Whitehaven issue 52

Feb/Mar 2016

www.thewhitehavenguide.com

EGREMONT · ST BEES · GOSFORTH · CLEATOR MOOR · SEASCALE

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR

WHITEHAVEN

MADDY

PRIOR

INTERVIEW

FEATURES

Health & BEAUTY

food & drink

Motoring & sport

WHAT’S ON

DREAM WEDDINGS COME TRUE AT IRTON HALL THE LAKE DISTRICT’S HIDDEN JEWEL!

Irton Hall has the setting, the space and the service for your perfect wedding day.

BU S INE S S

B&B Accommodation Beautiful Holiday Cottages Extensive Private Grounds Licensed for Civil Weddings Serving Delicious Food & Real Ales Perfect for Parties, Business Functions & Conferences On-site bar with FREE WiFi

D VOTEUK’S E IN TH0 B&BS! TOP 5e Sunday by th es!

Tim

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TRULY LOVELY LAKELAND VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING, YOU CAN’T MAKE A BETTER CHOICE THAN HISTORIC IRTON HALL, NEAR BREATHTAKING ESKDALE VALLEY IN THE WESTERN LAKE DISTRICT. You can hold your wedding in our magnificent marquee in the lovely grounds, or choose from a selection of rooms within the hall itself – plus you can rely on our expert wedding-planning advice for a magnificent, memorable day in perfect surroundings, with all your catering, entertainment and accommodation needs looked after!

Pet-Friendly | Walkers Welcome | Close to Scafell Pike & Wastwater

Irton Hall | Eskdale | Holmrook | Cumbria | CA19 1TA T: +44 (0)19467 26025 | W: www.irtonhall.co.uk The Whitehaven Guide

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Sell your property for only

ÂŁ499

*

including VAT

if you arrange your next mortgage with Cumberland Building Society.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Call us on 01946 691999 to arrange your free valuation *Fee excludes an EPC, if required. Fully residential property only.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Call in and see us, visit www.cumberland.co.uk or phone 01946 691999

Be more than a number Residential Sales | Conveyancing | Mortgages Lettings and Property Management

theWhitehavenGuide Feb/March 2016

Managing Director Stephen Murphy

T: 01946 816 719 stephen@theguidemediagroup.com

Office Admin Manager Steffany Clarke T: 01946 816 719 steffany@theguidemediagroup.com

Graphic Designer Emir Koc T: 01946 816 728 em@theguidemediagroup.com

Happy New Year friends – it is admittedly a little late but this is our first Whitehaven Guide of the Year and the first opportunity I’ve had to wish you all the best for the coming months.

It feels like it’s been a long January and a long time ago that we were all promising ourselves that 2016 would be ‘my year’ – maybe I’m getting old but I’m over making resolutions and promising myself a new start every January 1st, why can’t I decide on a random Wednesday – say Ash Wednesday – that the diet starts?

Yes, we’re an office that loves sweet treats and while everyone else in Whitehaven has been hitting the gym we’ve been hitting the biscuits. We’re ready for February and everything that it brings because after Pancake Day it’s practically spring.

Our very own Swede has been spoiling us with the Swedish alternative to Pancakes: Semlor or Lent buns (see our food section) which although delicious aren’t helping in the waist department.

While the rest of the girls have a few months to shed the winter weight I’ve got just a few weeks as I prepare to Jet off to a Whitehaven with a very different climate.

I’m off to Australia for a bit of a break – that’s what working with Stephen will do to you. So this will be my last edition of the Whitehaven Guide but I’ll be keeping an eye on things to make sure Stephen is behaving and looking after my wonderful and amazing team.

Sales Johanna Englundh T: 01946 816 733 johanna@theguidemediagroup.com

I do wish you all a very sincere Happy New Year for 2016 and big things for our lovely little town.

It’s been a pleasure, Take Care Ali xxxxxxx 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.

Writer Danielle Murphy T: 01946 816730 danielle@theguidemediagroup.com

Advertising/Distribution Paul Seath T: 01946 816720 paul@theguidemediagroup.com

Photography Brian Sherwen | Jim Davis | Kerry Clark

Editor Ali Hipkin T: 01946 816 715 ali@theguidemediagroup.com

GUIDE MAGAZINES

/theguide @theguide The Whitehaven Guide

The Whitehaven Guide

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10

CONTENT S F EATURE S

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08

Bright New Future For Whitehaven

10

Charity

14

Shepherds Clothing

22

Cumbrian Spirit

HEALTH AND BEAUT Y 38

H o w To Ta l k h a i r

F OOD & DRINK

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42

Cumberland Sausage

46

Kitchen Re-porter

48

Semlor

MOTORING AND S PORT 54

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46

Whitehaven RL

WHAT ’ S ON 74

S p a n i s h Tr a i n

BRIDE GUIDE 83

Bride Guide

To apply send your CV and examples of work to: info@theguidemediagroup.com

www.theguidemags.com

EXPERIENCED & JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

01946 816 719

WE ARE HIRING

F EATURE

Working on a bright new future

for Whitehaven Last year elections marked a new chapter for Whitehaven with the appointment of its first publicly elected Mayor, independent candidate Mike Starkie, but that wasn’t the only change for the town as a town council was also elected.

The town council, which is made up of 11 councillors and was formed in May is responsible, solely, for Whitehaven.

Michael Guest, Chair of Whitehaven Town Council explained: “We only work with Whitehaven and for Whitehaven. Of course the surrounding areas are important but they each have their own town councils so our priority is Whitehaven and making it the best it can be.”

The town council is made up of those who have lived in Whitehaven all their lives and those who have moved later on but no matter where they come from or which ward they represent they all have one thing in common; a positive outlook on the towns future, Michael said: “I have only been in Whitehaven for four years but from the moment I moved here I have felt there is something missing. I think there is a strong desire within the local community for change, people want to see the town refreshed and that is our aim.”

One way the town council are hoping to improve the community’s moral and attract visitors to the town is with a variety of annual events, Michael said: “We are already in the early stages of planning an Equestrian fair which we are hoping will become an annual event. It’s the smaller annual events we want to push.”

Their first event was the Christmas lights switch on in Whitehaven and it was one of the biggest and most varied switch ons the town has seen in many years.

Working alongside the Christmas in Whitehaven committee they were able to pull off an amazing family event and plans are in place to continue events like this throughout the year.

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The town council also want to give the town a bit of a makeover.

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Whitehaven is renowned for its beautiful Georgian architecture and harbour but as with most things there’s room for improvement, Michael said: “Although we have a fantastic town, there are areas which could do with sprucing up and that’s what we want to focus on.

“We are a council for the people and this is a mini revolution Whitehaven Town Council are particularly interested in working with young people to get their perspective on the town, what needs to be improved and upcoming event, Michael said: “Young people are the future, and most of us are getting on a bit. It’s the young people that know what’s going on

now and what other youngsters want. We want to keep them in the town and get them involved in what we are doing.”

The Town Council will act as a voice for the local community and they want people to get in touch with any ideas they might have, Michael said: “We want to improve what needs to be improved, fix the faults and make the town a brighter and happier place for locals and tourists alike. We hope to see a difference within the next five years and hopefully pull off some of the planned events in 2016.”

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F EATURE

Charity

Try something different for

Charity

By Sarah J LewisBriggs

March 18 - 19 The members of St Bees Triers running club have a reputation for being a bit extreme.

Who else would jump in the sea in nothing but swimsuits (no wetsuits) on New Year’s Day? They’ve also run up Everest – or at least the equivalent: 40 times up and down Dent Fell.

This, along with the money which they raised for Sport Relief, resulted in a trip to Downing Street where club representatives gave an event t-shirt to the Prime Minister himself.

All of this is to raise money for good causes, and these are only two of the more out-of-the-ordinary ideas they have had. The club, which is a triathlon club with an emphasis on running, has developed a reputation for the superb organisation of regular events which both raise money for charity and get the entire village and surrounding areas involved.

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Building on the success of last year’s Great St Bees Water Challenge, which raised over £6000 for Comic Relief and WaterAid, is this year’s Great St Bees Coast to Coast challenge.

This will be a 24-hour walk/run around a half mile lap, aiming to cover a total distance of 10 Coast to Coast crossings or about 2000 miles: and they need your help!

The route is a wheelchair friendly route on the grass of the foreshore and on a bit of pavement; all the land traversed is open to the public, so plenty of opportunity for spectators and supporters to cheer participants on (or to get dragged into joining in themselves); and proceeds will be split equally between Sport Relief and the West Cumberland Hospital.

In previous years the event has proved so popular that children have refused to go home to bed unless they have been promised that they can come out to do a further lap the following day, and nearly the entire village has turned out

Charity

to support the event in one way or another.

Last year, over 400 people took part in the water challenge including the ‘older generation’, the whole village school and pre-school, the Mother and Toddler group, the village Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, Guides and Egremont Rugby Union club.

Between them, enough water was collected from the stream on the beach to meet twice the village’s drinking water needs for 24 hours. It doesn’t matter whether you run, walk or hobble: what matters is taking part and enjoying this tremendous community event.

Fingers crossed for a dry day!

This year’s event takes place at St Bees over March 18 - 19. ‘Race HQ’ is Adams Recreation Clubhouse, but

F EATURE

from 12:00 midday, till 12:00 midday and all through the night it is anticipated that up to 150 people will be out on the route at any one time.

You can follow it on Facebook at www. facebook.com/stbeestrierschallenges/ and find more information at charity@triers. uk You can donate money directly to the adopted charities on the event’s JustGiving page: or download a sponsor form and come along yourself, because they would love to see you on the day, running, walking or just cheering everybody on. It’s free to join in.

For more information about St Bees Triers, email charity@triers.uk or see their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/114179795315256/?fref=ts

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F EATURE

St Bees School

St Bees school Springing back to life The grounds of St Bees School will be full of the sound of children’s screams and laughter and the sight of children enjoying themselves once more.

While the trustees are working on plans to re-establish education in St Bees and rebuilding the school as a vibrant and significant part of the West Cumbrian community, the grounds themselves will be brought back to life by two popular and exciting events for children in 2016.

The first of the events is Spring Fest which takes place from Monday April 4 until Friday April 8. The event is

centred on children from the ages 7-15 with a smaller club for ages 4-6.

The older children will have four days packed with stimulating and educational activities. There will be funky labs where they will have the chance to experiment with science and technology, there is also a chance to learn the art of street dance as well as a variety of sports activities.

The younger group will take part in “Multi Fun” which ranges from art and craft to games on the playing fields.

Spring and Summer fest are valued by the local community as they provide parents with somewhere safe and exciting to take their children while they go to work.

There will also be an early drop off club and a late pick up one which means the hours are flexible.

Tom Kelly, Clerk for the Governors said: “During this interim period while the Trustees look at options for the school we want the buildings to be used as much as possible. We have some fantastic facilities and we want to make the most out of them.

“We have continued to use the sports hall for football, martial arts and other sports and the community has held history lectures in the Whitelaw Centre. We have even had the police using the school buildings for training and we want to encourage more people to use this facility.”

These two events are part of rebuilding the relationship between St Bees School and the community and the Trustees hope that other groups will come forward and enquire about using the School.

For more information about either Springfest or Summer fest contact: mailbox@stbeesschool.co.uk For information on letting any of the school facilities contact: lettings@stbeesschool.co.uk

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K e s w i c k Po p - U p

F EATURE

Pop in to Keswick Pencil Museums Pop-Up Shop The Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick are sketching out a future for themselves by re-opening a pop up shop in the town centre.

5pm, seven days a week. Store manager, Dawn Walker said: “There’s been a really positive reaction to the store in the town.”

Like a huge proportion of the businesses in the area, the Museum was hit hard by the devastating effects of Storm Desmond at the end of the last year. But instead of allowing themselves to be worn down by the bad weather, the staff at the Museum sharpened up their act and re-opened the Station Street store in December.

“We’re hopeful that the main Museum & attractions will reopen again by June 2016 in time for Keswick’s peak tourist season and the team there are working hard to put it all back together.”

The museum has owned the store for over a year. First opening temporarily in the Summer of 2014 in a bid to allow locals and visitors alike the opportunity to try out the full range of Derwent pencil products, showcasing the work of local artists and offering free art demonstrations in the centre of Keswick.

Following the floods the decision was made to re-open the store in an effort to both lift community spirits and to act as a replacement to the flooded Southey Works site.

Having usually opened only during peak periods such as the school Summer holidays, the new shop is now open 9am to

Visit our Pop up Shop www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/shop/ www.derwentshop.co.uk

The Cumberland Pencil Museum is home to the world’s largest colouring pencil, which sits at an enormous 26 foot long and weighs nearly 1000 pounds.

The Museum offers visitors the chance to learn the history of the Derwent pencil, discover how pencils are made and tells the fascinating tale of the escape pencil that RAF pilots took with them behind enemy lines during World War II The Derwent pop-up shop also offers a postage and packaging service allowing customers from across the country to get all their Cumbrian pencil needs. Orders for all Derwent products can be made over the phone on 017687 73626.

Shop online Visit the Pencil Museum web shop to order pencils and accessories.

Tel: +44 (0) 17687 73626 Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NG The Whitehaven Guide

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F EATURE

An Author in

Shepherds clothing Ali Hipkin talks to director Chris Monks about adapting The Shepherds Life for the stage The Lake District is internationally renowned for its beautiful and romantic landscapes which have been immortalised by the likes of Wordsworth and Wainwright but to those who live and work on the famous fells it’s a very different story.

For centuries those who’ve visited the Lake District to walk the fells and take in the views were oblivious to what really goes on out on the fells and the real problems caused by the Cumbrian weather, but all that is changing.

Cumbrian Shepherd James Rebanks has given the world a new perspective on farming in the Lake District with his first book, The Shepherds Life in which he documents life working on the Lake District fells.

The Shepherds Life which topped The Sunday Times best-seller list and was Radio 4s book of the week, was the result of the unprecedented success of James’ twitter account, @herdyshepherd1 which now has over 70,000 followers.

The Twitter account quickly led to a commission to write an article for the Atlantic Monthly in 2013. That, in turn, led to interest from half a dozen publishers; Penguin won the bidding war and now the critically acclaimed book is being adapted for the stage.

The best seller is being adapted for the stage by director Chris Monks who first heard the story on the radio when he was packing to visit his partner Jan, who was performing at The Theatre By The Lake in Keswick last year, he explained: “I was half listening to Radio 4 and I got hooked on the story so I bought the book and read it over the course of the weekend. It knocked me for six; it was just a brilliantly written, honest account of modern farming life.”

Chris immediately saw the potential of a stage adaptation of The Shepherd’s Life but he wasn’t the only one.

“I had to see if the stage writes were available. I was told that there was a lot of interest from other parties. As soon as I heard that my heart started to sink and then I heard that television and film companies were interested as well so I thought there was no chance; film and television companies will buy the stage rights as well but luckily James is a good man and had reserved the stage rights.”

Although there is talk of television and film adaptations Theatre

By The Lake and Chris have a world exclusive with the first ever adaptation of the book.

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Shepherds Clothing

The Shepherds Life will be the first time that Chris has worked at Theatre By The Lake although he’s seen over 40 productions there thanks to his partners time on the stage in Keswick, he said: “It was a no brainer to put the play on at the Theatre by the Lake, it’s got a great community involvement.

James, whose family have been working the land for 600 years, is undoubtedly proud of his farming heritage and is consciously using the book and social media to fly the flag for farming.

This seems to be a passion shared by Chris, he said: “It’s an epic story that goes back hundreds of years.

“It’s a subject close to people’s hearts. Everyone has a connection to farming. If we go back hundreds of years, that’s all anyone did but we’re so divorced from farming now and we need to understand that without farming the landscape of the Lake District it wouldn’t be what it is today.

People will say it’s nature but who put up the dry-stone walls?”

It’s also important to Chris that there is a presence of the older generation. Scenes in which James talk aloud as if asking his relatives for advice reinforce the idea of the centuries-old sheep-farming traditions, Chris explained: “It’s used as a device in the play but the inspiration came from the book.

“I think this is particularly important in this social media obsessed world that we live in, we’re losing the element of asking older generations for advice.”

Writing a stage adaptation has not been without its challenges. James’ animals including his sheepdog Floss and his flock of 500 sheep are key to the story but how to represent them on stage? The answer is puppets and with the help of Jimmy Grimes (creator of the puppet in the West End production of War Horse) James’ animal will come to life.

The decision to use puppets is particularly ambition in The Shepherds Life as the flock of ten will be operated by the community cast who have been having workshops with Jimmy to learn about object manipulation. Unlike war horse each puppet has to be able to be operated by one puppeteer which has lead to some interesting conversations, Chris laughed: “We’ve spent a full day talking about dogs tongues and if we need them.

F EATURE

This has not been the only difficulty with the adaptation Chris explained: “It’s been very odd for me because the characters I usually write lines for are either fictional or dead.”

The stage adaptation follows the shepherd’s year through the seasons, from gruelling winters digging sheep out of snow through to the heady excitement of lambing time in the spring, this will be depicted on stage by the use of film.

Chris explained: “The book isn’t linear, it’s not plot driven so I’ve drawn on the frame work summer, autumn, winter, spring. It’s a cycle that keeps repeating itself, the use of films helps portray time as moveable.”

This hard-hitting family saga of Lakeland history that tears up the rule-book celebrating shepherding is not to be missed.

Chris finished by saying: “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it was tremendous – it’s just such a pleasure to work on.”

17579 TBL The Guide Ad_v 20/01/2016 11:30 Page 1

The world première of

The Shepherd’s Life

by James Rebanks adapted by Chris Monks

A story of hard work, passion and determination Sat 26 March – Sat 23 April Box Office: 017687 74411 Book online: www.theatrebythelake.com Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DJ

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F EATURE

SeascAle

SeascAle

CAMRA’s BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL BIGGER AND BETTER! In response to last year’s hugely enthusiastic demand for more; the West Cumbria branch of CAMRA is repeating its performance at the Windscale Club, Gosforth Rd, Seascale, from March 17 - 19.

After the positive feedback received from the very first SeascAle festival last year it is returning with an even larger selection of local and nationally sourced beers and ciders.

SeascALE gives you an opportunity to appreciate the style, balance, and complexity of beers such as light, fruity golden ales; fruity, stronger beers; rich, sweet malty, dark milds; sweet dark porters and classic best bitters. An increased selection of superb real ciders and perries complete the perfect picture for you to ‘tickle all your tastebuds’.

For your festival favorites, at no extra charge, you may take home a 2 pint carry out carton; especially great for those designated drivers.

There will also be a Beer Tasting Sessions, to be taken

by Lynda and Stuart Johnston of The Prince of Wales,

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SeascAle

F EATURE

17 - 19 March

Fox field. This is a golden opportunity to be steered skillfully and learn to understand and appreciate the different aromas, styles and tastes with these two extremely well respected beer experts. Beer Tasting Sessions will be held on Thursday March 17 only and cost ÂŁ5.

Sport will be high on the agenda as The Cheltenham Gold Cup will be shown live on the big screen in the adjoining comfortable lounge on the Friday and The Six Nations on the Saturday.

Thurs 17th opens 4pm - 11pm Fri 18th 12 noon 11pm Sat 19th 12 noon - 11pm. Entry per session ÂŁ3 (pay at door) CAMRA members with card FREE. (See train time tables on p.78) The CAMRA branch is pleased to acknowledge the generous support of SASRA who run the festival venue and report that the chosen charity for the festival is The Great North Air Ambulance.

Places for the beer tasting will be limited so, if you would like more information, or to book, call 07855 022936.

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F EATURE

Kindness in the Blood

Kindness in the Blood Transferring urgent medical and blood supplies across Cumbria, one of the largest counties in the UK, is a difficult and dangerous task but it’s a task a group of 50 volunteers have taken up to help save lives.

Blood Bikes Cumbria is a local charity that provides an “out of hours” emergency courier service for local NHS hospitals.

Most hospitals in the UK operate an internal courier service to ferry blood and other medical equipment between themselves and other hospitals.These services generally operate during office hours, so the hospitals need to make alternative provisions in the evenings and weekends for items that need to be transported urgently which is where the Blood Bikes come in.

Although the National Association of Blood Bikes was launched over 6 years ago the Cumbria branch wasn’t established until

April 2014 with the first rides being carried out in July 2014.

Bill Bertham is responsible for setting up the Cumbrian branch of the charity. He had heard about Blood Bikes in the South and after his wife was diagnosed with cancer wanted to give something back to the NHS, he said: “I wanted to get involved and was overwhelmed by the response that we got. It’s something that appeals to everyone; a lot of people involved with the charity have had things done by the NHS and wanted to give something back.”

Blood Bikes are not solely responsible for transporting blood, they are also responsible for transporting samples, neo-natal breast milk, Drs notes, X-rays and equipment between premises.

Jan Hawkins, Funding Manager knows firsthand how important the Blood Bikes are; a delivery from blood bikes helped to save her husband’s life, she said: “People of Cumbria have a lot to thank Bill for. I call The Blood Bikes The Silent Angels because if you’re picked up by a helicopter your family know about it, they have a collection because everyone knows about the air ambulance.

If a GP saves your life you know about it or if someone saves your life on the road side you know about that, but the Blood Bikers pick up these boxes anonymously they never know what’s in it or who the recipients are and vice versa. No one knows what they achieve or how many lives they save.”

In just over a year of operating, Blood Bikes Cumbria made over 700 deliveries on behalf of the West Cumberland Hospital

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Kindness in the Blood

in Whitehaven and the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, not only between those two sites but also regularly co-ordinating deliveries with Northumbria Blood Bikes for deliveries to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Blood Bikes Cumbria is run purely by volunteer riders who come from all walks of life including ex-ambulance personnel, Sellafield workers, painters and decorators, mechanics and ex-policemen, Jan said: “They all pull together.They are ordinary working people but they’ve all got one thing in common; their kindness.”

The Charity is completely reliant on donations with riders originally using their own bikes, tyres and fuel.They were given a boost last year when Sellafield Ltd and Nuclear Management Partners donated a much needed £10,000 bike, Jan explained: All our riders are family men and they were spending £60-100 a week of fuel depending on how many rides they were doing and they did that for a full 12 months. We have been fortunate to be supported by a number of organisations that have allowed us to build up our fleet and to pay for the fuel costs.

Our riders now only use group machines the use of private vehicles is no longer necessary. “But it’s not just large companies like Sellafield Ltd that have overwhelmed us with their generosity. Family businesses like Lakeland Motorcycles in Pica who donated our first bike have been fantastic and of course the general public never cease to amaze us. Without the businesses and people of Cumbria we simply couldn’t operate.”

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In January 2015, Cumbria Blood Bike and Northumbria Blood Bikes began to support The Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS) with the “Blood On Board” project.

Since then all of the aircraft operated by GNAAS carry blood on board the aircraft for use in emergency medicine.

These supplies have to be replenished and this service is provided by the two Blood Bike groups, moving these supplies everyday between the RVI and the GNAAS aircraft homebases, this occurs seven days a week, 52 weeks a year regardless of weather.

As well as local blood transfers Blood Bikes Cumbria have taken part in a number of long distance relay transfers, with a recent one setting the record as the longest ever conducted in the UK with the full journey going from Dumfries to London.

To raise funds Blood Bikes Cumbria are raffling a Volvo V40 tickets are £2.50 available from Jan Hawkins on 0780 272 5827 or 0777 844 7477 or Lloyds Volvo.You can email: volvo@bbcumbria.org or go to bbcumbria.org.The winner will be drawn in January 2017.

For more information about volunteering call 0843 8868781 visit bbcumbria.org

All riders are at an advance motoring level, there’s a training arm to ensure that they all maintain a high standard of riding. It is also there to help those who want to join or re-test.

As well as seven bikes (one was lost in the recent floods) Blood Bikes Cumbria have three cars which are essential during the winter months. Not only are they a safer alternative to bikes in icy conditions but blood in particular has to be kept above 3oC or it deteriorates.The Henry Surtees Foundation give us a new, four wheeled drive car every year, in order that we can deliver blood to the Air Ambulance regardless of the weather conditions.

Steve Hurd, Haematology Team Manager at the Cumberland Infirmary said: “Our Blood Sciences teams in West Cumberland Hospital and the Cumberland Infirmary work under great pressure with limited resources to produce accurate and timely results that often prove lifesaving.

“With Blood Bikes Cumbria we get an accredited and secure level of service, blood and other samples handled with clinical precision, delivered between our hospitals and onward to Newcastle if required, in a timely fashion at short notice regardless of the unsociable hours – and it’s all voluntary.”

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F EATURE

Marions

Marion’s has it all for healthy humans and your furry friends For nine years Marion’s pet shop has been a constant on Egremont’s ever changing Main Street but they will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary in April in a brand new shop located in the heart of Egremont, with new stock and a whole new future!

Marions is now at 26 Market Place, Egremont in the old Jenkinson’s building and they are offering a lot more than pet supplies such as flowers, plants, fresh fruit and veg, jams and chutneys and the famous local delicacies Dent lemonade and cheese XL crisps.

Their range of pet food has also grown and they now stock some of the top pet nutrition brands such as Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Beta, Chappie and her own home made

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dog food called Marions.

As well as their house pet food they also stock and order a variety of Horse and donkey feed such as Pony nuts, Haylage and bedding materials. Marions can also advise and order in for any specifications.

As well as making sure our pets get nutritional food, Marion’s is now making sure we look after ourselves and now stocks fresh fruit and vegetables so we are guaranteed the very best ingredients.

Marions also offers a selection of homemade Jams and Chutneys and whether you’re looking for something different to spread on your toast or to accompany your cheese

Marions

F EATURE

“We are here for the people as well as their pets.” board there is something for everyone with lots of flavours to choose from.

Marion Mossop, Owner of the business said: “We are not just a pet shop and grooming parlour anymore, this new shop is a whole new start.

“The shop is now a hub for pets and their owners alike. With our new range of bedding plants and compost coming soon we also hope to be Egremont’s hot spot for gardens this spring!”

As well as their range of food and bedding plants Marions now offers premade and made to order bouquets and baskets.

Just one reason why Marion’s should be your first point of call for that all important mother’s day gift.

Of course, Marion’s still maintain their immaculate reputation with their grooming parlour.

Now celebrating 10 years in business Marion’s grooming parlour remains extremely popular with local pet owners. The expert staff accompanied by their loyal clients has made Marion’s one of the best reputed grooming parlours around.

Marion said: “We want to encourage all customers old and new to come and visit us in our new shop.

Try some of our chutneys, experience the taste of fresh vegetables, browse our beautiful flowers or ask us anything you want to know about pet care.

01946 824 425 26 Market Place | Egremont, CA22 2AG

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F EATURE

Sign of Cumbrian Spirit

Sign of Cumbrian Spirit Cumbria has shown its strength, resilience and the power of community spirit in the wake of the floods.

Cockermouth’s FabLab is the latest business to do its bit for the Cumbria Flood Appeal by launching its Cumbria Star Appeal.

The stars which make beautiful decorations that can be hung in shops, homes and even cars, represent Cumbria’s community spirit and can be created using any material;

popular materials so far have included vinyl, acrylic and wool.

The appeal, which was launched in December, has already attracted a wealth of star making volunteers including primary school pupils, crafts people, artists and many more.

One lady recently started making some very special stars out of Glass.

Fab Lab Cockermouth is a digital fabrication workshops which was set up to give people a place to design and make, inspire and educate.

Conceived by renowned scientist and inventor Neil Gershenfeld from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fab Labs are opening all over the world as well as the country. Fab Lab Cockermouth is open to young people, adults, businesses, engineers, inventors and entrepreneurs.

The idea for the stars came from Fab Lab Cockermouth comanager Danny Frost, he explained: “The stars of the county have really come into the spotlight as the Spirit of Cumbria has made its presence known.

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Sign of Cumbrian Spirit

F EATURE

“So When we wanted to use our creative skills to fundraise, we felt it was the perfect symbol to use.

The Spirit of Cumbria Stars are representative of the local community and people who have shown kindness and community spirit in the face of adversity, and we hope all households and businesses will want to display their Star and show their support – all while raising vital funds for CCF.” Zoe Crossan, Co-Manager of Cockermouth’s Fab Lab said: “We were like an island surrounded by water, after the floods, luckily we were two inches away from becoming flooded ourselves.

“Danny wanted to help and came up with the idea to make something, because that’s what we do; we make things.

“He pitched the star idea to us and we all jumped on board.”

Their appeal isn’t restricted to Cumbria, Fab Labs all across the country are making stars to help.

As The Guide went to print the Cumbria Star Appeal had successfully raised over £2000 of its £5000 target, Zoe said: “It has been a combined effort and I have been overwhelmed by the support we have had.

“We watched as Cockermouth opened its doors just days after being several feet under water and saw people pick themselves back up, it was inspiring to watch and this is why these people and businesses deserve as much help and support as possible.

“We have to keep this going and keep the symbol of the Cumbrian spirit present.”

Anybody can become a star maker, if you are interested in getting involved, you can phone the FabLab, email them or pop in on one of their open days for a chat.

Anyone who wants to create patterns or instructions for their own Stars can send them into the Fab Lab who can share them with other Star Makers.

Homemade Starts should be sent to the Fab Lab Cockermouth for central distribution.

Stars are £10 100% of that goes to the Cumbria Flood Appeal.

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F EATURE

The Beacon

An exhibition that’s

Out of the World The Beacon Museum is about to be invaded by aliens, robots and Sci-Fi monsters.

This supernatural exhibit will awaken the conspiracist in you as you travel through space, discover the art of robotics and meet some of the most iconic Sci-Fi creatures.

The exhibit, named Invasion, opens in the harbour gallery and the temporary exhibit space at The Beacon Museum on Saturday March 5 and runs through until June.

Alex Farthing marketing director at The Beacon said: “This is a fantastic exhibit for children but it’s also very much for the adults.”

Family Ticket “£20” (2 adults & 2 Children)

One element of the exhibition that will certainly evoke excitement in both adults and children is the selection of movie props on display. There will be 100 costumes from a variety of Sci-Fi movies including Star Wars, Alien, Predator and many more. So you can have your photograph standing with some authentic costumes many of which featured in their blockbuster movies.

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Alex said: “Me and another colleague visited this exhibition when it was held at another museum, we had our photos taken beside some of the most iconic costumes and figures. It was amazing and I thought, we need to get this to Whitehaven.”

There will also be a range of Robot displays and demonstrations. The Robot exhibition will be a never before seen version of the popular Life Centre exhibit in Newcastle, Alex explained: “To compliment this unseen exhibition we are also working with Gen II, who are possibly going to create a spaceship which will land in the Beacon.”

During the Easter holidays, there will be a variety of activities and workshops taking place; from making alien slime to taking part in science experiments, there will be something to feed everyone’s curiosity.

This rare exhibition will take your imagination to places it has never been before. Prepare for a day of adventure, discovery, science and spine-tingling fun!

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FFEATURE EATURE

I n A i d t h e C i v i l Powe r Foot and Mouth 1967. Private Frank Cathup 4th Battalion Border Regiment TA with a farm notice.

In Aid of the Civil Power - The Army in times of disaster

By Stuart Eastwood, Curator of Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life Over the last 100 years UK Armed Forces personnel have helped civilians in the UK and around the world in times of disaster and crisis, as reflected recently in Cumbria with the support given by soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in the recent floods.

The archives of Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life document the involvement of the regular and volunteer soldiers of County’s Infantry Regiment on such occasions.

In the aftermath of the Quintinshill rail disaster near Gretna in May 1915, soldiers from the Border Regiment’s Depot at Carlisle Castle, assisted at the crash site to recover the dead and help the injured. Whilst serving in Egypt in 1953,

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soldiers from the 1st Battalion Border Regiment assisted with relief on Cyprus after the earthquake at Paphos on 10th September.

In November 1966, whilst based at Honiton in Devon, soldiers of the 1st Battalion King’s Own Royal Border Regiment went to Aberfan in South Wales to assist in the aftermath of the dreadful coal-tip disaster on 28th October, which engulfed the local school.

Based at Sennybridge Camp, they worked 12-hour shifts doing everything from traffic control to digging for bodies and preparing the mass graves for those who had died.

I n A i d t h e C i v i l Powe r

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Carlisle December2015.

FFEATURE EATURE

Soldiers from Chindit Company 1 King’s Own Border search the Harwood Forest area in Northumberland after the PanAm 103 crash.

Their extra duty pay went to a fund to pay for Christmas presents for local children and OAP’s. They performed a similar role in Essex in 1998. During September and October 1988 they acted as prison guards during the prison officers’ dispute and for two months in 1990 provided temporary ambulance cover in Essex.

A memorial bench presented by the Regiment to the town was just a small token of their support for the local community.

The Regiment’s Territorial soldiers supported the local authorities during two major outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, which affected the agricultural communities in many parts of the country. The first was in December 1967, when TA soldiers of the 4th Battalion Border Regiment helped to control the outbreak.

The second was in 2001 when the County was devastated by Foot and Mouth. It was soldiers, mainly TA from Cumbria and the North West of England, who provided much needed logistical support and organisation to help deal with the outbreak and its aftermath.

Based at Weeton Camp near Blackpool, in 1977 the 1st Battalion King’s Own Royal Border Regiment supported by soldiers from other units, Royal Navy & RAF personnel, provided cover with 27 green goddess fire engines in Merseyside during the firemens’ strike.

Two weeks after PanAm flight 103 crashed at Lockerbie on 21st December 1988, soldiers came up from their base in Colchester to recover, personal belongings and debris along the aircraft’s flightpath around Moffat north of Lockerbie and in the Kielder Forest, Northumberland.

In October 2000, members of the Battalion deployed from Catterick to help with flood protection in the York and Selby areas.

Other units from the Armed Forces assisted again in 2005 and 2009 in Cumbria and in 2015 over 300 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment have done that same role in Cumbria again.

Located in Alma Block at Carlisle Castle, the Museum tells the 300 year story of the soldiers of Cumbria’s County Infantry Regiment, the Border Regiment and its successors the King’s Own Royal Border & Duke of Lancaster’s Regiments through fascinating artefacts, new interactive features and audio/visual displays.

The museum is open all year round (closed Fridays November to March).

For more information go to www.cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.org The Whitehaven Guide

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F EATURE

Festival to Bragg about

A festival to Bragg about

Danielle Murphy talks to Lord Melvyn Bragg about a love of literature, returning to Keswick and his latest novel.

Nationally Melvyn Bragg is most recognisable as the editor and presenter of ITV’s The South Bank Show locally he’s known as Wigton’s most famous son but when he attends Words By The Water in Keswick, March 4 -13, he’ll be there in a completely different capacity as president of the event and a respected author.

Lord Bragg’s enthusiasm for literature and writing, combined with his passion for his home county makes him the perfect ambassador for the literary festival, he explained: “I was friends with the founders, Kay Dunbar and Stephen Bristow, before they started the festival.

“They came to me with the idea of holding a literary festival in Keswick and I thought it was magnificent. Keswick is truly 28

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the most wonderful place in the country so I thought it was perfect and I stepped up to be president.”

The festival is a celebration of literature where speakers discuss thought provoking ideas, feelings and experiences.

Starting out as a small amateur gathering Words By The Water now welcomes some of the country’s most prestigious authors, poets and journalists, Lord Bragg said: “I love the educational aspect of the event.

“People go there to discover and learn.

“It’s a perfect opportunity for writers to get together and be in their own tribe.

Festival to Bragg about

“Discussions between writers can influence ideas and gives writers the chance to receive feedback from their professional kin.”

F EATURE

Acting Locally, Thinking GloballyTM

The festival has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in 2000. Its popularity and reputation are attested to by the list of well known speakers the festival attracts each year. This year’s line up includes HRH Princess Michael of Kent, Dr Alice Roberts, comedian and actor Ben Miller, Daily Mail Columnist Bel Moody and Bruce Fogle.

According to Lord Bragg though it’s not the big names that make the festival what it is, it’s the people, he said: “It’s very much the people who make these events what they are and we can see how much this festival means to the people of Cumbria because of the sheer volume of people who come to listen.”

Some read to escape, others to learn and some read simply for pleasure. Melvyn encourages people to pick up a book regularly, he said: “Books are amazing, I think the reason for this is that they can take you to a completely different world, it’s a means of escape for many and you can get engulfed in a world of make believe.”

Lord Bragg’s most recent novel, Now Is The Time, is about the peasants revolt in 1381 and it will be the topic of his talk at Words By The Water, he explained: “This is a huge event in history which is often overlooked. It made people question things they never had or did again for 500 years.

It was an event way before its time.”

Words By The Water festival is also a chance for amateur writers to showcase their own work.

Thinking of starting your own business?

The Linkstart programme provides step by step support to help you plan, launch and develop your business. Our expert team can help you hit the ground running, giving you the best chance of success.

Our comprehensive package of support is free for anyone looking to start their business in West Cumbria and includes: • Regular workshops in Allerdale and Copeland that cover the basic skills you need to develop a business plan and run your business, including how to register, tax, cashflow, insurance and marketing • Meet the expert sessions, from banking, accountants, law, HMRC and trading standards • Signposting to other providers of support and networking opportunities where needed

Lord Bragg believes new and aspiring writers need to be recognised and fight their way into the industry he said: “The best advice I can give new authors is keep writing and don’t give up. If you have a passion for it you will be driven to continue.

• One-to-one advisory support from our team of advisors to support you throughout those all important early months

“One man named Marvin James wrote a novel which was rejected 78 times, a few months ago he won the Booker Prize. Nothing is impossible so keep pushing.”

For more information visit: www.britainsenergycoast.co.uk

Lord Melvyn Bragg will be appearing at Words By The Water on Saturday March 5 at the Theatre By The Lake. For more information visit www.theatrebythelake.com

• Grant funding of £500, subject to eligibility

Or contact the Business Support Team: Tel: 01946 595200 Email: bst@britainsenergycoast.co.uk

www.britainsenergycoast.co.uk The Whitehaven Guide

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FFEATURE EATURE

Keswick Film Festival

Keswick Film Festival back with a Bang Movie special effects expert Simon Hughes is the man who blows the doors off, and a whole lot more besides.

Festival director Ann Martin said: “We hope people will, more than ever, visit to help boost Keswick in its post-flood recovery, by watching films.”

Hughes, who has led a distinguished and burgeoning career as a special effects supervisor on film sets all over the world, will be pitching up in Keswick in February to share some of the secrets of his unique trade with visitors attending the 17th annual Film Festival.

Keswick Film Festival is now well-established as one of the country’s leading events of its kind and in Simon Hughes they have snapped up a man whose experience in studios across the globe make him the go-to expert when film makers are looking for someone to produce those spectacular scenes.

Among the recent movie successes that Hughes has been involved with are Everest, Millions and Suffragette.

For Suffragette, the climactic scene was Derby Day on Epsom Racecourse when thousands saw Emily Davison step out in front of King George V’s horse at Tattenham Corner.

Riots in Oxford Street, MPs and protestors outside Parliament and the re-building of Holloway prison, plus blowing the doors off post boxes amid fire and smoke and piles of debris, were also part of Suffragette.

Simon Hughes will be one of the top notch guests at the 2016 Keswick Film Festival which runs from February 25-28.

Organisers are also hoping that their celebrated patron, Sir John Hurt, will be able to attend. The festival is set to open and close with films in which the patron and favourite guest appears.

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By Ross Brewster

The Whitehaven Guide

Hughes’ visual effects career began in 1997 when he joined the leading London visual effects facility Cinesite.

He gained further experience working on films like Gladiator, several of the Harry Potter series and Kingdom of Heaven, and he soon earned a reputation for his visual effects talents on high-end blockbuster features.

He became one of the most sought-after people in his field and has spent time on sets around the world gaining technical and creative experience and bolstering his burgeoning reputation as a highly inventive and flexible supervisor.

Enthusiasts heading for Keswick for the festival will be only too glad to have an opportunity to meet the man behind the special effects on numerous favourite films.

House of Linda

F EATURE

House of Linda From hampers to handbags, House of Linda Ann has it all. The quirky gift shop which originated in Cleator Moor has expanded and can now be found on King Street, Whitehaven, as well.

Linda Ann Smith owner of the business opened her first shop in Cleator Moor six months ago and realised it had potential to expand, she said: “I had so much in the Cleator Moor shop but it made it difficult to see what I actually had in stock.

When the premises on King St became available I couldn’t resist. It’s now been open for two months and is doing really well.”

With such a huge variety, House of Linda should be your first stop when looking for that special, all important mother’s day gift.

You’re always sure of a friendly welcome from Linda and her staff at House of Linda Ann.

Linda creates the gift hampers herself. She realised she had a talent for it after she planned, designed and made things for her son’s wedding, she said: “I have always had a creative eye, I love making things but it was only when a someone commented on how brilliant everything at the wedding was that I thought it was maybe time to do what I love.”

The hampers available at House of Linda Ann are all handmade and unique. No two are the same and there’s certainly something different for everyone whether it’s a hamper packed full of smellies for grandma or a dinosaur one for your little brother you’ll find a gift for everyone at House of Linda Ann. With her wide range of handbags, scarves, jewellery, shoes, candles, bath products and her wedding section, House of Linda Ann is much more than a gift shop. Linda said: “I like to be different and give everybody the chance to feel fantastic, all at affordable prices. Looking good is not just a privilege for the wealthy! We have some beautiful occasion bags in our wedding range along with some gorgeous fascinators.”

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F EATURE

Folk Music

Folk music isn’t just music it’s for

the family Folk legend and Stepping Stones festival organiser Maddy Prior talks to Ali Hipkin about preparations for the festivals fifth year.

Grandmother, festival organiser, teacher, yes Maddy Prior is many things but it’s difficult to describe her as anything other than a folk legend.

Her love and enthusiasm for all things music has lead to the hugely successful Stepping Stones festival which she helped set up in 2011.

After many years of success the festival is now working on attracting a new generation of folk fans, Maddy said: “This year we’re putting a lot of energy into young people. One aspect we’d really like to encourage is for grandparents to bring their grandchildren.

“This is going to be a brilliant year because there’s going to be some really good music on and there’ll be plenty for children of all ages to do.”

While folk music is the focus of Stepping Stones Festival there’s a very mixed line-up, Maddy explained: “Folk is a very loose term it doesn’t actually mean anything; it’s a very rough outline of a style.

“Stepping Stones is a mix of music and I try to make it so that all the groups are really good in they’re genre.

There’s a lot of folk but there’s also a lot of other

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Folk Music

material and I like to bring in different music so if it’s not to your taste you can be convinced because it’s very good.”

Stepping Stones has been a huge success since it started five years ago but there are some changes ahead for 2016. This year sees the introduction of a marquee and an alternative stage.

The festival will also feel more spread out this year with more time between acts giving festival-goers the chance to move around and experience different aspects of the festival like the craft village in the Hall or the food stalls or the abundance of activities that have been arranged for children.

Maddy said: “There’ll be lots to do and it will be a lovely event.”

There is also a band competition for local bands in the run up to the festival. One member of the band has to be from within 50miles of Carlisle and the bands must have at least three members.

The final will be held at The Venue, Carlisle on Saturday March 5. The Winners will get £500 and a place at the festival; there are three other slots available for the runner ups.

F EATURE

English Folk – there are some beautiful songs.’

“They gave me some tapes and I listened to them wearily as they all seemed to be very old people singing but I was a bit determined because I wanted to impress them and I sort of saw the point of the music.

I listened and listened and listened and I eventually got my ear in and you have to do that with any music. If you listen long enough you eventually get it.”

Getting her “ear in” was just the start of a long and successful career for Maddy which has seen her work with the likes of Peter Sellers and David Bowie, tour the world, have a top ten hit, and nearly 40 albums but she remains modest about her career.

With a mixed line-up of old generation folk and a younger melodic take on folk, along with a whole host of activities for children Stepping Stones is the ultimate family weekend with something for everyone.

If you’re interested in the band completion send a brief description of the band lie-up and a demo of three songs to infor@steppingstonesfestival.co.uk or a CD to Tim Coombe, Damhead, Rowel Town, Carlisle, CA6 6LQ.

Maddy explained: “This is kind of a warm-up to the festival.

We want to get the wider community involved because after all that’s what a festival is all about.”

Steeleye Span and Show of Hands are on this year’s line-up and while they are still going strong folk music seems to be experiencing a revival and attracting younger artists.

“There’s a massive interest in folk music now,” said Maddy, “there are a lot of young players and they are really good. A lot of them have learnt their craft at the festivals they’d go to.

“The thing about folk music is that it does have revivals and that’s what it lives on.

“A bit of a problem at the moment is that a young audience hasn’t followed; the audience hasn’t quite caught up with them yet. “ Despite Maddy’s obvious passion for folk music it wasn’t always her preferred music genre, she explained: “I discovered folk when I was about 15, I sang mainly American folk then I met some Americans who said ‘for goodness sake stop singing that American stuff you’re rubbish at it.’ Of course I was rather offended but they said ‘you should sing The Whitehaven Guide

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F EATURE

Thanks

Mum

No one compares to your mum, whether you need advice, a shoulder to cry on or a good meal our mums are the ones we go to.

We’re all guilty of taking them for granted which is why, one day a year, we remember to say “Thank You” and give them some time to put their feet up.

JAR OF HEARTS Now taking orders for Mother’s Day bouquets from £15 55 High St. Cleator Moor, CA25 5BQ Pop in for details or call us on 01946 815765.

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Mothers Day Sunday March 6

DIXONS DEPARTMENT STORE Estee Lauder Modern Muse Eau de Parfum from £45 10 Lowther St, Whitehaven CA28 7AL 01946 692351

Thanks Mum

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Mums can be notoriously difficult to buy for what do you buy for the person who doesn’t ask for anything other than “for everyone to have a nice day together”?

You don’t have to rush out and spend a fortune to show your mum you appreciate her.

Something as simple as making her a cup of tea or taking her breakfast in bed, making a card or collage of photos are all ways to show her you appreciate her.

While some believe Mothers Day is a purely commercial celebration it’s believed to have started in Britain as far back as the medieval times.

Blessing’s Bakery Specialising in varieties of celebration cakes.

Bespoke service for customers who want something special Cupcakes, minimum order of 12 for £21 Price list available on request for any cake 07759036745 Blessing’s Bakery

Children who were working as servants or apprentices would go home for one day in the spring and spend the day with their mums and worshiping the Virgin Mary.

A mother is rarely in the foreground of a photo she’s either standing at the back or half of her head is missing, she’ll always give you the last piece of cake – even if she wants it – she’s cleaned bloody knees, wipe snotty noses, and let you crawl into her bed when you had a nightmare.

We have so much to thank our mothers for, for being our nurses, our chefs, chauffeurs and, it doesn’t stop when we grow up they become our therapists, baby-sitters, companions and friends.

It’s a full time job and they do it without crying or moaning – it’s unconditional.

Neate Crafts bespoke arts & crafts Items shown in the photo are from £6.75 to £30.00 and include p&p.

www.neatecrafts.co.uk 019467 27131

So celebrate that Special women in your life whether its your Mum, your Grandma, Auntie or older Sister - She deserves a treat.

DIXONS DEPARTMENT STORE Annie Haak Jewellery the perfect Mother’s Day present 10 Lowther St, Whitehaven CA28 7AL 01946 692351

House of Linda ann Chocolate Bouquet contains 12 Ferrero Rocher chocolate ‘flowers’ Retails at £14.99.

www.houseoflindaann.co.uk 07471 356433

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HEALTH AND BEAUT Y

Diet or Detox

Diet or Detox

By Jackie Cooper Bsc(hons) MNIMH, Medical Herbalist In the immortal words of Monty Python, ‘We are all individuals’ – hence what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for someone else.

In the immortal words of Monty Python, ‘We are all individuals’ – hence what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for someone else.

Each of us has our own unique blend of ‘being’, and for this reason in Alternative/Complementary medicine, we treat the individual not the illness.We look at the individual constitution as well as the

symptoms. Always bear this in mind when you are self medicating, and you will get a much better response from natural medicine.

I always treat my patients with a chronic condition in this way, and ideally acute conditions too.

How healthy do you feel? Are you full of energy when you rise in the morning or do you have to drag yourself out of bed?

Do you have lots of aches and pains?

Are you underweight or overweight? It is never too late to start to look after your body.

After the excesses of Christmas detox is often the buzz word for New Year resolutions but if your resolution has already slipped; you’re not going to the gym anymore, living on limited calories is dragging you down take a different approach.

No matter what you have done to it in the past, you can start fresh from today, and you will notice the benefits sooner than you think, and you will feel happier as a result.

Look at your diet and exercise.These are important issues which you can change immediately if you have the mind to.

Different blood types suit different diets, but the basic advice of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is the same for everybody.

Organic food may seem expensive but it has less water content and more nutrition, so it is not as expensive as it may seem.

If you are suffering from allergies, digestive problems or arthritis,

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Diet or Detox

HEALTH AND BEAUT Y

then try an elimination diet to see whether certain foods make your symptoms worse – give your experiments a few months for your body to tell you what upsets it.Tomatoes and oranges for example can make inflammatory conditions more uncomfortable in many systemic disorders, eg. arthritis.

Take regular exercise, building up slowly and tailored to ability.

In moving the body, flexibility is maintained, the muscles & circulation aid the digestive system which in turn eliminates toxins. It is all connected, and must be taken care of.

And what is the most important detoxing remedy? Water, just plain water – most people don’t drink enough, and it is free (well, sort of).

Obviously water quality is important, but more important is hydration. Plain water is best so that the kidneys don’t have to work too hard.

Ideally we should drink 1 ½ litres a day but most people don’t get anywhere near that. Just increase your intake slowly, and warm is better than cold, especially in the cold weather. It is the best medicine that there is!

If in doubt about how to begin a health regime, consult your local Medical Herbalist!

Jackie Cooper is a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She practices from her home in Hethersgill and from clinics in Brampton and Carlisle. For further information, please telephone 01228 675042 or visit www.talkinherbs.co.uk The Whitehaven Guide

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How to talk Hair

By Nelson Brown

H o w t o Ta l k H a i r

“I want it choppy”, “I would like it layered to give it some more volume” and “Can you thin it out?” are phrases I hear on a daily basis.

at the sides, perfect for square or elongated face shapes.

I’ve had the privilege of being trained by Vidal Sassoon and working back stage at London and Paris fashion weeks but after 30 years experience of working with hair I still have no idea what “choppy layers” are.

Length on the top is the key to this look, without the length, there will be no fullness.

Clients are often inspired by hairstyles they’ve seen in magazines, these styles are often accompanied by descriptions and customers take what they read to be accurate information.

Armed with a new hair related vocabulary they feel in control and confident about what they’re asking for.

But what are you really asking for?

Layering actually removes the weight in the hair and is designed to make the hair sit flat, graduated hair is a build up of weight and is designed to make the hair fuller and plump and keeping your hair all one length is a way of keeping your hair full.

So if you think asking for layers will help give your hair more life - think again.

It’s no wonder that so many people walk out with a totally different hairstyle to the picture they walked in with.

When you go to your appointment your stylist should be looking at your face shape, head shape, hair type, hair texture, growth patterns, root movement and limitations and asking questions about your lifestyle and how you usually style it to gain a better understanding of what will work for you.

HEALTH AND BEAUT Y

Black spiky This is a layered haircut, removing weight. Short on the top, with an even amount of hair around the head.

This look has been dressed out to give a spiky/punky feel.

You can see the top hair is shorter. Clients think short top means volume, but unless you can dry your hair yourself super well, or it naturally sits like this, then it will be a struggle!

Faceing Page This shape has been created using a combination of techniques; it’s got some graduation in the sides, with the top area shortened, but not in a blunt technical way it’s more refined, mixing removing hair for slightly shorter pieces, and longer areas, to give a mixture of both.

A good hairdresser will advise and work with you.

Red hair This look has volume and fullness. It’s graduated, giving a rounded wide feel

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New Wardrobe

HEALTH AND BEAUT Y

Put a spring in your step with a new wardrobe

by Ashleigh Panther

It’s time to put away your big fluffy jumpers and replace them with bright coloured t-shirts. Replace your warm winter boots with gorgeous flats. Spring 2016 is nearly here and it’s bringing a new wardrobe with it!

Suede Suede is going to be very popular in the next few months. Tan suede skirts paired with your favorite pair of flats and a white shirt will create a feminine vintage look that’s light.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous try lightweight suede jackets or dresses or look out for coloured suede’s.

Off the shoulder tops The 90s off the shoulder tops is back!

Team an off the shoulder bodysuits, preferably black or white, with a pair of light jeans and sneakers for a relaxed but stylish every day look.

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Ballet Shoes Flat shoes are always popular around this time.

We’re sick of having are feet cooped up in winter boots, it’s time to let them breathe in a cute pair of lightweight ballet flats or brogues.

These shoes are extremely versatile, so can be worn with jeans and t-shirts for a casual look or paired with tights and a dress for a smart casual evening look.

Look out for quirky colours and styles to add a little dash of individuality to your outfits.

Pleats Pleats tend to remind us of school skirts. But it’s time to bring pleats into the modern world with beautifully bright pleated midi skirts and mini skirts.

Pair with plain shirts and baggy t-shirts or mix and match trends, pairing the skirt with an off the shoulder top for a look that’s bang on trend.

New Wardrobe

Men: It’s not just the ladies who need a wardrobe overhaul in Spring there are a number of new trends for men too.

Most of these are colourful patterns, making men’s clothing bright and ready for the new year.

HEALTH AND BEAUT Y

Why am I giving you a psychology lesson?

Because these patterns are making their way into mens fashion. They are most commonly found on t-shirts that can be teamed with jeans and brogues for a day to day look.

Another pattern that is going to be popular this Spring and Summer is glitch pattern.

Plant printTime to let your wardrobe bloom with the blossoming trends for Spring/Summer 16. Plant prints are going to be big in the coming months.

Whether it’s t-shirts, jackets, shirts and pants, this print will be everywhere in a variety of colours, patterns and intensities. So whether you want something a little more plain or want to say it out loud, you wont be short of choice.

Rorschach TestRorschach test is the psychological test that tests participants to see pictures in ink stains, which tell us what type of person they are.

This will give a distorted interesting edge to men’s clothes and will come in a range of different colours and patterns.

Across shirts, t-shirts and jackets, you will be able to buy casual and formal wear with this pattern.

These are just some of the trends we will see on our high street over the next few months.

If you want to go one further, check out your local charity shops and vintage stores to find these trends but in more unique items and at half the price!

Escape from it all and experience the relaxing & rejuvenating effects of time spent at…

HEALTH SPAS

Oxley’s at Underscar, Keswick 017687 71500

Oxley’s at Ambleside 015394 32385

www.oxleyshealthspa.co.uk The Whitehaven Guide

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Home grown Cumbrian Grub

Cumberland Sausage From natural produce like fell bred lamb and Solway caught Fish to delicacies such as Rum Butter and Sticky toffee pudding Cumbria has a reputation for its vast variety of good food.

In this series we will explore the origins of these foods and talk to local experts to find out what it takes to make perfect traditional Cumbrian grub.

The Cumberland Sausage is arguably Cumbria’s favourite and most famous foodie export. No Cumbrian menu would be complete without the presence of a traditional Cumberland sausage on a bed of creamy mash.

Wabberthwaite is the home of one of the oldest family Butchers in Cumbria and nobody knows the Cumberland Sausage like the Woodall family.

R.B Woodall have been making their famous traditional Cumberland sausages for nearly 200 years using a secret recipe that has been passed down through nine generations.

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Joyce Hadwin, the eighth generation of the Woodall family to run the Butchers, has been involved in making the famous sausages for most of her life and knows all the ins and outs

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of the perfect sausage, she explained: “A traditional Cumberland sausage has a very specific criteria.

Firstly it has to be made of 95% pork, it should never be linked and it has to be made in Cumbria to hold the name ‘Cumberland sausage’.”

It’s not just the strict criteria that sets the Cumberland Sausage apart from the rest it’s also about the way it’s cooked, Joyce said: “The sausage should be cooked slowly in the oven or the grill.

“Because a Cumberland sausage is not made primarily from rusk and water they take much longer to cook.”

Traditionally the sausage would be made around 50cm long, salted, cured and hung to dry and was often cut like salami when it was ready.

Due to the harsh winters food would have been scarce and for the families in poverty this sausage was a lasting food source, Joyce explained: “The sausages were probably made to be sustainable throughout the winter.

“Cumbrian winters can be brutal and this meat provided a lasting source of protein.”

Up until the 1950s, the majority of households kept a pig as a means of self-sufficiency.

The Cumberland Pig was a common breed in Cumbrian households.

The pig was strong jawed and had adapted coarse hair and extra layer of fat to

cope with the Cumbrian climate.

It was from the Cumberland pig that the original sausages were made.

The fatty meat, teamed with the pig’s diet of autumn apples gave it a distinct sweet taste.

The sausages would also be spiced with potent exotic spices such as ginger, nutmeg and black pepper which were imported into Whitehaven harbour - although the exact mix of spices Woodall’s use is need to know information.

Unfortunately, the introduction of a larger, leaner pig meant the Cumberland pig was no longer necessary.

The last known Cumberland pig is believed to have died in 1960. But in recent years scientists and conservationists have been on a mission to bring this little piggy back home.

In 2008 Weatheriggs animal sanctuary in County Durham, along with conservationists successfully produced a pig named Wendy who shared 99% of her DNA with a Cumberland pig.

Although they still have a way to go before they can bring the original Cumberland pig back, the Cumberland Sausage remains as popular as ever and it’s clear this Cumbrian favourite will remain on top.

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Lamb Hoggett

Spiced Cumbrian Hoggett by Jean-Christophe Novelli Serves 4-6

Ingredients 1 rack of hogget Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Pinch ground nutmeg 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 1 bay leaf 2 aubergines, peeled and sliced ½ tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp fennel seeds 4 sprigs thyme 2 cloves garlic peeled and sliced A little local honey, to taste 1 lemon sliced 1x15ml water or stock 100g canned chickpeas, drained 1tsp harissa powder ½ tsp smoked paprika ¾ tsp turmeric powder 6 sprigs fresh mint 6 sprigs tarragon 44

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Method Cut the racks into cutlets Place the cutlets (fat side down) into a hot dry pan and cook slowly over gentle heat.

Add a sprinkling of salt and nutmeg, turn the cutlets over. Once cooked remove from the pan onto a plate, drain fat from pan.

In the same hot pan add the onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes. Then add the lemon, aubergine, honey and sweat for 1 minute. Sauté until soft (about 2 minutes) with the cumin and fennel.

Cover with a lid. Season with salt and pepper, thyme, bay leaves and a squeeze of local honey. Mix well, water and steam for 2 minute.

Add chickpeas with the harissa powder, smoked paprika, turmeric and add the aubergines. Finally add the mint and tarragon.

Place meat and any juices back into the pan, leave on a low heat covered for 1 minute.

Serve with mashed potatoes, couscous or rice.

G i n a n d To n i c C a k e

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Gin and Tonic Cake Ingredients

4 eggs, weighed in their shells equal weight of: butter caster sugar self-raising flour 2 lemons 8-10 shots of your favourite gin dash tonic water (optional) 150g granulated sugar

BISTRO AT UNDERSCAR

Method

Ensure that all your ingredients are at room temperature, and preheat the oven to 180C. Weigh your eggs in their shells, and make a note of the exact weight. Weigh out this much butter and caster sugar, and cream together until light, fluffy and pale.

Crack in the eggs, and beat until combined.

Sieve in the flour, mix again, then grate in the zest of both lemons. Stir through the juice of 1 lemon and 3-4 shots of gin, then pour into a lined 1kg loaf tin.

Bake in the centre of the oven for 45 minutes, or until the cake passes the knife test.

Remove from the oven, and set aside while you make the drizzle.

Combine the sugar, gin, tonic and remaining lemon in a bowl.

Prick the surface of the cake with a fork, then poor over the

Afternoon Tea – All Day Sunday Roast – Local Ales & Lagers Daily Specials – Freshly Prepared Local Produce - Light Lunches

Keswick - 017687 71500

www.oxleyshealthspa.co.uk The Whitehaven Guide

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Kitchen Re-por ter

Kitchen Re-porter Michael Ogden is bringing his own brand of home cooking to Beckermet as the new head chef at The Royal Oak. Michael, who has worked all over the county, believes in making everything from scratch where possible, making his own bread, sausages and black pudding to serve in the restaurant.

What is your first memory of the kitchen?

Probably being in the kitchen with my mum and my nana; my mum did quite a lot of baking when we were younger and I always remember my nana’s pies, she used to make big cheese and onion and meat and potatoes pies.

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever cooked with?

I haven’t really cooked with anything weird, I’ve cooked with heart and things and squirrel but nothing really weird.

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Kitchen Re-por ter

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Alborz Flame A Small Selection of beautiful dishes from our Menu

Classic Favourites

Saffron Chicken £16.90 What is your favourite type of cuisine?

Roast dinner with big Yorkshire puddings, we do giant Yorkshire puddings with our Sunday dinners.

What is your favourite restaurant to eat at anywhere in the world?

Minted Rack Of Lamb £16.90 Cumberland Sausage £9.90

KEBABS

Probably The Stone Chair where I used to work, it was just really good food with big portions.

Special Kebab £16.50 Shish Kebab £15.90

Who is your favourite celebrity chef?

PASTA

Keith Floyd, he’s just a classic.

What are you most likely to cook at home?

Good hearty food like stews.

Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen at home?

I do cook quite a bit at home when I can but so does my wife.

What is your ultimate comfort food?

Midget Gems – it’s got to be Lions though.

What is your idea of food hell?

Offal, even though I cook with it. I think it goes back to when I was a child and we were forced to eat liver.

Lasagne £11.90 Spaghetti Con Fruitti Di Marre £12.20

Steaks Mixed Steaks £22.90 Fillet, Sirloin and Rump (Approx 14oz)* Fillet Steak (Approx 8oz)* £19.90 Sirloin Steak (Approx 8oz)* £18.50 Rump Steak (Approx 10oz)* £18.50

A Small Selection of our Lunch Menu Gammon Steak (8oz) With Egg Or Pineapple £5.50 Extra Egg Or Pineapple £1.00 Baked Potato With Butter £3.20 Cheese £3.70 Beans £3.90 Melted Mozzarella

Cheese & Tomato £5.40 Tuna & Melted Mozzarella Cheese £5.40 Freshly Cooked Ham & Melted Mozzarella Cheese £5.60 Cheese, Lettuce & Tomato £4.40

66 Lowther Street, Whitehaven 01946 64469 E. caspianclassic@live.com The Whitehaven Guide

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Semlor

Semlor (Swedish Lent Buns)

This is a recipe in courtesy of our office Swede, Johanna Englundh. The cream filled traditional Scandinavian desert is usually served on Shrove Tuesday with warm milk although we’ve been enjoying them with a cup of tea. Careful not to have too many though, one of Sweden’s Kings died after a banquet that ended with 14 Semlor.

Ingredients Vanilla cream: 1 vanilla pod 250 ml milk (3%) 100 ml cream 3 egg yolks 45g sugar 2 tbsp flour

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Semlor

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Method Vanilla Cream

1. Split the vanilla pod in half and deseed. Put seeds and the pod in a saucepan with the milk and cream and leave to simmer for a few minutes stirring continuously 2. Whisk the egg yolks with sugar and flour.

3. Remove the vanilla pod from the milk and add to the egg mixture while whisking.

4. Heat the mixture on medium heat and stir to avoid lumps are formed. Turn the heat down as soon as it starts to boil and let the cream thicken while stirring for a few minutes 5. When the cream has thickened, pour it into a clean bowl. Cover the bowl with cling film and put in the fridge to cool.

Semlor 1. Heat the milk in a saucepan with the ground cardamom until it’s 37 degrees 2. Crumble the yeast in a bowl and dissolve with milk, sugar, salt, butter and the egg 3. Add the flower gradually and knead into a dough

Semlor: 1 tbsp ground cardamom pods 300 ml milk (3%) 50g fresh yeast 135g sugar 1/2 tsp salt 150 g soft butter 2 eggs (one for brushing the buns with) 660-720g self-rising flour Plus 500ml double cream

4. Leave the dough to ferment under a towel to twice the size (I leave it in the microwave so no one can disturb it) for approximately 1 hour 5. Heat the oven to 220 degrees. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and divide into 18 equal parts.

6. Mold into smooth buns and place on a baking tray.

Leave to ferment for 45-60 minutes under a kitchen towel.

7. Beat the egg and brush the buns. Bake in the middle of the oven for 7-10 minutes until they become golden.

Leave to cool on a cooling rack.

8. Cut the tops of the buns and scoop a hole in the middle. Mix the leftovers with the vanilla cream and fill the hole again.

Whisk double cream until thick and pipe on top, put the tops back on the buns and finish with a dust of icing sugar!

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Marmalade

Spreading the ap-peel of Marmalade

Photography Hermione McCosh

Paddington Bear is its most famous advocate but marmalade has really come into its own since the Marmalade Awards were set up in Cumbria, 11 years ago.

So what makes the perfect marmalade?

The awards take place on March 19 – 20 at Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens, near Penrith.

“It should have a good aroma,” Jane said, “a good citrus smell, it should look nice, have a good set; not be too runny and not too stiff but, above all, it should taste good.

Jane Hasell-McCosh, founder of the awards, is passionate about marmalade and set up the awards because she was worried that the tradition of marmalade making and eating was becoming less popular.

But her passion for marmalade was just one reason for setting up the awards she also wanted it to be educational and to support small commercial producers.

She said: “After such a terrible winter, we are delighted to be able to hold this spring Festival.

“Cumbria and other areas across the UK have come through the worst floods in living memory, but people are looking forward to a new season, with events like the Marmalade Festival providing visitors with wonderful experiences and brilliant memories.”

Since their inception The Marmalade Awards have been a huge success. From just 50 entries in 2005 the competition has grown significantly and in 2015 over 2700 jars were sent from countries such as Australia, USA, and South Korea.

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“The problem many people have is that they don’t cook the peel for long enough which makes it quite tough.”

The Marmalade Awards are divided into categories: Home Made, Small Commercial Producer, Artisan Award and Marmalade B&B and Hotel Award.

The competition is fierce, with fruity, spicy, alcoholic and downright original ingredients, such as seaweed and beer, being added to make modern marmalades.

National Marmalade Week, overseen by the awards’ organisers, encourages people to try, buy or make marmalade.

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MOTORING AND S PORT

The new afternoon tee Thanks to the success of team GB at the 2012 Olympics and ad campaigns like This Girl Can more and more women are getting out and enjoying sport and exercise. One sport which has seen a rise in female participants is Golf.

With the emergence of golfing stars like Rory McIlroy golf has undergone bit of a make-over in recent years, attracting younger players but the spectrum of players is widening still and now women are storming golf courses across the country as well.

Stuart Hemmings from Seascale golf club said: “More and more ladies are taking up Golf these days. Whether they are retired, still at work or still at School ladies are becoming more and more attracted to the game.

Our Junior Team at Seascale was once an all boy team but soon it could be an all girls team.”

Inspiring female players such as Charley Hull, Catriona Matthew and Holly Clyburn are having a domino effect and more women are signing up to local golf clubs.

Getting out in the fresh air, exercising without sweating in a gym and engaging in a bit of friendly competition are all reasons to get involved with the sport but the social aspect of the sport is also a big draw, especially when it

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comes to female players. Stuart said: “There are so many reasons to get into golf; it provides us with a peaceful environment to undertake some exercise that is fun yet challenging, with our friends and family. The added bonus of being able to sit down to socialise, enjoy a meal and a drink or two afterwards is also rather enjoyable.”

The modern sport originated in 15th century Scotland, however historians have disputed where the first derivative of golf came from.

The first female Player followed a century later when Mary Queen of Scott’s decided to have a go at teeing off but it didn’t go much further than her few games.

Although Mary’s attempt at golf didn’t progress far she still managed to leave her mark on the golfing world.

It is from her that we get the word ‘Caddie’, during her games she would have French military cadets carry her

MOTORING AND S PORT

clubs, the word Cadet was soon reformed to Caddie.

in communal lounge areas.

Men and women weren’t permitted to share a lounge within a clubhouse until 20th century.

This year why not join thousands of other women who are getting involved in the sport, it’s a great way to have fun, get fit and enjoy the outdoors as well as meet new people and learn a skill.

Times have now changed and women are a regular sight

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Seascale Golf Club The Banks, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1QL www.seascalegolfclub.co.uk - seascalegolfclub@gmail.com

PAR PACKAGE - 2 VOUCHERS £20 BIRDIE PACKAGE - 4 VOUCHERS £38 EAGLE PACKAGE - 8 VOUCHERS £70

1 Round of Winter Golf (1 Voucher) 1 Round of Summer Golf (2 Vouchers)

Call Stuart on ....

019467 28202

The Whitehaven Guide

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MOTORING AND S PORT

Whitehaven RL

Haven’s Hope for the new season after win over town BY craig wishart

Photography by Gary mckeatingkeating

Of course it’s foolish to speculate how a season might pan out based on the result of a single warm up match played on a cold and wet January night.

Instead they had to settle for mud caked players grinning from ear to ear and I’m not talking a bit of muck and a few grass stains this was a full on plastering, so bad was the pitch conditions.

However if you’re a Haven fan you will certainly take some confidence from toughly contested 12-6 win over Workington Town in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy and it goes a little way to correcting the dominance our local rivals had had over us in recent times.

It only goes to show that some things, like the weather, will always be beyond your control and all you can do is work with what you have, which is why head coach James Coyle has pushed his players so hard during pre-season training.

Because of the conditions neither side was really able to stamp much authority on the match and the victory was a hard fought contest as Haven out-muscled and out-played their local rivals in a low scoring affair that was to be expected given the horrendous nature of the weather on the night and the water logged Recre pitch.

Also Haven backroom staff would have been wishing for better conditions to unveil the new all-white home strip. The new jerseys also featured faces of 17 Haven hall-of- fame legends and, I’m sure, Club officials would have loved a few good photo opportunities filled with gleaming white uniforms post-match as the team held aloft their trophy.

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According to Whitehaven prop forward Ben Davies this year’s pre-season campaign has been the toughest he’s endured since Wigan Warriors, he said:“This is definitely the hardest pre-season I can remember since I was at Wigan. James [Coyle] comes from that environment and we all have to be tough both physically and mentally.”

Coyle was also fortunate to have a full list of fit players to pick from before the warm-up match and he believed this was his strongest starting 13 and while this was his only opportunity to watch his side in action before the season opener on February 7 he knows that continuity in the side is important which is why he wouldn’t expect too many changes for the season opener.

Whitehaven RL

If hard work and grit played a part in the victory against Workington then Coyle’s planning and drive is working but some luck will be needed when the Championship season begins.

In the first three matches Haven will come up against Halifax, Bradford and Featherstone. All these teams sat well inside the top five last season and Haven will have to dig deep if they can get their campaign off to a positive start.

While some good fortune will be nice Coyle and the backroom staff believe their hard work will set the team in the right direction.

That work began at last season’s end as the club re-signed players and went on an extensive recruiting drive.

They strengthened positions they felt were weak, creating fierce competition that will keep everyone on their toes and striving to push themselves that bit harder.

MOTORING AND S PORT

Along with a tough pre-season Coyle feels he’s done all he can to prepare the team for the long season ahead.

Haven can play well but they can also play badly, consistency was a huge problem last year and if Coyle can get to the bottom of that then we’ll only improve.

As I said earlier it’s very hard to draw any conclusions from a single match in such appalling conditions but one thing I do know is we’ve picked up the first trophy for the season and that’s a very good start.

Plus we’ve only gone and beaten Workington in the process, so things look even better.

Sure it’s only a warm up match but it’s all we’ve got to go by at the minute. There are some positive signs so optimism might not be a completely misplaced notion.

The team’s ready and so are we, roll on it’s time for the Championship season.

UPCOMING FIXTURES Saturday 13th February 2016 Haven Vs. Bradford 6.30pm

Friday 25th March 2016 Haven Vs.Workington 1.30pm

Saturday 20th February 2016 Haven Vs. Featherstone 6.30pm

Saturday 2nd April 2016 Haven Vs. London 6.30pm

Saturday 5th March 2016 Heaven Vs. Swinton 6.30

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MOTORING AND S PORT

Comets

Aussie riders complete line-up Words: John Walsh

Workington Comets have completed their line-up for the 2016 season with the capture of two Australian riders.

But it got better for Campton as not only did he secure his Visa status but he went on to win the ‘A Final’ to claim the Queensland State title for the first time.

Mason Campton and Ty Proctor were the last two to be announced after they had both obtained clearance to ride in Britain this year.

Comets owner Laura Morgan said: “We had been following his progress ride by ride throughout the meeting and once he qualified for that ‘A final’ it was a huge relief for everyone!

Campton’s signing was clinched after he secured a place in the ‘A Final’ of the Queensland Championship. That ensured the 22-year-old would finish in the top four placings and was eligible to apply for a Visa in order to race in the UK in 2016 and resume his promising British racing career.

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“Once his Visa eligibility was secured, it will come as no surprise to anyone that we very quickly agreed a deal with him.”

Comets

When Campton last rode for the Comets in 2014 he ended the season with a 4.66 average, however having missed out on the 2015 season he is now to be classed as a new application and so must return to the UK with an average of 5.00, in accordance with the regulations agreed between the BSPA and the UK Border Agency.

Comets team manager Tony Jackson said: “We are so pleased to have Mason back as to have missed out on yet another season would have been very hard for him, and probably had a detrimental effect on his career.

“But, he is now perfectly placed to push on with his career and I am certain that having missed out in 2015 he will be really keen to up his average next season.

“There is still plenty of improvement to come from Mason, and that will benefit everyone if it comes in 2016.”

Comets completed their line-up with the signing of 28-yearold Ty Proctor.

He joins the club on a 6.68 average, fitting within the 6.87 points the Comets had available for the final place in their side.

MOTORING AND S PORT

every team member is capable of increasing their average, which is important if we are to have a successful season.”

Proctor first came to the UK in 2008 where he linked up with Redcar and has extensive Premier League experience as well as having gained a lot of Elite League experience with his parent club Wolverhampton.

Team manager Jackson said: “The signing of Ty gives us four riders that have stated that they will be pushing to be number one next season and with Adam Roynon also keen to get back up the averages, plus the improvement that will surely come from Mason Campton and Matt Williamson, I feel that we have plenty of potential in our side to challenge for silverware!”

Ty Proctor becomes the third Wolverhampton asset within the Comets ranks for 2016 (Kenneth Hansen and Ricky Wells being the others) and with two English riders, two Danes, two Australians and an American, the full Comets line-up for 2016 now reads: Ricky Wells (8.86), Claus Vissing (7.54), Kenneth Hansen (6.84), Ty Proctor (6.68), Mason Campton (5.00), Adam Roynon (4.39) and Matt Williamson (3.00).

This brings the Comets combined starting average up to 42.31, fitting just inside the 42.50 limit for team-building.

Comets owner Morgan said: “With several new faces wearing the Comets race-jacket next season there is a very refreshing look about the side. To be honest I am quite excited by this line-up and I hope that our supporters are too.

“We made contact with Ty a few weeks ago but until he had secured his visa via the Australian State Championships he did not want to tempt fate by talking to anyone about 2016, which was understandable after the problems he had earlier this year with his visa when with Sheffield.

“But, having won his third Victorian State title, ironically on the same day that Mason won the Queensland Championship, he was then willing to talk about next season.

“It soon became clear that he was keen to join the Comets and after some negotiation we are delighted that we have been able to agree a deal that suits both parties.

“Ty is the final piece in the jigsaw and I feel that we have a great mixture of youth and experience in our side and The Whitehaven Guide

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MOTORING MOTORING AND AND AND SSSPORT PORT PORT MOTORING

Land Rover

Land Rover Discover Sport named What Car?

Best Large SUV of the year Land Rover has claimed a hat-trick of accolades in the coveted What Car? Awards, with new Discovery Sport winning the Best Large SUV title in one of the most keenly contested divisions of the competition.

It is the third year running that Land Rover has driven off with the top SUV award from What Car? – Range Rover Sport was proclaimed Best Large SUV in 2014 and 2015. Citing the Discovery Sport’s “superb blend of body control, brilliant practicality and high quality”,What Car?’s judges also voted it Best Buy in the £25,000-£40,000 price band.

The Discovery Sport was enhanced last autumn by the fitment of Land Rover’s new 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel engine, designed to deliver class-leading torque and power outputs as well as excellent refinement and reduced CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Built at Land Rover’s new state-of-the-art £500m Engine Manufacturing Centre in the West Midlands, the EU6 compliant Ingenium engine is available in 150PS and 180PS variants, the former offering up to 57.7mpg and CO2 emissions from 129g/km.

Being equipped with a range of class-leading driver assistance and safety features, such as a pedestrian airbag and Autonomous Emergency Braking, has helped earn the Discovery Sport a Five Star Euro NCAP rating.

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Land Rover

On the road prices start at £30,695 for the manual gearbox model with five-seat SE specification.

Accepting the award, Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK, said:“This is the second major What Car? award for Discovery Sport following on from last year’s Safety Award, and with UK sales totalling 16,500 by the end of 2016, the combination of versatility and family practicality has won over new and existing customers alike.

“In addition, the introduction of the new Ingenium engine in September 2015 has lowered running and depreciation costs making the Discovery Sport the premium all-rounder of choice for not just retail but fleet and business customers too.”

Discovery Sport – Best Large SUV and Best Buy £25,000-£40,000 What Car?: said:“It fully deserves to win. Jaguar Land Rover’s new diesel engine, together with its standard seven seats, good space

MOTORING AND AND SSPORT PORT MOTORING

and impressive interior build quality, enabled it to see off all its rivals.

Families will love the Discovery Sport’s superb blend of body control, brilliant practicality and high quality, and subsequently, it is extremely good value.

“The 2.0 TD4 is a far more refined unit than the previous 2.2, and it’s also cheaper to run because it emits less CO2 and uses less fuel.

The Discovery Sport remains good to drive, too, with nicely weighted steering and a comfortable ride.

At high speed its decent suppression of wind and tyre noise complements the hushed engine. Its talents include space and practicality, too, because this model comes with seven seats as standard, which will be good news for those with large families and small children.”

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Word search

Kids’ Sudoku

Changes for Rainbows Basket, Bonnet, Bunnyn Chicks, Easter, Egg, Flower, Spring

Rainbows day nursery in St Bees is closing its doors but don’t worry there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Egremont where they are still operating.

Anne Clingan, owner of Rainbows would like to extend her gratitude and thanks to all of her past clients and their children, she said: “We had a wonderful time in St Bees, I want to thank all the parents for choosing and supporting us, as well as your brilliant children who made Rainbows in St Bees as great as it was.”

Rainbows nursery, Dent View, Egremont is still open!

For more information please contact Anne:

•01946 821966

WHAT ’ S ON

Book Day

Reading into World

Book Day

By Niall Spence

Being absorbed in a different world, meeting weird and wonderful characters and being carried along on an adventure are some of the joys that books can bring, World Book Day, Thursday March 3 is about celebrating just this.

Taking some time out of your day to sit down & enjoy a book together allows you both to slow down for a moment and enjoy the time together like you used to when they were babies.

It’s no secret that reading with your child is hugely beneficial to their development but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Better communication skills: Spending time reading to children means they’re more likely to relate and express themselves with others in a healthier way.

Most parents want bright, intelligent and enthusiastic children. Why else would you spend your evenings trawling through league tables for the best schools in the area and checking up on your child’s favourite new teachers.?

By watching the way characters in the stories interact with each other and by spending more time with you they are developing invaluable communication skills for future life.

We all know reading to our children is a good thing, Here’s why.

Bonding over a book: As kids grow old they spend more and more time playing, exploring their own little world and developing friendships with other children.

Academic excellence: It should come as no surprise that exposing children to books will help them in school.

Numerous studies have shown that children that read frequently prior to starting nursery are more likely to do well when they start their formal education.

More logical thinking abilities: Reading regularly with your children allows them to hone their logic & reasoning abilities, through reading children develop the ability to apply logic to situations that have happened in their stories.

The enjoyment of reading: Reading regularly with your child helps them build an understanding that reading can be fun & not a chore. Children that read regularly are more likely to choose books over video games & movies in later life.

But what should your children be reading to really reap the rewards? Here’s a look at the hottest new releases by children’s authors in the run up to this year’s World Book Day.

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Book Day

WHAT ’ S ON

0-5 Years Blue & Bertie by Kristyna Litten The tale of an incredibly routined giraffe. One day Bertie over sleeps & his life begins to take some very unexpected turns.

Odd Socks by Michelle Robinson An epic love story set in a sock drawer Odd Socks follows the story of two socks in love in a warm & wooly adventure that will capture your heart.

5-8 Years The Butterfly Club by Jacqueline Wilson The latest tale from the ever popular Jacqueline Wilson. A beautiful, heart-warming story about friendship, confidence and becoming your own person, The Butterfly Club tells the tale of tiny triplet Tina & her journey of self discovery.

Rag Tag & Bobtail & Other Magical Stories by Enid Blyton One of the world’s best loved storytellers Enid Blyton returns with a collection of enchanting short stories written to encapture the minds of young & old readers alike.

Diggers by Terry Pratchett National treasure Terry Pratchett tells the story of Jekub, the dragon in the hill. In a fantastically funny fantasy adventure that will have your children roaring with laughter.

Echo Come Home by Megan Rix Rix tells the story of Echo a lost puppy determined to be reunited with his new owner in an incredibly moving adventure that will tug at the heartstrings of any young animal lovers.

12+ Boy Watching: Up Close by Chloe Bennett One for the girls, this secondary school comedy follows a group of Year 10 girls on their quest to take down the mean girls & finally understand the mystery behind boys.

Spooks: The Dark Army by Joseph Delaney This is the second instalment from the hugely successful Spooks series by best-selling author Joseph Delaney. Dark, terrifying & exciting, a must for any young horror enthusiast.

As well as promoting the joy of reading, inspiring West Cumbrian school-children to dress up as their favourite characters for the day & issuing £1 book tokens, the good people at World Book Day are also attempting to break a Guinness World Record this year for the most people participating in simultaneous book quizzes. To participate in World Book Day head online to www.worldbookday.com.

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63

Saturday 5th March to Sunday 5th June 2016 Face to face and out of this World. A collection of original and replica Sci-Fi, Alien and Robot movie props and costumes from everyone’s favourite movies.

Together for the first time in one touring exhibition.

Admission £6 adults, £5 concession, £3 children. Family Ticket £16 (2 adults & 2 Children).

Entrance includes INVASION exhibition and all floors of Museum exhibits

Please purchase your tickets from the museum shop

The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7LY T: 01946 592302 | www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

WHAT ’ S ON

Catch-Words

Test your knowledge and complete the catch-phrases

Please see page 79 for puzzle solutions 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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The Whitehaven Guide

Across 1 Priam’s city (4) 3 Air force unit (8) 9 Doubter (anag.) (7) 10 Exaggeratedly masculine (5) 11 Illuminated (3,2) 12 Rustic (anag.) (6) 14 Former Spanish currency (6) 16 Rivulet (6) 19 Lasso (6) 21 Power (5) 24 Fold in fabric (5) 25 Malady (7) 26 So-so (8) 27 Second-hand (4) Down 1 “Barchester Towers” author (8) 2 Group of eight performers (5) 4 Slake, assuage (6) 5 Let in (5) 6 Hermit (7) 7 Midday (4) 8 Marionette (6) 13 Copied (8) 15 Bladderwrack, for example (7) 17 Uproar (6) 18 Finally (2,4) 20 Bury (5) 22 Conjecture (5) 23 Electronic junk mail (4)

SUDOKU Place a number from 1 to 9 in each

empty cell so everyrow, every column and every 3x3 box contains all the numbers 1 to 9.

Editors Pick 09

April

David Bowie SOLWAY HALL WHITEHAVEN

The music world was rocked last month by the news that glam rock icon David Bowie died of cancer.

Upcoming Dates

Bowie was a legend and his music was what can only be described as an art form.

FEB 6 FEB 13 FEB 27 FEB 29 TO MAR 3

CHARITY NIGHT SICK CHILDREN £10 THE REAL ROBBIE TRIBUTE £10 TOM JONES TRIBUTE £10 RUGBY EXHIBITION

MAR 4 MAR 12 MAR 25 MAR 26 MAR 27 MAR 30 TO APRIL 2

TALK OF THE TOWN SHOW £10 GROUP MODE REVUE £15 COMEDY NIGHT ROCK 24-7 MONSTERS OF WEST CUMBRIAN ROCKS IN AID OF FOOD APPEAL £10 THE JERSEY 4 (FRANKIE VALLY) ALICE IN WONDERLAND (ROSEHILL YOUTH THEATRE) £8

APRIL 8 APRIL 9 APRIL 22 APRIL 29 APRIL 30

THE CAST (DANNY MAUDLING) DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE £10 ELVIS LEGACY TRIBUTE £10 OLLY MURS TRIBUTE £10 NIGHT AT THE MOVIE £10

s Contact:

For Booking

He inhabited a very special world of extraordinary sounds and endless vision. Unwilling to stay on the treadmill of rock legend and avoiding the descent into ever demeaning and decreasing circles of clichés, Bowie wrote and performed what he wanted and when he wanted.

But his music lives on and you can experience it at The Solway Hall with the David Bowie Tribute Night by Ziggy on Saturday April 9.

With Stunning make up, authentic David Bowie costume changes and all the hits from Let’s Dance to Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes to Jean Genie you’re sure to have an evening to remember.

Doors open at: 7:00PM Tickets: £10 01946 690970 / 07730175956 or thesolwayhall@hotmail.com 67

WHAT ’ S ON

Music / Theatre / Film / Other Music

25 26 26 27

The Legends Of The American Countr y Show

Carnegie Theatre

S c u z z P r e s e n t s U K T h r o w d o w n To u r

Brickyard

Limehouse Lizzy

Carnegie Theatre

To m J o n e s Tr i b u t e

The Solway Hall

MARCH 04

27

TOM JONES TRIBUTE Solway Hall

F EBRUAR Y

04 05 05

F EBRUAR Y 06 12 12 13 14 20 25

Soul ‘N’ Ska: A charity event

05

S t u B r o w n ’ s t w i s t e d t o o n s Vo l . 2

09

Ke n t D u C h a i n e - T h e A m e r i c a n D e l t a B l u e s m a n

12

R o b b i e W i l l i a m s Tr i b u t e

12

M u s i c S u n d ay - Va l e n t i n e s d ay s p e c i a l

13

The Solway Hall Kirkgate Centre Kirkgate Centre

The Solway Hall Verve 78

T h e S my t h s ( T h e q u e e n i s d e a d t o u r )

Brickyard

19 19

C o u n t r y & We s t e r n

Catholic Club

Available for Hire

20

Tr a g e d y : T h e a l l m e t a l t r i b u t e t o t h e b e e

Brickyard

Rivoli Quar tet

Sasra Music & Arts - Egremont Market Hall Perfect Strangers

Brickyard

A classical evening with Michael Collins

The Solway Hall

Jason Donovan

Sands Centre Collabro

Sands Centre S u n d ay N i g h t @ T h e S a n d s

Sands Centre

M o d R e v u e h i t s f r o m t h e 6 0 ’s . 7 0 ’s a n d 8 0 ’s

The Solway Hall

L i v e M u s i c - B r a d K av a n a g h

Verve78

BBC Poozies

Kirkgate Centre For ty Shades of Green Meets Countr y Roads

Carnegie Theatre

The Bootleg Beatles

Sands Centre

Weddings · Partys · Conference · Gigs · Events · Shows 68

The Whitehaven Guide

WHAT ’ S ON

27 26 26

The jersey 4

The Solway Hall

Music / Theatre / Film / Other

Tr i b u t e a c t

Catholic Club M a t t Wo o s e y

Florence Arts Centre

APRIL 08 09

THEATRE

CAST

Haig Colliery Mining Museum D av i d B o w i e Tr i b u t e N i g h t b y Z i g g y

The Solway Hall

20 23

High Drama - 20th Feb - 21st Feb

Theatre By The Lake

L e a r n i n g H o w To D i e

Theatre By The Lake

MARCH 02 04 12 12

04 MARCH

TALK OF THE TOWN SHOW Solway Hall

21

21.000 Miles Of Rail

Theatre By The Lake Chip Shop Chips

Kirkgate Centre

The Dream Child

Kirkgate Centre

Lights, Camera, Action

Carnegie Theatre

Footloose - 21st Mar - 26th Mar

Sands Centre

F EBRUAR Y 10 13 15 16 17 18

LES MISSERABLES

Carnegie

The World’s Most Popular Musicals

Theatre By The Lake

Ta d p o l e s - 1 5 t h f e b - 1 6 t h F e b

Theatre By The Lake

The Great Gatsby - 16th Feb - 17th Feb

Theatre By The Lake

I h av e a D u c k W h o C a n R o a r

Theatre By The Lake

17 F EBRUAR Y

Dracula

Kirkgate Centre

I have a Duck Who Can Roar Theatre by the Lake Super storytelling, jaunty jazz music and charming illustrations are skilfully combined in this clever production which tells the story of a very unusual duck.

For One and All www.thesolwayhall.com

Support Your Local Solway Hall The Whitehaven Guide

69

WHAT ’ S ON

Music / Theatre / Film / Other Film F EBRUAR Y 07

Royal Opera House La Traviata Encore

09

Don Whillans Myth and Legend

15

Everest (12A)

16

The Jungle Book (PG)

25

Film Festival - 25th Feb - 28 Feb

Gaiety Cinema

Kirkgate Centre Kirkgate Centre Kirkgate Centre

Theatre By The Lake

MARCH 04

Zootropolis

Gueros 08

Kirkgate Centre

09

F EBRUAR Y

Gaiety Cinema Gaiety Cinema

F EBRUAR Y 07

LGBT History Month 2016

07

Paddy Mcguinness

08

Flower Club

08

Mags Meetings

12

Ed Byrne

14

Afternoon Tea For Valentines Day

Phoenix

Kirkgate Centre

Available for Hire

Florence Arts Centre Sands Centre

Catholic Club Catholic Club The Sands Centre Helena Thomson Museum

Weddings · Partys · Conference · Gigs · Events · Shows

70

That bloke.You know.The Irish guy. No, not the bald one.The other one.You know him.The one Carol from work really likes.Wait, that might be Jason Byrne. Anyway

English National Opera: The Magic Flute

Exhibition On Screen: Renoir - The UnknownArtist 14 16

12

Gaiety Cinema

Ed Byrne The Sands Centre

The Whitehaven Guide

WHAT ’ S ON

Music / Theatre / Film / Other

OTHER 19

APRIL 03

Mark Watson: I’m not here

15

Chris Ramsey

19

Tim FitzHagham - The Gambler

Egremont Farmers, Crafts & Fair trade market Egremont Market Hall

2 0 Darren

Catholic Club

2 5 Dave Spikey

Thetare By The Lake

Egremont Market Hall Kirkgate Centre

Th4e Venue

27

Dalton Jones

29

U.Dance Cumbria 2016

Catholic Club Theatre By The Lake

MARCH 01

La Boheme By Puccini

10

Frankie Boyle

12

An Evening with Paul Gascoigne

18

Agreement farmers, Crafts & Fairtrade Market

19

Oval Centre COmedy Night

25

Dave Spikey

25

Antiques & Collectors fayre 25th - 28th

27

Rob Beckett

Theatre By The Lake The Sands Centre The Sands Centre

Egremont Market Hall

Salterbeck, Workington The Venue

Muncaster Parish Hall - Ravenglass Carnegie Theatre

For One and All www.thesolwayhall.com

Support Your Local Solway Hall The Whitehaven Guide

71

WHAT ’ S ON

Man of the Mountains

Man of the Mountains on

Helm Cragg

By Steve Robson

The dizzying heights of Helm Crag were enough to turn our Man of the Mountains, Steve Robson, from a Lion into a Lamb.

summit cairn, often adding a stone to them to improve their shape slightly - lucky everyone doesn’t do that! But there’s one I have yet to reach.

After announcing, in my first article, that I have conquered all 214 Wainwright fells, a small nagging doubt prevails and pricks my conscience.

High above the recently fractured A591 road that connects the north and south of the Lake District sits a rugged little felltop known to most folk travelling over Dunmail Raise as “the lion and the lamb” Its proper name is Helm Crag.

The simple truth is - I may not have!

I have always made a point of touching each and every

The sides of this modest little hill are innocuous enough and yield magnificent views but the top itself is an entirely different animal.

Both ends of the ridge bear rugged cornerstones of rock.

One, the official lion and lamb, as viewed from Grasmere village, is an easy scramble.

An able bodied individual can easily clamber to the top and survey the wonderful panorama.

The other monolith at the northern end is the true summit.

It is known, amongst other things, as the Howitizer. Though only slightly taller than its neighbour, by some thirty feet, it juts out, thrusting upwards and forwards into space, above a considerable drop.

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Man of the Mountains

Many years ago I was in the company of a fell walking buddy Michael Hunt atop this mini mountain; he attained the very top whilst I cheered him on from the relative safety of the summit ridge below.

Mike was always more of a daredevil than me.

(He drove his car very quickly; “the reason I can do this and not have an accident is because I’m always concentrating one hundred percent on what’s happening ahead” he told me. All very good in theory; the front of his vehicle was always stoved in with a headlight hanging out! He always took the direct fall line down a mountain when skiing; I meandered all over the place.)

So it was no surprise to me that he got to the top. I said no thank you; the rocks were wet after rain that day.

They were bone dry in July last summer when my brother Dave and I climbed the fell again.

WHAT ’ S ON

Looking at the Howitzer from the valley and announcing in advance to him that I was intending to scale it, there seemed little to worry about. Here is another confession; I am a fell walker who is afraid of heights!

Verticality scares the pants off me. My mouth goes dry and my legs start to tremble.

But this was a perfectly calm, sunny day in summer, as I began to claw and shin my way up the monster with my brother filming the ascent for posterity and calling out encouraging words such as “rather you than me!” People below were watching whilst chomping on their sandwiches, wondering if I would plummet to my doom….I didn’t- I chickened out. And so, it remains for me an unclimbed summit- and will probably stay that way!

The Whitehaven Guide

73

WHAT ’ S ON

Tr a i n f r o m S p a i n

Barcelona to Ravenglass a big journey for a little train From

By Niall Spence

The La’al Ratty’s latest locomotive has travelled over 1000 miles before it has even taken to the tracks.

Retro Music Weekend 3

11/12/13 March 2016

Five sessions, night & day of live music from Friday Evening through to Sunday evening. It’s all things pre millennium, a late 20th century musical memory masterclass.

10 fantastic live acts from all corners of the UK.

The narrow gauge steam engine arrived at its new home in Cumbria following its journey across the continent.

Thanks to the hard work and tireless fundraising from the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society the ‘Train from Spain’ pulled into West Cumbria from Mataró, Barcelona at the start of February.

Keith Herbert, from the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society, said: “It’s very exciting. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get it here and it’s good to see it finally happening.”

The train was built in 1929 in Seville, Spain by the German locomotive manufacturer Krauss of Munich for the IberoAmerican Exposition in the Andalucian city.

ELECTRO 80’S, GREAT SCOTT, BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW, THE RUMBLE BAND, BOOTLEG BLONDIE & MORE! Weekend Tickets: £55pp Accommodation from £102.00 for the full weekend!

www.stanwix.com | 016973 32666 Stanwix Park Holiday Centre, Silloth, Cumbria, CA7 4HH

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Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1930 the train has been off the rails. Working only briefly at a park attraction in Madrid until the mid 60s.

Keith heard about the locomotive and decided it was worth brining to the society’s attention and after a site visit to

Tr a i n f r o m S p a i n

Barcelona in October they decided to go ahead with the purchase.

Despite having worked for only a fraction of its life, the restoration team at the historic ‘Old Hall Farm’ in Bouth near Ulverston will need full steam ahead as restoration work on the vintage locomotive includes work to the engine’s boiler, making brake equipment, forging new fire bars for the grate and obtaining a new whistle.

It is estimated that the restoration work will take a year or more to complete.

WHAT ’ S ON

Keith said: “It’s been a lot work of hard work to this point and we’ve still got a long way to go but it’s a very exciting opportunity for the railways.

Welcoming the Train from Spain to the Ratty is going to be a great help in future-proofing and will allow us to preserve the new loco and railway both for the enjoyment of our hundred thousand visitors each year.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the fund & help to protect future of the vintage engine can do so through the Society’s website www.trainfromspain.org

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society, which is run entirely by volunteers, has already spent £150,000 on purchasing and transporting the train to the West Cumbrian coast and is now appealing to steam enthusiasts & the general public for a further £126,000 to restore the train to its former glory.

The organisation will be organising events throughout the year to raise fund and awareness of the Train from Spain, Keith said: “We are confident of being able to raise the money we need for the restoration, we’re working hard behind the scenes to raise it” At present the train is known only as The Train From Spain but the society are looking to rename it upon its completion and they are open to suggestions from the public about what it should be called.

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - known locally as the La’al Ratty following the swap from a 3ft gauge to a smaller 15” gauge line - is a scenic seven mile miniature railway that runs from the coastal village of Ravenglass through the Lake District pulling into Dalegarth station in the beautiful Eskdale foothills and celebrated its 100th birthday last summer.

The Whitehaven Guide

75

WHAT ’ S ON

s l a v i t s e F 6 1 0 2 p u line

Believe it or not festival season is just around the corner! It might be a bit early to get your wellies out (unless you’re already using them in the winter months) but we can’t help but speculate who the counties many music festivals will attract.

We’re already dreaming about the warm (hopefully) weather and waking up in a tent, in the height of summer with the sound of live music and the smell of grass in the air.

This is what the festival experience is all about, so whether you’re a festival virgin, or a regular tent dweller it’s time to start planning your summer of music!

While most festivals have yet to announce their headline acts Aspatria Music Festival have already announced The South (formally popular 80s/90s band The Beautiful South) and Steeleye Span are topping the bill at Stepping Stones festival.

We’re waiting eagerly for news of who else is coming to Cumbria but if these first announcements are anything to go by it’s going to be good.

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AT THE STADIUM 13-14 MAY IREBY FESTIVAL 27-28 MAY STEPPING STONES 10-12 JUNE ASPATRIA FESTIVAL 15- 17 JULY MARYPORT BLUES 29-31 JULY KENDAL CALLING 28 - 31 JULY SOLFEST 26 -28 AUGUST

One Breed for All

WHAT ’ S ON

By Wayne Southwell

One breed doesn’t fit all!

Spring is just around the corner (if I keep telling myself that then it will happen) and it just happens to be a time of year that a lot of us decide to get a new addition to the family in the shape of a dog.

Here is a guide to the different categories of K9 companions you could go for if you are contemplating getting a dog.

Gundogs

One of the UK’s best known group of dogs are the gundogs, traditionally as you would expect they were used for hunting.

Pointers and setters would be used to help spot some game before possibly flushing it out while the retrievers would as expected retrieve any downed prey and bring it back to the hunter. Many of these dogs will be trained in the whole process, with many working in groups to aid the hunter even more.

Hounds

The hound dog is another hunting dog that is suited to a different style of hunting. They have a very powerful sense of smell so are great at tracking prey and chasing it over long distances.

There are two types of hound dogs: sight hounds (that hunt by sight) and scent hounds (that hunt by smell), both are amazingly fast & agile dogs.

Working

Very popular in our part of the world are the working dogs that you will see on farms such as the Border Collie. These

dogs are a highly intelligent creature that is well suited to being trained to herd sheep (and sometimes people), they are a dog that requires a lot of stimulation so a lap dog they are not. Other working dogs include guard dogs, sledge pullers and police drugs dogs.

Terrier

The terrier class of dog is often a misunderstood breed.

They are an attentive loyal dog that was traditionally used as small prey hunters. Their speed and size make them great for chasing down rabbits and other quadrupeds. They can also be territorial and often seem to forget what size they really are.

Toy

It’s often thought that the toy or lap dog is a modern fad brought on by the rich and famous however these dogs have been around from ancient times with the Pekinese bred in ancient china to fit inside a man’s robe.

They are a dog that doesn’t need much space or exercise.

They can have a fiery temper though if not properly socialised.

There is a world of information out there on all the different breeds in these categories of dogs, so just make sure you do your research ask advice from your friends, family and local training schools and most important of all spend time training your new dog, it’s more rewarding than you could ever know.

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77

WHAT ’ S ON

When the Rain Came Single to raise funds

When the Rain Came Single to raise funds for Flood Appeal Since Storm Desmond hit Cumbria has been inundated with help and donations from all over, including Cumbrian punk band Colt 45 who are doing their bit for their home county by donating the profits from their aptly named single “When the Rain Came Down” to the Cumbrian Flood Appeal.

The band will be re-releasing the single from their debut album “The Tide is Turning” which was inspired by the floods in 2009.

The Cumbrian Flood Appeal was set up by the Cumbria Community Foundation to support local businesses, individuals and communities that have been affected by the floods.They originally set a target of £1million, which has steadily increased to £6millions.

In an official statement Colt 45 said: “We’ve all been affected by the terrible floods in Cumbria previously in 2005 and 2009 and now, again.The community spirit here in Carlisle and Workington has been amazing – everyone’s helping each other out with the clean-up, sorting through destroyed possessions.

We’ve been lucky this time to not be directly hit ourselves, and our rehearsal room just about survived, but we have close family and friends whose homes and belongings have been destroyed – some for the second or third time in 10 years.

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“We want to do what we can for the Cumbria Flood Appeal and this track is all about the effect of the 2009 floods on our community, so it seems quite appropriate to make this our download to help raise some funds for our friends and neighbours this time around.

“We can only hope that these sorts of situations can be prevented better in future – we all know Cumbria gets its fair share of crap weather, but our thoughts are with everyone affected by the awful storms and we send our best wishes to everyone for a quick recovery – good luck.”

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation said: “We are delighted the Cumbria Flood Recovery Appeal will benefit from Colt 45’s charity single.

Cumbria has always been a generous place and we’re overwhelmed with the support we have received.

“There is a great need for fellow Cumbrians to help each other right now.The money raised from this single gives us the opportunity to provide financial assistance to households and communities affected by the floods. Every single bought will make such a difference.”

The single “When the Rain Came Down” is available to purchase on ITunes and all profits will go to the Cumbrian Flood Appeal.

WHAT ’ S ON

Barrow-in-Furness - Whitehaven - Carlisle Mondays to Fridays Barrow-in-Furness Askam Millom Ravenglass Seascale Sellafield St. Bees Whitehaven 0624 Workington 0642 Maryport 0650 Wigton 0711 Carlisle 0733

0546 0558 0620 0642 0651 0655 0707 0718 0739 0749 0812 0833

0651 0701 0719 0737 0744 0750 0801 0812 0831 0839 0900 0925

0805 0815 0832 0850 0856 0903 -

0904 0922 0930 0951 1013

0920 0930 0947 1005 1012 1017 1028 1037 1055 1104 1126 1149

1010 1020 1037 1055 1101 1106 1118 1128 1146 1154 1216 1238

1138 1150 1212 1234 1243 1247 1259 1310 1332 1342 1405 1426

1236 1246 1303 1321 1328 1333 1346 1356 1414 1422 1443 1506

1331 1341 1358 1416 1422 1427 1440 1454 1513 1522 1544 1604

1437 1449 1511 1533 1542 1546 1601 1612 1634 1644 1707 1729

1643 1653 1710 1728 1734 1739 1751 1800 1818 1826 1847 1910

1731 1743 1804 1826 1835 1839 1903 1915 1936 1946 2010 2031

1830 1840 1857 1915 1921 1925 1934 1944 2003 2012 2034 2057

2030 2151 2048 2211 2056 2117 2140 -

0546 0558 0621 0642 0651 0655 0707 0718 0739 0749 0812 0833

0655 0705 0724 0742 0749 0755 0806 0816 0834 0842 0904 0926

0741 0751 0809 0826 0832 0839 -

0906 0924 0932 0953 1015

0845 0857 0919 0940 0949 0953 1008 1019 1040 1051 1114 1137

1010 1020 1038 1055 1102 1107 1118 1128 1146 1154 1216 1238

1138 1150 1212 1233 1241 1245 1257 1308 1329 1340 1403 1426

1239 1249 1307 1324 1330 1335 1345 1355 1413 1421 1442 1505

1350 1400 1418 1435 1441 1446 1457 1507 1525 1533 1555 1617

1452 1502 1520 1537 1544 1549 1600 1610 1628 1636 1658 1719

1533 1543 1601 1618 1624 1629 1646 1656 1714 1722 1744 1806

1732 1744 1806 1827 1836 1840 1900 1913 1934 1944 2008 2029

1934 1952 2000 2021 2044

2030 2048 2056 2117 2140

Saturdays Barrow-in-Furness Askam Millom Ravenglass Seascale Sellafield St. Bees Whitehaven Workington Maryport Wigton Carlisle

-

-

-

-

1633 1651 1659 1718 1741

1933 1951 1959 2018 2041

-

-

-

1910 1927 1947 1959 2020 -

2110 2127 2147 2159 2220 -

Sundays 0622 0640 0648 0709 0731

1233 1251 1259 1318 1341

1433 1451 1459 1518 1541

Additional trains operate between Barrow-in-Furness and Millom - please see Northern timetable guide 6 for full details.

No Sunday service between Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven.

Carlisle - Whitehaven - Barrow-in-Furness Mondays to Fridays Carlisle 0515 Wigton 0534 Maryport 0558 Workington 0609 Whitehaven 0631 St. Bees 0641 Sellafield 0652 Seascale 0657 Ravenglass 0706 Millom 0727 Askam 0750 Barrow-in-Furness 0805 Saturdays Carlisle 0515 Wigton 0533 Maryport 0557 Workington 0608 Whitehaven 0630 St. Bees 0640 Sellafield 0651 Seascale 0656 Ravenglass 0705 Millom 0725 Askam 0748 Barrow-in-Furness 0803

0646 0704 0724 0732 0742 0746 0753 0812 0829 0845

0737 0755 0816 0827 0847 -

0906 0909 0916 0935 0951 1004

0842 0901 0925 0935 0956 1007 1018 1022 1031 1052 1115 1132

0938 0956 1017 1028 1048 1055 1108 1111 1118 1136 1153 1208

1054 1112 1133 1144 1205 1212 1223 1226 1233 1252 1308 1325

1208 1226 1247 1258 1318 1325 1335 1339 1345 1404 1420 1437

1252 1310 1331 1342 1403 1410 1421 1424 1431 1450 1506 1522

1435 1454 1517 1528 1549 1600 1611 1615 1624 1645 1707 1724

1513 1531 1552 1604 1623 1631 1644 1648 1655 1715 1733 1749

1631 1649 1710 1721 1741 1752 1804 1807 1814 1835 1853 1910

1737 1756 1820 1831 1852 1902 1917 1921 1930 1951 2014 2031

1814 1832 1853 1904 1925 -

1915 1933 1954 2005 2025 -

0735 0753 0814 0825 0845 -

0905 0908 0915 0934 0950 1005

0842 0901 0925 0935 0956 1007 1018 1022 1031 1052 1115 1132

0938 0956 1017 1028 1048 1055 1108 1111 1118 1136 1153 1208

1054 1112 1133 1144 1204 1211 1222 1225 1232 1251 1307 1325

1156 1215 1239 1251 1315 1325 1336 1341 1350 1411 1434 1449

1252 1310 1331 1342 1402 1409 1419 1423 1429 1448 1504 1520

1433 1452 1515 1526 1547 1601 1612 1616 1625 1646 1708 1723

1525 1543 1604 1616 1636 1643 1654 1657 1704 1723 1739 1755

1636 1654 1715 1726 1748 1755 1808 1811 1818 1837 1853 1911

1740 1758 1819 1830 1850 1859 1911 1914 1921 1939 1956 2013

1814 1832 1853 1904 1925 -

1900 1918 1939 1950 2010 -

2015 2032 2052 2104 2125 -

2037 2200 2055 2218 2116 2239 2127 2250 2147 2310 Sundays 2145 1410 1710 2203 1427 1727 2224 1447 1747 2235 1459 1759 2255 1520 1820 -

Additional trains operate between Millom and Barrow-in-Furness - please see Northern timetable guide 6 for full details.

No Sunday service between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness. ss s ne es ur rn n -F on n d t ss Fu s n n ve ld gt la -i oa le s n- ld or ia le ow t to ne i n ha n in n w fie m ca y ng y to hert Bee kick sle yp e n R llom crof tle tr o te ing ork to lsto ka rkb oxfi ree rli i t r ve rigg eas ella rays rr o hi arto arr e ig mb Mar spa M St S S W D Ba As Ki P Co W A G Sil Ra H Fli Ne Bo W F Ca Da B

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Wildlife of the Solway Firth No’ 40

The Tompot Blenny

Parablennius gattorugine

There are some fish species we keep in The Lake District Coast Aquarium at Maryport that stand out because they are real characters and the Tompot Blenny is one of them.

One of the main features that differentiates this fish from the Common Blenny found in rock pools is a pair of tentacles (called lappets) on top of their head and this look compounds their quirky inquisitive nature.

They are found in rocky areas below the tide mark down to about 25 metres on Western coasts of Britain, growing over ten years or more to a size that can approach 30 cm.

Brown and deep orange mottled stripes help them to blend in with their surroundings which is often Kelp forest.

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The Whitehaven Guide

By Mark Vollers

As with all blennies that are bottom living they have strong pectoral fins which they can use to manoeuvre around the rocks and crevices that make up their home territory.

Any perceived threat whilst out searching for food such as prawns or sea anemones and they dart rapidly back to a known cranny where they feel secure.

Tompots breed in early Spring, with the male fish playing a major part. He selects a suitable rock surface and then encourages a succession of females to deposit their eggs which are securely glued in place by a sticky secretion.

These are then guarded against all comers until hatching a few weeks later into tiny larvae that are scattered by the currents that contain their planktonic food.

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PROMOTION OF EQUALITY & RESPECT FOR OTHERS • OBJECTIVITY & PROPRIETY • SELFLESSNESS Whitehaven Town Council & STEWARDSHIP • INTEGRITY • DUTY TO UPHOLD THE LAW • ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPENNESS Civic Hall Lowther Street | Whitehaven CA28 7SH 01946 395572 | 07536091604 | www.whitehaventowncouncil.co.uk | info@whitehaventowncouncil.co.uk

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

Wedding Cost

Perfect Dress

The Veil

Guide to Booze

Halo

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

THE BRIDE GUIDE… The simple secrets of success…

You’ve found your Prince Charming, you’ve got the ring and now you have the exciting, although slightly daunting, task of planning the wedding of your dreams.

With all the girlish excitement you would expect from the most enthusiastic of bridesmaids we set to work on The Bride Guide.

While it’s easy to get swept up in the WOW factor of the wedding, and to see it more as a party, don’t forget that it is ultimately a celebration of your love and commitment to each other.

Make the decisions together, chose things that really

Congratulations! represent the two of you as a couple and above all enjoy the ride.

In an attempt to help take away some of the stress of planning a wedding we’ve put together The Bride Guide so you can enjoy the magic of planning your big day.

The advice that all experts agree on is to carry out in-depth research and book everything in plenty of time. (12-18 months seems to be standard) So what are you waiting for?

Have a flick through and begin planning your Day to Remember!

2016 Wedding Fayres

• Sunday February 21 – Armathwaite hall • Sunday March 20 - Crown & Mitre Carlisle • Sunday April 24 – Askham Hall – Penrith • Sunday September 18 – The Crown Hotel Wetheral

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Your Wedding Handy

Venue Reception Venue Registrar Accommodation Marquee Hire Caterers Photographer Flowers

Cake Transport

Hair and make-up Dress

Shoes Bridal accessories e.g. veil tiara Bridesmaids

Groom & Groomsmen Rings Save the date cards Invites Favours

Table settings entertainment Travel agent Hen do Stag do

Checklist

THE BRIDE GUIDE

Nine steps to help you

Nine steps

to help youvfind the

perfect dress

“If we’re all really honest, the one thing we all want to know about a wedding is what the bride wore, what she looked like” Finding your dream dress can be a nightmare; how are you supposed to find The One amongst all those rails of satin, lace and tulle, ivory, gold, cream and white? It’s like finding Mr Right all over again!

Help is here in the form of the Bride Guide, we’ve been talking to the experts to collate some top tips to help take the stress out of finding your perfect dress.

1. Start early - You should start looking for your dress 12 - 18 months before the big day. All dresses, unless bespoke, will need to be sent away for alternations whether it’s to the bust or the hemline.

2. Research - Research is crucial. Once you’re faced with rails of white and ivory, tulle and satin choosing a dress can become a little overwhelming.

Before even stepping foot in a bridal shop, browse the internet and flick through some bridal magazines to get some ideas about the styles you like. Make a list of your favourite designers and find out which stores stock them.

Whether it’s on a wedding website or Instagram the internet is full of bridal ideas but you need to be aware of your body shape and bear in mind what you like the look of on screen might not be right for your shape.

3. Budget – We hate to be the voice of reason and spoil all the fun but your budget is the most important thing to bear in mind when you’re looking for your dress.

You need to be realistic about what you can afford otherwise you’ll be disappointed.

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Nine steps to help you

THE BRIDE GUIDE BU GUIDE S INE S S THE BRIDE

REMEMBER! Your dress will almost definitely need some alterations which can zap your budget if you’re not careful.

going to be a lot of opinions. You only need three people, so take your nearest and dearest whose judgement you trust.

4. Open mind – Even if you have a few ideas about what you might like, try on a few styles. You might find The One, like your future husband, is nothing like you imagined.

7. Hair – If you are planning on having an up do on your wedding day then wear your hair up to try the dresses on; this doesn’t mean booking a hair appointment just scrape it into a bun so you can get a better idea about how you might look on the day.

5. Ask for advice – The assistants are there to assist!

Despite your research the staff in bridal shops are much more knowledgeable than you.

They’ve fitted hundreds of brides out with dresses and know what is more likely to suit your shape so don’t be afraid to ask for their opinion.

Listen to their advice but remember that, ultimately, it’s your dress and you’re the one that has to wear it.

8. Shoes – Heels completely change the shape of your legs and bum as well as the length of the dress.

9. Have the venue sorted first – Although picking the dress is high on the priority list it’s best to have your venue booked before you buy your dress. That way you’ll have a clearer idea of the theme and the kind of day you’ll have.

6. Don’t take a massive entourage – If you take your mum, your gran, your sister, and your six bridesmaids there are

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THE THEBRIDE BRIDEGUIDE GUIDE

Make a Statement

Statement Lose the lace and make a

Now you know everything you need to know about finding your dress the fun can start. Rachel McGlennon of Songbird, Keswick and Blush Whitehaven tells us what we can expect to see walking up the aisle this year.

Over the last five years the vintage theme that has dominated the wedding market with lace taking the lead in the dress stakes and it’s a trend that’s set to continue next year, Rachael said: “There will still be lots of lace in 2016, something which has been creeping in though, is back detail. I think we will see a lot of backless and

embroidered backed dresses in coming months.”

Illusion backs are a main trend for back detail; they consist of a see-through panel embellished, extravagantly or sparsely with beading or lace. Illusion backs are a great way to make a statement and draw attention to the back of the dress. It’s a simple and effective way to give a dress an elegant edge.

It’s not all lace and elaborate back detail though, simpler styles are making a comeback with satin and silk becoming increasingly popular. Floral prints are also starting to appear on the bridal catwalk and are equally striking on a long, floaty fabric or satin.

The changes don’t stop there gone are subtle shades and pastel pinks for bridesmaids. Colour schemes in general are being brightened up with bold colours; purples, in particular, will be really popular.

With bold colours, satin and statement backs in for 2016 it sounds like it won’t be long before lace has taken a back seat and glamour is leading the way.

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Keep control of your

Wedding costs Surrounded by bridal magazines, mood boards, magazine cuttings and samples it’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of planning a wedding.

what a service should cost. This doesn’t mean you have to compromise on what you want but you’re less likely to get ripped off if you know what you’re looking at.

Just typing the word “wedding” into Google spits out over 500million results but how much of it do you actually need?

Ask the question; if your favourite florist or preferred mode of transport proves to be out of your price range ask what they can do to make it fit the budget? When you’re looking at florists consider the time of year of the wedding and what flowers are in season, choosing flowers which are out of season will push the cost up.

Save the date cards, favours, sweet stalls, canapés are all nice touches but how much of it do you actually need and how much of it is in aide of keeping up with the Jones?

According to a recent survey the cost of the average wedding (87 guests) is an eye watering £20,000 – makes you wonder how the grooms on Don’t Tell the Bride manage it for £12,000 – but how do you have the day of your dreams and not over spend?

First things first, set a realistic budget you both agree on and stick to it – there’s no point in starting your life together in debt. Gone are the days of parents paying for the wedding, nowadays only 11% of weddings are paid for solely by the parents.

Shop around; vendors can spot a wide-eyed, excited, newly engaged couple a mile off so make sure you get a few quotes for everything you’re looking at to get an idea of

Think about what you actually need; do you really need wedding favours for the table? If you’re on a tight budget it’s the kind of thing that can go to the bottom of the priority list. Try and be logical - a levelled headed Maid of Honour should be able to help you out here.

A wedding planner, believe it or not, is also a way of helping you stay within your budget. Mainly because they have connection with all types of people and can typically pass on excellent discounts that won’t affect the quality of the service, just the price.

On top of everything remember that planning a wedding is supposed to be fun, a way of showing the world how much you love each other. So don’t sweat the small stuff, be prepared to compromise and do it together.

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THE BU S INE BRIDE S S GUIDE GUIDE THE BRIDE

Not just a Make -up ar tist

Not Just a

Make-up artist Always the make-up artist never the bridesmaid? Not Bridget Foster, here she tells us what it was like to combine two major roles for her sister’s wedding.

After I’ve done bridal make up I usually get home around mid-afternoon, clean my brushes and switch off for the weekend but there was one wedding this winter where I was both make-up artist and bridesmaid.

My sister Victoria got married in a winter ski themed wedding at Armathwaite Hall last year and I knew exactly the look she wanted.

Naturally Victoria chose everything from the dresses to the flowers and decorations but hair, make-up and beauty prep were down to me. She was less than helpful when I asked her what she wanted, she just said: “I don’t know just what you think.”

Victoria always makes the best of herself and always looks good and professional in her work but she wouldn’t have known where to start or who to trust when it comes to booking her treatments.

The first thing I did was book her in to get her eyebrows shaped - this does not mean a scouse brow. The brows frame the face and lift the eyes so it’s very important to get them done prior to the bridal make up trial. This way you will have

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a beautiful waxed, threaded eyebrow that you can enhance or left alone depending on the look you want to create.

I made sure that we booked another eyebrow appointment for two days before the wedding.

While I often do hair and make-up for my brides I wanted to enjoy the wedding as a bridesmaid and not just as a make-up artist. With the wedding at 12.30 and myself to get ready as well I knew I needed to get someone else in to do the hair.

I knew the look Victoria would suit, like me she loves her hair down and keeps it long. Her dress had a sheer beaded back that needed to be seen so we chose a glamorous wave swept over one shoulder.

We went for a trial together and knew we had made the right choice. It was strange for me being a client rather than the stylist, but the stylist’s confidence and creativity shone through and I trusted her straight away. It was nice to just let her get on with it.

My next task was to find a clip to go in Victoria’s hair. Most of the accessories were slides rather than clips which are more secure. I was lucky to find Becky who has her own business making hair accessories. I sent her pictures of the dress and she made the perfect slide to add into Victoria’s hair.

Bridal Make up

Victoria wasn’t even bothered about having a trial, some brides aren’t. I knew exactly what would suit Victoria but we had a trial regardless just to make sure she was happy.

Brows were groomed with MUA blonde eyebrow pencil £1.

Eyes were contoured with MAC paint in Groundwork, £15, followed by a Mac Powder shadow from my palette; all natural colours. Brown tones add a hint of warmth.

Shu Uemura eyelashes in Farvillina £23, cut and fitted to her eye with Maybelline painting liner in black £7.99.

Not just a Make -up ar tist

THE BRIDE BRIDE GUIDE GUIDE THE

Photographs Courtesy of Jason Chambers Channel Illusion D’Ombre in 81 Fantasme sparkling subtly over the lid which complimented her dress.

For the foundation I toyed between Lancôme Idole ultra 24 hour foundation, £27, or a Mac Face and Body; a classic make-up artist favourite.

Victoria can wear the Lancôme foundation everyday as it lasts and has a lovely coverage and finish but the Mac can build into a nice coverage over a bit of time and layering; it can give a stunning finish on the skin that’s perfect for photographs.

This was lightly set with my favourite Laura Mercier mineral powder £32. As the weather was so cold I had to take special care to conceal nostrils and areas that flush in the cold temperature. It was a very crisp but chilly day.

Bridesmaids had the same eyes. Cheeks were flushed with Nars Luster £21 blusher and a classic Mac Russian Red lip, £15.50, to compliment the red in the bridesmaids’ dresses.

It’s a great red as it’s not too bright and over powering or too dark and gothic.

The morning ran smoothly and it was great to be able to relax and get my hair done. However I needed to plan extra time for this as nobody could get there make up done while I was getting my hair done.

I enjoyed every minute of the day and we rarely had to top up our red lipstick.

I naturally contoured Victoria’s face with Mac Bronzer and Mac Fleur blusher £15.50 I bought Victoria my all time favourite classic lipstick that completes the look without being overpowering or dulling; Chantecaille lip chic in Camellia.

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

Have a

Blooming good day Whether it’s classic Roses or a posy of Gypsophila, flowers can make a wedding; they complement the bridal ensemble and brighten up the day.

Choosing a florist that will work with you to create the perfect floral accents to your big day isn’t easy. Jade O’Leary from Jar of Hearts, High Street, Cleator Moor, tell us what you should be looking for.

The secret to planning a successful wedding is to be organised, you should never underestimate the importance of

forward planning.

Once you’ve booked the venue get the florist and the photographer booked.

Jade believes the earlier you book your florist the better, she said: “You have to remember that florists need enough time to do your flowers as well as any other weddings they may have on the same day.”

Finding a florist is important, so do your research before you make a final decision, Jade said: “Ask around, find out what other peoples experiences have been like with that particular florist.

“It’s all word of mouth and reputation.”

The last few years have seen a rise in the popularity of a vintage theme accentuated by pastel colours and it’s here to stay, Jade explained: “The vintage look is timeless and people like to play it safe, it’s a theme that they can look back on and still love it.”

Like with most aspects of the wedding communication is key and it is extremely important to keep in regular contact with your florist, Jade said: “Ask questions, and tell the florist what you want, staying in touch is extremely important, you need to form a relationship with your florist.”

The budget is never far from the mind of any bride or groom so think about the season you’re getting married in when you’re looking at flowers, Jade said: “The price of flowers will rise when they’re not in season so it is important to think about your budget and work around what you can afford as well as what you like.”

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Brides guide to booze

THE BRIDEBUGUIDE S INE S S

Follow these tips and yo bed with your new husb u’ll go to drunk on love not liquor.and feeling Breakfast

Brides Guide

to Booze Weddings, inevitably, mean a good ole’ knees up. It’s the one special occasion where it’s acceptable to drink from morning ’til night starting with Champaign over breakfast followed by hipflask whiskey and eventually, shots of Sambuca at the end of the night.

This is all good and well if you’re a guest, quietly whiling away the hours on table nine, helping yourself to the free wine and really, what’s the worst that can happen; ill-advised clinch with an equally inebriated usher? Falling asleep with your fascinator and missing the coach home? Toppling over on the dance floor?

These things can be fixed with a couple of pints of water and some paracetamol but when you’re the bride you’re the centre of attention; all eyes are on you and everyone will want to talk to you.

Most brides spend the run up to their wedding getting in shape, hitting the gym, eating healthily and cutting down on alcohol in order to look and feel their best on the big day but it’s likely to affect their alcohol tolerance.

It’s fiercely important to line your stomach before the big day, even if your stomach is full of butterflies and you’re too ner vous to eat. It will be a good few hours before you have a chance to eat anything so a good bre akfast will help absorb the smallest amount of alcohol.

O.J

While you’re enjoying tho se ear ly glasses of bubbly with your bridesmaids and your par ents try diluting your cha mpagne with orange juice, it will stop you getting too giddy too quic kly and the natural sugars in the juice will help with the ner ves.

Water works

It’s the oldest piece of adv ice in the world when it comes to drinking; follow every glas s of alcohol with a glass of water to keep yourself hydrated. Be careful how much fluid you consume over the course of the day some dresses require con siderable manoeuvring to fit into a cubicle so have your brid esmaids on call.

Minimise the refills

It’s only natural that your guests want to celebrate with you and buy you a drink to say con gratulations it’s a cheap and sure fire way to get utterly sloshed . When you’re talking to you r guests make sure you carry a full glass round with you tha t way you can politely decline the offer of too many drinks.

Mixology

It’s easy to get swept up in the par ty atmosphere of the reception but if you wan t your memories of the big day to last then avoid mixing. Stick to long drinks to minimise the amount you knock back. It’s best to drink clear liquids and white wine to avoid worrying too much about spillages.

Follows these simple step s and you’ll wake up with memories of the best day of your life.

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

Behind the veil

Behind the Veil Trae Corbett, Head Stylist at Browns Lockerbie and Dumfries lifts the veil on a traditional bridal accessory.

Ever since Kate Middleton swept into Westminster back in 2011 with her beautifully understated cathedral style veil they’ve been making a serious comeback.

It’s not just about the traditional floor length veil though, they’ve even made appearances on the red carpet with actresses such as Jennifer Lawrence bringing the birdcage look right up to date; stunning with a dishevelled up look and statement lip.

There’s something undeniably bridal about wearing a veil but it needs just as much thought as the dress.

The veil should complement the dress, if you’re making a statement with the dress the veil should be understated likewise if you’re dress is more modest you’re veil can add a new dimension to the overall look.

You need to consider how you’re going to wear your hair, just because it’s going to be under a veil doesn’t mean it needs any less consideration, in actual fact it probably needs more.

Consider the cut of the dress, weather conditions (will your hairstyle last?), hair accessories i.e. slides or Alice bands and most importantly your personal style, too many people morph into someone unrecognisable on their wedding day; the groom does not want to marry someone he doesn’t recognise.

Halo

Traditional blusher veils can be worn over an array of hairstyles; it’s all about the placement. You’ll find a comb is generally used to secure this and a few pins can be added for extra security if you decide to wear it to cover the face.

Juliet cap 94 94

Behind the veil

Blusher

I recommend you have a trial run with this one, take your veil and your head bridesmaid with you. Let your stylist show her where and how it should be placed and if needed how to remove it.

In regards to more vintage/ bohemian styles such as the Juliet cap, free flowing locks are a much more fitting look for this head hugging silhouette. A low swept do will also work well here, try adding your own floral embellishment to create a really bespoke look..

The Halo or drop veil is right on trend, with the help of a hidden comb they have the illusion that

THE BRIDE GUIDE

they’re floating above the hairstyle, this is a simple understated piece but can be adorned for extra effect with a half or full head vine. Whether you choose to wear your hair up or down it’s a case of the looser the better with this style. If you decide to wear up remember to keep it low.

The cathedral veil, this is the real show stopper, if you want the veil to match the train of your dress this is for you, it can be adjusted to any length and is at its very best in tulle. I personally prefer this with a delicate up look. This kind of veil needs to be positioned under the crown and can go as low as the occipital bone giving your hair ultimate exposure without losing the veil effect.

If in doubt ask your stylist, it’s what they’re there for and remember to keep it real; it’s all about you being the best version of yourself.

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

Hats off to the Mother of the bride

Hats off to the Mother of the bride The Mother of the bride is one of the most important people at the wedding, besides the bride and groom, of course. Her outfit should be elegant and complement the colour of the bridal party. With years of experience dressing bride’s mothers Susan Dowes of Genevieve, Warwick Road, Carlisle knows what you should be looking for.

Specialising in mother of the bride outfits Susan is a dream come true for any mother of the bride worrying about her outfit, she said: “The very first thing you need to think about is the colour scheme. This will determine what colours you should be looking for. I always advise customers to go for a subtle and soft colour that matches the bridal party. Pastels are becoming very popular at the minute, we are seeing a lot of silver and pastel pinks. A particularly nice one at the moment is the duck egg blue.”

“I would advise taking the bride with you when you’re looking for your outfit; she knows the colour scheme she wants and she is likely to be the most honest.”

It’s important to choose an outfit you feel confident in, Susan explained: “You have to find something you are comfortable in. If you’re not 100% happy it will affect your confidence and the way you hold yourself on the day. You want to shine so make sure you are content with your choice.”

But this doesn’t mean you can’t try something new, Susan said: “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Experiment and be daring because you never know, you might try something on that you are unsure about on the hanger and completely fall in love with it once you’ve tried it on.

Try on a wide range of outfits before making a final decision.

“The typical straight fitted chiffon dress, with a little jacket is still very popular at the minute. It’s a classy look and you can wear the outfit again.”

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THE BRIDE GUIDE

Another trend which seems to be emerging is the 50s style skirt, Susan said: “We have seen a lot of the fuller skirts, a bit like Marylin Monroe’s style with a beautiful scooped collar.”

If you really want to stand apart from the crowd, you should buy your outfit from an independent business, Susan said: “I always recommend buying from independent shops, it is the only way you can really ensure that you are wearing something unique and nobody else will show up in the same thing. It would be a bit awkward if the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom turned up in the same outfit.”

Finding the perfect outfit can be a lengthy process but it shouldn’t to be rushed, Susan said: “One of the most important things to do is take your time. There is no rush, enjoy yourself whilst trying on the different outfits and have a laugh. Just don’t panic, you will find something you like, you just need to be willing to try a variety of different styles.”

Instead of looking at it as a daunting task, try and enjoy yourself and use it as an opportunity to spend some quality time with the bride before she walks up the aisle.

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