and application forms • Discussing terms and conditions of employment so that they are understood • Explaining what the role is all about
• Assessing a candidate’s suitability in a relatively short time • Allowing the candidate to ask questions and find out more about the organisation so they can decide whether they might like to work there If interviews are not conducted in a professional, structured way that assess candidates using the same criteria, they can become subjective and ineffective in assessing an individual’s ability to perform in the role. Other tips for successful interviews include: • Prepare your questions and decide who will ask specific questions if you hold a panel interview • Decide whether someone needs to be present to take notes • Be prepared to provide information to the candidate about the role, the organisation and the terms of employment • Remain objective and open-minded - ask all the candidates the same questions and score them using the same criteria
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
• Consider having an HR representative present to challenge any subjectivity or bias
2. Psychometric Testing Psychometric testing can be a useful tool as part of a selection process, however, it should not be used on its own as the only form of assessment and selection. There are a range of psychometric tests that assess different things like aptitude, personality, numerical and cognitive ability. Psychometric testing is a good way of: • Assessing potential performance, particularly in more complex roles • Assessing a large group of candidates as the tests are often completed on line • Benchmarking against others using external data Other tips for successful psychometric testing include: • Ensuring everyone involved in the administration of them is fully trained • Being sure that the testing you have chosen is relevant for the role • Considering getting an accredited provider to assess the results for you • Only using them if they are really going to add value to your selection process as they can be costly
3. Assessment Centres Assessment centres can be used for selection as part of an external recruitment process or internally for the purposes of development or promotion. Candidates are required to complete a number of different tasks, some of which may be assessed individually or as part of a group. Assessment centres are a good way of: • Assessing a candidate’s ability across a range of tasks • Using more than one method of assessment on which to base a very important decision
Whatever you decide to include, it should be well structured and planned so that it runs smoothly and the candidates’ impression of the organisation is a positive one. All assessors should be trained to listen, observe and then record what they see and hear accurately and objectively using the assigned criteria. An experienced assessor should oversee the whole assessment centre, advising as necessary on consistency of approach. Other tips for successful assessment centres include: • Ensuring everyone involved in assessing candidates is fully trained • Having a range of assessors from your organisation including operational managers and HR representatives • Having a clear timetable for the assessment centre and issuing clear instructions to assessors in relation to timings, paperwork to be completed and the skills and attributes they are being asked to assess • Only using them if they are going to provide you with all the information you need on which to base a decision as they are costly given the nature of the amount of time they take and the resources involved
Conclusion Over the years I have witnessed and been involved in all of these processes as an assessor and a candidate. Needless to say, the most effective, professionally run processes were carefully planned, well structured, ran to time and included assessors with the appropriate training, skills and knowledge. Recruitment and selection is costly to any organisation, so please take the time to plan your campaign, especially when it comes to assessment, as this will be your key opportunity to discover whether a candidate is right for your organisation and for the candidate to assess whether the organisation feels right for them. It is a hugely important decision for both parties.
• Seeing how candidates interact with others Tasks should reflect the requirements of the role. All candidates should be asked to complete the same tasks with the same time restrictions to ensure fairness. You may choose to use individual and group exercises focusing on things like time management and problem solving, presentations that can be prepared either before or during the assessment centre, group discussions, role play and so on.
If you would like any further advice on assessing candidates, recruitment generally or any other employment matter, please give me a call on 01768 862394 or email me at charlotte@quinnhr.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you!
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 11
PAMELA'S MONTHLY NURSERY RHYME
Nursery Rhyme Corner This month we are going to look at another nursery rhyme which possibly has an historical source.
Old Mother Hubbard Went to the cupboard To get her poor doggie a bone, When she got there The cupboard was bare So the poor little doggie had none. There are a number of theories as to where the story of ‘Old Mother Hubbard’ lies. One theory is that it was written, illustrated and first published by a lady called Sarah Catherine Martin in around 1804 and she wrote it to amuse her sister’s children. Her sister, Judith Martin, was married to a gentleman with a very unfortunate name; Mr John Pollexfen Bastard. He was a Tory politician, landowner and Colonel of the East Devonshire militia. According to the Oxford Companion to Children’s Literature this gentleman inspired the rhyme after telling his sister-in-law to “run away and write one of your stupid little rhymes “. Apparently the eponymous lady was inspired by an old retired housekeeper who lived in a cottage on the family estate. Another theory is linked to Cardinal Wolsey who was, in 16th century England, the most important statesman and churchman of the Catholic Church. He was very close to King Henry VIII, holding the highest political positions and was often considered to be an alter rex (other king) but he fell from favour by failing to allow the kings divorce from Catherine of Aragorn in order for Henry to marry Anne Boleyn. Wolsey was stripped of all 12 • EdenLocal
his authority and was accused of treason. He died before he could be tried. It is suggested that in the nursery rhyme King Henry was the “doggie“and the “bone” refers to the divorce. The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church. The divorce was finally arranged by Thomas Cramner that resulted in the break from the Roman Catholic Church and the formation of the English Protestant church. And of course Cardinal Wolsey,
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
Old Mother Hubbard, was left with nothing! Whatever it’s origins the nursery rhyme has been learned and recited by countless children over the years and no doubt they have never given a moments thought to who the old lady and her dog actually were! See you again in September for another well known rhyme and it’s background.
Hearth & Home (Cumbria) Ltd
Light up and be warm this Winter
The nights are already getting shorter and at Hearth and Home we are already booking in for winter installations 'now'. A change in the weather and suddenly we get busy, subject to what your installation is it could be 6 - 8 weeks from survey to install for a multi fuel stove.
• Stoves • Fires
• Fireplaces • Wood • Flue-systems • Multifuel
• Gas • Electric
SUPPLY & INSTALL OR SUPPLY ONLY 6 Brunswick Road, Penrith, CA11 7LU
01768 867200
www.hearth-home.co.uk
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 13
7 DAYS A WEEK: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm | Sun 10am - 4pm
VISIT CUMBRIA OAK’S
SHOWROOM TODAY
Dressing table, m irr & stool s or e From £2 t 75
• Locally owned company • 25 years of expertise in selling quality furniture • One of the largest selections available in Cumbria • 15 exclusive ranges of oak furniture including living, dining & bedroom
VISIT ONE OF OUR SHOWROOMS AT
The Old Nr Penrith CA11 9PA | 01768 894528 14 • Eden LocalStation, The magazine Plumpton, that relies on doors for circulation not sales
One of the largest selections of oak furniture in Cumbria. When you’re choosing new furniture, you can trust in our local team with over 25 years of great local service.
Extending dining table & 4 chair sets From £549
www.cumbriaoak.co.uk Follow the signs from the A6 or M6 J41. Only 10 minutes from Penrith. The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business Furniture that’s too good to miss! Kendal
EdenLocal • 15
LOCAL EVENT
Another great Carnival & credit to the Community by Lee Quinn
Posted by Donna Park Secretary of the Appleby Carnival Committee on their Facebook page for the benefit of those with no access to internet, I thought it would be good to share this with you: “Wow, what an amazing carnival we had. The sun was shining and the effort everyone put in was out of this world. A small town which has an absolutely amazing community who all come together to celebrate this amazing weekend. Firstly, thank you so much to Mrs Nightingale for opening up her beautiful home for the third year in a row for us all to enjoy, again at absolutely no cost what so ever. A massive thank you to everyone who donated money, prizes, equipment and those who took part and those who supported us on the day.
16 • EdenLocal
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone involved on the committee and who help on the weekend. Everyone plays such a vital role and it wouldn’t happen without them. It really is such hard work and a lot of effort; the three 12+ hour days over the weekend are just a fraction of the work that’s needed all year around to make it happen. Thank you all.” How can you follow that? For Eden FM, our work with the committee started after several phone calls and then an interview with Paul Naisbitt, Chairman of the Carnival Committee at our studios in Penrith, in the ‘drive home’ slot on Thursday before the weekend. Paul has been involved as a committee member with the carnival for over 40 years, but as discussed, it’s different themes every year. With events of this size, it’s full on planning and fundraising, with sponsored walks and selling raffle tickets for the big day, right up to a bingo night on the Friday of the weekend in the Marquee. Due to some limitations and under doctor’s orders, I couldn’t drive and whilst I even had the offer of being collected and taken to Appleby by some of the committee members, Emily Q and Stevie Dee dropped the radio car with me down to the Appleby Castle grounds on Friday night, to get this in place. Last year we were in the inner bailey. This
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 17
year we set up the main radio stand and mobile studio next to the marquee in the grounds not far from the main entrance. The theme for this year’s Carnival was Cartoons and Animation and our key point of contact was Colin Smith, a man who almost blended in by, dying his hair and moustache especially for the day before dressing up as all the committee members do so you know where they are. Last year the theme was ‘horrible histories’ and they were all cavaliers; this this they were either Mario or Luigi and our first interview of the Carnival day was at 9am, with Colin. We talked through the programme of the day and what amazed us was not the commitment of all those behind this event, but when I saw the Carnival Programme, it had at least 100 local businesses advertising in it, in support of this massive event for the town. There were many highlights of the day and everyone was just brilliant. It was Eden FM’s and my second time at the carnival and how they raised a bar higher than last year I don’t know, but they did. It was Carnival Day, but taking the time to visit the shops, the ‘Hub’ and craft fair makes you realise just
18 • EdenLocal
how much Appleby has to offer and how as a community, it really gets behind its events. Once again I followed the procession, got some lovely photos and met some wonderful people. Appleby’s first Mayor whose name is recorded was Robert de Goldington, c.1264. A town steeped in history and developing culture with some key signature events, my last interview of the day was with Stanley Rooke, Town
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
Mayor of Appleby, who was rightly very humbled in his position and very proud of his town’s amazing day. Many interviews of the day will be available on the new Eden FM website to listen to again by the end of September. With 9,000 raffle tickets, there was a mountain of prizes to give away. The list of all the winners published on the Carnival Facebook page. Next year’s event, not to be missed will be on Saturday 13th July.
LOCAL HISTORY
TREASURE FOR PENRITH AND EDEN MUSEUM and valued at £200. It features a portrait of the King and the reverse depicts a crowned Royal Stuart coat of arms surrounded by the Garter. It was probably worn to demonstrate Royalist allegiance during the English Civil War or Interregnum.
Silver Charles Ist medallion
Recent finds from the Eden area discovered with metal detectors and declared treasure under the Treasure Act (1996) are now on display at Penrith and Eden Museum in Middlegate. They were all independently valued by the Valuation Court which sits at the British Museum. The Friends of the Museum bought a Charles 1st medallion from Kirkby Stephen dating to between AD 1640-1675
The Friends also purchased a medieval coin hoard of ten silver coins from Crosby Ravensworth valued at £404. The coins consist of pennies of the reigns of Edward I (1272-1307) and Alexander III of Scotland (12491286) the latter of which are common finds in hoards of the time as both currencies were freely interchangeable. The coins were found in a straight line over a distance of 6-10m among rocks and crevasses and it is likely these were an accidental loss from someone’s pocket. The face value of the hoard is 10d with a purchasing power of about £17.60p in today’s money. A gold and amethyst gemstone ring from Waitby has also been
bought by the museum for half the valuation price. Under the provisions of the Act the finder, tenant and/or landowner are entitled to share the reward. In this case the landowner waived the right, allowing the museum to acquire it for £300. The ring dates from the 13th to 14th century AD, has a simple plain band of undecorated gold for the hoop (roughly oval-D-shaped in cross-section), with a stepped and bevelled rectangular gold bezel mounted with the amethyst. Curator Dr. Sydney Chapman says “They add to a series of finds that have been acquired by the Museum in recent years under the provisions of the Act and through the Portable Antiquities Scheme which allows museums with Accredited status to have first option to acquire material declared Treasure by the Coroner. Again the Museum is indebted to the Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum for their continuing financial support in helping to preserve our local heritage” .
Silver penny of Alexander III
Gold and amethyst gemstone finger ring
Irish silver penny of Edward I The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 19
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
17-25, Generalising ALL young people! By Emily Quinn This month’s article is following on from recent issues in the news, generalising young people as vandals and thugs. Not everyone generalises young people for the bad things, but a lot of people do and this has become evident very recently. Just because a young person chose to walk down the street wearing a hoody, would you class them as a thug? If one young person was wearing a shirt and jeans and one, a hoody and baggy pants, which one would you be warier of? People have grown to make assumptions and generalisations over the years, although it’s always been an underlying issue in society. If a group of people or even just one person does something which steps out of line and creates some sort of damage or hurt or disruption, it can create a dim view of other young people. One of the ideas floating around is the generalisation of bad drivers being young, reckless
people. Of course, there are some young, reckless drivers. I’m not saying any of us are perfect, but we’re not all the causes of accidents and incidents on the roads. A person can be at any stage in their life and lose concentration for just a moment when they are driving a vehicle. One very recent event was the vandalising of the Redcar World War 1 sand sculpture. The following statement was posted on Facebook soon after the incident. Redcar Branch; Royal British Legion Mic Mulholland: “As far as we are aware, this vandalism was committed by two local youths.” As far as we are aware? Is this not just a generalisation? Making a statement like this about ‘young people’, actually leaves us vulnerable because it generalises us all by putting the blame on youths. When the word ‘youth’ is used, it is categorising millions of people. Youths aren’t all vandals and thugs. Some of you may recall last Winter in Penrith when the town was decorated for Christmas; someone vandalised one of the beautiful Christmas trees, tore it apart and made a mess of the street. Initially who was blamed for this act? “Youngsters”. People just need to think about the generalisations they are making when they start accusing and assuming that
20 • EdenLocal
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
young people are to blame. Why are we punished and blamed for being young? Everyone was young once, but the way some people talk about the young people of today can be completely unfair and unfounded. As with most groups in society, there’s probably only a handful of young people who aren’t the most approachable. Young people are human though and most of us are warm hearted and do not want to cause problems, destroy things or cause tension with others in society.
PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY
An Introduction to Tom Rose
I opened with the stereotypical ‘hoody’ generalisation. We don’t all do this, but many of us do. Even I do. If someone is walking down the street with a hoody pulled down over their face, I am wary. Why are we like this though? As ridiculous as it may seem, when there is breeze and I’ve done my hair, I’ll pull my hoody right over my head and people stare. Why do people do this? Does it look suspicious? Maybe it’s because it’s a stereotypical thuggish look? This month’s article may be slightly shorter than usual, but to address this matter in a way that people can just think about why we generalise about young people and give young people these labels which create a negative vibe when talking about them, I don’t need thousands of words. I just think it’s very hard for us to make that transition into adulthood if we feel we aren’t trusted. We don’t want to feel irrelevant and generalised. Everyone wants to be made to feel important and valued. At the end of the day, we’re the ones who will be keeping this world ticking over and looking after our elders in 30 years. Next month’s article will be a lot more political! I don’t really like getting into politics because obviously everyone’s views are different, but the politics that concern our town are something I will try to address. I will not be one sided, but I will express the view of young people and particularly how we are affected by politics.
Hi... I’m Tom. Having moved from the Wirral to Newton Reigny just over a year ago to move in with my partner, now fiancée, lucky me, it has taken me a little time to settle in the area and adjust to a slower pace of life. Having been stabbed in my job (long story) working with the homeless and suffering a fully collapsed lung, the slower pace of life is definitely what I needed. My partner found me a job in retail, but the job is just not for me. I’ve had a long line of jobs from working in America to working in a disabled orphanage in Romania to teaching my undergraduate degree subjects of history and politics at Secondary and A-level, but my one true passion is writing. Hopefully over the coming months, thanks to the generosity and kindness of Lee, I’ll be getting some invaluable experience with Eden Local, by writing some articles across a range of topics and being involved as much as I can.
CONTINUED OVER PAGE The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 21
In my spare time, apart from looking to get myself out there with my journalism, I’m also writing a sci-fi novel and a few children’s books. I also write terrible poetry and I’m ashamed to say I used to perform stand-up comedy routines with them. My main hobby is tinkering with wood and no, that’s not a euphemism for anything! I’m a qualified carpenter and joiner and enjoy building in my free time. This mostly includes building things for my fiancée and our two troublesome cats, like four poster beds and a cat scratcher bed that’s also a side-table. I’m also a big sports fan, from cricket to athletics and unfortunately, I’m a Liverpool fan too for my sins. I hope you won’t hold that against me! Since being in Eden, everyone has made me feel so welcome and I have loved every second of living in this beautiful part of the world. Hopefully you’ll enjoy my articles if you can put up with my terrible sense of humour and I hope I get a chance to meet a lot more of you as I experience a lot more of what Eden has to offer. And here’s Tom’s first of many short stories… For the love of books I recently read an interesting article on the BBC that described a beautiful Japanese word, Tsundoku, which literally translated means the art of buying books with the intention of reading them and never getting round to it. This made me happy for two reasons; the first because it is a beautiful word and the second because it does describe me completely. It isn’t the first time that I’ve come across the word as 22 • EdenLocal
I’ve pinned it a few times on my Pinterest and if you’ve never experienced Pinterest... what are you doing with your lives? It is incredible! My fiancée and I have almost planned our wedding on the basis of the great ideas on Pinterest. The article on the BBC also described the word, bibliomania, which over the years has transformed into a passionate enthusiasm for collecting books. In other words you are purposefully collecting the books, whereas with Tsundoku, you accidently collect them with the intention of reading. I’m pretty sure I do both if that’s possible? I buy books with the intention of reading them but if I see a nice classic book I will collect that too. Can you be both? And does anybody else have these problems? I keep building bookcases for my partner and I, but they just seem to keep getting filled. She too has a problem. The problem is, I also like supporting local independent book shops like the Hedgehog one in Penrith and I enjoy supporting all the local charities that are in Cumbria too, so I will often buy books from them. Everybody is winning except for the space in my house. Someone suggested that I build furniture out of the books but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m not sure how I would have coped in the day after tomorrow when they burn the books for warmth. I would have frozen I think. It is not that I don’t read books. I try to read as often as I can and I often tell myself, you can’t have a new book until you’ve read at least two in the house. That
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
way, at some point I will finish all the books I have. It might take me 30 years, but I’ll get there. This logic never works as it doesn’t take into account books you receive as gifts that messes up my mathematical equation completely. It’s hard being a Tsundoku. I’ve even tried loaning books out to friends, so they can read them for me. In my head if they’ve been read by a friend, that still counts, but then they bring me several to read in return and then you have to read them first otherwise it’s rude. The cycle of book madness never ends. Does anybody else have this problem or is it just me? Reading is an incredible thing and it’s sad that these days a lot of children and young people are more interested in games than they are in books. When I was a teacher on the Wirral, I was shocked with how many year 7s there were that came into my history class with reading levels way below their age. Some even had reading levels as low as 5 or 6 years old, which is appalling for an 11 year old. It was hard to teach history to children that struggled to read. Even in Cumbria, where the results seem to be improving year on year for reading at SATs level, it doesn’t tell the whole picture. Yes, across the UK the figure has risen from 71% in 2017 to 75% this year, reaching the expected standard for reading. However, that is still 25% across the country that have not reached the expected standard in reading. And what does expected standard mean in tests? In the new scaled scores, since they abolished national curriculum levels in 2016, for the 2017 test, children only needed 26 right out of 50 to meet expected standards. So really the result percentage tells us very little. How many children exceeded expectations? I can’t tell you how much of a difference it makes to a child’s future, their ability to read and read well when they start secondary school. In Cumbria, there are a few schemes on the go to encourage people to read, like the summer reading challenges, but there is more that we could be doing as a community to encourage reading. Not every child will turn into a ‘Tsundoku bibliomaniac’ like me, but the more they read, the easier they will be able to cope in the future with exams and life. So whether you’re a Tsundoku, a biblomaniac, a child that’s bored over the summer holidays, or a worried parent that is looking for entertainment for their child, or anybody at all, get yourself a book and start reading. The local Cumbrian libraries, if you’re not wanting to buy, have a good range of books. So get reading!
PENRITH ROTARY CLUB ANNUAL CHARITY 10km
TRAIL RUN [Minimum age 15 years]
FUN RUN 4km [14 years and under – to be accompanied by an adult]
LOWTHER PARK – Sunday 14th October 2018 Amid the wonderful scenery of Lowther Park, on grass, farm tracks and tarmac. All abilities welcome.
Start Times: 10k Trail Run 4k Fun Run Entry Fees
11.15 am 10.30 am
Trail run: £12 advance online; £14 on the day Fun Run: £3
Race HQ / Start at Lowther Castle (café, shop, attractions) Penrith CA10 2HH, off A6 4km south of Penrith. Free parking and toilets For more information and enter online at
www.penrithrotarytrailrun.org.uk
------------------------------------------------------------------------Event in aid of Eden Mencap Proud to be supported by
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 23
LOCAL CHURCHES
‘Just
a game’ …
Who are you kidding? There’s something about the immediate drama of live sport that draws me in every time! I get hooked, even when I was just channel-surfing and ended up on live, as-it-happens broadcast of a Test Match, European Championships, an epic Wimbledon semifinal, the Irish women’s hockey team or ‘the Tour’. My friend’s lad has just competed in his first para-cycling World Champs in a GB vest and I’m still high on the onlooker’s adrenaline. To top it all, this summer finally saw a quite incredible new record being set for the iconic Lakes long-distance fell running endurance challenge the Bob Graham Round. What a summer … and the footy season is just getting started, though I hadn’t really noticed it ending. I love seeing the best athletes perform as well as the sportsmen and women who don’t make the headlines; I admire the podium placed finishers, but those towards the end of the weekly local Parkrun are equally deserving of our applause. Both are inspiring and their achievements urge me on, not only to get these creaking knees moving again, but also to take the lessons learned in the play (it’s all a game after all) and remember them in the rest of life. Now, I have an outside chance of claiming 75% Welsh DNA, but not having lived in the Land of my Mothers and having only the barest minimum of Welsh language, I know I can’t stake much on this, but to see ‘G’ (as Geraint Thomas is known in his cycling world) come through to win this year’s Tour de France was a real sporting treat. Cycling looks like an individual sport, but it’s the team that gets the individual into position for the mountain stage or the sprint section; it’s the ‘domestique’ who drops back to collect drinks from the team car then works to catch the peloton and keep the race contenders hydrated. The peloton itself is a great image for reminding us that we all make more progress if we go there together, taking turns to bare the load. This includes some unwritten codes such as allowing for catch up in the early stage of the day if a mechanical problem would otherwise have taken someone out of the race. Sport teaches us much of lasting value long after the medal ceremony has ended. In sport we see the drama of life’s realities played out in quick time; hopes, aspirations and dreams of possibilities; years of hard graft, unseen dedication and sacrificial commitment; families, friends, coaches and club-mates who have helped make it possible; the under-dog triumphing against all expectations, the mighty brought down from their thrones and 24 • EdenLocal
the humble exalted; the bitter disappointment of injury, of missing out by fractions of a second or the devastating consequences of one small error … and the courage to pick yourself up and start again. Yes, but what about a balanced sense of perspective? On one hand the athlete might carry a note saying ‘This means everything’ and in the other one that says ‘Hey, it’s just a game.’ I think we need both perspectives to appreciate the value and the limitation of sport’s great moments; when I’m feeling that I can’t be bothered I need the inspiration that gets me out again; when my competitive nature starts to get in the way of more significant personal growth and development I need that grounded perspective. Meanwhile, sport urges me not to just be an observer of the achievements of others’ lives but, to participate in this life fully as I can each day Rev Canon David Sargent Penrith C of E Team Ministry
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
CHARITY
The Wainwright Society 2017 Calendar condition. However, it is the skills of the trauma team on board that really make the difference to the patient. Currently, GNAAS uses first-generation ultrasound equipment and it is hoped that the funds raised by The Wainwright Society will be sufficient to supplement this with the latest ultrasound machines. The price of the calendar has been held at ÂŁ10 including p&p. The calendar can be purchased direct from the Society website using PayPal. Details are on the Society website: www.wainwright.org.uk/calendar/index.html If you would like to know more about The Wainwright Society, log on to the website at: www.wainwright.org. uk or email: secretary@wainwright.org.uk Derek Cockell Secretary The Wainwright Society
Bespoke to Budget Flooring The Wainwright Society is pleased to announce that the 2019 Calendar has just been published and is now on sale. Once again, the format includes photographs of the Lake District taken by Society members, together with line drawings and quotations from the works of Alfred Wainwright. For the past ten years, the Calendar has completely sold out raising thousands of pounds for our designated charities! The proceeds from sales of the 2019 calendar will be donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), a charitably funded organisation that provides essential support for life-threatening incidents or potentially life-threatening incidents across north-east England, Yorkshire and Cumbria. This can include injuries sustained in places completely inaccessible by road or in adverse weather conditions, which can expose the patient to further danger or risk of exacerbating their
Unit 1-2 Hartness Road, Gilwilly Ind Est, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9BD thearchescarpetcentre@hotmail.co.uk Open Times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30 pm Saturday 9am to 4pm
01768 866770 Find us on Facebook to discover our latest exclusive offers!
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 25
BOYZLIFE (Playing the Hits of Boyzone and Westlife) play NEWCASTLE – Tyne Theatre on Tuesday 9th October!
Award-winning ‘TOTALLY TINA’ is STILL Simply The Best and comes to MORECAMBE – Platform on Friday 14th September 2018! AWARD-WINNING ‘TOTALLY TINA’ SHOW IS SIMPLY THE BEST It’s been the UK’s official number one Tina Turner tribute for the past five years (as voted by the Agents Association of Great Britain), with a Lifetime Achievement Award under its belt and a hectic, fastgrowing gig schedule right across the UK and into Europe to boot. The cast of ‘Totally Tina’ it seems, is definitely ‘better than all the rest’.
Boyzlife brings together members of two of the biggest boybands in history, Boyzone and Westlife, to perform a whole host of their biggest chart hits. Brian McFadden enjoyed 12 UK and Ireland number ones as a member of Westlife, including a record breaking seven top spots in a row. The band also boast four number 1 albums and over 30 million record sales in total. Since Westlife, Brian has enjoyed international solo success, including a UK number 1 with ‘Real to Me’. With Boyzone, Keith Duffy has enjoyed similar success, including 6 UK number one singles and 16 out of 17 of their first single releases making the Top 5. With 5 number one albums also to their credit, Boyzone achieved worldwide sales of over 25 million.
Now seven years in the making, the longest running tribute to the Queen of Rock and Roll is in demand, yet with the same passion, drive and attention to detail that’s earned Liverpool-born Justine Riddoch and her band the top spot since 2013, the talents behind this much-loved Show are not resting on their laurels. Instead, they are already fine-tuning what is a unique celebration of Tina’s live concert career with a whole host of exciting set changes and flamboyant costumes, pulsating new dance routines and the characteristic custom twists which make it a hit with an army of fans nationwide. Most importantly, and for the first time ever, the band has been asking its audiences what they’d like to hear played, so songs like I Can’t Stand The Rain, Typical Male, Undercover Agent for the Blues, I Don’t Wanna Lose You, Help and Legs – all chosen by the fans – will be added to classic favourites like Nutbush City Limits and Simply The Best.
The unmissable Boyzlife show has already been performed for over 20,000 adoring fans since the pair came together in 2016. With two completely sold out tours under their belts in partnership with Hilton Hotels, as well as their unforgettable 2017 December Christmas Tour, this is an evening that is certainly not to be missed. BOYZLIFE – October 2018 UK Tour Dates are: Tues 9 Oct Wed 10 Oct Fri 12 Oct 26 • EdenLocal
NEWCASTLE – Tyne Theatre MANCHESTER – Club Academy PRESTON - Guildhall (LiVe) The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
Said lead vocalist, Justine: “The support of our many fans across the country is humbling; they’re truly amazing and incredibly loyal. Every year, we make ourselves a promise to pull out all the stops, so that the Show is the very best it can be and the audience goes home buzzing!
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS play MANCHESTER – Academy on Friday 19th October 2018!
Building up a following takes time, and a lot of hard work, and we believe in looking after our fans. What they want to hear is what’s important, which is why we’ve asked them this year. We had a fantastic response, and we’re hoping they’ll love what we’ve done.” Justine is no stranger to the stage, having been treading the boards on the north-west circuit for more than 26 years. Her career changed direction in 2002 when she won ITV’s ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ as Anastacia, and for the next six years, her tribute show, ‘Justine is Anastacia’ performed all over the world. When her muse stopped releasing albums, Justine created ‘Totally Tina’ and the rest, as they say, is history. The current Show features state of the art video screens, lighting and sound systems, talented, industryrespected musicians and dancers, professionally choreographed routines, vibrant stage costumes, fire-performers and Justine’s own uncanny take of the legend that is Tina Turner. It enjoys rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, with plenty of dancing in the aisles and standing ovations everywhere it goes. Brand new venues this year include Bournemouth, Lincoln, Wakefield, Taunton, Monmouth, Worcester, Scunthorpe, Morecambe, Wimbledon and Whitley Bay. The band is even heading off to Switzerland – Tina’s new home country – to perform at the coveted Cover Festival, set deep in the Swiss Alps.
Toots and The Maytals, one of the all-time great reggae, ska and rocksteady groups, will tour the UK in October 2018. The eleven-date tour will start at the O2 Institute Birmingham on Wednesday 10th October and ends on Saturday, 27th October at the Cheese & Grain in Frome. The Maytals, led by the irrepressible force of nature Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1961. The group would go on to bring the reggae sound to the masses with pioneering hits such as ‘Do The Reggay’ (widely acknowledged as the first song ever to feature the word ‘reggae’), ‘Pressure Drop’, ‘54-46 (That's My Number)’, ‘Sweet and Dandy’, ‘Monkey Man’, ‘Funky Kingston’ and ‘Reggae Got Soul’. Across six decades, Toots’ raw, gospel-infused vocals and life-affirming music has influenced countless artists, including The Specials, The Clash and Amy Winehouse, and has toured with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow and Los Lonely Boys. A five-time Grammy nominee, Toots & The Maytals won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Reggae album with True Love. The album featured re-recorded classic hits alongside popular and legendary artists, including Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots and Shaggy. Looking forward to his return to the UK, Toots said, “The UK is a home from home for Toots and The Maytals, so we’re looking forward to seeing all our friends during our tour. To bring joy with my music is my greatest aspiration. We give 100 percent every night, and our fans give us that energy right back every time.” Toots and The Maytals’ October tour will follow the group’s alreadyannounced date at London’s Alexandra Palace on September 8th. Tickets for the NORWICH – UEA (The LCR) show are available from: Sunday 14th & Friday 19th October 2018 MANCHESTER – Academy Box Office No – 0161 832 1111 Website – www.manchesteracademy.net/toots-and-the-maytals#bio Doors – 7.30pm. Tickets - £27.50 advance. Age – 14+ The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 27
LOCAL CHURCHES
New Strategy & New Outlook for Eden FM by Lee Quinn
It’s time for an update on Eden FM, which might turn a few heads. Our response from last month’s appeal for more volunteers certainly hit the spot. We now have three new members starting over the next two months, with some presenters taking a few more day time shows. At the time of writing this short update, we’ve completed most of the summer outside broadcasts with the Appleby and Dufton shows to do. We’ll then have the autumn and winter schedule to work on. We are already getting booked for 2019, so don’t leave it too late. In simple terms, to help sustain the radio and keep its mobile unit on the road so it can attend events, we do require a donation for not just being there, but
28 • EdenLocal
to cover the cost of being mobile. The donation goes towards the running costs of the vehicle, so our aim is to complete at least 20 a year through getting each OB cost covered by around £200, part donation and part sponsorship. The expense also includes event promotion ‘on air’ leading up to your event, interviews with organisers and social media support. The time spent on facilitating and presenting outside broadcasts is done by volunteers, but the running costs need to be covered. The end of July was a new milestone in the application being submitted for Eden FM to expand its transmission area. It has formerly named two sites in its Ofcom submission, outside of Penrith based in the
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
LOCAL SPORT
Eden Valley, which will, if agreed increase its reach into more areas whilst also working some of the landscape. In 2017, in line with Ofcom’s conditions, it submitted its intentions for Eden FM Carlisle. Work on recruiting the Carlisle team started in 2017. With strong working relationships growing in Appleby, the new application also covers the area of the town and much of the area around with one of the sites placed ideally to improve reach. Adding to this newer strategy, it was in 2010 I had my first meeting with BBC Radio Cumbria, as Ofcom encourages Community and local regional radios to work together. With a number of changes at Radio Cumbria, I spoke to Mark Elliot at the end of 2016 about potential links. Prior to this in 2016, David Holdsworth at the CMA conference led on how BBC local and regional stations should link with neighbouring community radio stations. I did get to talk to him for a short while and interestingly from that discussion, I learnt that at the time, around 75% had already linked. Importantly it is something now back on the table and in the September report, there will be an update on a
new project that might see Eden FM and BBC Radio presenters in a show together we hope very soon. With the new Penrith studios fully operational, we will be making full use of the pop up radio system used on our travels around the Eden Valley. We will also be visiting schools and businesses and sharing the technology Eden FM has developed, so if you would like Eden FM to visit your school, or your club, group or organisation, please drop me a line at lee@ edenfm.co.uk. If you can’t get to Eden FM, we’ll bring it to you and show you just how easy it is to operate a portable radio station.
Eden 107
Eden107.5 Eden FM Radio Ltd Scafell Studio Bluebell Lane Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7LH 01768 862394 - 01768 899107 - 07881 530085 www.edenfm.co.uk
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 29
CONTINUED FROM OPENING INTRODUCTION Sunday night nan was moved into another ward. I was told on the Sunday that nan would not be going home and she would need more x-rays, especially as her head was so swollen and she couldn’t walk, she couldn’t move her right arm above her waist. Monday I took a call from the ward sister. Nan was being discard as she was classed as “medically fit” to go home. Medically fit and being able to continue as she was with her independent living, was part of the question I raised. 72 hours after a lady aged 93 had fallen down 15 stone stairs in accommodation that was ‘safe’, as the ground floor was at ground level, however, the waste bins were in the basement! On the Monday, I couldn’t get to the hospital. During the day by this time nan was on her third ward, moved in the early hours of the morning. My daughter was in Carlisle so she popped in and she was asked if she had come to collect nan. To bring this story to a close, nan after being in 5 different wards was transferred to Kingston Court which is a nursing home next to the Cumberland infirmary. She was to be there for five weeks. It got to week four when as a family we met with representatives from the hospital and county to discuss nan’s returning home. My point made in hospital, on arrival, on the phone was nan’s accommodation was not suitable. Nobody was interested in a home assessment or visiting. The funding assistance for nan was running out, she had to be moved. The problem is across Eden. We have organisations banging a drum saying we need better facilities for the elderly. Everyone knows that across the district and county, people that are 55 now, will be 65 in ten years. Obvious to you and me, but there are people, 65 now who in that same time frame will be 75. It seems that the older 30 • EdenLocal
you are, the harder it can potentially be. Nan, like many people has had a trip and fall. She was lucky. She didn’t feel lucky and certainly didn’t look it, but she is one of many where the system is severely lacking when this happens and someone is coming out of hospital. When you walk through a nursing home, hearing screams, shouts, groans and sad faces looking up at you with a vacant stare, how do you feel? How many of these people have no one? As the weeks passed and we visited nan, her confidence and her ability to do things went, her fear every night after 93 years of shutting her door to her home, then as habit leaving her bedroom open, as a comfort whilst see slept. The fear of people walking into her room, confused, bewildered and helpless, this a new trauma. A lady who mid-afternoon would have a coffee, a piece of cake and watch a bit of TV was now staring out of the window, waiting for meal times, waiting to go to bed, then get up and do the same again; no interest in the outside world or what day it was. My concerns were raised that the longer nan had no independence, the harder her return would be to come back to near where she was in terms of independent living. With no properties suitable in the Eden Valley, nan wasn’t on any lists and known to anyone of the needs she had. There may have been properties that came and went. During the time that nan went in to hospital and was moved out and around nursing homes, the problem was if she had to wait longer, she could potentially become in need of more help and require more care. We took the decision to make our own decisions, visit potential accommodation, where nan could recover and go back to semi-independent living. We celebrated nan’s 94th Birthday in Kingston Court,
The magazine that relies on doors for circulation not sales
we then packed up her cards and she was moved to another residential nursing home, a quarter of the size and into a small room, with a new chair that nan would sit in and stare out of the window from. Because she was getting less independent almost by the day, discussions were now along the lines of keeping her in a residential home, with no independence many miles from home, her family and friends. Her birthday cards never came back out. Feeling wanted, feeling needed, family and friends, these are free, like the spokes in a wheel. If one drops out, the pressure is shared, but over time that wheel will break. In week eight, the pressure was like fighting to prevent nan just becoming a lady who has disengaged with her previous life to one that just stares out of a window. With 2 ½ weeks remaining in her current care setting, many decisions are being slowly taken away and our view of what we as a family think is best and based on the accommodation available, her fate would be decided. We get a call. It was Thursday and by Monday, nan was walking around an empty flat, smaller and safer, with care on hand if required was available. At 94 she had to imagine if she could do this and her trust was in us that we believed she could with the support of those in her new accommodation. We took her home for a cup of tea, some sandwiches and cake, we talked about her fish and chips that she misses on Friday, her coming around for lunch on Sundays, her trips to the hairdressers. We made the call at 3.45pm and it was confirmed, nan was to be given the opportunity to have her life back and the process would now begin of helping her become independent again. Just under a week ago my wife and I walked to her new flat, moved everything from her old flat, her chair set by the TV, the remote control, everything also as it was but in a different
flat. She went in and had no idea where she was and for a short time she didn’t recognise anything. We sat her down, I passed her the remote control. She looked at it and she pressed the button. She flicked through the channels, “that’s alright” she said so we had a walk around, looked at all her photos of the family, old and new. Last Friday, nan had her fish and chips. Next week it’s a return to the hairdressers. She has her TV, her newspaper, some new friends and a visit planned soon to catch up with her old friends. This week it’s a visit from the great, great grandchildren! My thanks to all those that helped us all and to those now around who continue to bring her closer to independent living. 22nd September is Falls Prevention week It’s a part of Cumbria’s ‘Up and About’ Campaign, which aims to raise public awareness amongst older people and the wider community of risk factors, whilst encouraging people to take proactive steps to reduce their risk of falling. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, unintentional injuries, and hospital admissions for trauma. Falls can take a serious toll on older adults’ quality of life and independence It’s a campaign I’ll be supporting and I hope you do as well. Sara Bradley is Community Falls Prevention worker, who will be visiting community groups and events around Carlisle and Eden to promote falls awareness. If you would like Sara to visit your community or become a ‘Falls Champion’ please contact her on Carlisle 01228 536673 or e mail her at admin@ ageukcarlisleandeden.org.uk
The best rates in advertising, with the best distribution for local business
EdenLocal • 31
Is your conservatory too cold in Winter and too hot in the Summer?
• Save up to 85% on Conservatory Bills • 90% noise reduction from weather • Reduce the glare from the Sun • No less than 10 years guarantee on all conversions These are just some of the benefits of the Marshalls 5 star, 5 layer insulation roofing system. Recently (April 2017) Joe Marshall and his team completed a Conservatory Conversion in Penrith. Cumbrian Local interviewed the customer as part of its pledge to audit its advertiser’s products and services it promotes.
Paul and Anne C of Penrith: We were really pleased with Joe and the lads. The installation was completed in 3 days and they made a great job of the conversion and we were impressed with the insulation, the ventilation and the finishing, inside and out. Their price was a huge saving compared to the quotes that other companies were offering for the same or a similar service, some quoted through cold calling. We made the change as it was too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer and the noise when it rained meant we couldn't enjoy it.
We guarantee to beat any genuine ‘like for like’ price by at least 30% or more Call Marshall Conservatory Conversions today 01228 809874 or 07588 888553
www.marshallconversions.co.uk • sales@marshallconversions.o.uk