West Cumbria Guide Issue 17 August / September by Guide Media Group

WWW.CUMBRIAGUIDE.CO.UK

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019

WEST CUMBRIA CELEBRATING 12 YEARS OF THE BEST OF THE WEST

CRAB FAIR SPECIAL BRONZE-AGE GOLD FIND SOLFEST THE FINAL FAREWELL? FEATURES

HEALTH & BEAUTY

FOOD & DRINK

PICK ME UP

I’M FREE MOTORING & SPORT

WHAT’S ON

The

West Cumbria Guide

A Word from the Editor

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019

Managing Director Stephen Murphy

T: 01946 448 001 stephen@theguidemediagroup.com

This summer the Guide celebrates its twelfth birthday and a lot has happened since our first magazine went to press. Back then Donald Trump was a reality TV star, Boris Johnson was not yet the mayor of London and Prince Harry was still serving in the army. Ipad’s weren’t around. Neither was Instagram, Air Bnb, Whattsapp or Uber. A lot may have changed but our commitment to West Cumbria has never diminished, we are still here highlighting the best the west has to offer and we help businesses in an economic climate that has never really recovered from the financial crash of 2007.

Office Admin Manager Steffany Clarke T: 01946 448 001 steffany@theguidemediagroup.com

Time always seems to pass quickly when you look back on it and while our first magazine seems like it was almost yesterday, the same could be said of some of the events that make this region such a great place to live. Last years Crab Fair may still be fresh in people’s minds but the event is back for its 752nd year in September. It’s a startling feat that an ancient tradition has continued right through to the modern-day and we can only begin to guess what a medieval Egremont peasant would make of X-Factor winner Shayne Ward, who will take to the stage on the main street.

Creative Director Mike Proud T: 01946 448 001 mike@theguidemediagroup.com

Feature Writer Craig Wishart T: 01946 448 001 craig@theguidemediagroup.com

No one is disputing that three-quarters of a millennium is a long time but it’s nothing compared to the period a Bronze Age bracelet lay under the soil waiting for a local metal detectorist to dig it up. It sat for nearly 4000 years beneath the West Cumbrian soil before Billy Vaughan first held it up to the light and his discovery offers a faint glimpse of the life and times of our ancient ancestors. Enough looking back, there’s still plenty of warm weather ahead of us and we have a few ideas to help you enjoy it. Why not take a day trip along our coastline? The Solway Coast is beautiful and it’s far more than huge stretches of sandy beaches. Where the Solway narrows the sand gives way to marshland and the area is teeming with wildlife. It also has its fair share of history too. We have access to wonderful facilities like Whinlatter Forest Park, where the whole family can spend time together, and we suggest a day out in the lakes with a wonderful walk at Wasdale that will suit all abilities. Get outside and enjoy it. FACEBOOK

Advertising/Distribution Paul Seath T: 01900 354 005 paul@theguidemediagroup.com

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Published by EOL Publications, The Guide Media Group, Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA25 5BD. All feature articles and advertising is copyright of EOL Publishing. Photography - Jim Davis, David Broatch and our wonderful online contributors Cover - Loughrigg Tarn - Frank-Joseph Photography (see p14)

CONTENTS F E AT U R E S 06

E G R E M O N T C R A B FA I R

L I LY A N D C O

P H OTO G R A P H E R I N FOCUS

B RO N Z E - AG E B L I N G

CUMBRIAN WOMAN OF THE YEAR

H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y 28

ALEXANDRA’S FA S H I O N

BRIDGET FOSTER

FOOD & DRINK 36

T H E S I Z Z L I N G S TO N E

YA R - H A R - H A R A N D A B OT T L E O F A L E

C O C K TA I L S

W H AT ’ S O N 60

E D I TO R ’ S P I C K

LOCAL MUSIC

S O L W AY A V I AT I O N

OUR LAKES: CRUMMOCK

F E AT U R E

Crab Fair Re-Gurns for another year

gremontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crab Fair is one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most historic events and makes a welcome return for the 752nd time on Friday the 20th - Saturday 21st of September.

The Crab Fair dates back to 1267 and has been held almost continuously, except for unavoidable interruptions during the War years. It is believed the fair began after the Lord of Egremont started a tradition of giving away crab apples to the residents of the town. This tradition continues even in modern times with the Parade of the Apple Cart, where apples are thrown to crowds which gather along the main street.

Events Of The Crab Fair The fair is home to many traditional events, some of which have their origins in the nineteenth century, while others have been mainstays for the best part of a millennium. The Greasy Pole in the market is one such tradition, although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now made from Carbon Fibre. The objective is to climb to the top and retrieve the prize. Originally the prize was a hat and the winner would parade around the town in their new headwear. It continues to this day, and in addition to the main prize, ribbons are now attached to the pole which can be grabbed from lower levels and exchanged for gifts around town. Cumberland Wrestling remains a mainstay on the current list of attractions. The objective for Cumberland wrestlers is to lift up their opponent before dropping them face-up on the floor. Wrestlers costumes are often richly embroidered and this event is always popular with visitors to the Crab Fair field. While the dangers of tobacco smoke are well-known, the annual pipe-smoking competition is still a favourite among adult attendees to Egremont Crab Fair. Whoever is capable of smoking a clay pipe filled with tobacco in the shortest time is declared the winner.

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However, perhaps the most well-loved, and an instantly recognisable staple of the Crab Fair is the World Gurning Championships. While the origins of gurning are obscure – and some might say questionable – the annual competition attracts interest from national and international media, and involves competitors thrusting their heads through a leather horse collar while pulling a ridiculous, snarling and distorted face. Naturally, the ugliest contestant is declared the winner. The Gurning competition has also gained a stamp of approval from Royal Mail. It’s one of eight Curious Customs to make up a colourful collectable set of stamps. The first-class stamp features what looks like the late Ron Looney and highlights the quirky sense of humour that is part of British life.

A Modern Twist Many of the Crab Fair’s events are steeped in a long tradition but there’s also plenty of modern activities for families to enjoy. The fair coincides with Dancing In The Street, which is a family-oriented festival-style event on Egremont Main Street. Dancing In The Street has grown to become one of West Cumbria’s biggest free events and the crowds will gather from 6 pm on Friday evening. This years headline act is Shayne Ward, who was the winner of the second series of X-Factor and has recently played Aidan Connor in Coronation Street. Also taking to the stage are Katy Ellis, who is a Katy Perry tribute act. I love the 80's will also perform and we can expect a high energy set from Drums n Roses. Local favourites Bernie and Jack Dublin will open the night. While the acts will have you dancing in the street the entertainment also includes a fairground, kids entertainers, street traders, outdoor bar and more. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

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Festival Atmosphere The main street comes to life again on Saturday morning with the Apple Cart a highlight at 12.30 pm. Then follow the crowds up to the Crab Fair Field where there will be a full day of entertainment that includes traditional Cumberland wrestling, dog and ferret shows and much, much more. The food and craft marquess will be a real treat with over 30 producers and makers from all over the county. It will be a celebration of all things Cumbrian. This is the first-ever food marquee and you’ll find everything from Kin Toffee Vodka to Mr Vicki’s Chutney. Outside you can try Bockwurst Sausages, Chinese noodles, Crepes and Pancakes in the hot food area. Chill out in the picnic area while the kids let off some steam - there’s plenty for them with funfairs, magicians, entertainers, donkey rides, alpacas and a mobile zoo amongst the offerings.

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With over 750 years of experience to draw on, organisers promise a great day out for the whole family. Egremont Crab Fair takes place from 20 -21 September. Tickets to the Crab Fair Field cost £6 for adults and £3 for children/concessions, there is a 10% discount for tickets bought online. Entertainment on the Main Street is free.

“We are delighted to bring back something that has long been part of the traditional aspect of the event.” “We are also introducing the sports back this year after a long break,” explained organiser Daniel Shutt. “That includes Grass Track cycling and athletics. We are delighted to bring back something that has long been part of the traditional aspect of the event.” If you want tradition, then head back to town for the famous The World Gurning Championships at the Falcon Club at 6 pm. Celebrations will continue in the field and the night rounds off with Crab Fest. Kazabian will top the bill with support from the likes of the Coutbetweeners, Reggie, The Northern Threads, The Mustangz, Rogues, and Holborn Hillbillies amongst the headliners. “It’s going to be bigger and better,” said Daniel. “Crab Fest is going to top off a fantastic family day of activities. There’s the beer tent, a gin and fizz bar and with some fantastic music we will have everyone dancing the night away.”

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T H E L I LY L O U N G E

The Lily Lounge brings art to life

awn Balmers Studio, The Lily lounge, is perched on the top floor, high over Station Street in Cockermouth and it’s very much what you would expect from an artist.

Brightly coloured canvases are strewn about the space, half-empty tubes of paint litter the shelves and carefully lined plastic sheeting has not stopped splashes of paint covering the walls and floors. Her studio may be a little chaotic but Dawn relishes the change after years of order running a shop: “I owned and ran Lily & Co, in Cockermouth for ten years and then later opened the Indigo Lounge, which was a clothing store. A shop requires a certain thought process as I had to focus on organising staff, book-keeping and ordering stock but painting is a messy business and it requires a totally different way of thinking.” Creating art is not new for Dawn who painted and sold her work in her twenties. She sold her work internationally as far afield as America, Canada and Spain. 10

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Family life brought a change of direction and Dawn opened her businesses and ran them alongside her children for many years. But life changes for all of us and when Dawn’s children went off to pursue their own interests she knew it was time to go back to what she had always loved. She closed the doors of the Indigo Lounge in March last year and opened the Lily Lounge - a combination of the names of both former businesses - in September. Dawn had never lost her love of painting and she feels she can now express her creative talents to their fullest. “I feel very fortunate to be in this position,” said Dawn. “We worked very hard running the stores and with the kids leaving it was time to do something for me. Life takes over and throws you down different paths and it is nice to get back to painting because it’s who I am, I’ve always wanted to do this.”

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“It costs no more to buy a commissioned piece than it does to get something off the wall.” Sometimes you just know when you are on the right path and Dawn is delighted with how many people have approached her since she opened the Lily Lounge to commission paintings. Her original acrylics on canvas have proven popular as people are drawn to the natural landscapes, bold brush strokes and vivid colours in her work. Each piece is a one-off original and Dawn does not make reproductions, there are no duplicates. As you head upstairs to the Lily Lounge Dawn’s bright canvases adorn the walls and you know you have entered a creative space.

Find Dawn’s work on her Facebook page @drbartwork, give her a call on 07939 019366 or drop into the Lily Lounge on Station Street in Cockermouth. Or keep up to date with Dawn’s residency at www.themakersmill.co.uk

All the pieces in the studio are for sale at affordable prices but Dawn would rather work with her customers: “It costs no more to buy a commissioned piece than it does to get something off the wall. It means that you get the right size and the right content for the space you have. People can ring me, I’m laid back and very easy to work with. I like to see the space where the piece will hang, it means I can see how the light will fall on it and really get to know what they want.” So if you are after the perfect piece of art for the right place, whether it’s a private wall or a corporate space, it’s well worth giving Dawn a call. To top off a great year, the newly opened Makers Mill in Keswick took an interest in Dawn’s work and offered her a residency next year. Overlooking the river, the new gallery has provided her with an exciting new venture: “It will give me the chance to show my work to an entirely new audience, I’ll be there to speak with people and hold workshops, I’m really looking forward to it.” T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

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100 years of bringing the forests to life

n September 1919 the Forestry Commission was founded to restore the nation’s woods and forests following the First World War.

They are now England’s largest landowner and look after over 1,500 forests to benefit people, nature and the economy. Throughout 2019 the Forestry Commission will celebrate 100 years with a programme of events taking place throughout the nation, including Whinlatter Forest. They will celebrate the vital contribution forests make to enhancing our wellbeing, economy and environment. One of their key aims has always been to open up the nation's forests for everyone to enjoy and the team at Whinlatter have put together an exciting list of events this summer and beyond that encourage people to reap the rewards of time immersed in nature. Health Walks are held every month and the guided walks stroll through the forest whilst taking in the magnificent surroundings. Everyone is welcome and all abilities are catered for. 12

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If you would like to connect with yourself and nature, then why not join in with some Forest Bathing on the 17th of August. Forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is a natural wellbeing therapy originating from Japan. It consists of gentle walking and mindfulness practice while offering a relaxing and insightful journey into nature and our inner selves. It culminates with a traditional tea ceremony. Forest bathing has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, boost immune systems, lower blood pressure, enhance mood and improve concentration and memory. If there are ladies out there looking to get a little wild then why not come along for the Wild Women Days? Enthusiastic and experienced instructors will guide you on an unforgettable day of fun and adventure. You will have the chance to discover traditional living skills, foraging and learn traditional fire lighting. It’s a perfect girl's day out that’s suitable for women aged 16+ and is held on the 20th of September, 4th of October and 8th of November. Everyone has a chance to get closer to our tiny flying mammals and ‘Go Batty’ on the 6th of September. Take in an evening of bat chat with experts, learn more about these fascinating aeronauts and have a go with the bat detectors.

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There are plenty more family activities this summer like the climbing wall on Saturday the 24th of August. While you’re up there why not hit the Zog activity trail? Head on an exciting forest journey with Zog and his friends, follow the trail markers through the woods to find familiar characters from the story, collect stars as you learn like Zog did at dragon school. This family day out is even better with one of the Zog activity packs available from the Visitor Centre. Inside you’ll find a special lens which reveals hidden pictures along the trail, a booklet with fun activities and a Zog mask. The popular Whinlatter Adventure Club is back and promises exciting activities to keep little adventurers entertained. There’s den building, fire lighting, pond dipping, fire pit food, forest art and more. Led by Adventure leaders the club will run on the 21st and 22nd of August. Adventure Club will also return in October half-term, 21-23 October. And the family Forest Day on the 7th of September promises more den building but also blindfold trails, forest walks and a fire pit with marshmallows. Booking is essential as places are limited and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Make your own adventure at Whinlatter, Cumbria’s mountain forest! Forest walking trails with amazing views / Mountain bike trails Siskins Cafe / Picnic areas / WildPlay adventure play area / Gruffalo sculptures / GoApe Treetop Adventure & Forest Segway / Cyclewise bike hire & shop Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite CA12 5TW 017687 78469 whinlatter@forestryengland.uk

Of course, there are all your normal events like Buggyfit, which is held every Wednesday and is the ultimate outdoor exercise class for mums and their babies and toddlers. The Whinlatter parkrun, nicknamed The Beauty and The Beast, takes place every Saturday and the all-terrain mobility scooter is available for people to hire and enjoy an amazing trail with spectacular views in the forest. With so much to do, one visit to Whinlatter won’t be enough. Contact the Visitor Centre on 017687 78469 to book places or ask for more information or visit www.forestryengland.uk/whinlatter

Mountains of forest,trails, wildlife,views &. adventure..

Whinlatter

forestryengland.uk/whinlatter T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

PHOTOGRAPHER IN FOCUS

frank josef Photographer In Focus

f you follow us on social media you know that we love to showcase our local talent and highlight the very best photographers our region has to offer.

This issue we catch up with Frank Josef who is a professional photographer, he lives in Grasmere with his wife Sue and the pair run their gallery in Keswick where Frank showcases his work. He started his career in the Armed Forces serving in the Cheshire Regiment and he studied for a time with the Army Photographic School of Intelligence. After the army, Frank worked as a wedding and portrait photographer but his work also gave him the chance to travel all over the world, including New Zealand, where he lived for a while. Frank’s equipment varies from full-frame digital DSLR cameras to medium format digital operating at 80MP. Most of his work uses wide-angle lenses and is taken on fixed focal length prime lenses, as he finds this gives him the quality and sharpness he needs. He’s seen a lot of changes in his 30-year career and he admits the move to digital photography was a steep learning curve. Frank’s advice is simple: “Don’t worry about what your pictures turn out like, as long as you enjoy photography there is no such thing as a bad or good picture. Just like music we all have different tastes. Don’t get too worried about the right or wrong way to take pictures. You don’t need to spend a fortune on camera equipment or expensive workshops, you can learn a great deal from the internet. And finally Practise, Practise and Practise… always, you never stop learning.” www.frank-josef-photography.com

Free dessert with any main at Summergrove Halls

For more amazing snaps visit Cumbria Guide on instagram @thecumbriaguide

SShhaarree yyoouurr ppiiccttuurreess w wiitthh uuss oonn FFaacceebbooookk @ @tthheeccuum mbbrriiaagguuiiddee

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Forget Bronze - Billy goes for Gold

ot many of us get a chance to rewrite history but Whitehaven metal detectorist, Billy Vaughan, has done just that when he unearthed a nearly 4000-year-old gold bracelet from a West Cumbrian field.

But he’s generated a lot of excitement and Julian Evan-Hart, who is the editor of Treasure Hunting magazine, believes the arm bracelet is up there with some of the most significant finds of the last half-century:

“It’s quite a find, particularly considering its size and weight. It’s lovely because it’s unusual to find decorated Bronze Age gold. They seemed happy with plain pieces, so this asks all sorts of questions like, is this a one-off? Or has it been in the ground for 1500 years and then found by a Viking, “That may place it because the decoration is closer to as late Bronze Age, something they would do.

The 22-carat, Bronze Age bracelet, weighs in at 310 grams - almost 11 ounces - and the find stunned Billy who has been detecting for a little over six months: “I was happy finding buttons or the odd silver coin but this was unreal. I dug it up, put it in my bag and thought nowt of it. I figured it was one of those clips mountain climbers use, I never believed it was gold, particularly because it was only 5 inches below the surface. It was almost like someone placed it there.

around 1800BC”

I carried on and when I stopped for a coffee I had another look. I called a fellow detectorist Spud, to help ID it and sent some pictures. His response was immediate and was of a type that is sadly not suitable for publication but he indicated it was gold and most likely Bronze Age.” Care worker Billy helps look after people with challenging behaviour, dementia and autism and his new hobby helps him get some fresh air and is his chance to relax. 16

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Also, why was it bent? Was it ploughed some years back or was it deliberately vandalised so it couldn’t be worn, or was it some ritual we don’t understand? We just don’t know.”

Finds over 300 years old, need to be reported to the local Finds Liason Officer and Cumbria’s is Lydia Prosser: “I personally haven’t seen anything like this in my years and I have worked across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. At first, there didn’t seem to be any parallel with the unique decorations and it presented a lot of questions.

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But experts have started looking into it and Neil Wilkins, who is the Curator of the Bronze Age artefacts at the British Museum, came across a similar arm ring of Irish origin. So the latest thinking is it was brought over, or traded, in Ireland. That may place it as late Bronze Age, around 1800BC.” Billy would love to see the bracelet remain in the area, as would the Director of Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum, Elizabeth Kwasnik: “It would be a significant addition to our collections, we don’t have anything remotely similar and it would fill a gap in the record for West Cumbria. Finds like this involve a long process and whether we are successful in acquiring it or not is for others to decide.

A detailed nationwide database can be found at www.finds.org.uk

If it’s defined as a treasure then the British Museum may have an interest in it. Obviously, the Beacon would love to house the piece but we would need to look at various funding to allow us to purchase it.” From our point of view at The West Cumbria Guide, we think this would be amazing for the local tourism drive and create another reason to visit the area. We believe it’s imperative the wheels are set in motion now so this valuable artefact can be housed in The Beacon and enjoyed by generations to come. If you want to discover the treasures of yesteryear, metal detecting is a hobby open to everybody and if you're lucky enough, you might re-write our history, just like Billy. Don’t forget: finds should be reported to your Liaison Officer, Lydia Prosser, on 01772 532 175 or email Lydia.Prosser@lancashire.gov.uk

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Empty, fascinating and beautiful - Our Solway

ummer may mean sandy beaches for many people but there’s no need to head for farflung shores when you have the Costa Del Solway on your doorstep.

Tourists pile into the lake district, yet our coastline is ignored and with huge swathes of sandy beaches dotted with charming villages, it’s Cumbria’s best-kept secret. But the northern stretch of coastline is fascinating and full of history. The sand gives way to marshlands and the outline of Scotland inches closer until it touches near the estuaries of the Eden and Esk Rivers. This part of the Solway Coast is classed as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it should be filled with tourists, but it’s not. It’s almost eerily deserted and time spent here is a bit like looking into England’s past.

North of Maryport we come across Milefortlet 21, located just off the road it’s a fascinating Roman remain. It was a continuation of Rome’s defences that included Hadrian’s Wall and the fortlets were built because there was no defence if the Scot’s bypassed the wall and raided the coast. Below are the saltpans where seawater was evaporated to gather the salt and they are a monument to a bygone age. Grab an ice cream and have a wander in Allonby before pushing north through the charming Victorian town of Silloth. Take a walk along Grune Point, this spit of land has been created by the waves of the Solway Firth and protects Moricambe Bay from the storms of the open water. The Point shelters the estuary and allows the formation of extensive saltmarsh and mudflats, which is great for birds. There is a distinctive wartime pill-box at the end which is made from concrete-filled sandbanks. Sometimes known as the Cumberland Machine-Gun and Anti-Tank Rifle Emplacement, it’s unique to the area. Moving along we pass into Abbeytown, not many people stop here but the landscape of the Solway Plain has been defined by the activities of the inhabitants of Holme Cultram Abbey.

Through the 12th and 13th centuries, the Cistercian Monks were masters of land and water management. Marshes were drained, sea dykes built, farms were created and the port of Skinburness was developed for exports. At one time the abbey was the biggest wool producer in northwest England and the Solway, as we see it now, is largely a creation of the monks who changed the landscape forever.

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The small village of Newton Arlosh was built on disaster after a sea dyke in Skinburness was breached by a massive storm in 1304. The port and town were devastated and the abbot requested the survivors move to a ‘new town’ at Newton Arlosh which looks across the salt marshes to the Solway. If proof were needed you are a long way from anywhere then look no further than the local airfields. The RAF picked these sites because they were so far from the enemy. Kirkbride was active during WW2 while HMS Nuthatch was in service over 100 years ago in the first world war. Beyond Anthorn, the 13 radio antennas of Cardurnock dominate the landscape. These isolated towers are used to communicate with submarines and since 2007, they have broadcast the ‘pips’ signal that marks the hourly time on the BBC.

In this isolated landscape, you’ll find RSPB Campfield Reserve, it’s beautiful and is not just for bird watchers. With a children’s discovery area it’s home to the informative Solway Wetlands Centre. We head east and our journey ends at the Roman fort of Maia, now known as Bowness-on-Solway. Maia was the final fort at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall and it stood on a steeply rising cliff. The name 'Bowness' means 'rounded headland' and gives an indication of the view it commanded of the nearby coastline. It may have been the very edge of the Roman Empire but you can hear the bellows of farm animals across the water in Scotland. The masses might head for the valleys and fells further south but for a true taste of rural Cumbria you really need to get lost on the shores of the Solway. For more information on the area visit www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk Images by Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/ James Smith Photography T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

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Roots To Recovery

he Vulture Club is possibly one of the best-kept secrets in Whitehaven, which is a shame… because it shouldn’t be a secret at all.

The charity has been helping people in Whitehaven since 2012 and they focus on providing a range of activities for individuals in recovery from issues like mental ill-health, drug or alcohol addiction, emotional trauma and social isolation. They aim to enable people to take part in personal growth and development in a confidential, safe and supportive environment through creative diversionary activities. Maggie is a founding member of the Club: “We work closely with Unity, the NHS Drug and Alcohol service and we wanted to set up something that offered a broader range of diversionary activities as well as recovery. We started in libraries with a reading group which grew quite quickly and we 20

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moved to the market hall. We’ve grown and diversified because people have come to us with varying needs that have caused them anguish. Rural isolation and loneliness are common problems in our community.” The group have recently moved into a homely new premises in Church Street that’s filled with assorted artworks. They operate sessions five days per week and their arts-based activities run alongside a specifically written therapeutic programme that develops personal recovery, reduces vulnerability and equips participants with emotional intelligence and self-resilience. Members are assessed for suitability and may embark on twelve-week Roots to Recovery programme. “It’s not easy,” explained Drew. “I don’t think I was addicted but I would say I abused drugs and alcohol and from the course, it became obvious that mental health and substance abuse all tied in together. I learnt a lot about myself and got a real insight into emotions I was dealing with, I learnt a lot about triggers and why I was doing the things I was doing. It brought a lot of tears and put me through the wringer but it always revealed something new.”

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Many services help vulnerable people through stages of life but Vulture Club is there for as long as they are needed. They deliver support born out of care and compassion that aims to bring the best out of everyone. Members operate at their own pace and the programmes are tailor-made. Vulture Club offers art and creative writing along with cultural and walking trips that promote recovery in a different sense and gives members a real focus. Already this year they have had trips to Kelvin Grove Art Gallery in Glasgow and Samye Ling Buddhist Centre. “Before I came here I was having problems with depression and anxiety,” explained David. “When I found out about Vulture club it offered a small speck of light. I’m an introverted person but everyone made me feel welcome, I felt comfortable in the group and it helps my confidence.

Another member explains how the group has helped them: “You don’t get the empathy and understanding outside that you have here. There’s a stigma with mental health, I have PTSD and if I didn’t come here I wouldn’t go out at all. Vulture Club has got me into the community and it helps with isolation and depression. The creative tasks here get you talking and helps you focus on something that’s not your problems.” Vulture Club has changed lives. If you feel you are isolated and on your own, you don’t need to be. For more information please ring 01946 599 553 visit www.vultureclub.co.uk or email vultureclub2012@gmail.com

Depression can make you lose passion for creative things and coming here has helped re-ignite that. It’s also helped develop new interests and I walk away every day with a more positive frame of mind. There is a strong extended family connection here and people look out for each other.” Spending time at the Vulture Club reiterates the strong bonds that have formed amongst members, which is not surprising because the activities promote interaction. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

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Green thumbs up from residents

olmewood residential care home sits on the edge of Cockermouth with a location that commands fantastic views of the Lorton fells and Skiddaw.

A brand new garden has opened up another great view and it also gives residents a pleasant space to spend the warm summer days. “We had a patch of derelict ground around the back that had not been used for some time,” explained manager

Melanie Gilmore, “I had a chat with my handyman Mark and with input from residents, we put together a plan and Mark made it happen.” Mark Fennessey is the handyman, gardener and driver at Holmewood, he was responsible for the design and construction of the garden. It took him months of hard work to finish, due to other commitments around the home, but it is open and ready for the summer with the official opening expected in August. “We are all really pleased,” said Melanie. “Now residents have a chance to go outside and have a potter in the garden. If they want to grow anything, there are raised beds which will make things easier. But it’s also a great place to meet up with families or spend some time outside when the weather is nice.” It’s named after former resident Bernard Coker who was an avid gardener. He kept a greenhouse with tomatoes and tended the patch a few years ago. ‘Cokers Corner’ is fully accessible so residents with limited mobility can still follow the paths. There are plenty of shaded seating areas to relax in while surrounded by fruit trees of plums, apples and pears along with gooseberry bushes. “There is plenty of scope for new additions,” explained Melanie: “We’re happy to add anything residents want and there were a few who kept an eye on Mark as he was putting it together. We have a BBQ which we have used a couple of times this summer, it was very enjoyable and a great chance to do something different.” Holmewood residential home is a stately Victorian mansion and this new garden has given it grounds to match. www.lakelandcare.co.uk

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T H E I FA C O M PA N Y

Money Matters with The IFA Company

t some stage in our lives, most of us will benefit from financial advice. Yet we’re often reluctant to take it because we’re put off by the potential costs. The IFA Company’s Lucy McKinley explains why the question shouldn’t be if you can afford to take financial advice, but if you can afford not to. There’s a feeling that financial advice is only for the very wealthy. This simply isn’t true – financial advisors can offer help on all aspects of your finances. In many cases, the benefits of financial advice far outweigh the costs, especially in these situations:

Financial advice doesn’t have to be costly. At the IFA Company we believe that financial advice should be affordable for everyone, which is why we offer free initial meetings and one-to-one drop in sessions. To find out if financial advice is more affordable than you think, contact us on 01946 821150, email contactus@ifaco.co.uk, visit www.ifaco.co.uk or find us on social media.

Making investments: the biggest mistake most unadvised investors make is choosing investments that are too high risk with the potential of huge losses. Financial advisors will always assess the level of risk you’re comfortable with and the amount that you can afford to lose temporarily. And we’ll never recommend investments which aren’t protected by UK regulations. Taking retirement income: the decisions that you make at retirement will impact the rest of your life. With so many different ways of taking income from pension policies, the choices can be bewildering. A financial advisor can guide you through the different options as well as manage your pension funds and income. Transferring money & investments: the number of financial scammers is on the rise and we’re increasingly hearing stories of people who have lost their life savings and pensions. A genuine financial advisor will never call you out of the blue. The one thing you should bear in mind is that if the offer seems too good to be true, the chances are it is! Always consult with a qualified and regulated financial advisor before transferring any savings or policies. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

F E AT U R E

Nominate your Cumbrian Woman of the Year

umbria Women of the Year is now inviting nominations for its 2019 Awards. It’s the 30th anniversary for the event, which only serves to highlight how special the day is. Cumbria Women of the Year was started by Juliet Westoll in 1990 to recognise the ladies who supported Barnardos at Barrows Green in Kendal. It has evolved greatly over the years to now honour all the county’s amazing women. Public nominations are sought which means recognition can span all walks of life and will ensure the reasons for nomination are diverse. Nominees are exceptional people and, all too often, are unsung heroes. She may be a devoted carer or charity worker who often goes beyond the call of duty. Nominees can include volunteers or someone who enriches the lives of others with their kindness and generosity of spirit. 24

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They may be recognised for their personal sacrifice or their ability to overcome adversity, perhaps she gained success in sport or made a positive difference to the people around them. The only criteria are that nominees must be inspirational to those around them. Last years winner was Joanne Thomlinson, who was an obvious choice for the judging panel. Joanne campaigned tirelessly for the release of her wrongfully arrested brother in India. He was one of the Chennai Six, who was detained for over four years on weapons charges and Joanne’s determination helped secure his release. “Being nominated for Cumbria Woman of the Year was an incredible experience,” said Joanne. “On the day, we were welcomed by friendly committee members and the hotel was a loud and happy place, full of women chatting and speculating on who could have nominated them and why. We were then treated to a fabulous 3-course lunch and I heard many ladies comment that this was a rare and exceptional treat for them. I feel honoured to have been named the 2018 Cumbria Woman of the Year but if I had come away without winning I would have felt every bit as special for being part of such a fabulous day.”

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This year's awards will take place on 27th November at the Laura Ashley Belsfield Hotel in Bowness-on-Windermere. In the region of 60 nominees from all over Cumbria will be invited to this prestigious luncheon to attend the awards. The difficult task of selecting a winner is undertaken by the committee, who are a non-profit organisation made up of 14 voluntary community representatives from all over the county. The committee organises the event and raises funds but they also act as hostesses for the nominees at the lunch and many have been nominees or winners themselves. The Cumbrian Woman of the Year lunch offers the ladies a special day in a beautiful location as a thank-you for their contribution to Cumbrian life and honours their successful achievements.

Nominations close on the 15th of September. To help sponsor the event or contribute please visit www.cumbriawomenoftheyear.co.uk Last Years Winner: Joanne Tomlinson

“It’s up to us to find the funding to put on the awards,” said committee member Jackie Ellis. “It gives us the opportunity to give the nominees a day off and it’s a chance for us to say thank you. We also have sponsors who donate goods which means we can send the nominees home with fabulous goodie bags. We want to create a lovely day for women who have given so much to other people.” The awards are a wonderful opportunity to thank the selfless, inspirational, dedicated and compassionate unsung heroines, who do so much without thought of any recognition or reward themselves.

Jewellery workshop experience with shop & café

It’s a real privilege to show the women they are appreciated said Jackie: “You just think these people are amazing, they are ordinary women doing extraordinary things and you are likely to come across them every day.” So, if you know of someone you believe to be outstanding in their field, dedicated, committed and making a difference, please visit Cumbria Women of the Year website to download a nomination form or call Jackie on 01697 543023 or Debbie on 01946 861538, who will be happy to post you a nomination form.

Bell Close Car Park, Main Street, Keswick, CA12 5JD

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E - fultonjewellery.co.uk T - 01768 779798 T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

Win at the Arnolds leaps Bridget to elite level

ook in the beauty section in any of our magazines and you’ll find our resident hair and makeup expert Bridget Foster.

Bridget has been offering tips and advice to readers for years, but behind the scenes, she has been busy building her body to compete at the top level in the women’s Bikini Fitness Competition. She spends a couple of hours in the gym 5 to 6 days a week but that hard work paid off when Bridget won the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Overall Bikini Fitness Winner at Arnold’s Classic in South Africa. Her win in May earned her a pro card, which means she can now compete worldwide at the elite level.

“I decided if I’m going to do this then it might as well be for something special.” “The Arnold shows are a really big deal,” said Bridget. “I’m ecstatic with the result, normally I don’t go out of my way to promote my achievements but it’s hard to keep it quiet when my future competitions are going to be worldwide events.” Bridget’s win has launched a hobby to another level: “I’ve been competing for about two and a half years now. I’d always been into fitness and done things like gymnastics, trampolining and dancing. When I went to university I started going to the gym. I was there one day and I asked myself what are you doing this for? So I decided if I’m going to do this then it might as well be for something special. I did a show in 2017, I didn’t really know what I was doing but I enjoyed it so I signed up with my coach, Michelle Brennan, and started competing.” 26

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H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

She went on to win the UKBFF North West in 2017. It was an encouraging start and was backed up a year later when she was crowned British UKBFF champion in her height category. Bridget has competed in European tournaments and placed quite highly in Rome: “I came in the top ten in Rome, which was encouraging but it made me realise that although preparing for a show at home is a lot of work, going overseas is even more stressful. You have to make sure that you have your own food and you have to stay in accommodation that allows you to cook it. You need to make sure you are eating and drinking at the right time. That’s not easy on a flight and on a plane there are also issues with water retention and that will go against you when it comes time for scoring.” The judges are looking for symmetry, they want an X shape with a small waist. Which means competitors must build up shoulders and glutes to achieve the required shape. “You have to be quite tight but you can’t have too much definition because you have to move on the stage gracefully and with femininity. It’s all about the stage, the aesthetics and presentation and not just the physique. Anyone can take a picture and pose but adding stage presence, movement and shape during your moment takes as much practice as the training itself.

“I’ve never competed for money before, I always just did it because I loved doing it but now that I’m pro it makes things a bit more interesting.” Bridget also offers help to any offers up-and-coming contestants with 1-2-1 posing sessions that include quarter turns and lay spreads. She has achieved some fantastic results in a short period of time and we can’t wait to see what results the next stage of Bridget's career brings. If any businesses are keen to sponsor a local girl competing at the elite level you can contact Bridget via her instagram @bridgetjanefos or on Facebook.

I could be backstage with someone who maybe has a better physique but if they can’t pose properly or move gracefully then they are not going to get a look in. And then there are things like hair and makeup, they are massive. They have to look good and they have to complement the tan you have. This is where my work has really helped me.” The hard work intensifies now that Bridget can compete in pro events and is competing for prize money: T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

The Benefits of Slow Fashion

lexandra Boardman from Alexandra’s of Keswick highlights a growing movement we desperately need to support.

The issue of climate change has been ongoing for years but it’s really come to the fore recently and is very much a topic for concern. The media is now full of news reporting our impact on the world. Some topics are very visual, like plastic waste in our oceans, which has led people to attempt using far less single-use plastics. And recently the global fashion industry (apparel and footwear) has not fared well under scrutiny. Unsustainable practices have been highlighted and for an industry that accounts for 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (Quantis 2018), changes must be made. We live in a "fast fashion" shopping culture, which encourages us to buy cheap fashionable clothes. They tend to be poorly made from materials with a short lifespan that keeps us on a treadmill of consuming, discarding and repeating the process as far as our budget will last. It’s like the fashion equivalent to junk food - So tempting and tasty but always leaving you hungry for more. Many of the High Street chains or popular clothing websites focus on increasing consumption. They no longer stick with the traditional winter and summer sales but now quite often have six to eight weekly cycles, with sales at the end of each cycle. This practice is intended to eke out as much money from customers as possible. The phrase ‘Slow Fashion’ was coined in 2007 by Kate Fletcher's article in The Ecologist. It advocates good quality, clean environment and fairness for both consumers and producers. 28

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Principles of slow fashion: • •

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Quality manufacturing to lengthen the life of the garment. Developing a garment with a cultural and emotional connection – Consumers will keep something longer if they feel emotionally or culturally connected to an article of clothing. Taxation in the early stages of development in order to deter fashion companies from purchasing or producing material that is not made with recycled, organic or repurposed materials. Transparency of companies production process. Fair pay and good conditions for the people making the garments.

Although price can be a deterrent for purchasing slow fashion items, in the long run, one well-produced piece of clothing will outlive five cheap pieces of clothing. By buying better quality, but fewer garments, you can reduce this waste drastically. Consumers can play their role by looking for well-made garments from natural fibres which can be broken down easier. If we all move away from fast fashion and towards slow fashion then collectively our small changes can have a huge impact on our environment. If you have any questions, you will find their staff extremely knowledgeable about the sourcing of their products – so why not simply ask when you are next out shopping? Change is coming, it has to. We know we can’t keep consuming and then throwing away. The industry wants us to consume readily and quickly, they spend money on advertising to keep you spending. They have created a culture but that doesn’t mean it's right. It makes more sense to spend a bit more now but less in the long run. Step inside your local shops and see what alternatives they have to offer.

Why not consider looking for eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo or Tencel, organic cotton, reversible skirts. Now is the perfect time for the summer sales – so you can stick to your budget and get a better-made garment to love, wear, wash and repeat! In Cumbria, we are lucky to have an amazing range of independent clothing shops which cater for all styles and occasions. Generally, our local shops adopt a slow fashion approach. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

Relax and Unwind with THR Hair and Beauty

s there anything nicer than a glass of bubbly in the company of your best friends or family?

Most of us might not think so, but it can get better. What if you added a massage or treatment in a calm and spacious beauty room? And when you throw in soft robes, snug slippers and afternoon tea then it becomes nothing short of luxurious. Expect absolute pampering at the recently reopened THR Hair and Beauty in Wilson Street, Workington. Lyndsey McKenzie owned the salon formerly known as The Hair Room in Oxford Street and she knew Workington needed something a little bit special. With that in mind, she moved to bigger and better premises in Wilson Street, created a luxurious pamper space and rebranded to THR Hair and Beauty.

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“We always offered that little bit extra,” said Lyndsey. “We gave clients a massage with their hair wash and I felt a little bit of special treatment was something we needed in Workington. There was nowhere else you could have a pamper day with your girls, mother and daughter treats or bridal day preparations. People had to drive into the lakes, someone was driving and that meant the day wasn’t for everyone. We wanted to offer the same experience but closer to home.” The change of premises offered Lyndsey and her team a fantastic opportunity to bring something unique to the town. With an all-new relaxing beauty reception room and calming treatment room downstairs, couples or groups can book a half-day pamper package from as little as £40pp. Leave your worries behind as you slip into a dressing gown and get comfortable with some cosy slippers. There’s nothing else to do but unwind with a glass of bubbly, choose from a full drinks menu, unlimited refreshments and a delicious afternoon tea.

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“We wanted to offer the same experience but closer to home.” It can be the perfect beginning for a night out with the girls, a wonderful start to your wedding with your bridesmaids and family, or a perfect chill out for a couple or group of friends looking to unwind. As soon as you head downstairs to the treatment room you’ll feel more relaxed as the mood lighting and music take over. Side by side beds makes for a more intimate experience for clients.

Give us a ring or check out our Facebook page, we have plenty more treatments on offer.” So if you have a big event coming up and you want to make it all the more special, or you’d like to simply pamper yourself, THR Hair and Beauty will treat you to a day you won’t forget. Find them on Facebook @THRHAIRANDBEAUTY or give them a call on 01900 608283

The basic package offers a half-hour treatment of your choice from Hydro Boost Facial, Indian head massage, mini manicure or pedicure, Hopi candle treatment with lymph draining massage or a back, neck and shoulder massage. Naturally, you can upgrade your package to an hour-long treatment or take your pick from multiple treatments. “Of course we still offer all the same services we always have,” explained Lyndsey. “We offer all sorts of unisex hair and beauty services. We are colour specialists, experienced in hair extensions, have an advanced cutting technician and we’ve always been a great spot to bring the kids for their hair cut or birthday parties! Our experienced beautician is a skin care specialist, who offers a range of advanced unisex beauty treatments and facials like Microdermabrasion, Million Dollar Facials and Dermaplaning as well as plenty of extras to come including advanced Skin peels. Of course, she offers all types of massages too, from specific problem areas to full-body massages and options for added extras such as the popular Hot Stones for the ultimate relaxation! T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

Holidays to hen parties - Add some sparkle to your summer makeup

ur resident makeup artist, Bridget Foster, takes the stress out of summer makeup as many of us head off for warmer shores over the summer. Preparation is the key but from the poolside to the nightclub, Bridget has you covered.

Three girls, three occasions. Summer is a great time to experiment with new colours and styles. More and more of us are going away on hot holidays for hen parties, birthdays and time away so it’s a great chance to try something a bit different. The Lanes came up with some great fashion pieces and it was my job to come up with the makeup looks. Summer looks that were to transition from the hot pool, right through the day and into the evening cocktails. 32

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Bridget Foster Make Up & Hair www.bridgetfoster.co.uk @bridgetfos

Skincare Summer skincare is simple. Hydrate the skin with lightweight serums and moisturisers such as l’Oreal Hydra genius hydrating moisturiser - £6.65. For extra moisture add Clarins moisture surge on top. You would apply your SPF on top of all skincare before makeup - £24.

Pool time Sometimes our face can be paler than our body with us using SPF on our faces - which is strictly advised. To bring back the colour or add a warm glow to the skin I loved SOS Clarins primer in number 6 - £21. This is stunning alone with Estee Lauder double wear Concealer which has a nice SPF of 10 - £21. A beautiful brighter lip such as Benefits Criminally coral £17 will lift and brighten the skin.

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Daytime I spotted the Laura Gellar Nude attitude eyeshadow palette. I knew it was a great piece for everyone to have in their makeup bag. I beautiful mix of neutral colours such as beiges, browns, earthy greens, plums and a touch of gold. Various matt and iridescent textures. The perfect palette to take away and you have covered all areas - ÂŁ25.50.

Night As we move into night time makeup, Estee Lauder always delivers a good bronzing range. Brazen Bronzers - ÂŁ28. These were highlighters that really emphasised your natural tan and gave you the prettiest glow, these definitely stepped up the look as you can apply the highlighters to the collar bone. Very elegant. The fun always begins with the makeup at night. Primark has a heap of facial and body jewellery. Using Duo Glue you can easily follow the design from the packet or as I did, create your own. As bold or as subtle as you like. These looks are extremely popular especially Ibiza, where you would spend up to 40 euro for these decorations. We went for real party time look by adding glitter into the root of the hair and within plaits and knots. Nobody is ever too old for a bit of sparkle. Add some colour to your next trip away. Credits: The lanes shopping centre Marketing manager Holly Woodhead Photo D&G photography T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

FOOD & DRINK

THE SIZZLING STONE SUMMER PUDDING RECIPE HARBOUR MASTER & ENNERDALE ALE RECIPES

MENUS

LOCAL FOOD

COCKTAILS

INTERVIEWS

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Perfectly cooked every time

eswick’s steak restaurant, The Sizzling Stone, has gone from strength to strength over the past five years. Owners Alison and Jason Dodson are delighted because initially, they only wanted to test out a novel idea. “There wasn’t a steak restaurant in Keswick at the time,” explained Jason. “We’d owned and run Ravensworth House for ten years and ‘Where can we get a good steak?’ was the overwhelming question people kept asking us. So we thought we’d trial the hot stones in our dining room and see what happened.” A recent expansion to The Sizzling Stone proves the couple was right to pay attention to their customer’s needs as the restaurant was closed earlier this year for major renovations. An extension was added to the back for a purpose-built commercial kitchen which has given The Sizzling Stone an extra dimension. The flat roof of the new kitchen has created a small, sunny and wonderful roof terrace. The added space has given the Sizzling Stone the opportunity to add a few extra seats but Jason insists the dining experience will still be something special: 36

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“It might sound a bit corny but we are humbled when people choose to dine with us when there are so many places in Keswick. I’d much rather our customers enjoyed the whole experience and recommend us to their friends and family. Cooking on the hot stone is different anyway, it naturally leads to a more relaxed and slower-paced dining experience. We pride ourselves that we don’t rush anyone, I’m a big believer that people should be able to finish their meal and relax with a couple more drinks. They can even retire to the roof terrace and enjoy the last of the evening sunshine.” The team believe that their strong work ethic is the key to their success but Jason believes their determination to support local business and farmers also plays its part: “We work closely with local farmers, we always have done and almost everything on the menu is locally reared and produced. Our meat is sourced from three farms within the CA postcode, which means we can ensure quality because we know how the animals are kept, animal welfare is paramount to us. Our steaks are then cut differently and dry-aged for extra flavour. It’s essential to keep the food miles down and we’re lucky because our beer is supplied by the fantastic Keswick Brewery, which is practically in our backyard.

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“We work closely with local farmers, we always have done and almost everything on the menu is locally reared and produced.”

Unfortunately, our wines aren’t local but we work with a prestigious supplier that sources directly from the grower, you won’t find our wines anywhere else in Keswick. We have a standard wine list to suit most budgets and a cellar list for those wishing to have something extra special. We are undergoing Gin revolution at the moment and we’ve sourced some excellent local gins, we currently have well over 20 bottles and a good selection of spirits and rums.” The steaks are the star of the Sizzling Stone menu but fish and vegetarian alternatives such as Halloumi Kebabs are on offer too. The revamped restaurant is a wonderful modern space to dine in and its town centre location makes it a very appealing option for a night out in Keswick, so why not spend the night? There are three tastefully decorated rooms upstairs. The guest house was always highly rated, and while Alison and Jason’s focus has changed to the restaurant, the rooms have always remained to a high standard. For a perfectly cooked meal, from the finest Cumbrian produce, you can’t go past the Sizzling Stone. Just mind the plates, they’re very hot but you won’t leave hungry! Visit www.thesizzlingstone.co.uk or call them on 017687 44852 T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

FOOD & DRINK

It’s better when we work together

t’s easy to get a bit lost in the modern world. Our food and drink gets shipped and flown in from all over the place, which is not only environmentally unsound but also has a dramatic impact on traditional industries. It may be a great big interconnected world out there but West Cumbria is still a small, close-knit community at heart and to thrive we must rely on each other. That’s why it’s great to see our local businesses team up and form exciting new partnerships, which helps them survive in this tough economic climate but also ensures everyone can flourish. It might not sound all that unusual that a brewery supplies beer to a bar but a new relationship between the Harbour Master in Whitehaven and Ennerdale Brewery was based on a novel idea that leaves you scratching your head and wondering why no one has done it before. “Sean has been a great customer since the Harbour Master opened,” explained Ennerdale sales manager Russell Lemon. “He approached us looking for a bespoke beer. He wasn’t sure what he was after but he was open to 38

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various options. We hadn’t ever done anything like this before and we suggested an American IPA because they sell well and we felt it was a pretty safe bet. We left the rest up to our brewer Dave Morton and he came up with a fantastic beer.” The Harbour Master was launched just before Christmas last year and it’s waterside location, outdoor seating, simple food and drink options and dog-friendly attitude have been a big hit with locals. “Since I opened the Harbour Master I’ve always tried to be communityminded,” said owner Sean Reay. “Everything is a lot easier when we look after each other. We’ve always served Ennerdale beers, they’re a great company to work with, their beer sells well and people love it. The idea came from the art school that we have here on Sunday morning. The design for the logo was done by Liam Millar, who is one of the members of the group. It’s based on a boat in the harbour called Sandpiper, which is an ex-navy training ship. So we had a design and an idea, so I approached Ennerdale for the beer.”

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And what an ale it is too. Brewer Dave Morton knows a thing or two about beer and his Hoppy American IPA is the perfect refreshment for a summer day. Head down to the Harbour Master, grab an outdoor seat and you’ll soon see a cold pint of his IPA was made for that moment. “It was the first bespoke brew we’ve ever done,” said Russell but on the strength of the success of this one, we will do it again. Sean’s first run sold out quickly and he needed a second batch with short notice, we would do anything to support any local business and we were happy to help. It was a great idea, we’ve run with it now and already we’ve had interest from other businesses looking for their own beer.” Sean is keen to repay the support he’s received: “We created an art fund too for our group, so every time we sell a beer we top it up. I’m going to hand the money over to them so if people want to come along on a Sunday but can’t afford equipment or whatever then there will be a kitty there to help them. We want to get people into being creative, it’s just a small thing we can do to help out.” The first collaboration between the two local businesses was an undoubted success…. I doubt it will be the last.

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FOOD & DRINK

summer pudding with clotted cream cleaver’s

ith an impressive menu that changes seasonally, Cleaver’s bar and restaurant is fast gaining a fantastic reputation for great food. Richard and Helen use local ingredients wherever they can, which makes this summer fruit pudding uniquely Cumbrian. Recipe serves 4

Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

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1 Gelatine Leaf (2 g ) 200 g Strawberries 150 g Blackberries 150 g Raspberries 150 g Blueberries 150 g Red Currents 100 g Black Currents 125 g Caster Sugar 1 Brioche Loaf

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Milk and more

f your fed up braving the crowds at supermarkets and love the idea of waking up to fresh bread, milk and groceries on your doorstep every morning, then it’s time to contact Andy Pratt.

Andy Pratt Ltd have a wide variety of fresh produce available including milk, bread, fruit, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, bacon and eggs. All products are delivered in a refrigerated van, so you can be assured of freshness and quality. Their fruit and vegetables are sourced from local farmers where possible and their groceries are of the highest quality. The family-run business is based in Holmrook and started delivering milk back in 2000 to Ravenglass and the Eskdale Valley. They now deliver anywhere from Millom to Wigton and everywhere in between. From a large business like Sellafield to local pubs, cafes, shops or family homes, Andy Pratt looks after everyone.

Method Place the gelatine in cold water and soak until softened. Place the berries and sugar into a pan and cook for ten minutes until soft. Strain the juice into a saucepan and reserve the berries. Heat the juice up and squeeze the gelatine to remove any excess water then add to juice and stir until it has dissolved. Slice brioche lengthways in 1cm slices then roll out thinly with a rolling pin. Cut the brioche into 4 discs measuring 7cm to fit the bottom of the moulds. Then cut 4 discs to fit the top of the moulds, measuring 5cm. Cut four rectangles measuring at 5 cm x 2.5cm to fit the sides. Dip all the cut bread into the juice on both sides to line your mould.

“We have seen a lot of new customers contacting us because they are looking to return to traditional glass bottles,” said Andy. “Obviously they are much better for the environment and we are one of the very few milkmen who still deliver milk in traditional glass bottles.” Eco bottles save you money because there is no need to purchase a constant supply of plastic bottles and they reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills. Door to door deliveries like Andy Pratt may be an oldfashioned idea but they will play an important role in our future. Give the team a call on 01946 724097 find him on Facebook @andyprattmilkman or visit www.andyprattltd.co.uk

Add the remaining juice to the berries and put them into the middle of your mould. Place the top on and press down then place on a tray, each individual pudding needs to be underweight. Chill overnight.

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FOOD & DRINK

Vegan Mexican Breakfast

e’re all aware that we should eat less meat if we’re serious about helping the environment. This recipe from ‘The Vegan North’ proves vegan food can be exciting and tasty. This plate brings together the true flavours of Mexico, it’s simple and follows the traditional style used by many Mexican familes. You can use the chillies of your choice for the salsa and add more or less, depending on your tolerance. INGREDIENTS: • 250g quinoa • 1 pack of tortillas For the black bean stew: • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • ½ onion, finely sliced • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped • 250g tinned black beans • 5g salt

For the spicy tomato scrambled tofu: • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • ½ onion, finely sliced • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped • ½ tsp chilli flakes • 6 tomatoes, roughly chopped • 250g firm tofu • ½ tsp salt For the guacamole: • 2 ripe avocadoes • 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped • 1 fresh lemon, juiced • ½ tsp salt For the salsa: • 4 red chillies • 3 tomatoes • ¼ white onion • 1 clove of garlic • ½ tsp salt

FOOD & DRINK

METHOD: Put quinoa and 500ml of water into a pan and cook on a medium heat for 25 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and is fluffy. For the black bean stew: In a separate pan, cook the onions in the oil for 5 minutes on a medium heat or until they turn light brown. Add garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the black beans and salt then cook on a low heat for 10 minutes. For the spicy tomato scrambled tofu: In another pan, cook the onions in the oil for 5 minutes on a medium heat or until they turn light brown, then add garlic, chilli flakes and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Crush the tofu by hand or with a fork to create a ‘scrambled’ effect, then add to the pan with the salt. Cook for 10 minutes. For the guacamole: Scoop the flesh out of avocados and transfer to a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mash them with a fork or purée with a hand blender. It’s traditional to have your guacamole textured than a smooth paste. For the salsa: Remove the stems from the chillies, and place the tomatoes and chillies in a pan. Add water until the tomatoes are covered. Cook for 10 minutes. Drain the water. Place tomatoes, chillies, onion and garlic into a blender (or bowl if using hand blender) and blend until smooth. Add the salt. To serve: Warm the tortillas in the oven at 200°c for 1 minute and plate everything together. The Vegan North is available to buy in all good bookshops or online at www.mezepublishing.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Cherry and Almond Cake ALLONBY TEA ROOMS

t’s time to get baking but sometimes it’s best to be honest, when it comes to to cakes and slices there’s no point in mucking around.

Traditional favourites are just that for a very good reason, they’ve stood the test of time and many recipes may have been a closely guarded secret that’s stayed in a family for generations. We thank Brenda from Alonby Tea Rooms for sharing hers with us. Ingredients For the Base: • 6oz (175g) butter or margerine • 9oz (250g) plain flour • 3oz (75g) caster sugar • 4oz (110g) sultanas • 5oz (150g) cherries roughly chopped For the Topping: • 5oz (150g) butter or margerine • 5oz (150g) caster sugar • 2 eggs • 5oz (150g) ground almonds • A few drops of almond essence • 3oz (75g) flaked almonds • icing sugar to dust Method 1. Grease and line a 18cm x 26cm baking tin and set oven to gas mark 4 (180 degrees celsius) 2. Cream butter and sugar together and gradually add flower. Mix until fairly firm, turn into prepared tin and press into the bottom evenly with the back of a spoon. 3. Lay sultanas and chopped cherries on the mix. 4. Mix the topping by creaming together the butter and the caster sugar and then add the eggs, mixing well. Add ground almonds and a few drops of almond essence. 5. Spread the mixture over the fruit base and sprinkle with the flaked almonds. 6. Bake in the middle of the oven for approximately 45 minutes until golden brown and firm to touch. Serve and Enjoy! 44

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FOOD & DRINK

Good Food Guide The Good Food Guide showcases a little over 1000 establishments, which places shortlisted nominees in a very esteemed company. Last year there were only 324 award winners selected from half a million food outlets in the UK. Nominees must hold a 4-star food rating and the Star of Siam will find out in September whether they will be invited to the award ceremony in London in November. “We’ve never been nominated for anything like this,” said Ian. “But our name was submitted multiple times and I’d love to thank those people, whoever they might be. Fingers crossed we progress because to be included in the Good Food Guide would be amazing.”

We will have to wait on the results but in the meantime, you can call The Star of Siam on 017687 71444 to book a table and find out what all the fuss is about or order a takeaway online at starofsiamonline.co.uk

ince taking the Star of Siam over two years ago, Ian McGregor and his wife Wanlapha, have strived to bring the authentic taste of Thailand to Keswick and a recent nomination for the Good Food Awards is proof the couple are on the right track. Nomination for the prestigious awards came as a shock to owner Ian: “I thought it was a hoax when I first got the email but there was a phone number and when I rang I was stunned to find out it wasn’t. We’re over the moon but still a bit shocked to have been recognised and, as far as we know, we may be the only restaurant in Cumbria to have been nominated.” The awards are linked with the prestigious Good Food Guide, which is Britain’s number one, annually produced, restaurant handbook. It’s described as a trustworthy dining companion and has been published since 1951. Nominations come from members of the public and the aim is to seek out the cream of restaurants, pubs and cafés across the UK. It includes the big names through to the nations best-kept secrets and covers budget meals to fine destination dining. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

FOOD & DRINK

holiday Cocktails ummer means holidays, which are our chance to go a little crazy and let off some steam. Our cocktails may raise a few eyebrows but once you try them you’ll know why we decided to feature them.

The Greyhound For a tall, refreshing drink that’s a perfect long snifter, you can always turn to the Greyhound. The beauty is in its simplicity and the vodka adds very little flavour so you are basically drinking spiked juice. Try infused vodkas for a fun twist. Ingredients • 60ml vodka • 125ml grapefruit juice • Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge Method Pour the ingredients into a collins glass filled with ice cubes. Stir well and garnish.

Navy Grog This drink began as a way to enhance and preserve water stored on Navy ships and help sailors take on vitamins which helped fight disease like scurvy. It dates back to the mid-1700s and was typically a mix of rum, water, honey or molasses, lemon, and cinnamon. It was served either hot or cold. If you can’t find the rum we’ve listed…. You can use any really, so mix and match to suit. Ingredients • • • • • • •

30 ml white rum 30 ml demerara rum 30 ml dark rum 20 ml lime juice 30 ml white grapefruit juice 30 ml syrup 60 club soda (or enough to fill) Garnish with an orange slice and cherry if you wish.

Method Pour the rums, juices, and syrups into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish. 46

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Jamaican Guinness Punch Ingredients • • • • • • •

1 Guinness can 1 cup whole milk Half a cup of condensed milk 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract Whipped cream to garnish (optional)

Method Place Guinness, milk, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon and nutmeg in a blender and whip to combine. Serve cold and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg.

Seabreeze It’s only slightly different from the Greyhound but it’s extremely popular and after one taste, you’ll realize why this has been a favourite for so long. Serve over ice and make it as tall or as short as you like. Ingredients • • • •

50 ml vodka 100 ml c ranberry juice 20 ml grapefruit juice Garnish with grapefruit or lime slice

Method Pour the vodka and cranberry juice into a highball glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Top with the grapefruit juice and garnish.

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M EOSTW K OIRCIKN G MO AT NO DR S C POR MTP A N Y L T D

Still a perfect Fiat after 50 years

eswick Motor Company is celebrating its 50th year of partnership with Fiat and in our ever changing world, it’s reassuring to know the family-run business continues to look after Cumbrians with the same care and attention as they have always done. Philip Vickers is in his 50th year and the business is now run in partnership with his daughter Gemma, who has recently reached her own milestone, with her 20th year of service. They are certain their commitment to the community is more important now than it ever has been: “We are now the only Fiat dealer in Cumbria,” explained Gemma. “You would have to go as far south as Preston or north to Glasgow for another Fiat dealership. When you visit us you will see the same faces across the service department, in the workshop and myself or Philip in the showroom. Our customers come back year on year, not just for our quality workmanship but because of our personal service and commitment. We really do care about our customers’’ Big companies may muscle into the area but a huge glass showroom tucked away on some industrial estate has never been a match for a small garage in the heart of the community. With the recent sudden closure of Border Cars, there may be many Fiat owners left a little panicked and not knowing where to turn. Gemma assures them Keswick Motor Company is here to cover all of their Fiat needs: “We offer service and maintenance on all cars and we carry out repairs under Fiat’s three-year warranty. We have a great selection of pre-loved Fiat’s for sale as well as outstanding offers and upgrades on new Fiat vehicles. We can offer the best advice on finance options and we always ensure our customers fully understand the entire finance and sales process. Customers become part of our ‘Fiat family’ and this doesn’t end when they drive their car off the forecourt. We also have years of experience servicing and repairing all commercial vehicles and motorhomes with the Fiat engine and chassis.” 48

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M OTO R I N G A N D S P O RT

A family-run business has different priorities to a big company, they care about forming a strong relationship with their customers because they are part of the community they operate in. The town centre location of Keswick Motor Company offers something many dealerships can’t. When you drop your vehicle off you not stuck in a waiting room, drinking watery coffee out of a plastic cup from a vending machine. You can stop and have a chat if you like, or have coffee made for you, but the centre of Keswick is seconds away and you can have a wander, head off shopping or even a walk down to the lake while your car is being looked after. With staff that live in West Cumbria, they can often offer a delivery and collection service and they also offer a free courtesy car where available. They always try to fit in around the needs of their customers.

INDIVIDUALITY HAS NO

Keswick Motor Company may specialise in Fiat’s but they also have a great range of other makes of used cars that always go out with twelve months warranty, 12 months MOT, full pre-sale service and maintenance before the car is delivered to customers. They also offer other services like 24 Hour breakdown recovery, car valeting, air-con servicing, tyres and they also run Kesmobility, which specialises in the service, repair, sales and hire of mobility scooters and wheelchairs. They can also arrange the supply of any other mobility-related products. The public realise that old-fashioned service is a great thing and family values really do go a long way. So if the recent closure of the big dealerships left you stranded and wondering what your options are, then the good news is Keswick Motor Company has you covered. Give them a call on 017687 72064, visit www.keswickmotorco.co.uk or find them on Facebook @kesmo.co.uk

ROCKSTAR

LOSE THE LABELS Keswick Motor Company LTD, Lake Road CA12 5BX 017687 72064 www.keswickmotorco.co.uk Fuel consumption figures for the Fiat range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 31.7 (8.9) – 54.3 (5.2); Extra Urban 47.1 (6.0) – 74.3 (3.8); Combined 40.4 (7.0) – 64.2 (4.4). CO2 emissions 117 – 160 g/km.

Fuel consumption and CO2 values are obtained for comparative purposes and may not be representative of real life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, optional wheels, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. CO2 and fuel consumption values are determined on the basis of the measurement/correlation method referring to the NEDC cycle as per Regulation (EU) 2017/1153.

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M OTO R I N G A N D S P O RT

The third-generation Picanto is young, fun and stylish

he transformation of the Picanto from the drab and sparse first generation through to the current mark three has been a big one.

The Picanto now comprises of eight stylish new models: the '1', '2', 'Titanium Edition', '3', 'X-Line', 'X-Line S', 'GT-Line' and the range-topping 'GT-Line S'. While earlier versions were revered for their economy, the Picanto has matured into a small car that’s young, fun and stylish. The Picanto is full of energy, comfort features, smart ways to stay connected and advanced technologies to keep you safe. It’s a small city car that offers a grown-up drive to go with its sporty new looks, yet it’s still economical to run. The Picanto is Kia's smallest car and it’s now available with two highly distinctive body styles with the crossover-style ‘X-Line’ model alongside the conventional five-door city car. The ‘X-Line’ variants are longer, wider and taller than conventional city cars and have increased ground clearance. They make no pretence at being a fullblown SUV but have a more 50

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rugged look in a market in which the crossover is king. Both variants are powered by a 1.25-litre engine with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The ‘X-Line’ and ‘X-Line S’ are 75mm longer, 30mm wider and 15mm taller while the unchanged size of the conventional Picanto disguises the ingenuity that has gone to improve passenger and luggage space. In the conventional city car market, size matters and customer research shows that city-car buyers do not want big cars, so Kia engineers and designers have ensured that the Picanto is no larger than the previous model, while still delivering greater space and practicality. The new Picanto is more spacious than its predecessor while occupying not a millimetre more road space. Of course, a great city car needs to focus on giving buyers exactly what they want: seriously cheap motoring with as little compromise as possible on space, quality and driving characteristics. There is a lower waistline to make the cabin lighter and airier, a slimmer dashboard to enhance space for the driver and front passenger, and lower seats placed further backwards in the cabin. There is more head, leg and shoulder room in the front than the previous model.

M OTO R I N G A N D S P O RT

New materials and trim enhancements emphasise the significantly improved quality of the Picanto. The seats are in smart black cloth, premium black cloth, grey faux leather or black and red faux leather, depending on model; there are black, silver paint or satin chrome door handles, and leather trim adorns the steering wheel and gear-lever. Driver and passenger well-being have also been improved by extensive measures to reduce noise, vibration and harshness. These include greater use of foam, insulation pads and body strips, plus new engine mounts and revised, quieter heating and ventilation units. Even the windscreen wipers have been placed lower to reduce wind noise The third-generation Picanto is built on Kia's new and immensely strong H platform, which boosts both driving dynamics and safety. It helps make the Picanto the safest small car Kia has ever made and the amount of advanced high-strength steel in the body construction has doubled from 22 per cent to 44 per cent, making the new car's shell not only more robust but also 23 kilogrammes lighter. Advanced connectivity and driver assistance features now keep occupants fully in touch with the outside world while minimising the risk of accidents.

In line with every Kia, the Picanto comes with the best warranty in the business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seven years or 100,000 miles, subject to terms and conditions. The warranty is fully transferable to the next owner if the car is sold before the time or mileage limit expires. Small cars do not have to be spartan and the new Picanto will not disappoint. To book your test drive contact 01900 608000 or visit Walkingshaw, Joseph Noble Road, Workington, CA14 4JH or visit www.walkingshaw.co.uk T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

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AUSTIN FRIARS

An All Round Education at Austin Friars

he Open Week this October is the perfect opportunity to find out if Austin Friars is right for you and your child.

The School’s core motivation is to educate the ‘whole person’ and to focus on each individual child; to nurture and develop his or her unique potential. To equip pupils not just with knowledge, but also with skills for life to ensure that

The Independent Day School for Boys and Girls aged 3 - 18

OPEN WEEK 14th - 18th October 2019

 West Coast Bus Route. 

Extensive Extra-Curricular Opportunities.

 Tours available for Pre-School, Junior School and Senior School (including VI Form). Call 01228 550760 or email admissions@austinfriars.co.uk for more information and to book a place on a tour.

AUSTIN FRIARS, CARLISLE I WWW.AUSTINFRIARS.CO.UK 54

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they become confident, modest and articulate young men and women who embody the School’s Augustinian core values of Unity, Truth and Love. To do this, both staff and pupils appreciate that school life at Friars extends far beyond the classroom, which is why the extra-curricular opportunities are extensive. Despite consistently achieving excellent results at both GCSE and A’ Level, the unique approach at the School ensures that all pupils benefit from an experience that recognises education is about far more than examinations. The School has high expectations and as a result, has established an enviable reputation for bringing out the best in each of its pupils. There is a West Coast bus route available with stops at Whitehaven, Workington and Cockermouth opening up the School to pupils from across the county. The Open Week, which will be held from 14th – 18th October, will give parents and prospective pupils a chance to experience Austin Friars first hand and get a taste for the flavour of life at the school. Tours covering all areas of the school, led by a senior member of staff, will be available at a variety of times. Admissions and Marketing Manager at Austin Friars, Anna Burns, said: “We encourage anyone to come along, especially if they have never considered us before. The Open Week is very informal and a great opportunity to see the School ‘in session’, completely natural, with nothing set up for anyone’s benefit. We believe we are at our best that way.” To book a place on a tour during Open Week, contact 01228 550760 or email admissions@austinfriars.co.uk

F E AT U R E

rowing bodies need special care and attention, it might not always seem like it but children's feet are delicate.

They can easily suffer damage from an ill-fitting pair of shoes and owner of Goody 2 Shoes in Cockermouth, Claire Murray, knows you must get it right: “Children wear their school shoes all day, every day and it’s important they have their feet measured for the best possible fit. We have a great range of black leather school shoes and we stock a variety of brands with different width fittings.”

“We are more than happy to do an out-of-hours service because we realise some children don’t cope all that well with the hustle and bustle of a busy shop.” Going back to school is always a trying day but thanks to Goody 2 Shoes, parents have one less thing to worry about. For more information visit www.goody2shoescockermouth.co.uk, find them on Facebook @goody2shoescockermouth or drop into the shop on Station Street Cockermouth.

Goody 2 Shoes has been looking after children's feet since 2002 and Claire believes her family-run ethics have been key to their success: “We understand the needs of young feet, we strive to give great service and it’s important to us when customers return or recommend us to friends and family. With our specialist fitting service, we aim to provide everyone with a professionally measured, perfectly fitted pair of shoes. We also have experience fitting for children who require orthotics or other medical needs and we are recommended by several hospitals, doctors and physiotherapists.” Claire has been in the industry for over 25 years and is a member of the Society of Shoe Fitters, her staff all have over ten years experience and are trained to the same high standard. Goody 2 Shoes offer far more than school shoes, they have a huge range of footwear from first-walkers right through to teenagers and you can pick up great quality sandals, trainers and outdoor shoes in their end of line and summer stock sales. It’s important to look after young feet but Claire also knows it’s important to look after families too: T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

FE P UAZTZU LR ES E

Catch-Words

Across 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 18 20 22 23 24 25

One whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hooked (6) Young cattle (6) Sugar present in milk (7) Racing pigeon? (5) Theme park features (5) Satan (3,4) Downcast (11) Entrenched stronghold (7) Welsh dog (5) Annual grass with light brown grains (5) Renounced (7) Hurried (6) AM/PM separator? (6)

Down 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 19 21

Attraction (6) Played with small cubes (5) Rich old king (7) Felt pain (5) Bloodsucker (7) Butcher-bird (6) Give vent to anger (3,3,5) Compensation (7) Tetanus (7) Box-like container that slides (6) Centre (6) Loosen (5) Connected with farming (5)

Answers on page 81 ALPHA SUDOKU Place a letter from A to

I in each empty cell so every row, every column and every 2x3 box contains all the letters A to I.

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SUDOKU Place a number from 1 to 9 in each empty cell so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains all the numbers 1 to 9.

HISTORIC CUMBRIA

it’s a gas

he industrial revolution shaped our lives in West Cumbria. Its impact was significant and the Cumbria Industrial History Society reveals how it affected our modern world.

In the days before electricity, everything was lit by gas. Every town had its own gasworks where coal was baked to release crude gas. This went through a series of processes to clean it up so it was fit to be supplied through mains pipework. Before it left, the gas was stored in large holders. These were large circular tanks, usually partly sunk into the ground. The tanks would rise to hold the supply from the works, then gradually fall when customers switched their gas on. They were an impressive sight.

Distington and Holmrook Hall in Gosforth had acetylene plants, as did the golf club and church in Seascale! The quarry at Waberthwaite built a plant to power the aerial ropeway down to the Furness Railway. Demand rose as new uses were developed like engines, cookers, fires and fridges. This new-fangled equipment had to be “sold” to the public and cooking demonstrations were held in Keswick in 1887. A lot has changed and gas is no longer made locally but piped in from under the sea. Some gasholders were used to store this initially but they are now redundant and very little is left of an important industry. Our past is fascinating, if you’d like to learn more visit www.cumbria-industries.org.uk

Carlisle had the first gasworks in Cumbria in 1819, it was one of only 15 places in Britain to have one. Maryport and Whitehaven built theirs in the 1830s. Workington, Egremont, Silloth, Harrington, Cleator Moor and Millom followed during the next 40 years. Smaller places like St.Bees and Seascale joined by the 1880s and Frizington was last – in 1910 – after resisting the offer of supply from their neighbours for years. Some industrial sites built their own – the foundry at Lowca and the paper mill at Workington for example. In the early 1900s, new methods were developed to produce gas on a smaller scale. Country houses like Gilgarran Mansion at T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

PET’S CORNER

mer m u S s i h T ool C m e h T p e Ke

t took a while for summer to get here but we have seen some hot days. It‘s great for us but we don’t have an all-over coat, so imagine how unpleasant it can be for our four-legged friends.

Sharon Nicholson and her daughter Lucy, from The Dog Room in Cockermouth, offer advice on how to keep our dogs cool and comfortable over summer. Regular grooming You should always make sure dogs are groomed by a professional groomer and always listen to their advice. You might think shaving your double-coated dog will cool them but it’s not the case. You may overexpose your dog, which can cause sunburn and skin conditions.

Double coated dogs like Huskies have two layers of fur. The undercoat is the fine, fluffy hairs closest to the skin. It’s the fur that sheds and is light and soft. This layer is excellent at trapping air and insulating the dog. Essentially it keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer.

The topcoat is made of tougher guard hairs that don’t shed and they protect your pet from the sun’s harmful rays and bug bites. It insulates them from the heat and shaving will not help them stay cool, evolution has provided what they need and stripping them of their natural ability to heat and cool themselves could do more harm than good. Dogs don’t cool themselves through their skin, it’s only the pads of their paws that sweat, their main mode of cooling comes from panting. Plan your walks Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening, when temperatures are cooler. Be particularly careful if your dog is unfit, obese or suffers from breathing difficulties. Do the Seven Second Test If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws. Tarmac can get very hot, so check it before letting your dog walk on it.

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Provide shade and water Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let them get burnt Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of their skin such as the tips of their ears and nose and avoid direct sunlight where you can. What to do if your dog overheats If dogs are too hot and unable to reduce their body temperature by panting, they will develop heatstroke, which can be fatal. Some are more prone â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as old or young dogs, those with heavy coats or those with flat faces like Pugs and Boxers. Dogs with certain diseases or on some types of medication are also at greater risk. Look out for any of the following: Panting heavily Drooling excessively Appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated Vomiting Collapsing If your dog is showing any of the signs, please follow emergency first aid and contact the nearest vet.

In milder cases follow these steps: Move the dog to a cool, shaded area and immediately start pouring small amounts of room temperature water onto their body (cold water may cause shock). If possible, use wet towels or place the dog in the breeze of a fan. If using towels be sure to re-apply water regularly and not to keep the dog constantly covered. Allow your dog to drink small amounts of room temperature water and continue to pour a little water onto the dog until their breathing starts to settle but not so much that they start to shiver. Once your dog is getting cooler and their breathing is settled, call the nearest vet so they can be checked over. A few basic precautions will mean summer is fun for everyone.

Emergency first aid for dogs with heatstroke For the best chance of survival, dogs urgently need to have their body temperature lowered but it needs to be done gradually or they can go into shock. If your dog has collapsed, call a vet immediately as they may advise attending as a matter of emergency rather than starting treatment yourself.

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W H AT ’ S O N

Editor’s Pick

ur editors pick covers it all this issue. Featuring everything from a deceitful Norse god to the regions best music festival, we also highlight some comedy gold, an evening of rock and let you know where you can quench your thirst.

The Legend of Loki: An Evening of History, Mystery The Beacon Museum, 17 August

Loki is a Norse god who is often helpful but mostly known as a trickster. He has captured audience’s imaginations for centuries and Steve Wharton, English Lake District World Heritage Site storyteller, turns his attention to this enigmatic character. Loki is depicted in stone carvings in Gosforth and Kirkby Stephen and Steve reveals why Loki features in so many of the Vikings’ stories and how Cumbrian funeral customs preserve a link to the god of mischief. It’s an informal evening of Norse fun with a Viking themed bar. www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

Solfest

Tarnside Farm, 23 -25 August Solfest has evolved since its inception in 2003. It’s transitioned from a local shindig, into one of the best-loved independent festivals and if you’ve never been to Solfest, this may be your last chance because it’s billed as the final farewell - although organisers would dearly love the show to go on. Solfest has stayed true to its anti-corporate roots. This means that art and decor take the place of advertising and the big names on the mainstage don’t drown out the voices of the hidden gems. www.solfest.org.uk

Herdus - Tunes and Tales Rosehill Theatre, 25 August

Herdus return as part of Rosehill’s summer ‘Barbecues and Bands’ series in this low-key Sunday afternoon session. The group love playing traditional British and Irish folk tunes, original songs and pop covers in a folk style. As you’d expect from a band named after a Cumbrian fell, Herdus have plenty of material about the local area and their singer Steve Wharton is also the English Lake District World Heritage Site Storyteller. Ticket price includes music and barbecue. www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk 60

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W H AT ’ S O N

Ardal O’Hanlon The Showing Off Must Go On

Rosehill Theatre, 6 September Ardal O’Hanlon, star of Death in Paradise and Father Ted, previews ‘The showing off must go on’ ahead of his tour. In an age of raging populism, MeToo, identity politics, the end of truth, the collapsing middle ground and £15 Gin and Tonics, Ardal is terrified of being on the wrong side of history and desperate to prove that his gender, race, age and class don’t necessarily define him. Ardal is forced to saddle his high horse again and ride fearlessly into the culture wars. www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk

Limehouse Lizzy Solway Hall, September 20

Limehouse Lizzy continues to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide. The band have also added a tribute into their show too, ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist, Gary Moore. Limehouse Lizzy was recruited to record and tour by members of the original Thin Lizzy and the group has just completed their 25th year with their most explosive show and critically-acclaimed line-up yet. The boys are back in town! www.thesolwayhall.co.uk

Oktoberfest Beer & Cider Festival Carnegie Theatre, 4 - 5 October

With over 60 ales and ciders to go with a new range of gin, wine and prosecco, Oktoberfest goes from strength to strength. The festival is back for its tenth year and it’s always a highlight on the West Cumbrian calendar. Live music and entertainment stretching across the event create a great party atmosphere and it really is one you shouldn’t miss. Organised by the Workington Rotary Club, it is their main fundraiser for the year. www.carnegietheatre.co.uk

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W H AT ’ S O N

Bring me Sunshine

he Flukes are an Egremont based Ukulele group who formed for the simple pleasure of making music together.

The instrument originates from Hawaii and has a long association with laid back tunes that evoke images of palm fringed beaches. It has been used worldwide by entertainers who have brought laughter and joy to endless audiences. A few years ago Caroline Easdon was attempting to learn the Ukulele from Youtube videos: “You never really make the time for something when you do it on your own but I was talking to someone doing the same and we decided to put a group together. We advertised and had a terrific response.” The group has grown and they now regularly have over 20 people at one of their Sunday afternoon sessions. They meet every week at the Florence Arts Centre in Egremont from 1 until 4. The sessions start with beginner lessons and then helps improvers. Later in the afternoon they perform together and have a sing song.

Caroline is convinced the Ukulele is perfect for anyone who’d like to play an instrument and have some fun: “It’s small, portable and cheap to buy, a starter one costs about twenty pounds. They have 4 strings and if you know three chords you’ll be able to play hundreds of songs, which makes them easy to learn. It’s nice to come together as a group, we sing along as we play and it’s quite uplifting. We have a member that told us she suffered with depression but since she’s joined she felt like she’s had a whole new lease on life.” The age range of the Flukes is 16 through to retirees and their set list is made up of old style stuff like The Beatles, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Elvis. Songs you can really sing along to. They have a few performances from time to time like Egremont Farmers Market and various gigs at old folks homes. So come along if you want to see if the group is for you, there are spare Ukuleles available if you want to try it out first. The Flukes Ukulele group is on Facebook or you can phone the Florence arts centre for more information.

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MUSIC / COMEDY /THEATRE / FILM / OTHER MUSIC AUGUST 02

Shelly Henr y’s · Workington

80’s night 03 The Lowther Club, Whitehaven The Deep Cuts 03 Henr y’s · Workington

Steve br yne The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Pink Floyd Tribute ‘Darkside’ 1 8 Live in the Beer garden Henr y’s · Workington 21

Open Mic Night Florence Ar ts Centre · Egremont

Solfest. The Coral, Mark Chadwick (Levellers) + many, many more . See p 71-73 for more info. Tarns, Nr. Aspatria Running until the 25th

Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre · Workington

Sean Rowe with opener Izzy Heltai EDT

Don mckay The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

A Tribute To Ariana & Jo Jo Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre · Workington

Open Mic Night Henr y’s · Workington

Rock a Billy theme night with jungle rock The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Holborn Hillibillies Henr y’s · Workington

Plastic Paddy Henr y’s · Workington

Freddie Mercur y (Dean Richardson) and Miss Dee Egremont Catholic Club · Egremon

Music in the Lounge Marchon Club · Whitehaven

Apathy Avenue Skinny Jimmys, Workington

DarkSide live in Cockermouth The Fletcher Christian Inn · Cockermouth

Lowca Fest Loca

The Clints The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

K J Wood The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Jenia & Stella sing August Bank Holiday Sunday!!! The Gaslight Cocktail Bar · Workington

KINGS ROAD The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Steve Spencer The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Five Star Swing Moorclose Community Centre · Workington

Poets Out Loud 14 Wild Zucchinis Bistro · Cockermouth 15

The South Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre · Workington

ABB A the Show - Masters of the Scene The Solway Hall Whitehaven

Open Mic Nights Jennings Brewer y · Cockermouth

Ben Rainey Club 135 · Whitehaven

big d The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

W H AT ’ S O N

local releases

e are committed to showcasing the best of our local musical talent. If you’re in a band, or are a singer or musician and you’d like to feature in The Guide then email us at info@theguidemediagroup.com

F l y n t

lynt are an indie-pop four piece from West Cumbria. They consist of Brad Kavanagh (guitar/vocals), Emma Dockeray (vocals), Steven Norman (Drums), Calvin Thornborrow (Bass).

Their sound is certainly different from their peers in the burgeoning West Cumbrian Music scene. “We have a very city sound,” said Brad. “We have played a bit in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. When we first took our music to the cities we were worried we would be viewed as outsiders but people were positive and we have retained some loyal listeners down there. At a recent gig at The Yellow Earl in Whitehaven we were very nervous because when you play your hometown you really care what people think. But people knew the words to our songs and it was great fun. We also headlined at the Fisher Street Festival for the Brickyard, which was great. Currently, we are recording an EP in Liverpool, normally we self produce but we are working with a producer, Rob Whitley. We’re happy with the sound we’ve been able to get with him and it feels more like us, we really like the ideas he’s thrown at us.” Keep an eye out for the first track, ‘I need a minute’, which will be out soon. Listen to Flynt on Spotify, Apple Music or visit their website at www.flyntofficial.com 64

T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

late night legacy

ur music feature is normally dedicated to our local bands but we think a Cumbrian shouldn’t be excluded because they live out the area, so we present Leeds based ‘Late Night Legacy.’ Egremont’s Ryan Kitto is lead singer of the group who is often compared with the high energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers layered with the vocal power of Eddie Vedder, although Ryan feels their sound is more like the Arctic Monkeys or Queens of the Stone Age. The group unleash an uplifting sound and you get a sense of a wide range of Indie influences that goes further back to the likes of Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. “It’s not that unusual to end up in a band in Leeds,” explained Ryan. “I grew up in West Cumbria and went to Lakes College but I came to Leeds for university, loved the music scene and ended up staying. About three years ago I answered an ad on Gumtree looking for a singer. I auditioned and that was that.” Late Night Legacy has built a solid following and have had a busy schedule: “We tour all over the country and we try to fill our summer playing festivals up and down the UK because we love doing that.” The group recently released a high energy single ‘Paddy’ but Ryan says the group have been busy recording another that should be released by October: “We’ve put we put a lot more time and money into it so we’re looking forward to getting it out there.” Check out more from Late Night Legacy on all the usual streaming sites or visit www.latenightlegacyofficial.com

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arran george

t’s been a successful twelve months for Egremont songwriter Arran George.

Fresh from a European tour last November he went on to finish his first album, ‘What I see on daytime TV’, which he’ll launch with a giant party at The Rum Story on Friday, September 13th. The cellar of the Rum Story is a brilliant venue for live music and Arran, who has spent most of his time down south recently, is keen to celebrate in West Cumbria where he began: “The idea was to get back and do something in Whitehaven, it’s going to be a big party really. When I started there was a big music scene and I wanted to put on something exciting on that would make a great night out like the old days. People love a party, they don’t want to get dragged along to see some young lad play songs so I’ve arranged Northern Threads, Springfield, Paul Shepard and a few guests to play too.” The album was written, produced and recorded in Arran’s bedroom in Egremont and while he has now signed with a label and started work on a studio album, he’s looking forward to showcasing his work: “It’s different going into a studio but I’m excited to show people my original work. It might not be as polished but it’s what was happening at the time and it’s the vibe I wanted.” With free entry, Arran’s album launch promises to be a great event but more importantly… a fantastic party. Check out Arran’s laconic tracks on all the usual streaming sites. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

F E AT U R E

August 17th

Cossack Trained Daredevil Rides in for Gosforth Show T

he Gosforth Show makes a welcome return on Saturday, August 17th.

The annual event is a highlight on the country calendar and this year the crowds will be wowed when Guido Louis rides into town with his Equestrian Stunt and Tackless show. Guido was trained by Cossacks and his show offers a unique mix of fast-paced equestrian stunt riding and mesmerising liberty work. Guido has performed his daredevil show all over the world and his performance demonstrates true harmony between man and horse. There are plenty more animals on show with the judging of hundreds of dogs, sheep, horses and cow classes. Local farmers from around the county bring their best animals to the ring in the hope of securing a place in the Grand Parade. Visitors also have the opportunity to enter the 12 stone Cumberland and 66

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Westmorland wrestling championship. £100 pounds is up for grabs and competitors can enter on the day. There really is something for everyone said show secretary Julia Watson: “I‘ve had a lot of vintage vehicles enter this year, so that should be a really great display. We have some good prize money for the terrier racing too. People can enter their dogs for the show on the day and that starts at 11 am. All horse classes can be entered on the day too but the entry fee will be double that in the schedule. And if the weather is good, everyone will have the chance to take part in a bit of outdoor yoga.” There’s plenty on the for the kids, with children's sports, children's activities in the History tent and Jason the Juggling Jester entertaining the crowds throughout the day. Naturally, there will be trade stands, plenty of catering is onsite and the beer tent will undoubtedly prove popular. You won’t miss the show field as you head South on the A595 and there is plenty of free parking adjacent to the site. At only £7 for adults and £3 for children, Gosforth show is incredible value. There is also an option to park ringside for £7. For more information visit www.gosforthshow.co.uk

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Cumbrian College Named UK Leader

orkington-based Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) has bucked national trends to become a UK leader with an outstanding Ofsted report spanning every area of inspection. With 40 per cent of students on free school meals and classed as disadvantaged, the college is one of a handful of schools with over 25 per cent of students eligible for meals to still be judged outstanding. Cherry Tingle, took over as Head of the college in September 2016 and was delighted with the classification: “Under the latest Ofsted framework, we are the first college of its kind to achieve this. It is rare to see such a steep trajectory of gains from our previous ‘requires improvement’ grading.

“I’m thrilled by the report, but not surprised,” said Ms Tingle. “What goes on here is extraordinary but it’s the norm we expect. Our employment levels are high. Six of Sellafield’s degree apprenticeships went to our students, Iggesund Paperboard’s intake was all ours and Morgan Sindall mostly recruited our young people. We won’t rest on laurels and we’ll strive to get better but thanks to the outstanding Ofsted rating, our reputation has been well and truly reinforced.” For an education that offers far more than just traditional results visit www.energycoastutc.co.uk

When I started, there was a range of problems and improvement was needed in every area. My mantra is ‘everything has to be good enough for my child’ and there’s enormous satisfaction in becoming one of the highest performing UTCs in the country.” Inspectors said Ms Tingle had skilfully developed high-quality leadership skills in school leaders and managers. While student results, teaching, employer links and behaviour were all classed as outstanding. Over 90 per cent of students go into apprenticeships in engineering and civil engineering, compared to the national average of 10 per cent and the college’s industry partners include construction giant Morgan Sindall, Iggesund, Sellafield, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Jacobs, Nuvia and the University of Cumbria. These partnerships give students professional technical qualifications, skills and essential work experience alongside GCSEs and A-levels. Ofsted commended the excellent technical education and hailed the sixth formers’ success in securing superior jobs and training. 67

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Local traders return

fter the success of the recent traders market in Saint Nicholas’ garden, Whitehaven Town Council is excited to bring two more markets later this year.

Local artisans and producers will fill the park on September 13th and return in time to help with Christmas shopping on December 13th. The previous market was well supported and it gave our independent traders a real boost. We have a wealth of talented people in our ranks and the colourful gardens of Saint Nicholas’ in the centre of town are the perfect place to showcase their skills.

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The Guide has always promoted the shop local message and many small traders operate out of kitchens and spare bedrooms. They offer something unique, local and distinctly Cumbrian. You might not notice their joy when you buy something they’ve spent hours making but the smiles at small markets like these are genuine. Come down, support your community and enjoy a great day out too. For up-to-date information follow Whitehaven Town Council on Facebook @WhitehavenTownCouncil

F E AT U R E

Ten Years of Cheers

he Rotary Club of Workington is delighted to host the Oktoberfest Beer and Cider Festival at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington.

The popular festival is back for the tenth year and will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th of October. With up to 60 beers, ales and ciders available the event is always a highlight and this year gin and prosecco will be added alongside the wine bar. With specialist mixing gins designed to go with the Prosecco, it’s bound to appeal to a wider audience. There will be entertainment across both nights from the likes of Luke Matear, Kings Road, Cindy Hoten and the Hoochie Coochie Moonshine Band. Booking early is advised as demand for tickets is always high. However, you can beat the rush by becoming an accredited sponsor, which brings some tasty benefits.

The Rotary Club of Workington supports many local charities including Young Carers and Kids Out. They actively support our younger people with the RotaKids club and the annual Rotary Technology Tournament but they also host a Pensioners Afternoon Tea Party with up to 80 Guests. And this is only a small portion of the charitable work The Rotary Club undertakes. The Beer and Cider Festival is the major fund-raising event for the club but it’s also one of the highlights of the Workington calendar. For up to date announcements follow Workington Rotary Oktoberfest 2019 on Facebook. Tickets are £5 for the night sessions and £2.50 during the day, you can buy them at the Carnegie Box Office on 01900 602122 or via their website at www.carnegietheatre.co.uk

There are three levels of sponsorship, all give recognition in the programme and posters but they also entitle sponsors and their guests to take part in the sponsor’s happy hours where they can sample all beers and ciders free of charge. Sponsorship levels are: Bronze: You will receive 2 sponsors tickets for £60. Silver: You will receive 4 sponsors tickets for £90. Gold: You will receive 8 sponsors tickets for £180 Potential sponsors can contact the Rotary Club via their website. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

Got an Event? TO L I S T YO U R E V E N T F O R F R E E EMAIL: info@theguidemediagroup.com

MUSIC SEPTEMBER

TBC The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars Rosehill Theatre · Whitehaven

Frisky and Mannish - PopLab Rosehill Theatre · Whitehaven

Beast Decoy’s (Europes No1 Beastie Boys Tribute) The Yellow Earl

mylittlebrother at Skiddaw House 2019 Skiddaw House · Keswick

The Deeper Cuts The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Krankenhaus Festival with British Sea Power Muncaster Castle , Running until the 8th

Jive Talking Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre · Workington

The SOUL TRAIN The Solway Hall · Whitehaven

Shelly The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Dave King The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

The Upbeat Beatles The Solway Hall - Whitehaven

Spotlight The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

The Bon Jovi Experience 13 The Sands Centre · Carlisle The Filth Hounds, Hair of the Hound tour 14 Skinny Jimmys · Workington 14

Nikki B The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Delorean 15 The Lowther Club, Whitehaven Return of the Blues Jam! 15 old fire station · Carlisle Twisted Wheel plus suppor t 20 The Yellow Earl · Whitehaven

Michael starring Ben 2 8 The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute The Sands Centre · Carlisle 28

80s v 90s Marchon Club · Whitehaven

Burn The Disco Out The Halston · Carlisle

Foo Fighters GB at The Brickyard The Brickyard · Carlisle

Jungle Rock The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Muma Moonshine Festival 2019 Drybeck Farm · Armathwaite

Dutty Donkers Ft. New Monkey Legends E l e c t r i c S o u p · Wo r k i n g t o n

OCTOBER 05

Spud The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

A Histor y of Queen starring Magic Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre · Workington

Steve Wilson The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Dancing In The Street Egremont Crab fair street · Egremont

Beth Frances The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Crab Fest 2019 Egremont Crab fair field · Egremont

Steve Br yne The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Vikki D The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Maverick The Lowther Club, Whitehaven

Midnight Soul Sisters Moorclose Community Centre · Workington

Syndicate T h e L ow t h e r C l u b, W h i t e h ave n

Visit www.cumbria guide .co.uk for the latest what’s on

W H AT ’ S O N

Solfest... l l e w e r a F The Final 25 - 25 august

ou’d better get your hands on some tickets for this years Solfest because it’s going to be something special… unfortunately, it might be the last.

The much-loved event has been struggling under debt recently but thanks to tireless fundraising by organisers and the arrival of new directors, Solfest will be back from the 23rd to the 25th of August. Since its inception in 2003, Solfest has transformed from a shindig, into one of the UK’s most loved independent festivals. It has become an important part of West Cumbrian culture and over 15 years festival goers have shared many happy memories together. This year, Solfest is planning to go back to its roots and discover what made it so amazing to begin with. This year’s acts include a great range of Reggae, Punk, Rock Indie and Folk as well as all your dance styles that Solfest is known for. Liverpool band The Coral will be heading up to the lakes to headline. The Coral are known for hits such as Dreaming of You, In the Morning and Pass it on and UK chart-topping album Magic and Medicine. 72

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World-renowned DJ and Breakbeat pioneer Krafty Kuts will headline the Tarns Dub Stage and a previous favourite, ‘Baka Beyond’ returns to the main stage this year. The original Afro-Celtic dance band is legendary for their high energy, multi-instrument, fusion music and are described as “a feast for the eyes, heart, ears and feet.” ‘The Undercover Hippy’ are back with their infectious mix of reggae and thought-provoking lyrics, while lead singer and guitarist from The Levellers, Mark Chadwick, will grace the stage. He brings an impressive back catalogue. Other confirmed acts are ‘Dansi’, London-Irish Celtic punk band legends ‘Neck’ and one man mechanical, electro, altblues band, ‘Funke and the Two Tone Baby’ as well as ‘From the Jam’ featuring the Jam’s original bassist Bruce Foxton. Other notable acts are Blue Jam Arts, Lost Colours, Visuals, Stig of the Dub, Colt 45 and AKA The Music of Noel Gallagher. Nathan Sutherland of the organising committee expands on this year’s offering: “Our main priority is to allow as many people as possible to enjoy Solfest, that’s why we are keeping ticket prices low with an adult weekend ticket costing just £89.

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That’s not bad for a weekend away with some awesome music, not to mention local and international beer, food and entertainment. The line-up is made up a lot of bands who have played before, although we are also featuring a good selection of up and coming local talent. We have added a new space called ‘The Hive’ which will have a selection of well-established and up and coming local DJ’s playing everything from house to drum & bass, disco to techno and a good helping of trance. We have a few surprises up our sleeve as well with a lot more acts to announce.” Solfest is founded on the idea that what truly makes a festival great is the crowd. Punks and ravers, grannies and toddlers, whoever you are or wherever you’re from, Solfest has something for you. The festival offers one of the largest kids areas that provides an immersive and joyful space for youngsters to run around. There are also fairground rides, workshops, site art and much more. Regulars will notice a change of venue for this year’s festival as Solfest moved directly across the road and now is inhabiting the fields around Tarns Dub. Sam Johnston, Director and Drystone Manager said: “We are lucky the new site is so close to the original and it has given us a chance to rethink the layout. We have 4 fields for camping, ranging from family through to all-night partygoers. There are fields for campervans and all the late night tents are away from the camping fields. We still have stunning views of the Solway Coast and The Lake District Fells but revellers can wake up to a view of the Tarn too.” One thing that sets Solfest aside from other festivals is being able to take your own food and drinks into the main arena, however, there is a wide variety of local and international food on offer, along with many other market stalls. There will be something for everyone, all in Solfest’s inclusive and friendly atmosphere. You won’t want to miss what may be the last party. Solfest takes place at The North Lakes Country Park, Tarnside, Aspatria 23rd to the 25th of August over the bank holiday weekend with Thursday camping available. Tickets are available through their website: www.solfest.org.uk/tickets T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

W H AT ’ S O N

yal? o R e eatr

’s Th

ton g n i k r

Wo t a w ’s ne What

he Workington Playgoers have had a busy few months with some very successful productions.

Their most recent was Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The large cast was kitted out in stunning period costumes, which kept the hardworking wardrobe mistress, Helen Earl, extremely busy. Rehearsals have started for Trevor Griffiths’ ground-breaking play ‘Comedians’ which runs from the 15th to the 19th of October. The play raises important questions about the nature of comedy, social class and racial stereotyping. Soon after that, Theatre Royal Youth members (aged 8 to 18) will perform a stage version of Arthur Ransome’s children’s classic ‘Swallows and Amazons’ on the 31st October to 2nd November. And their final 2019 production will be the ever-popular ‘Vicar of Dibley’ which runs from the 3rd to 7th of December. As well as putting on a full programme of performances, the Playgoers have found time to make major improvements to their theatre. In June, McGuckin Audio and Lighting installed a state-of-the-art flying grid, making the Theatre Royal one of only two theatres in Cumbria with this feature, which makes it possible to include sophisticated lighting and scene changes in productions.

This complex project cost £42,000, of which the club provided £12,000. They are very grateful to Garfield-Weston, Workington Town Council, the Cumbria Community Foundation and the Hadfield Trust, who provided the rest of the funding. Like all clubs, the Workington Playgoers rely on their members, who turn their hands to all sorts of jobs. If you would like to get involved, visit www.theatre-royal-workington. co.uk or contact Pat Brinicombe on info@theatre-royalworkington.co.uk Better still, why not pop into one of their weekly coffee mornings which are held every Saturday, between 10 and 12. Whether you’re interested in acting, set building, making props or costumes, operating sound or lights, helping behind the bar on show nights, or assisting with admin, the Playgoers will welcome you with open arms!

T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

WW HA HTA’TS ’ SO N ON

MUSIC / COMEDY /THE ATRE / FILM / OTHER COMEDY

THE ATR AUGUST

AUGUST

Razzamataz Summer School C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

OPEN MIC NIGHT Tu r b o J u i c e & E s p r e s s o · C a r l i s l e

T h e M u r d e r Tr i a l L i v e 2 0 1 9 | L a k e D i s t r i c t Hallmark Hotel, Carlisle

R o m e s h R a n g a n a t h a n - Wo r k I n P r o g r e s s C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

AC T Yo u t h T h e a t r e - S u m m e r S c h o o l Currock Community Centre · Carlisle

SEPTEMBER

Razzamataz Summer School Razzamataz Theatre Schools · Carlisle

A l i c e i n Wo n d e r l a n d T h e S o l w ay H a l l · W h i t e h a v e n

Ardal O’Hanlon - Preview R o s e h i l l T h e a t re · W h i t e h ave n

L a Vo i x L i v e ! - Wo r k i n g t o n C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e & A r t s C e n t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

The Legend of Loki: A n E v e n i n g o f H i s t o r y, M y s t e r y a n d M e a d ! T h e B e a c o n M u s e u m , W h i t e h ave n

The Gaiety Cinema Comedy Night G a i e t y C i n e m a · W h i t e h ave n

Fern Brady - Power & Chaos Old Fire Station · Carlisle

Mindgame Old Fire Station · Carlisle

Frisky and Mannish - PopLab R o s e h i l l T h e a t re · W h i t e h ave n

Sense and Sensibility Ta l k i n Ta r n C o u n t r y P a r k · C a r l i s l e

Fern Brady - Power & Chaos R o s e h i l l T h e a t re · W h i t e h ave n

SEPTEMBER 12

Bugsy Malone C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

KLUB KIDS C ARLISLE presents The Sisters of Season 11 (ages 18+) Outrageous · Carlisle, Cumbria

FILM AUGUST 16

The Bikes Of Wrath A l h a m b r a C i n e m a , Ke s w i c k

The Best Of Sheffiled Adventure Film Festival A l h a m b r a C i n e m a , Ke s w i c k

Berliner Philharmoniker opening night LIVE A l h a m b r a C i n e m a , Ke s w i c k

Against The Tides A l h a m b r a C i n e m a , Ke s w i c k

W h i t e h av e n T h e a t r e G r o u p : Stags & Hens R o s e h i l l T h e a t re · W h i t e h ave n Running until the 21st September

Horrible Histories: Te r r i b l e Tu d o r s & A w f u l E g y p t i a n s The Sands Centre · Carlisle

E v e r y b o d y ’s Ta l k i n g A b o u t J a m i e - 1 2 A C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

A Histor y of Queen starring Magic C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

The Mer y Wives Of Windsor : 0 2 L i v e f r o m S h a k e s p e a r e ’s G l o b e A l h a m b r a C i n e m a , Ke s w i c k

A Wo m a n o f N o I m p o r t a n c e C a r n e g i e T h e a t r e · Wo r k i n g t o n

Ever ybody’s Talking About Jamie - 12A Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre

Little Shop of Horrors Rocket Theatre Group · Carlisle

A Woman of No Impor tance Carnegie Theatre & Ar ts Centre

SEPTEMBER

For information on all upcoming GIGS head to www.cumbriaguide.co.uk

W H AT ’ S O N

Stags and Hens - The Remix

hitehaven Theatre Group are back at Rosehill Theatre this September to perform ‘Stags and Hens the Remix’.

It’s written by Willy Russell, who wrote the original play in 1978. The storyline and period remain unchanged but this “remix” has a quickened pace, new lines and a lot more swearing. Unknown to each other, Linda and Dave have decided to have their respective hen and stag parties in the same tacky Liverpool club – or more accurately - its toilets, where the entire performance of Stags and Hens takes place. While the girls apply their make-up, ensure their hair is perfect and spend time crying in cubicles, the boys are busy puking into the lavatory and drawing on the walls.

Both groups are out on the pull and everyone is after a night (or even a few minutes) of passion. The bride and groom are the only exceptions, mostly because the groom is throwing up after his curry and his bride is having second thoughts about the whole thing. Russell’s raucous, coarse and very funny play is a brilliant depiction of what passes for modern courtship along with the squeals, jeers and flings that are considered a necessary prelude to getting married. This latest offering from the Whitehaven Theatre Group is directed by Will Tillotson and assisted by Alex Clark. "Stags and Hens is probably Willie Russell's funniest play’” said Will. “It's challenging for any cast but this production will showcase some of West Cumbria's best comic actors. I have had the pleasure of directing WTG twice before and this will be the best one yet. That says a lot, given the quality that has gone before. There's a rich vein of talent in our neck of the woods and anyone who comes to see the show will not disagree." Tickets available from Rosehill Theatre, visit www. rosehilltheatre.co.uk or call 01946 692422 Photo Credits - Dave Wilson

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W H AT ’ S O N

15/16/17 NOVEMBER 2019

0 1

Retro Music Weekend

As Madonna TICKETS: > Full Weekend: £55pp

with the Funky Town Orchestra

> Friday Night: £20pp > Saturday: £30pp

MORE INFO AT: www.stanwix.com

> Sunday: £20pp

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR OUR SEPTEMBER START COURSES full & part time | apprenticeships | university level learning

APPLY NOW AT WWW.LCWC.AC.UK

LCWC.AC.UK 01946 839300 T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S O N

Take to th e skies... o!

perher u s n w o our and be y

In addition to the kite displays, there will be a fun fair, a local market, face painting, and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertainment. The event is totally free, with just a small charge for the fun fair.

Brush off your cape and dig out your finest costume because everyone is invited to join in for two free family fun days with a special superhero theme. There will be lots to do for the whole family including crafts, face painting, football skills, storytelling, and much more.

Everyone is urged to bring their favourite teddy or soft toy so we can send them up on the zip wire and see how high they can fly. There is also a public flying session as part of the timetable. So come along, borrow a kite, or bring your own and fly with the professionals!

orkington Town Council are putting on a number of free family fun days over the school summer holidays.

Fun days will take place on the following dates:

Sat 10th Aug Moss Bay (in a marquee by Jane Pit) Sat 24th Aug - Vulcan Park Harrington Kite Festival The kite festival is always a family favourite and the colourful aerial display will be back to the beautiful Harrington Marina in Workington on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August 2019. The event, which runs from 11am to 4pm on both days, will feature a huge kite display by international professionals SmileFactor10. Their impressive kites can be seen from miles around. 78

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Free kite making workshops will take place before the festival on Wednesday the 14th and Thursday 15th of August in Harrington Youth Club. Workshops last for 1 hour and start at 11am and 2pm each day. Booking is essential. To book and find more information, visit www.visitworkington.co.uk/kitefestival. For other Town Council events check out the website at www.visitworkington.co.uk

W H AT ’ S O N

solway aviation museum

ome of us may soon be jetting off for our holidays from the newly opened Carlisle Airport but the site is also home to the fascinating Solway Aviation Museum.

The museum is home to a collection of aircraft, artefacts and displays reflecting Britain’s position as a world leader in aircraft design and innovation at the dawn of the jet age. Their primary objective is the preservation of our aviation heritage and their collection focuses on post-war British jets that entered service with the Royal Air Force during the 1950s and ’60s. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Vulcan Bomber and access to the cockpit is included in your admission. The Vulcan is a British icon and is synonymous with the Cold War, the Falkland Islands and Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

Solway Aviation Museum has numerous halls and rooms dedicated to artefacts and various eras. The Crosby Room details the fascinating history of the civilian life of Carlisle Airport over many years, while the Engine Hall houses a superb collection that reveals how aircraft have developed. In the Carlisle Airport room, you’ll find a realistic mock-up of the airports WWII control tower. It’s open Friday, Saturday, Sundays and bank holidays until the end of October. The museum is entirely run by volunteers, so if all things aeronautical interest you, there are plenty of ways you can become part of the team. For more information visit www.solway-aviation-museum.co.uk Photo courtesy of Gav Crozier

Other planes in the collection include the Hawker Hunter, Electric Canberra, Electric Lightning, Armstrong Whitworth Meteor, Percival Sea Prince, McDonnell-Douglas Phantom and the Sikorsky S.55 Helicopter. The latter is the only example of its type to be preserved in a UK museum. “It’s a great family day out for the school holidays,” said Lynn Wilman, who is a museum director. “We have aircraft people can climb inside and we offer a guided tour in the famous Vulcan Bomber. There’s only a handful of these magnificent planes left and not many places give you a chance to go inside one.” T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

W H AT ’ S O N

Catch up with Vikings and have a laugh

Ian Hislop and his British Museum Co-curator Tom Hockenhull he Vikings have arrived in Whitehaven with two touring exhibitions from The JORVIK Group, the team behind the award-winning Viking Centre in York.

Discover real-life Viking ‘celebrities’, get up close to Viking skeletons and uncover Norse myths and sagas when they land at The Beacon Museum. ‘Valhalla’ explores life and death in Viking Britain through 1,000-year-old artefacts and a replica Viking burial ship as it would have appeared in a Viking boat-burning funeral. Valhalla unpacks the Norse rites of death and the stories associated with the afterlife in Norse culture. In the second exhibition, ‘Heroes’, we learn what archaeological evidence can tell us about this heroic age through human remains bearing the battle injuries of a warrior. Heroes is an interactive experience that reveals Norse sagas related to their settling in the UK. Enter a storytelling tent for the full atmospheric experience, which includes smells and all! Discover the Vikings is suitable for visitors of all ages and runs until Sunday the 29th of September. 80

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Also set to feature are two new exhibitions launching on Saturday the 12th of October. ‘The Golden Age of Satire?’ is a British Museum spotlight loan featuring a collection of original national newspaper illustrations from the Georgian era. This is a time when Whitehaven itself was considered to be at its peak. On Friday the 18th of October, co-curator Ian Hislop will speak at a sold-out event about his take on satire as represented in this collection. Local Georgian-era artefacts that tell Whitehaven’s story from the time of these illustrations will also be on show. Also on display will be a fascinating mix of seldom-seen objects from within the Beacon Museum collection. ‘Curator’s Choice’ will uncover some of Copeland’s hidden treasures, such as a previously unfeatured 1948 portrait by esteemed west Cumbrian artist John Dalzell Kenworthy of Mrs Elizabeth Dixon, his long-term housekeeper. Other unseen objects will feature, such as a Maori ceremonial cape as well as Neolithic and Bronze Age hand axes and hammers. Both exhibitions run into early 2020 and will feature a range of accompanying events for all ages. For more information visit www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

W H AT ’ S O N

OTHER

AUGUST 04

Sund ay Fun d ay! C o p e l a n d S t a d i u m · W h i t e h av e n

L e a r n To S e w a Z i p p e r P o u c h Wo r k s h o p T h e C r a f t y Wo r k s h o p , Wo r k i n g t o n

Gin Evening 08 T h e M a d S c i e n t i s t · Wo r k i n g t o n Book a private adoption appointment 08 Wo r k i n g t o n L i b r a r y · Wo r k i n g t o n S e a s o n a l D e l i g h t s , W h i t e h av e n F l o w e r C l u b 09 S t M a r y ’s H a l l , Ke l l s 10

M ake a Wire Fr ame B ag with Hole house T h e M a k e r s M i l l · Ke s w i c k

Mossbay Family Fun Day J a n e P i t , Wo r k i n g t o n

Dunmail Park - Cr af t M arket D u n m a i l P a r k - Wo r k i n g t o n

Summer f ayre at M ar ypor t 1 0 Copeland & Allerdale Occupational & Social Centres · Cleator Moor 11

B low your own vase Florence Ar ts Centre · Egremont

F r e e K i t e M a k i n g Wo r k s h o p s H a r r i n g t o n Yo u t h C l u b

M a k e a H a b i t a t & F a m i l y P o n d D i p (d r o p - i n) Florence Ar ts Centre · Egremont

Gin Festival W h i t e h a v e n R u f c · W h i t e h av e n

We s t L a k e s U 3 A - T h e S o c i e t y f o r t h e B l i n d Gosfor th Public Hall

Florist for a d ay work shop T h e M a k e r s M i l l · Ke s w i c k

Harrington Kite Festival 17 Harrington Marina Re - usable macr amé shopping bag Day Course 17 T h e M a k e r s M i l l · Ke s w i c k B eginners half d ay glass fusing course 17 RD Glass · Cockermouth

SEPTEMBER Discover the Vikings 0 1 The B e acon Museum , Whitehaven Running until the 29 th of September 04

Euro Cit y Cycle H o s p i c e a t H o m e We s t C u m b r i a · Wo r k i n g t o n

A c c r e d i t e d B S L1 Q u a l i f i c a t i o n 24 We l l n e s s C l u b W h i t e h a v e n

F a m i l y S p o n s o r e d Wa l k F r i e n d s o f S e a t o n A c a d e m y · Wo r k i n g t o n

P o s t N a t a l Yo g a C i r c l e w i t h C l a r e C o o p e r S e n h o u s e C e n t r e · W h i t e h av e n

Quantum Healing for the New Human & healer Holistic Ref lec tions · Whitehaven

M e m b e r s D e m o n s t r a t i o n , W/ h a v e n F l o w e r C l u b S t M a r y ’s H a l l , Ke l l s

W i n e Ta s t i n g & F o o d w i t h G r a p e v i n e W i n e Wa s h i n g t o n C e n t r a l H o t e l · Wo r k i n g t o n

Egremont Crab fair ‘Buf fet prize bingo Conser vative club Egremont 2pm St ar t

Whitehaven The atre Group: 1 9 St ags & Hens - The Remix Rosehill The atre · Whitehaven We s t L a k e s U 3 A 1 9 - E skd ale Mill Histor y & Restor ation Gosfor th Public Hall 19

Ye a r 6 O p e n E v e n i n g S t B e n e d i c t ’s H i g h S c h o o l · W h i t e h a v e n

Ar tisan Cr af t M arket S e n h o u s e C e n t r e · W h i t e h av e n

Holistic Hoof Care Course - Intro Level Holistic Ref lec tions · Whitehaven

Introduction to Glass bead making F l o r e n c e A r t s C e n t r, E g r e m o n t

L e a r n To L o v e Yo u r S e w i n g M a c h i n e 2 2 For Beginners T h e C r a f t y Wo r k s h o p Wo r k i n g t o n

Wo r l d ’s L a r g e s t B r i c k P e r i o d i c Ta b l e T h e B e a c o n M u s e u m , W h i t e h av e n

St Bees Beach Clean St Bees Beach

Vu l c a n P a r k F a m i l y F u n D a y Vu l c a n P a r k · Wo r k i n g t o n

The Psycholog y Of Serial Killers Whitehaven Golf Club · Whitehaven

Create your own Fused Glass L antern Florence Ar ts Centre · Egremont

OCTOBER

Stitch a skir t and create your own pat tern T h e M a k e r s M i l l · Ke s w i c k

G arden M agic , Whitehaven Flower Club S t M a r y ’s H a l l , Ke l l s

W H AT ’ S O N

New finds on show in Senhouse Roman Museum

oman and Romano-British religion have many associations with the animal kingdom.

Both wild and domesticated animals appear in Roman sculpture and artwork recovered from Roman and native sites throughout Cumbria and the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site. Currently on display in the Senhouse Roman Museum at Maryport is one of the most engaging small finds from a Roman site in West Cumbria. Included in the museum’s summer exhibition from the Discovering Derventio community excavations at Papcastle, is a small bronze stag. The stag was discovered with a number of other votive objects near the River Derwent.

The finds from the Discovering Derventio excavations were deposited with the Senhouse Roman Museum by Grampus Heritage and Training, and Wardell Armstrong. They join the museum’s extensive collections. The museum’s summer exhibition ‘Discovering Derventio: Roman Papcastle Rediscovered’ can be seen at the Senhouse Roman Museum, Maryport until Sunday 8th September. For more information visit www.senhousemuseum.co.uk

For the native Britons the stag, with its tree-like antlers, represented the spirit of the forest. The stag was associated with the success of the hunt, fertility and rebirth (due to its ability to grow and shed its antlers). Representations of horned gods have been found within the Hadrian’s Wall frontier, as reliefs carved on stone and more portable votive objects. Cocidius, a Romano-British deity associated with Silvanus, the god of forests, has been found in several places, including Bewcastle and Birdoswald. At Maryport there can be found a horned warrior god, believed to be Belatucadros, carved in relief on a block of the local red sandstone. These horned gods are similar to a character that appears in English folklore, Herne the Hunter, who takes the form of a man with sprouting antlers. He was associated with forests and hunting. The museum’s watchtower contains a contemporary altar produced by local stonemason Sky Higgins, with a representation of Herne the Hunter on the front. This altar was carved to celebrate the millennium in 2000 and was built into the replica watchtower the same year. T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

OUT AND ABOUT

our lakes: CRUMMOCK

Mark Hewitt rammed between its upstart neighbour Buttermere and the tranquil Loweswater, The Guide casts its eye over Crummock water.

Like Loweswater further down the valley, Crummock is often overlooked by visitors who tend to stick to nearby Buttermere. But Crummock is dramatic and it has much to reward those that can break themselves away from the crowds. For starters, it is fed by the highest waterfall in the Lake District. Scale Force has a single drop of 170 feet (nearly 52 metres) and if you add the other two drops of 20 odd feet, it’s certainly impressive. The force is spectacular in wet conditions but hidden away in a deep tree-lined gorge it’s well worth the two-hour round trip, even in dry periods. Crummock is one of a series of three lakes that were once a single body of water. The lush green fields that separate it from Loweswater and Buttermere at either 8844

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end are part of an alluvial plain that was formed from debris washed down by mountain streams after the last Ice Age. From certain vantage points on the fell tops, it’s easy to picture the long-gone larger lake. Crummock is ruggedly beautiful and it’s drawn admirers from the earliest days of tourism in the lakes. Brackenthwaite Hows is little more than a molehill compared to nearby fells, but that made it no less popular with Georgian and Victorian tourists. None more so that one of our most esteemed painters, William Mallard Turner. A young Turner captured the view from the hill in a 1797 watercolour. His painting of Crummock Water looking towards Buttermere from the viewpoint formed the basis of a later oil painting of the dramatic vista. Brackenthwaite Hows fell out of favour as people looked for more spectacular views from higher vantage points but the National Trust recently purchased the land with a mind to opening up the landscape that so inspired Turner. The valleys around Crummock were crawling with romantic artists who spent time in the area looking for inspiration. The Lake Districts favourite son, William Wordsworth, described Scale Force as ‘a fine chasm, with a lofty, though but slender, fall of water’.

OOT AND A BOOT

Bob Nichol A circular walk around Crummock Water is a delight. The lake is only 2.5 miles long and walkers barely need to break a sweat. While for those that thrive on the high life, the mighty Grassmoor on the west and Mellbreak on the east, will not disappoint. The fells of Mellbreak run the length of Crummock Water and the doyen of Lakeland walking, Alfred Wainwright, felt that: “No pairing of hill and lake in Lakeland have a closer partnership than these.” As always, the meaning of our Lakeland names adds mystery and the origin of Crummock does little to raise the shroud. It’s felt that Brythonic Celtic gave the name ‘crumbaco’ which means crooked. So the ‘Crooked One’ may refer to the winding course of the River Cocker, which flows out of the lake or refers to the bending nature of the lake itself. Crummock Water is drained by the Cocker which winds down through Lorton Vale before joining the River Derwent at Cockermouth. Our previous issue mentioned the fabled battle in Rannerdale between local Norse settlers and the invading Normans but the ‘secret valley’ of Rannerdale is world-famous for its display of Bluebells in April-May. The vivid blue carpet makes a spectacular scene and with Crummock hovering in the background, there is no finer view in all of Lakeland.

Mark Hewitt T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

W E S T L A K E S S Q U I R R E L I N I T I AT I V E

Saving Our Squirrels I

n the last edition of the Guide, we ran a feature about the West Lakes Squirrel Initiative.

This small group of volunteers protect Red Squirrels in our area and the charitable organisation, headed by Peter Armstrong and Steve Tyson, cover a huge area from Maryport to Muncaster. They rely solely on donations and sales of calendars to continue their important work. It’s been a challenging summer, sightings of red squirrels are up but they have also removed a record number of Grey Squirrels.

Steve Tyson commented: “We would like to say thank you to everyone who has been so generous. These cameras are essential to help monitor numbers of both reds and greys and this will save our volunteers countless hours waiting on sightings.” As a community, we are grateful to the dedication of the volunteers. The WLSI has been busy over the summer but our local MP’s have been too and Trudy Harrison has held a Parliamentary debate entitled ‘Red Squirrel Extinction’, so hopefully help from Westminster will be forthcoming.

The two species compete for the same food sources and the grey’s carry the pox virus which causes severe mortality in Red Squirrels. There have been a number of suspected pox outbreaks this summer, one near Loweswater, another in the Ravenglass area and at Stainburn and Great Clifton but cleanup operations by volunteers appear to have helped stop the spread of the dreaded virus.

In the meantime, you can still help.

The Guide set up a crowdfunding campaign to help the team out and with the support of our readers, we reached the halfway point of our target of £1000. With the first £500 handed over, the WLSI were able to buy six motion-sensitive cameras.

A donation to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveoursquirrels is always appreciated and The Gather Cafe at Ennerdale Bridge is helping by raffling a wonderful handpainted canvas. At £1 a ticket, every little bit helps.

T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

If you have sighted a grey squirrel please report it via the facebook group at West Lakes Squirrels. The WLSI would love to hear from potential new volunteers, particularly anyone that can help with camera surveys and checking feeders.

Contact them at WLSI@hotmail.co.uk or call 07703295690 or 07912681152

A g e U K We s t C u m b r i a

Charity Shops and Conscious Consumerism

harity shops have always been a haven for people looking to save money and help others but as people turn their backs on our throwaway culture, they can also help the environment too. As awareness grows of the environmental implications of fast fashion and throwaway culture, more and more people are choosing to buy items from charity shops - an ethical and sustainable alternative to widespread consumerism. In the UK we are now buying twice as much clothing as a decade ago, with an estimated £140 million (310,000 tonnes) worth being sent to landfill every year. It doesn’t end with clothing either. Approximately 670,000 tonnes of furniture is also disposed of by UK households annually, with a significant amount still in useable condition. At a time when we are facing a global environmental crisis and austerity, charity shops are what the conscious consumer needs. The donation and resale of second-hand clothing, furniture and entertainment not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill but purchasing items from charity shops also saves people money. Here at Age UK West Cumbria, we want our charity shops to be the first port of call for the conscious shopper. Places where individuals can purchase guilt-free fashion and household items at bargain prices – all whilst helping us support local older people to love later life.

We are currently in the process of refurbishing and relaunching a number of our charity shops across West Cumbria, starting with our stores in Cleator Moor and Cockermouth. We also have exciting plans to re-vamp and re-open our large store on Finkle Street in Workington. As a conscious consumer, this is our invitation to you – please consider Age UK West Cumbria whenever you shop and donate. And remember, every £1 raised in our shops is used to support our services here in West Cumbria. For more information about our shops, contact Jo Armstrong (Head of Retail) on 01900 844670 or visit us in a town near you: Cleator Moor: 73A High Street, Cleator Moor, CA25 5BW Cockermouth: 1 Lowther West, Cockermouth, CA13 9RT Egremont: 14-15 Market Place, Egremont, CA22 2AF Millom: 4 Market Square, Millom, LA18 4HZ Workington: 50 Finkle Street, Workington, CA14 2AZ (reopening soon)

T h e We s t C u m b r i a G u i d e

W H AT ’ S O N

western walks: Nether Wasdale Distance: 6.6 miles Ascent: 500 feet

hile it’s great to hit the top of a fell and cast your eye over everything below there’s also something to be said for a casual stroll along tree-lined streams, lakeside paths, green woodlands and lush farmlands that fill our valleys. The fells aren’t always for everyone and our resident walking expert Andrew Locking has suggested this peach of a walk that offers all of the above... and Britain’s best view as well. Park in a small car park by Cinderdale Bridge, at a triangle of roads just beyond the village of Nether Wasdale. After turning right out of the car park cross the River Irt and join the delightful track leading to Easthwaite which is located in a dramatic position below The Screes.

The beauty of this walk is there are so many diversions and opportunities for alternate routes. We’ll stick with Andrew’s route but this is only a guide. Pass around the farm and head towards the foot of Wastwater. Before entering Low Wood make a short, there and back, diversion to the right and the foot of the lake to admire the wonderful view. It has been voted Britain’s best and it’s easy to see why. Retrace your steps and cross Lund Bridge which brings you into Low Wood. Now is not the time of year but the wood is renowned for its wonderful display of bluebells in the spring. Followed the path along the River Irt and then the shore of Wast Water. Each step will bring an ever-improving view to Wasdale Head and famous names like Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Buckbarrow and the upturned-boat shape of Yewbarrow. This is what brings people to the lakes from near and far and readers of the Guide are extremely lucky to have this as a Sunday afternoon stroll. Along the way, you will pass by Wasdale Hall which is now a Youth Hostel but still looks like a grand 19th-century country manor. Across the water, the impressive Screes burst skywards and if this is a far as your happy walk then feel free to backtrack through the woods, there are plenty of alternative paths to choose from.

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W H AT ’ S O N

Andrew chose a pleasant diversion via Woodhow Tarn, although it is private land, there was no access to the tarn. Coupled with a walk back via the road he was not convinced it was worth the detour. Either way, you should soon find your way back to the quiet lane which brings you to the start of a wonderful walk. Time it right and you will have the walk to yourself. Couple that with the impressive scenery and you will feel like you’ve stumbled into a fairytale. This walk is suggested by Andrew Locking who is a keen local fell walker. For more information on his walks visit www.andrewswalks.co.uk Or follow in Andrew’s footsteps and continue along the shore of England’s deepest lake. Pass through a gate and our path will follow the single track road for a bit.

Photos by Andrew Locking

Continue along the shore as far as the Landing Stage and join the quiet road to the left that leads to Greendale and Gosforth. Just beyond Greendale Andrew turned off the road and joined a path through Roan Wood, which brings you out onto open countryside. Beyond Ashness How there are 3 possible routes back to the start and our recommendation is to continue via Scale Bridge and Mill Place, which avoids the road entirely.

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WILDLIFE

Solway Fir th

WILDLIFE OF THE SOLWAY FIRTH NUMBER 59 THE SUNSTAR (CROSSASTER PAPPOSUS) By Mark Vollers

his multi-legged starfish is aptly named and is one of the most brilliant coloured marine invertebrate animals you are ever likely to encounter on our coastline, or failing that in our aquarium display at Maryport.

The upper body is covered in stubby short spines that offer good protection and the pale underside has hundreds of tiny tube like feet that not only offer suction and grip in areas of high current but also enable what is fairly rapid movement for a starfish!

It is normally a brick red colour, but often has pale radial bands .

This is in keeping with it’s status as a highly voracious predator not only of other starfish species but sea cucumbers and shellfish as well.

It is widely distributed not just around Britain but also further North East and West up as far as the Arctic. The Sunstar can grow at a rate of 2cm annually up to 34 cm in diameter suggesting about a 15 year lifespan and have anything from eight to fourteen legs, any of which can be regenerated provided that the central disc remains intact.

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Highly developed chemo-receptors allow it to scent and home in on food sources, sometimes rearing up it’s front arms to ‘pounce’ on prey that might otherwise out- run it. Like other starfish, the sexes are seperate and fertilisation is external, leading to myriad free-swimming larvae dispersing far and wide to colonise new areas.

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The WEST CUMBRIA Tide

W H I T E H AV E N M A P

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WORKINGTON MAP

Parking

www.visitworkington.co.uk 01900 702986 office@workingtontowncouncil.gov.uk

The Workington Handy Map

1 2 3 4

Supermarkets Tesco Store Marks and Spencers Morrisons Dunmail Park

Information 1 Visitor Information

Things To Do Carnegie Theatre Bowling & Golf Helena Thompson Museum Theatre Royal Skate Park Library

Sports Grounds 1 Rugby League Ground 2 Rugby Union Ground 3 Workington Reds Football

1 2 3 4 5 6

Points of interest Town Hall Allerdale Borough Council Workington Library Law Courts Army Reserve Centre Workington Hall The Old Brewery

Shop/Retail 1 Retail Park 2 Washington Square

Parks 1 Vulcan Park 2 Curwen Park

Bus 1 Bus Station

Rail 1 Workington Railway

Places of worship 1 Our Lady and St Michael’s Church 2 St John’s Church 3 St Michael’s Church

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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COCKERMOUTH MAP

The Cockermouth Handy Map

Supermarkets 1 Sainburys 2 Aldi Supermarket

Information 1 Tourist Information

Sports Grounds 1 Cricket Ground 2 Leisure Centre and Pools 3 Cockermouth Rugby Union FC

Shop/Retail Lakes Home Centre Oakhurst Garden Centre Limelighting Billy Bowmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music

Eat/Drink Bitter End Pub Trout Hotel The Fletcher Christian Koppers Points of Interest Mayo Statue Cockermouth Castle Mitchells Auction Room Lakeland Livestock Centre

1 2 3 4

Attractions Wordsworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House Castlegate House Gallery Percy House Gallery The Kirkgate Centre Jennings Brewery

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1 2 3 4 5

Business 1 Lakeland Business Park 2 Derwent Mills Commercial Park

Accommodation 1 Travelodge

Car sales 1 Lloyd Motors

Local Amenities 1 Police Station Parking

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KESWICK MAP

THIS WAY R TO HONISTE

The Keswick

Handy Map

Supermarkets 1 Booth’s Supermarket

Information 1 The Moot Hall (Tourist Info.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Points of Interest Rawnsley Centre Library Keswick Convention HQ War Memorial Museum Square Packhorse Court

Attractions The Pencil Museum Mini Golf Theatre by the Lake Lonsdale Alhambra Cinema Peter Rabbit and Friends Keswick Brewing Company Keswick Museum and Art Gallery Keswick Ferry Landing

Sports Grounds 1 Rugby Ground 2 Cricket Ground 3 Keswick Leisure Pool

1 2 3 4 5 6

Camping 1 Derwentwater Caravan/Camping 2 Lakeside Caravan Park

Parks 1 Crow Park 2 Hope Park 3 Fitz Park

Shop/Retail 1 Spar Convenience store 2 Derwent Frames Ltd

Local Amenities 1 Post Office 1 Police Station Parking

Churches 1 St John’s Church

Playgrounds 1 Children’s Playground

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M A RY P O RT M A P

The Maryport Handy Map

Maryport Town Council Senhouse Street Maryport maryport.council@talk21.com

1 2 3 4

Points of interest Candlestick Lighthouse Harbour Marina Office Memorial Park Gardens Public Library

Attractions The Lake District Coast Aquarium The Wave Centre Maryport Maritime Museum Senhouse Roman Museum

Marina 1 Maryport Harbour and Marina 1 2 3 4

Sports Grounds 1 (to) West Coast Indoor Karting 2 Rugby Ground 3 (to) Maryport Golf Club

Rail 1 Railway Station

Places of worship 1 Our Lady and St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Priory

Information 1 Tourist Information

Local Amenties 1 Lidl 2 Chemists 3 Chemists

1 Post office

1 Fire Station

Parking

01900 813205

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W H AT â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S O N

HANDY NUMBERS ACCOMMODATION

Chase Hotel, Whitehaven Gosforth Hall Hotel Ennerdale Country Hotel Hundith Hill Hotel Irton Hall Hotel Lismore Guest House Lodge In The Vale, Nr Keswick The Sally, Threlkeld

ATTRACTIONS

Honister Mine Helena Thompson Museum King Kong Climbing Wall Lake District Coast Aquarium Maryport Maritime Museum Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Senhouse Roman Museum The Beacon, Whitehaven The Rum Story, Whitehaven

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COUNCIL & OTHER SERVICES Allerdale Council Enquiries Cockermouth Town Council Copeland Council Cumbria County Council Egremont Library Maryport Town Council Whitehaven Credit Union Whitehaven Library Workington Information Point Workington Town Council

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MEDICAL & SUPPORT SERVICES

Cumbria Health on Call (CHOC) 111 Domestic Violence Support 07712 117 986 NHS Direct 111 Non-emergency Police 101 OutREACH LGBT Helpline 0800 345 7440 Samaritans 116 123 (Free call) West Cumberland Hospital 01946 693181 Workington Community Hospital 01900 705000

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SERVICE LISTED HERE PLEASE CALL: 01946 448 001

SPORTS GROUNDS & CENTRES Cumbria Sports Academy Whitehaven Sports Centre Hensingham Swimming Pool Workington Leisure Centre

THEATRES & CINEMA

Theatre Royal, Workington Solway Hall, Whitehaven Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre Alhambra Cinema, Keswick Florence Art Centre Gaiety Cinema, Whitehaven Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth Plaza Cinema, Workington Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven The Wave, Maryport Theatre by the Lake

TRANSPORT

Downton Travel Hobans 1923 Jansen Travel M & I Travel

01946 694 411 01946 695 666 01946 696 049 01900 878 718 01900 603161 01946 690970 01900 602122 017687 72195 01946 824946 01946 748507 01900 826448 01900 870001 01946 692422 01900 811 450 01768 77 44 11 0800 118 2891 01900 512050 01946 862091 01900 603317

TRAVEL & WEATHER Bus Timetables Lake District Weather Service Train Timetables

0871 200 22 33 0844 846 24 44 08457 48 49 50

TOURIST INFORMATION Cockermouth Egremont Keswick Maryport Siloth Whitehaven Workington

01900 822 634 01946 820 693 0845 901 0845 01900 817 760 016973 31944 01946 592302 01900 706170

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