Lakes Local December 2012

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December 2012

Co-op Christmas Everything from Cockermouth Beautiful Borrowdale Christmas Recipes Walking in Winter

Cumbrian Local Publications distribution 58,200 per month Lakes Local Distributionphone: 12,800 perwww.lakeslocal.co.uk month info@lakeslocal.co.uk Lakes 01768 899111

Local

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The Penrith Co-op Society Your Local Co-op

ÂŁ6.50 per kg

Local reared Cumbrian Turkey, with a local price, from your local Keswick Co-operative.

Order in store or call 01768 772688 before 16th December.

(This product is subject to seasonal availability) Celebrate Christmas with your Local Co-op.

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Dear Residents & Businesses

At your Keswick Co-op this Christmas we can bring the best of local produce to your door and have it readily available in our store. In keeping with tradition, we have a wide range of products that we have sourced from the community around us in the County wherever possible.

Welcome to the Lakes Local, my extended thanks to all those contributing to this months publication and my thanks to those of you who are now taking some time out to read this 8th Edition of Lakes Local.

Fresh local cheeses, fresh local poultry and meat products, game is also available to order. Local produce, locally brewed beer and you will see many new products available this Christmas from our 1890 range. These are products produced for your local Penrith Co-operative Society here in Cumbria.

Take advantage of our unbelievably priced Turkey, which can be ordered today, collected or delivered to your door. (Subject to availability conditions apply)

St James Court, Keswick CA12 5EF

Tel: 01768 772688

Keswick is a part of the Penrith co-operative society other stores include Penrith, Shap, Lazonby, Hallbankgate, Westgate, Frosterley, Stanhope and St Johns Chapel phone: 01768 899111

It’s that time of the year which for many can potentially means long hours.

I spent 18 years in food retail so I understand that the festive season for many will be an up hill slog till the 24th December and I do remember sleeping a lot of Christmas Day and waking up with a cold. Is it me or does everyone seem to be flat out busy and generally working all the hours they can in between feeling quite tired, as a set back of the clocks changing and the dark evenings settling in?

Whatever we are doing, whatever shift we are on, it in whatever capacity Christmas is upon us. At the time of writing this publication I have many more publications lined up before the 21st December close down as I prepare the January supplement, the three monthly publications and then move on to my best intentions of having February publications almost complete before 31st December. On top of these I will be working with Eden FM Community Radio to complete and submit their application for a Full time Community radio license, which has to be submitted early January 2013.

This month we have our first insert supplement from the Penrith Cooperative Society reflecting innovation and tradition at the Keswick Store pages 2 – 3 and pages 12 - 17. We have our regular feature with Fitz Park Dental Practice, there are naturally a lot of mentions about Turkey, our regular feature is here from Love Solar.

We have a new feature which we hope will become a regular from Suzanne Elsworth, which brings us the concept of a department store in a town on page 6.

Continued on page 4 www.lakeslocal.co.uk

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My thanks to Peter Sidwell for his contribution and wish him success with his new Border TV series (pages 18 and 19). My star this month has to be Paul Witterick, of Witt Woo photography who has spent days collecting what must be over a thousand images for many of this months articles. One would hope that with so much going on we do actually get some time out so our regular walks with Keith and Nick are also here this month.

In keeping with our theme, there is of course a lot about the concept of Everything Local and the importance of supporting local businesses, utilising the best of our local trades and producers whenever we can. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your next Lakes Local commences distribution 31st December 2012 until then...

Page 12-17 Penrith Co-op Socuety News

Content

Lee Quinn Editor Lakes Local

Christmas at your Local Co-Op 2-3

LakesLocal

Page 7

Opening Editorial

3-4

Cockermouth- a department store in a town

Pot Place and Cumbria Oak

6

Cockermouth

7

Eden Valley Home Improvements

9

Eden FM- the latest

8

Tips from Fitz Park

10-11

Penrith Co-op Society News

12-17

Peter Sidwell’s Alternative Christmas

18-19

Page 10-11

Page 18-19

More tips from Fitz Park Dental Practice

Weekend Baking Inspiration from Peter Sidwell

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LakesLocal •

Page 21 The Borrowdale Story Project

Page 24-25 A Walk with Keith Wood: Up Barrow and Outerside

Christmas at Cocklakes 20 The Borrowdale Story Project 21 Wainwright’s Memories of Keswick 22 Love Solar 23 Walking with Keith-Barrow and Outerside 24-25 Nick’s Whiteside Adventure 26 Home Comfort Guide and CA Business Classified

27

Page 26

Coal in Cumbria 28

Nick’s Whiteside Adventure

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December 2012

Phone: 01768 899 111

Email: info@lakeslocal.co.uk www.lakeslocal.co.uk Co-op Christmas Everything from Cockermouth Beautiful Borrowdale Christmas Recipes Walking in Winter

Page 22 The Wainwright Society

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Cumbrian Local Publications Ltd Sandgate House, 33 Sandgate, Penrith Cumbria CA11 7TJ Lakes Local Notice: Lakes Local prints various articles, features, and advertisements. Although these appear in Lakes Local, any opinions expressed are the opinion of the author, these are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

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Cockermouth

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© Chris Freer Photography

a department store in a town!

If you’re looking for a one-stop shopping trip for all your Christmas goodies, head to Cockermouth this December.

The town is promoting the fact it offers all the benefits of a department store, without the chaos of heading to a big city. You won’t have to battle big crowds or queue for hours at the tills, and you’re guaranteed great customer service and even have the chance to win shopping vouchers in Cockermouth’s exclusive Shop 10 loyalty scheme – a prize draw which business owners hope will have you coming back for more.

© Chris Freer Photography

Jonty Chippendale, the Chairman of Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, said: “One thing that our visitors say makes this town really special is the variety of independent businesses – and it’s that variety which gives us such a ‘department store’ feel.

“From practical shops like the hardware stores, to those stocking clothes, shoes, toys and gorgeous gifts for the home, we’ve got an amazing range.

Add our professional services businesses, such as accountants and solicitors, and our auction rooms, as well as a huge range of pubs, cafes and eateries, and you could easily get everything you need here.

We’ve got some lovely places to stay too, so whether you fancy treating yourself to a night away, or need somewhere to accommodate your visitors over the festive period, and I honestly don’t believe you need to go anywhere else.

“Our Christmas lights are up, the town’s looking really festive, and we’re hoping for a fabulous festive season.”

There will be free parking across town on the three Saturdays before Christmas, December 8th, 15th and 22nd, and most of the town’s shops will be open on the three Sundays before Christmas too.

Shop 10 loyalty cards are available at nearly all the independent companies – collect 10 stamps from different businesses, then drop the cards into the special box in Meglan’s, at number 10 Station Street.

Jonty added: “That’s three very good reasons to ‘shop local’ and support your market town this December.

This year, more than most, it needs you. It’s been a tough year for businesses everywhere thanks to the economic situation and some awful weather, but we’re a resilient bunch in Cockermouth and we’re hoping that the reports are right, that the country really is coming out of recession, and all our residents, visitors and businesses can look forward to a brighter 2013.”

by Suzanne Elsworth

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The Final Stage of a Long Campaign

The Eden FM Community Radio will be broadcasting live on 87.6 FM from midday 24th November to 22nd December 2012. It’s the third live FM frequency transmission for the team based in Penrith which has volunteer presenters from Brough, Kirby Thore, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Culgaith, Stainton and Penrith to name a few. Walking in, coming in by bus, getting a lift or driving, always subject to the weather permitting. The only reason it can exist is down to the commitment of its volunteers and the support of local business.

It’s not an easy time to be generous with your marketing budget, some businesses have supported the campaign for full time community radio since its launch in June 2010. Some have just joined the campaign to make sure the project reaches its final stage. From those paying their regular £4 per week to sponsor a 2 hour show, those investing in the outside broadcasting vehicle sponsorship at £300 per year to those taking a full 5 month advertising package for £280.00 It all adds up and all counts toward the success that has already been achieved. Next we complete our third the 28 day transmission and then we send off the application to hopefully become a fulltime community radio station. We appeal to everyone to write in with your support. Drop us a line with some positive reasons of why you think a full time Eden Community Radio station would be a good idea; email admin@edenfm.co.uk. Whilst this facility is based in Penrith, it represents an opportunity for a much wider area than can just be reached via its FM transmission.

The station can be heard region, county, country and worldwide over the internet.

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For all your home improvements

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Visit out showroom or give us a call Friargate House Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7XR Open 8.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 10.00 - 1.00pm Saturday, or call us for an out of hours appointment at home

Telephone: (01768) 866790 Fax: (01768) 891030 Email: info@edenvalleywindows.co.uk www.edenvalleywindows.co.uk phone: 01768 899111

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Dental Implants After last month’s sobering article we decided it would be a good idea to discuss something a little more up beat and show how modern technologies have made a real advance in dentistry. Dentists Simon and Stewart both agree that people who lose teeth either through trauma, disease or poor care generally prefer not to wear a denture if possible. At one time the only viable alternative to a denture was a bridge.

This meant grinding down the teeth either side of the lost tooth and fixing the bridge to the natural teeth. A modern alternative to a bridge is an implant supported crown or bridge. An implant is an artificial root, made from titanium. It has a special coating which actually stimulates the fusion of the bone of the jaw with the implant. Once the fusion is complete a crown or bridge can be attached to the implant to feel and function like a natural tooth or teeth.

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What are the advantages of dental implants?

•

Dental implants are widely recognised as being the most successful method of tooth replacement used today. Modern ceramic materials can be used to match the colour, shape and contour of the natural teeth.

•

When a tooth is lost the bone in the area gradually resorbs over time. Bone loss can cause wrinkling of the lips and a sunken mouth and chin. Dental implants can help counteract this by preventing resorption of the jawbone, stimulating bone growth and stopping bone loss.

•

With conventional dental bridges, adjacent teeth are used as anchors and often have to be ground down. Dental implants eliminate this need and allow natural, healthy teeth to be preserved in their original state.

•

The latest implant and prosthetic solutions are very durable. They are more stable, more comfortable and more functional than conventional dentures.

•

Implants allow the stable retention of dentures, crowns and bridges. They offer strength, reliability and durability similar to that of natural teeth.

This avoids what can often be experienced with conventional false teeth i.e. poor fit, gum irritation, pressure points, speech and taste impairment.

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LakesLocal • 11

Wishing you a Merry Christmas form all at Fitz Park Dental Practice

When are implants appropriate?

•

Simon said, “Dental implants can make a huge

When one tooth or several teeth are missing, or when the whole jaw is completely without teeth.

What are the age limitations for implants?

•

Typically, implants are not placed in individuals whose jaw bones have not yet fully developed.

Good health is a primary deciding factor. In healthy older patients the prospects of success are virtually the same as for younger people.

What are dental implants made of?

•

Dental implants are made of commerciallypure titanium. This is a material proven to be accepted by living tissue. Adverse reactions to titanium are extremely rare.

change to a patient’s life whether one tooth is being replaced or all the teeth in the jaw. A loose and uncomfortable denture can cause real misery.

Implants can be used to stabilise a denture. In certain circumstances it is possible to provide a full arch implant supported bridge that eliminates the need for a denture altogether. Treatments like this can restore a patient’s natural appearance, self-confidence and ability to eat the things that they like.”

As ever if you require any further information on this topic or any other dentally related subject please contact the Fitz Park dental Practice where the staff will be delighted to help.

Fitz Park Dental Practice, 31 Station Street, Keswick, CA12 5HH Tel 017687 73020 Email info@fitzdental.co.uk www.fitzdental.co.uk General Dental Council registration numbers (G.D.C. numbers) Stewart Blayney 59384 and Simon Welch 75410 phone: 01768 899111

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The Penrith Co-op Society Your Local Co-op

Christmas and the New Year are fast approaching and it is a great time of year to reflect on the 2012, which has been a challenging one for everyone, and like all businesses we have had our ups and downs but by working with and listening to you, our customers and members we will face 2013 stronger and in good cheer.

We have introduced our members privilege card and the uptake has been fantastic, the number of new members has shown us that our society despite the influence of the multiple retailers has the support of the community and is going in the right direction. The stance we have taken on locally produced foods working, not only with growers and highlighting their efforts in store through demonstrations and tastings which has given us a new perspective and

brought us back to our roots, but by co-operating with other established local businesses, it shows us leading in the community in how to work together to improve things for all.

I would like to wish you and yours a very merry Christmas John Mills Chief Executive Officer and a Happy and prosperous New Year from everyone here at your local Penrith Co-operative, and look forward to serving you for many years to come.

Member’s dividend and privilege card

Penrith Co-op Society

MEMBERS PRIVILEGE CARD NUMBER 19014000

By introducing our members privilege card we are: • • • • • •

Making it easier to earn Dividend Making it easier to be a member Working with local businesses Working with local producers Listening to our members Benefiting everyone

Discounted for Privilege card holders.

Following on from John’s welcome we have a further 5 pages for you which is your Penrith Co-operative Society Seasonal Update.

The distribution of this update will be going through over 40,000 doors around all of our 9 stores; wouldn’t it be great if you were all members?

Over the last 6 months I have been working with the Society’s team covering a lot of traditional bases but also new concepts to innovate a business that was established 122 years ago.

In the last 6 months our focus has been across a number of areas, as John Mill’s CEO has mentioned, the launch of the Member’s Privilege Card has been a huge step forward for the Society and its members but it doesn’t stop there. What does the card promote and what are its benefits to you?

After this short summary if you haven’t already got a card I hope you will strongly give it some consideration. Every household should have one!

Co-operative Society store or give them a call; full details of your local store can be found at www.penrithco-op.co.uk.

If you have a card you can, on presentation at the store add your dividend at point of purchase.

If you see any other local business with the card displayed on its window, vehicles or website it means the business will be offering co-op members a special deal on products or services - anything from selling your house, to servicing your car or a reduction in the price of its products. Don at Lakeland Sheds is currently offering great deals on log stores

to Co-op members with a card. Eden Valley Home Improvements is offering some great seasonal deals on Kitchens, Windows and Doors - in fact an extra 5% off their current offers. This means a total of 35% off windows, 25% off doors and 55% off kitchens and bedrooms.

The first Members quarterly draw has been won. There is an announcement to follow and report of them receiving their new Toshiba 32 inch LCD TV with a built in DVD player.

There will be another Super Draw for new and existing members in time for our next quarterly update in early Spring.

The card was launched in our first quarterly update in September 2012. The card is for existing members and to encourage new members and replaces our existing dividend receipt system. The first batch of Members Privilege Cards are now being distributed, please do not panic if you have signed up and not received your card. If it has not arrived by 1st December please contact or go to your local Penrith

Your Co-operative in the community

The Society is proud to be the new sponsor of the Langwathby Football Club senior team. As a Society we do understand the importance of local support. Our current fund raiser is ”Win a fitted Kitchen” a one ticket, one prize, one winner draw and with this type of draw we hope that every 3-4 months we will be able to generate funds that can be put back into local groups, clubs and societies around our stores. This month in association with Eden Valley Home Improvements and Eden FM Community Radio we are raffling a fitted kitchen, complete with oven and hob together with a complete set of accessories and utensils

The quest for locally produced food continues Building on our previous report we are pleased to announce, that your local Penrith Co-operative Society is now successfully introducing new products every month sourced from Cumbria many just a short distance from your Keswick store, as many as possible from Cumbrian Farms.

Bringing in local produce to the stores will work to the benefit of the community in many ways. Lower mileage like our own label beer Penrith Co-op Society 1890 Best Ale brewed at Eden Brewery Brougham Hall and our Christmas Ale brewed at Tirrel Brewery in Long Marton. This Christmas we have locally sourced Cumbrian reared fresh Turkeys and the introduction of our own medium mature cheddar made for us by Appleby Creamery.

We have traditional Sour Dough bread made at the Lovingly artisan Bakery at Oxenholme.

We have locally made ready meals, pasties and Pickles from the Spice King at Greystoke and for Boxing Day locally made sauces in a jar to spice up your day also from Spice King.

Can it get any better than this? In 2013?

We hope it can and we are working towards this to make sure it will. As a traditional

from our cookware department. Tickets are now on sale from your local store- tickets are just £1 and there will be just the one lucky winner. To enter the raffle you must be a resident of a local postcode within the area covered by the Penrith Society Co-op which covers all CA postcodes and DL 12 and DL 13.

The Draw will be held live on Eden FM Radio on 22nd December around 11 am straight after the local news. The kitchen is on display in the window of the Penrith Burrowgate store and a complete list of all you can win in the draw is available on our website and in all nine stores.

business we will do what we do best, serve the community sourcing local products of a very high standard but not at a high price.

They will all taste traditional but we won’t be charging extra for this. As we move forward you can step back in time to traditional tastes. These products and many more are all now available in your Local Keswick Cooperative Store.

The project that will create a real local Buzz At the start of our campaign for local food back in June 2012 after reviewing our existing range of Honey like many stores we had a large range, around 22 in the Burrowgate Penrith store to be precise but none that we could call local. We got out in the area around the stores, we met a

few local bee keepers but like many local seasonal products the key word is season, the second key word is weather.

There are some good honey’s around if you know what door to knock on but bee keeping as we have discovered is quite an art with many guidelines, legislations and it has to be produced with the best interest of the bees in parallel with the environment. Local honey has many benefits if it is actually sourced in the area around where you live. There have been many reports on its qualities in helping with overcome seasonal allergies. So how do we get enough honey for our customers in 2013?

We firstly have appointed our own Bee keeper Specialist, there will be more about this lady who has been a local bee keeper for almost 8 years and has been involved with local societies. We appeal to all bee keepers around our stores and in Cumbria to contact honey@penrithco-op.co.uk if you would like to ‘bee’ involved in this project.

As an independent local business the Penrith Co-operative Society has now commissioned the making of its own Bee Hives. Some of our local suppliers have taken us up on our option to sponsor a hive. It is our plan to have a minimum of twelve hives in place for spring 2013.

Your Local Penrith Co-operative Society Stores Food and Product demonstrations Do you have a bread mixer in a box or on a shelf collecting dust in a cupboard? Gave it a go once, enjoyed the experience but haven’t had the time since.

At your local Co-op we don’t just sell bread makers we show you how to use them.

We have a new range of Ready Mix Flours, so the baking of your own bread is simplified. If you are still not sure come in and see a demonstration with our staff.

Taste good, feel good, give it go at a Penrith Co-operative Society Store near you.

Following on from the launch of our in store demonstrations at the Burrowgate store with our all day member event, in our new kitchen on the ground floor, installed and provided

by Eden Valley Home Improvements, we are now continuing this as a regular feature every week.

Working with TV Chef Peter Sidwell, Peter has agreed to visit the store and help produce more recipes with local produce at least once a month. Dates will be posted in our stores and in local press. Building on this success, we want to get

everyone involved. Not just at the Burrowgate store, but in all our stores. Cooking and tasting our local products on the premises is something which we believe is a great way to engage our staff with our customers and our local producers. So whether this is trying locally produced easy to microwave ready meals, making simple soups from local produce or mixing

up bread in a bread maker with our new range of bread mixes, it will be happening at your local store soon.

We are open to refreshing ideas and if you would like to taste and try before you buy, then make a trip to a local store on a demonstration morning, lunchtime or afternoon. Taste the potential and enjoy the experience of a real local taste.

The Co-operative edge in Europe comes to Cumbria Recently Ged Kelly and Lee Quinn played host to a group of 37 visitors from Italian Cooperative in Trentino. It was a presentation that promoted a lot of questions via an interpreter about the Penrith Co-operative Society, its history, its current standing in the community and its future. The group was from a region with a population of 400,000, which includes some towns, villages and a rural area similar to the size of Cumbria. The group was a representation of members from the Co-operative stores and the producers they work with in the area.

Their membership is in excess of 200,000. It was time for us to ask the question about how they did it. Working together with the community was a proven model for success. Unlike the mass of supermarket chains in Cumbria, which is growing, this area of Italy has protected much of its region from this kind of invasion. Working the land and co-ordinating and developing its future in partnership with its people and its producers, were fundamental to its future.

Back Home After the reality check which says we can’t go backwards, our model at the Penrith Co-operative Society with its 9 stores, is striving for better links with you the community and businesses in the vicinity around the stores and towards better local and social sales. It is also about supporting the Cumbrian local pound and where it is spent and re-invested. In a rural area, there are few takeaways and we are fortunate to have village shops, farm shops, local post offices and pubs - many of these hubs and an oasis of the community. Then we have online. Do you shop online? Do you shop online locally? We all need food.

Your local co-op can deliver your local products.

Your local Penrith Co-operative Society can also deliver a range of non food products. If you are in the village or in a home in a remote area and you need a new kettle, we stock kettles for everyone’s budget. Our range is part of one of the largest ranges of cookware in your local area.

We have a whole range of electrical goods and a whole floor of home furnishings. This year we have a full range of solid winter fuels that you can collect or have delivered to your door. When you see your local Co-operative van, please remember it is one of many serving our community, supporting the local economy.

So to conclude, as we draw a close to our second Society update and 2012, this New Year is very much a year for not just looking back at 2012, but a year where as a Society, we build on our past. We need to put the power of the people and the businesses of the community to work with us in creating a better local food chain, a better future for our community, with investment back into the local economy. With your support, we can cut the mileage, cut the costs and not cut the corners in delivering value and

quality products to the community.

A true co-operative can only be achieved by working with others and is marked by willingness, commitment and compliance.

Your Co-operative is independently owned and managed by those who use its facilities or services. This could be you and already includes many people.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your Penrith Co-operative Society.

Eden Brewery

£1.89 each

Tirril Brewery Range

£1.89 each

Bedrock Gin

£23 each

The Penrith Co-op Society St James Court, Keswick CA12 5EF Tel: 01768 772688 Keswick is a part of the Penrith co-operative society other stores include Penrith, Shap, Lazonby, Hallbankgate, Westgate, Frosterley, Stanhope and St Johns Chapel

18 • LakesLocal

The WeekendPeter Baking Inspiration Sidwell Not only have I opened a new cafe/restaurant in the Rheged Visitor Centre this year but I have also spent the summer filming a new TV series for ITV called Britain’s Best Bakery. I have seen some pretty amazing bakeries and some very talented bakers. I hope you can tune in on ITV 4pm from the 26th of November every day until the 21st of December to see who has Britain’s Best Bakery just around their corner.

The UK has seen a massive surge of interest in Great British baking over the past few years, perhaps this is due to a change in shopping habits together with lots of TV baking programmes. For me Britain has a wonderful heritage for baking and I feel there is something really exciting to be built on, my question is where is baking going in the next 10-20 years? Will it evolve like food and cooking has or will it stay still.

I want to take Great British baking and push it into the 21st century, give it a really good blast of culinary imagination while still staying true to the classics, just giving them a relevant twist.

For me baking is all about the weekend and I like many people have a busy life and baking in the week sounds great but to bake really well you need time and that is something I’m short of in the week. So weekends are the time to be with my family and to enjoy quality time, great food and good friends-so join me for a little weekend baking inspiration.

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With Christmas almost upon us what better inspiration can there be to get baking than this festive time.

I have created two new recipes perfect for a fresh approach to Christmas. A pecan, cranberry and clementine soda bread is a perfect way to make a no fuss easy loaf of fresh bread for a perfect Christmas Day breakfast- there’s no kneading or proving so it can be in the oven and baking before the kids have even finished unwrapping their presents. I have also created an alternative Christmas Cake as a rich, fruity and alcoholic cake is not for everyone, so my perfect Victoria sponge with a mince pie and Clementine butter icing is a delicious alternative.

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LakesLocal • 19

Christmas Day Breakfast Loaf Ingredients

Here’s how

400g of Self raising flour 50g of wholemeal flour 2 clementines 2 tbsp of sugar 1/2 tsp of salt 50g of dried cranberries 75g of pecans 2 tbsp of plain yogurt 225 mls of milk

Place all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl

lightly floured work surface and shape into a round loaf

Add in the clementine zest, pecans and cranberries

Place the loaf onto a non stick baking tray and using a pair of scissors cut 2/3’s into the dough a cross to the middle opens out

Add in the yogurt and milk then carefully mix together to form a soft dough Scoop out the mixture onto a

Bake at 180c for approx 30 minutes until it is golden and cooked right through

Alternative Christmas Cake

Here’s how

Place the 250g’s of softened butter and the castor sugar into a mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy for 5-10 minutes Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg has mixed in before you add the next

Add in the milk to loosen the mixture followed by the clementine zest

250g soft butter 250g castor sugar 5 medium eggs 250g Self Raising flour 2 tbsp of milk

3 clementines 1 jar of mince pie filling 3 tbsp of cranberry sauce 140g soft butter 280g of icing sugar

Pour the mixture into a 24cm /10 inch cake tin and bake at 180c for 2030 minutes until golden -a good way to check if your cake is cooked is to carefully press the middle of the cake down and if

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When the cake is cooked, leave it to cool for 10 minutes then cover in cling film to keep the moisture in.

Meanwhile melt the mince pie filling and the cranberry sauce together in a sauce pan, then leave to cool

Mix the flour in using a metal spoon, mix carefully so you don’t knock any air out

Ingredients

it springs back then it’s cooked

Beat the remaining butter, icing sugar and a squeeze of clementine juice until it is light and fluffy Cut the cake in half and carefully spoon in the butter icing and the mince pie filling Finally dust with icing sugar

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LakesLocal • 21

The Borrowdale Story Project

by Rev Gay Pye

There are not many places more beautiful than the Borrowdale Valley! People fall in love with it and come back year after year. But there is more to Borrowdale than its outstanding beauty. People have lived and worked here for centuries and the history is as fascinating as the beauty is absorbing!

But where could you read the story? In the Keswick Mining Museum (now sadly closed) and the Pencil Museum, in books and pamphlets, in Walpole’s Herris Chronicles, the story is told but not in the valley itself!

Put that together with three much loved but underused church buildings, and the vision came together.

The Borrowdale Story Project was born. Primarily we wanted it to do two things – to provide a way for the enduring community to tell its story and be inspired by it, and to give to our thousands of visitors a sense of time and place, an enhanced understanding of this unique valley and an appreciation of the people who live and work here. Like other rural communities we share the vulnerability and serious issues of sustainability linked with jobs and housing and, second homes and shrinking infrastructure.

Helped by local people, our school, lovers of Borrowdale, and funding from a number of agencies, large and small, we have come a long way. The Borrowdale Story Project has a life of its own. If you were to come to the valley you would find an exciting range of leaflets for sale in hotels and tea rooms and in the churches. Large banners tell the story as does the website.

In each of our six hamlets there is a slate plaque with

a tiny snippet of hamlet history. In St Andrew’s church near Braithwaite, on the back wall is fixed a stunning batik created by the children of Borrowdale School.

The project is in its third year. We have staged several exhibitions, two of which have been in our school.

What fun to see people of all ages coming back and finding themselves in the old photos and headmaster’s’ log books, to say nothing of the “Punishment Book”. We have tried to encourage some of the local families to explore their own past and produce a story book. An archivist from Carlisle spent a morning here to help and encourage everyone to do that.

The Borrowdale Story is not just about the past but about our present community coming together and enjoying one another’s company. Our live events have been a wonderful mixture of visitors and residents.

We have recorded a number of valley residents talking about how life used to be and we are going to make snippets of those available on the website soon.

Every project needs sustaining. Although many people do put the money in the boxes for the leaflets, some don’t. We need to be able to reprint the leaflets and roll out new ones as well as have the resources for new ideas. We know how many people love Borrowdale so we want to join them all up together as Friends of Borrowdale with a small annual subscription.

Watch this space for more news of the Project as well as our “Borrowdale for Kids” leaflet just about to be published!

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22 • LakesLocal

Alfred Wainwright’s memories of Keswick Alfred Wainwright had a sixty-year association with Keswick and was very fond of this little town nestling under the slopes of Skiddaw.

Wainwright visited Keswick on his very first holiday in the Lake District in 1930. He arrived in the town on a very wet day after having walked from Patterdale over Helvellyn via Striding Edge. Wainwright and his cousin were soaked to the skin and made their way to Stanger Street where they managed to find lodgings with a lady who treated them kindly and gave them fresh, dry clothes to wear, whilst their own were drying out. Years later, AW was to recall that day with affection in his book, Ex-Fellwanderer, ‘In Keswick we presented ourselves at a house in Stanger Street … looking like two drowned scarecrows, dripping water … and making pools on the doorstep. A lady opened the door and invited us inside. It was here that I had my first experience of the kindness and hospitality of the people in the district … That woman was sent from heaven.’

Wainwright visited Keswick the following year when the town was on his itinerary on his 1931 Whitsun Tour of the Lake District, which he undertook with three of his pals from the Treasurer’s office in Blackburn. He made other visits before he moved to Kendal in 1941 and, later, he recalled his memories of Keswick in the days before mass tourism.

‘Keswick has changed since my early visits before the war and I am not a lone voice in saying that the town had a greater appeal in the old days when there were far fewer visitors and a man with a rucksack on his back was an object of curiosity. There were few cars, the usual form of travel was by Ribble bus; the only places of refreshment for those of us not sufficiently affluent to patronise the hotels were the Grey Friars Café and Dalzell’s chip shop. On days too wet for the fells, steps gravitated to the photographic galleries of the Abraham Brothers (now George Fisher), where the high places were portrayed in magnificent camera studies that have never been surpassed or even equalled.’

Wainwright in the Valleys of Lakeland p. 204 In 1952, Wainwright began writing his series of seven Pictorial Guides and for a number of years he would arrive in Keswick on the bus from Kendal, either to begin walks from the town, or to change buses to get to his intended destination. Wainwright had a passion LakesLocal

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Alfred Wainwright photograph by Derry Brabbs

for chips and Keswick was always where he would have a fish and chip meal before returning home after a hard day on the fells.

‘Over many years of weekly visits, always by bus, I came to know some of the local characters as well while remaining anonymous myself.

There was the Ribble bus inspector Scott, who convinced himself, despite denials, that I was Harry Griffin. And there was Winnie, a waitress at the newly-opened Keswick Restaurant, where I presented myself for a meal every Sunday teatime for six years, never varying the menu: my appearance was the signal for Winnie to call to the kitchen, “Plaice and chips for one.”’

Wainwright in the Valleys of Lakeland p. 204 Perhaps some of the older readers of Lakes Local can recall similar memories of Keswick from fifty years and more ago.

If you would like to know more about the Society, log on to the website at www.wainwright.org.uk or email publicity@wainwright.org.uk Derek Cockell Press & Publicity Officer, The Wainwright Society

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Solar PV - still officially the best investment

LakesLocal • 23

Electricity companies raise prices again The price of electricity keeps rising; Scottish Power, Eon and EDF have all recently announced price increases of up to 15%. Generating a percentage of your own electricity future proofs your bills and limits the impact of further price rises.

Improved technology

12% + annual return on solar PV installations still available Recent figures show that Solar PV for domestic and commercial applications are still the best and most secure investment that can be made, with returns of 12 % guaranteed for the next 20 years.

Financial subsidy for solar panels The feed in tariff is still running for both domestic and commercial PV systems with a Feed in Tariff of up to 15.5p paid by your electricity company for ever unit of electricity generated, whether you use it or not. Tariff rates increase every year with inflation, approximately 5% per year Dropping price of solar panel installations

Solar panels are improving year on year with increased efficiency, supporting technology is always evolving.

We now routinely install devices that will ensure any electricity that you’re producing over and above what you require is diverted to your hot water immersion.

Roof integrated PV Don’t like the look of solar panels on a roof? Why not ask us for some information on our new solar roof integrated product range, Love Solar Renewables are the sole distributor of the most aesthetic and cost effective product on the market.

Further renewable technologies Love solar Renewables now sell a full range of solar thermal & Biomass boilers product and are Cumbrian distributors for Sun Power, the world’s highest efficiency solar panels that can generate up to 20% more electricity. Contact us for more details.

In the last year material prices have dropped by over 60% worldwide due to ever increasing production of solar PV panels. These prices have been reflected in the cost of installations with prices dropping by up to 60% in the last year.

Estimated annual financial costs, returns & savings • A 4Kwp solar PV system will cost approx; £6500 • Annual Financial return; £603 • Annual electricity saving, using immersion divert; £476 • Total annual earning and saving; £1079

Tel: 01768 899 722 www.love-solar.co.uk

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24 • LakesLocal

Walking with Keith Wood

Barrow and Outerside

Dominating the scene over the eastern Newlands Valley, these two mountains in miniature make for an ideal half day or family walk. The summit of Outerside in particular being an excellent viewing platform to gain an appreciation of the surrounding fells. Once on the ridge there are spectacular views down into Coledale to the north and Newlands Valley to the south.

1. Heading along the Newlands Valley from Braithwaite on the left above Uzzicar there is a large area off the roadside with plenty of space for parking which makes the ideal point to start this walk. Cross the road and immediately pick up the old mine track which heads up Stonycroft Gill to a long abandoned Cobalt Mine. Initially the track proceeds parallel to the road beneath the slopes of Barrow towards Causey Pike with the Newlands Valley stretching away to the front. The well built track starts to rise as it swings around to the right

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to go up the narrow gill between Barrow and Causey Pike. Follow the mine track gaining height all the while up the rowan lined gill. At the top of the gill the path levels out and swings around to the left beneath Outerside past a large derelict sheepfold.

2. Continue along the mine road walking in the direction of Eel Crags beyond the summit of Outerside until a small cairn is reached marking the beginning of a faint path leading back through the heather up to Outerside. This “back door” route avoids a direct frontal assault and a stiff climb through the heather. Doubling back the path climbs up to the summit of Outerside, at 1863 feet (568m) the highest point of the walk. From the summit an extensive panorama opens out to the north and east, looking across to Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw, Keswick and Blencathra, with the Pennines in the distance along the route of the A66. Whilst to the northwest the magnificent face of Grisedale Pike dominates the scene. From here most of the return route can be seen; along the ridge to the intermediate summit of Stile End, and from there down to Barrow Door, the col below Barrow, and the clear path over Barrow.

3. First descend from Outerside to the depression,

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LakesLocal • 25

on a path which is steep in places with a loose surface, to reach the level which is marshy in places. Pick up one of the paths up to Stile End through the heather, passing a small tarn. Climb up the gentle slope to the minor summit of Stile End, with a view down to the village of Braithwaite.

Looking south there is a fine view of the distinctive outline of Causey Pike and the ridge to Scar Crags.

4. From Stile End summit, retrace the route for a couple of yards to find a narrow path down the front of the fell side to the col at Barrow Door. From the col take the clear path up to Barrow, the final summit of this gentle half day outing.

5. From the summit of Barrow, with its outstanding views across Derwent Water and Keswick towards Skiddaw, the route follows the path straight down the ridge. Looking down to the right from the summit the start point in the valley below can be seen. Follow the wide heather lined path down the line of the ridge straight towards Braithwaite. As height is lost the heather diminishes to be replaced by bracken, now walking on smooth short cropped turf.

6. At the bottom of the ridge at a junction of paths, take the right hand turn signed Newlands, along another wide grass path just above a pine wood around the foot of Barrow heading towards the start. The path follows the edge of the trees and descends to the road just before a large scree fall.

All that is left is to walk back along the quiet road to the start.

For full details of the route with map and photographs are in “ Boot up Derwent Water”, which can be found in many local outlets including Penrith Outdoors, internet shops or directly from the author at: www.keithwoodphotography.co.uk

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26 • Eden LakesLocal Local

Whiteside

Peaks and Pathways by Nick Wells

At this point we had a bite to eat, enjoying the view down to Loweswater and around to Stickle Pike and Skiddaw next to Saddleback. We then realised that Grisedale Pike was right in front of us, shadowing Outerside and Causey Pike, which we call Saggy Boobs (one needs to be here to see why!). This feature can only be identified from the head of Coledale Valley.

To reach the start of this walk; take the road through Whinlatter Pass from Braithwaite, turn left for Buttermere and Crummock Water and park up at Lanthwaite Green Farm situated at the foot of Grasmoor and Whiteside, which is almost at the end of Buttermere Valley. Walking over Whin Ben we reached the steep ascent of Whiteside, this offered good views of Crummock Water, and all the way across the Solway into Scotland.

After about an hour of walking and scrambling (this part is very steep), we reached Whiteside summit, from here we made our way along the ridge over Gasgale Crags towards Hopegill Head. This is by far the best Lakeland ridge walk in my opinion, not even Striding Edge nor Sharp Edge can equal this, and is about a mile long.

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After lunch we headed down Sand Hill towards Coledale Hause before entering Gasgale Gill, this offered a magnificent view of Whiteside and the Gasgale Crags. We followed the Gill which turned out to be an unexpected highlight of the walk, with Whiteside on one side, Grasmoor on the other, and the torrent of Liza Beck eating its way through the Gill floor, providing many small waterfalls along the way.

Further down, the path hugs the beck along a series of short rock steps and traverses, which look harder than they are, before reaching the foot of Whin Ben and back to the car at Lanthwaite Green Farm.

This walk is about five miles in all, and took us four hours. I would grade it as easy to moderate, and would definitely put it in my top five walks so far.

If anyone would like to suggest a walk, please email me at sandwellfurn@aol.com

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LakesLocal • 27

Eden Valley and North Lakes Home Comforts Guide

Eden Valley & North Lakes

On the 7th January 2013 we will be posting through doors our first Eden Valley and Lakes Home Comforts guide.

Home Comforts Guide

Is it another design and interiors magazine? Well yes in parts but it will be so much more. We have a whole list of headings and whilst generally the phrase “home improvements” covers a multitude of different products and skills the focus will be on the word “home”.

This can range from working from home, shopping from home, and yes how our home looks inside and outside. Importantly what we can get delivered locally at home, from local independents.

Mobility, security, safety, energy at home are areas that (excuse the pun) all come under one roof. We’ll be presenting simple affordable ads for the local trades. We’ll have editorials and advertorials from local businesses. If you can think of a section you think we should include then drop us a line.

If you have a business that might benefit from advertising a product or service through 38,609 doors please call us now 01768 899111, full colour ads start from £65

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Tel: 01768 867765 / 07850805251 andrewbriscoe@fsmail.net

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28 • LakesLocal

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