Carlisle's Village Link Magazine | Mar/Apr 2023

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Iasked our eldest daughter why she wasn’t getting ready for school last week, and it turns out that she left in 2019 and has been working ever since! I should explain that I leave a lot of the day to day running of the household in the capable hands of my wife. I’m more of a big picture guy, births, deaths and marriages etc but last I knew she was in year 10 and nobody has told me anything different since. Anyway, this was good news because by my rough calculations she now owes me £3600 in backdated ‘keep’. This news went down badly, and my daughter said to me ‘How am I supposed to pay keep and save up for a car?!’

I soon relented and shortly afterwards a new to us, but older VW Polo arrived. This allowed me to say all sorts of useful Dad comments such as ‘They don’t make them like this anymore”, and ‘Don’t ride the clutch, only your mother is allowed to do that, and ‘try to find a gear, they are all in there’. Unfortunately, I got overexcited and I broke one of the cardinal rules of parenting. ‘Thou shall not try to teach thy offspring to drive anything other than a donkey on Blackpool beach.’

This led to a number of ‘driving lessons’ where one or both of us left the vehicle during the lesson. Sometimes I was unable to exit the vehicle on my side due to a hedge being in the way. However, my standard of instruction was criticised as being ‘discriminatory, heavily biased, contradictory and certainly not woke’.

Anyway, my standard of driving instruction can’t have been too bad because soon afterwards daughter number 1 passed her test. What a strange mixture of emotions, happiness tinged with healthy dose of worry. One of those melancholy days.

Nevertheless, when she jumped in her car and set off for her first ‘solo’ drive we waved her off with a tear in our eyes and as soon as she was out of sight, we ran upstairs to check her birth certificate. I’m sure she should still be in year 10

Congratulations to all who entered our competitions. Well done to Raffy for rescuing Bear, Sam for finding all the hidden Winston’s and Sandra who’s won the ‘Arnhem 1944: The Human Tragedy of the Bridge too far’ book.

www.village-link.co.uk

editor@village-link.co.uk

@VLink_Carlisle /villagelinkcarlisle

We don’t believe in the hard sell and sales staff!

“Robin

CARLISLE’S PAST

WRITTEN BY DAVID RAMSHAW

ORAm’S

Orams grocery shop, 8183 Lowther Street, Carlisle, was founded by William Boustead Oram who died in 1919 at his house, Eden Bank, at Wetheral.

The datestone shows the shop was built in 1901. Later, in order to modernise, the company changed its name to Bi-Rite, becoming a supermarket and staying in the same building.

As well as being a grocer, William Oram had a butchery department which specialised in Cumberland Hams.

Here, inside the shop, hams hang from the ceiling. On this occasion staff have

posed for the photograph.

Their ‘Real Cumberland Hams’ were advertised in 1891 as being of the finest quality.

This is only one of many businesses that thrived in Lowther Street during the last century.

There is much more about this historic street in the new book by Denis Perriam, recently published by myself, entitled ‘Carlisle’s Street series – Lowther Street.’ Available at Bookends, Tullie House and other outlets.

Real Cumberland Hams

Oram’s in Lowther Street

Oram’s name change – Bi-Rite

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Mum’s french sister is always angry. She’s my croissaunt.

JANE’S KITCHEN

WRITTEN BY JANE FERGUSON

To read this article in full, visit www.village-link.co.uk

According to the Be-Ro website their story goes that ‘Thomas Bell founded a wholesale grocery firm near the Tyne quays and railway station in Newcastle in the 1880’s. Among his top-selling brands were ‘Bells Royal’ baking powder and a self raising flour. Following the death of Edward VII, it became illegal to use the Royal name. As a result, Bell decided to take the first couple of letters from each of the two words of the brand name and turn them into the more catchy sounding Be-Ro.’

The first edition was apparently published in 1923. The oldest book I have is a sixteenth edition which, after googling it, dates to 1953. This is my favourite one as it really takes you back in time. One thing I noticed while looking through this book is that lard is used an awful lot. This is something we maybe don’t use much of these days, but I must admit that when I have used it in pastry or biscuits it really enhances the flavour and texture. We often associate Be-Ro with cakes and biscuits, but there are some really good savoury recipes too.

This is an easy ‘Creamy Chicken and Garlic Parcel’ taken

from the 40th edition.

First of all make some shortcrust pasty by mixing 225g flour with a pinch of salt in a basin.

Then rub in 50g lard and 50g margarine. Using a knife to cut and stir, mix with cold water (approx 30ml or 2tbsp) to form a stiff dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead lightly.

Cover with clingfilm and leave to one side. Next heat the oven to 200˚c and have ready a baking tray.

Thoroughly mix together

225g chopped cooked chicken, 150g cream cheese with garlic, 75g chopped mushrooms and some black pepper to taste.

Roll out your pastry to a 30cm square and place on baking sheet. Pile the mixed ingredients into the middle of the pastry and with the back of a spoon firmly press the ingredients together. Brush the edges with milk and fold corners to the centre sealing the edges. Brush with a beaten egg or milk and bake for 35 minutes until golden brown.

Tell your mum you

stressed, and suddenly she’s got it ten times harder and hasn’t sat down in eight months.

Painful or blocked ears?

Hearing loss?

Don’t suffer in silence!

WENDY BROWN EAR CARE

MOBILE CLINICAL EAR CARE PRACTITIONER

Microsuction ear wax removal and ear health/hearing screening, in the comfort of your own home.

Before & after imagery can be shared and referred on to GP/ENT if any abnormal pathologies are detected.

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W ENDY B ROWN E AR C ARE

HEARING HEALTH

WRITTEN BY WENDy BROWN, EAR CARE

Did you know that ear wax is a natural cleanser. It moves from inside the ear canal outward, gathering dead skin cells, hair and dirt along the way. Ear wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Unfortunately some of us produce excessive amounts, which can plug up the ear causing earache, infections and hearing loss.

Hearing aids and ear defenders block the normal migration of ear wax and push the wax back deep into the ear canal blocking the ear drum.

Statistics show that 60-70% of hearing aids sent for repair are blocked by ear wax that has got into the vents and receivers. The acidity then degrades the components.

stated that he felt as if the conversation was muffled and couldn’t make out what was being said. He also reported a ringing in his right ear which was driving him mad.

EAR WAX ACIDITY DEGRADES THE COMPONENTS OF HEARING AIDS

On closer examination, I could see that his ear drum was totally blocked with wax. I advised him to apply small drops of olive oil prior to his next appointment. At his next appointment, I could see the drops had worked well as the wax was a lot softer as I entered the ear canal.

Using cotton buds like a plunger in the ear canal pushes earwax deeper and deeper in. One problem is that if you push the wax deeper inside, there’s no way for the wax to get swept out of the ear. In severe cases, the cotton bud can damage many sensitive structures behind the ear canal and cause complete deafness, prolonged vertigo with nausea and vomiting, loss of taste function, and even facial paralysis.

One of my patients contacted me as he was struggling to hear when in a group setting. He

We are much more than a magazine - see village-link.co.uk

After suctioning the outer layer away, the hardened dark wax was revealed. I was able to suction on to this and successfully removed a huge plug of hardened wax. The results were immediate. my patient could hear clearly again and the ringing subsided after 24 hours.

Not everyone produces excessive wax. If no wax is detected, I provide a four-frequency hearing screening test to determine if the hearing is defective.

Please feel free to contact me for an appointment. Don’t leave it until its too late!

Remember— I’m ‘ear to help! www.earcarecarlisle.co.uk

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I smeared some ketchup all over my eyes once. It was a bad idea in Heinz sight.

OVERWEIGHT PETS

WRITTEN BY STUART EDGAR, OSCAR PET fOOdS

Read this article in full – visit www.village-link.co.uk

tips For keeping Your Dog At their iDeAl Weight

It’s estimated that 65% of the dog population is overweight and that 88% of dog owners don’t know how much they should be feeding their pet! It is easy to see how our pets can put on a few pounds in a short space of time.

Overweight pets can easily become couch potatoes and find it hard to leave the house to exercise. It is important to meet our dog’s exercise and stimulation needs as well as feeding them a balanced diet, correct for their life-stage, to keep them fit & healthy. If your dog starts to receive too many calories alongside too little exercise, the weight can slowly creep up!

Contact Stuart Edgar

T: 075950 26146

E: design@samhindmoor.co.uk

regular exercise. If your dog has any health concerns, speak to your vet before making any changes. Divide food over 3-4 meals this will keep the dog feeling fuller longer.

MAke MeAltiMes Fun For Your Dogs

88% OF DOG OWNERS DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD BE FEEDING THEIR PET

Feeding your dog a complete diet, which is correct for its life-stage is important to ensure the correct nutritional balance for its age. If your dog is overweight, it is better to change to a ‘lite’ diet. These diets have reduced calorie and fat content to help with weight loss.

Weight gain can be avoided by carefully weighing out your dog’s meal every day.

Gradually increase

Keeping your dog active in the house will help to keep the weight loss on track. Dogs are scavengers by nature, and they like to seek, hunt, and investigate. making food activity games for your dog will help to encourage this natural behaviour and increase the daily stimulation to help keep your pet more active.

Interactive feeders and buster cubes are fantastic, after placing some of your dogs food in the cube let them chase it around until they get the food out. Hide food in the room or garden and make them hunt it out. This increases your dogs exercise and mental stimulation.

The word vaccine is the only English word that two same consecutive letters are pronounced differently. Don’t ask me how I knew this, I just found it accidentally.

The gift of human

gift of kindness can come from each one of us. Judy shares stories of pure kindness that happens all around us every day. there’s beautiful poems that are very thought provoking. helping strangers, sharing a smile a day sharing a cup of tea or talking to fellows humans.

3. Who was the first billion-dollar author, earning one billion US dollars (or their currency equivalent) from their books and related merchandise?

4. Who was the first female to complete a solo transatlantic flight, journeying from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1932?

5. Which famous first was achieved by Trygve Lie of Norway in 1946?

SPIRITS OF AUDEMUS

WRITTEN BY INDEPENDENT WINE/RESTAURANT

REVIEWER TREVOR LANGLEy

Read this article in full – visit www.village-link.co.uk

The award-winning Audemus Company is located in Cognac, France. Audemus produces hand-crafted spirits, to an exceptional standard and quality, using the traditional methods, proven by previous generations of distilling personnel, along with modern technology. The company was founded by miko, during 2013, who had already achieved several years of distilling cognac.

AUDEMUS PINK

PEPPER GIN (44% vol)

Hand-picked pink peppercorns, juniper, and honey (locally-sourced), plus four other botanicals are distilled separately and then come together, with vanilla and tonka bean infusions. I found this Pink Pepper Gin to be smooth, spicy and with an enticing nasal sensation, having the power to satisfy the mouthfeel and palate, wonderfully. A favourite for many gin lovers, particularly when served over ice.

AUDEMUS UMAMI

GIN (42% vol) utilises distilled Southern Italian capers. With the inclusion of other ingredients, such as juniper and Parmigiano-Reggiano, this gin continues to grow in popularity. As a perfectly blended delectation, it is rested in old cognac barrels for several months. The final production exudes freshness and depth of flavour, with the

Sicilian capers, juniper, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Bergamot and ex-cognac barrel finish bringing delight to gin connoisseurs. Innovative and most satisfying, sums it up for me, without hesitation.

Other very popular spirits include AUDEMUS COVERT LIQUEUR which uses fig leaves, honey and cognac to a great advantage. The delights of the eyes and nose are advanced further, by the mouth’s pleasures. This brightlycoloured liqueur has a ‘touch’ of cane sugar, which balances the sweetness to perfection. Great, by itself or with ice and to commence a dining occasion, plus after a meal too.

Beautifully packaged gift boxes and other accompaniments are available also. For information and details of products, including limited editions, visit their website: www.audemus-spirits.com

As

Have you ever just looked at someone and knew the wheel was still turning but the hamster was dead

TREVOR LANGLEY

I’m the lead singer in a ‘Black Eyes Peas’ tribute band. “I find that hard to believe”. “Well I am”.

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I can’t believe I forgot to go to the gym today. That’s seven years in a row now.

RECORDMAN

WRITTEN BY MUSIC EDITOR AUSTIN POWELL

Read this article in full – visit www.village-link.co.uk

You’ve heard the phrase many times, “Rock ‘n’ Roll will never die”; Rock Around The Clock was originally a hit in 1957 and made the Top 20 again in 1968 and 1974 and groups like Shakin’ Stevens and The Sunsets, Sha Na Na and matchbox kept the flame alive in the 70s and 80s, but no-one did it better or for longer than Showaddywaddy.

Between 1974 and 1978 the group, formed when two Leicestershire groups got together on Sunday nights to play rock ‘n’ roll in a local pub, had ten Top 5 hits, five more that made the Top 20 and another eight that made the Top 40, most of them versions of songs that had been hits in the 50s and 60s for other artists.

Now to celebrate fifty years of Showaddywaddy making music, Edsel Records bring together everything the group ever recorded including a never before released Hit Mix and a new re-mix of Sweet Little Rock ‘N’ Roller.

You’ll know all the songs. Heartbeat, Three Steps To heaven, Under The moon of Love, When, You Got What It Takes, Pretty Little Angel Eyes to name just a few along with all the other hits are included, but in this 5xCD set you’ll find the group’s

versions of other hits like 24 Hours From Tulsa, Do Wah Diddy, Sea Cruise and (You’ve Got) Personality guaranteed to keep any party rocking along. Listening again to the 1987 single Why, I can’t believe this wasn’t a hit. Trust me, this is foot-tapping music from beginning to end but when they do slow down as on Tell Laura I Love Her and Soul And Inspiration, the group’s love of oldies shines through. Five CDs, 106 songs and a 1700 word history written by front man Dave Bartram, this is an enjoyable journey through the songs of yesteryear Showaddy waddy style.

Showaddywaddy 50th

AUSTIN POWELL

Read more about Austin at village-link.co.uk/profile/austin-powell

A NEW AGE OF hORTICULTURE

Ihave often written about the changing nature of horticulture, and the emphasis that we need to place on adapting to climate change and reducing the threat of importing pests and diseases from other countries. To do all this, we need a healthy horticultural industry, and at the heart of this enthusiastic young people who see a future for themselves working across this very diverse sector.

Last month I gave a lecture to young horticultural students in Northumbria. They were an enthusiastic lot who seemed to care passionately about working as gardeners, landscapers; in nurseries, or working for Government. Some of the students wanted to specialise in the production of trees and shrubs, others in garden design – the range of interests mirrored that of the industry as a whole and highlighted how much horticulture has to offer.

You may wonder what all this might have to do with a column devoted to gardening!

Gardening appears to be more

popular than ever, and yet horticultural courses attract fewer and fewer people, and horticultural colleges close.

The result is its harder to get a skilled gardener, or advice about the plants we buy. As enthusiastic gardeners we are disappointed sometimes when we visit parks and gardens, and the reason is that there are fewer properly trained horticulturists – time served apprentices who have had to learn the names, and the cultivation techniques of many hundreds of plants.

And yet, as if to buck the trend there is a plethora of garden – based workshops

I attend careers fairs to bang the drum for horticulture on a regular basis. Sometimes I think people are just unaware of what the Horticultural Industry can offer, and it is up to everyone involved to see what could be a New Age of Horticulture – one based on knowledge, creativity, and care for the environment. The world needs horticulturists more than ever! They are essential to grow our food, nurture and enhance our environment, and provide stress busting environments for us all to enjoy (whatever our age).

available for people to get a better understanding of how to garden in an environmental crisis. A focus on nature friendly, and traditional methods of gardening delivered by expert tutors seems to be on the rise. What might be termed ‘in – person learning’ to differentiate itself I guess from online approaches attract significant numbers.

Nonetheless it is an entry level where young people need to get interested. The pandemic showed how much interest many of us had for growing our own food but getting people to see there is a career in it is a bit trickier.

Returning to our gardens — the short break of winter is over! If you haven’t started flower seed sowing last month, then get down to your local nursery for the seed packet aisles or browse online.

Favourites of mine are Thompson and morgan, and Devon based Plant World Seeds. For less hardy plants you will have to wait until the soil warms before sowing outside, otherwise start them off under cover and transplant later.

As always happy gardening.

HAPPY GARdENING! WITH GARdEN EdITOR dAVId fLETCHER MCIhORT

The people who make fitted sheets need to sit down with the people who make mattresses and get on the same page. Making the bed shouldn’t be like putting a swimming cap over a fridge!

GARDENING APPEARS TO BE MORE POPULAR THAN EVER, AND YET HORTICULTURAL COURSES ATTRACT FEWER PEOPLE

“I hope this email finds you well”. Nope, it finds me bored, confused, tired, exasperated, hungry, lost and irritable...what do you want?

BRAMPTON ART

WRITTEN BY STUART FRASER, GALLERy NORTH WEST

Gallery North West is an independent art gallery in the small market town of Brampton, Cumbria, nine miles east of Carlisle.

The gallery is located in the town centre above the well-established Castle Framing on Front Street. Although separate enterprises, the two businesses combine to provide gallery space on both street and first-floor levels.

gallery in Carlisle and, closer still, Hallbankgate and Lanercost

GALLERY OPENS

Renovation of the upper levelincluding fitting state-of-the-art lighting -was completed in January 2023, and now offers both artists and customers a superb exhibition space.

our ethos

Priory – each venue with its own busy artistic events calendar and café.

SATURDAY 25TH MARCH

WhAt We oFFer

A gallery that operates in the heart of a rural but highly artistic community, should by default support local art, creators, and emergent makers, shine a spotlight on talented established artists, and enhance the cultural landscape of our region.

With its existing arts and crafts venues, antique barns, coffee shops and delicatessens, Brampton is already developing as an artistic hub. Gallery North West aims to further enhance this process and strengthen the network with other local hubs.

These include Tullie House museum & Art

Gallery North West offers art buyers quality and variety within a welcoming gallery space. Getting to know the artists we represent is important to build long-term relationships. We work hard to provide a high-quality professional service for our artists, and, as the list of talent joining us grows, we aim to become a major art venue for the Carlisle region.

AccessibilitY

The lower gallery is at street level, however, access to the first-floor galleries is by staircase only. We are hoping to provide digital viewing in due course, and until this is in place our staff will do whatever they can to help.

When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane

MAkE ThE RIGHT CHOICE

WRITTEN BY LOCAL ARBORIST ANDREW EDGAR [ORChARD TREE SURGERY & MAINTENANCE]

fully insured and legally liable for any injury or damage.

Work to the highest stAnDArDs

Even though tree surgeons make it look easy, tree surgery is extremely complex work. This service goes beyond the work on the trees themselves; it also means that they will look after your property too. A good tree surgeon will work in a highly professional way, clearing away debris as they work and leaving you with no mess to clear up. protect the trees AnD environMent

Tree surgery is difficult, time consuming, and often highly dangerous work. Finding the right person to take care of it for you could save you from injury, damage to property, and even legal difficulties. But choosing the best company isn’t easy, when so many cowboys out there could actually make things worse, not better. In this article we’ll help you spot the warning signs, and learn how to pick a company who will give you great results and keep you protected.

WhAt cAn A tree surgeon Do For You?

A good tree surgeon will take all the stress out of tree work for you whether that’s a full tree removal, hedge trimming or just advice.

keep You protecteD

First and foremost, using a tree surgeon takes as much risk out of tree surgery as possible. The best tree surgeons will be health and safety specialists, and fully trained to use the proper safety equipment. What’s more, they will know how to take care of even the largest trees without damaging your property.

Even better, in the highly unlikely event of an accident, they will be

Undertaking tree work without the right qualifications causes so much damage to a tree. A conscientious tree surgeon will also think carefully about where and how to dispose of any waste wood. Cowboy tree surgeons will leave this behind or dump it somewhere, causing harm the environment. Professional tree surgeons will have thought about the best way to dispose of waste wood in an environmentally-friendly manner.

WhAt to look For When choosing A tree surgeon

We’ve got some top tips about the things to look out for that should give you confidence that you’re working with a reputable company.

• Check their credentials

Probably the most important thing of all is that you check that the tree surgeon has the proper qualifications, insurance, and professional accreditations.

All members of our team are fully qualified and insured. We’re very proud to hold a number of professional

accreditations, including the gold standard for arborists, the ‘ARB Approved Tree Surgery accreditation.

• Check the quality of their work.

A quality tree surgeon will have many years of experience and will want to shout about the work they’ve done to date. You should also find out whether the tree surgeon works to the British Standards for tree surgery. BS 3998 is the expected standard all professional tree surgeons should work to.

We have decades of experience which can be read on the ‘Testimonials’ page of our website.

look For proFessionAl service

The last thing to look for, which might set a company apart from the competition, is the level of service they offer.

You should go with a company that has good customer service from the outset, offer free quotes and make it very simple to contact them.

At Orchard Tree Surgery, we are proud of the priority we place on our customer service. You can get a free quote and can easily get in touch.

We are committed to successfully promoting your business or venture

DiviDenDs

yEAR END TAX PLANNING

IF YOU hAvE ANY qUESTIONS, OR WOULD LIkE TO DISCUSS ANY TAx PROBLEMS OR qUERIES WITh US, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) beyond April 2025. Some of the detail of the rules will provide more generous relief. This is the case with the SEIS, which offers the potential for 50% income tax relief, and from 6 April 2023, the annual investor limit doubles to £200,000. Please do talk to us for further details of any of these schemes.

The Dividend Allowance is set to fall while dividend tax rates are at a new high, making the extraction of profits by way of dividend payments more expensive and less favourable for the future.

Dividends within the 2022/23 Dividend Allowance of £2,000 are not taxable. From 6 April 2023, however, this falls to £1,000, with a further fall to £500 per year from 6 April 2024.

The effect of this change is compounded by the increase in dividend tax rates. From April 2022, rates rose by 1.25 percentage points. They are now 8.75% for dividends falling within the basic rate band; 33.75% for those falling in the higher rate band; and 39.35% falling in the additional rate band.

The tax advantage of a low salary and a significant level of dividend payments has arisen

from the availability of the Dividend Allowance, a low rate of corporation tax, and because dividends do not incur National Insurance contributions (NICs) - a saving both for the employer company and the recipient. These advantages are now being undermined.

Dividend payment in the 2022/23 tax year gives a last-chance bite at the current higher Dividend Allowance, and the higher additional rate threshold. You may want to consider accelerating payment of dividends if there is scope to do so.

corporAtion tAx

From 1 April 2023, the main rate of corporation tax rises to 25%. Profits exceeding £250,000 will be charged at the main rate however if profits are under £50,000 then a small profits rate of 19% will apply. For company profits between £50,000 and £250,000 the tax rate is tapered. Cash flow planning should be considered to take into account the extra tax payable.

tAx-eFFicient

investMents

Venture capital schemes, providing finance for new, higher-risk companies, continue to afford individual investors with a significant source of tax relief. The government have now extended the Enterprise

tAx AnD Your chilDren

Children are treated independently for tax purposes. They have their own personal allowance, annual capital gains tax exemption and their own basic rate tax band and savings band. From a tax perspective, it is usually more efficient for grandparents to provide funds for investment for under-age children.

Purchasing property is often considered to help fund children through university, however it is important that any such arrangement is structured correctly. Key questions are who owns and buys the property or whether the child is provided with funds to make the purchase. The tax and legal implications need to be thought through, alongside your personal and family preferences. the rent-A-rooM scheMe Children living in a property at university which they own outright, and letting out furnished accommodation in the property, may be able to benefit here. Provided the relevant conditions are met, the scheme could allow them to earn up to £7,500 in rent, free of tax. When added to the personal allowance, this provides scope for £20,070 in tax-free income.

Planning and Inheritance Tax Specialists

Personal and business Tax Planning Specialists

Shelly O’Neill, Tax Advisor

ACROSS

CROSSWORD

DOWN

1 Backing horse and making a killing (6)

4 I’m trapped by racist waving a sword (8)

9 Pirate lives out by river (6)

10 Violate home by border (8)

11 About to ring to cancel (6)

12 Fresh local pie is a source of inspiration (8)

13 Criminal swindle (3)

14 Opt for mixture of steel containing carbon (6)

17 It’s close enough to catch sound of gunfire, as Cockney says? (7)

Backing horse and making a killing (6) trapped by racist waving a sword (8) lives out by river (6) home by border (8) to ring to cancel (6) local pie is a source of inspiration (8)

21 Trouble experienced over plant (6)

25 Animal starts to play in garden (3)

Criminal swindle (3) mixture of steel containing carbon

26 Royal commander twice turned to jelly (4-4)

27 monk craftily conceals one old Japanese garment (6)

28 Article on Spain confused actor (8)

29 Saudi unusually takes time to make financial checks (6)

30 Beat side struggling with illness (8)

31 make tough woman a corporal finally (6)

close enough to catch sound of gunfire, Cockney says? (7)

Trouble experienced over plant (6) starts to play in garden (3) commander twice turned to jelly (4-

DOWN

1 I’m upset by tension with lover (8)

2 Fatty pudding (4-4)

3 Angel represented in English church shows refinement (8)

1 I’m upset by tension with lover

5 Half of Canada is able to dance (6)

2 Fatty pudding (4-4)

6 Yours truly gets to bank – just (6)

7 Noted problem with new tissue (6)

8 Joint from freezer cooked without zeal initially (6)

3 Angel represented in English church refinement (8)

12 Pirate from Cairo’s drunk, right? (7)

15 Bill is not entirely suitable (3)

5 Half of Canada is able to dance

16 Upstanding professor has to show agreement (3)

6 Yours truly gets to bank – just (6)

18 Quiet diplomacy involving one on vessel (8)

19 Element in fuel or explosive (8)

7 Noted problem with new tissue

20 Have great fun with student in musical (8)

22 Was profligate and very drunk (6)

23 Woman harassed male in Pennsylvania (6)

8 Joint from freezer cooked without initially (6)

24 Bird of prey’s first to appear in new image (6)

25 mate has excellent, luxurious house (6)

12 Pirate from Cairo’s drunk, right?

15 Bill is not entirely suitable (3)

If you are stuck and would like the answers to this crossword, please email: editor@village-link.co.uk

16 Upstanding professor has to show agreement (3)

18 Quiet diplomacy involving one

Food & Drink Quiz

1. What type of wine is ‘Sekt’?

2. An Indian meal which included ‘masoor’ would have what ingredient?

3. ‘hendrick’s’, ‘Larios’ and ‘Seagram’s’ are some of the best-selling brands of which spirit?

4. Which type of tea, originally from the Chinese province of Fujian, gains its distinctive flavour from being smoke-dried over pinewood fires?

5. Castelo Branco cheese originates from which country?

6. ‘Black krim’, ‘Green zebra’ and ‘Yellow Pear’ are all varieties of which salad ingredient?

7. ‘Breede River valley’ is a wine-producing region in which country?

8. Production of Singha beer began in which country in 1934?

9. If you saw ‘chou-fleur’ on a French menu which vegetable would the dish include?

10. From which sea-creature is ‘tomalley’ obtained?

11. In which country is the Staropramen brewery?

Where’s BEAR? competition

BEAR IS A KEEN RAMBLER BUT WITH A POOR SENSE OF DIRECTION ( STUFFING FOR BRAINS !) AND HAS GOT LOST AGAIN IN C ARLISLE . H OWEVER , HE HAS HIS PHONE WITH HIM AND HAS SENT THIS PHOTO OF WHAT HE CAN SEE !

DO YOU RECOGNISE WhERE BEAR IS?

I F y OU DO , THEN GO AND RESCUE HIM BEFORE AN y ONE ELSE DOES !

When he is safely at your home, get your mum or dad to email editor@village-link.co.uk leaving your name and address, and bear’s dad will be round to pick him up and hand over your cash reward.

LAST ISSUE’S W inne R

Well done to RAFFy who found bear and received his £25 reward

£25

Remember: Leave it a week before you go looking for bear. All the deliveries must be finished to keep it fair. Competition for under 16’s only See www.village-link.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

drink

(page

german sparkling white wine 2. (Red) lentils 3. gin 4. Lapsang Souchong 5. portugal 6. tomato 7. South Africa 8. thailand 9. Cauliflower 10. Lobster (soft, green digestive gland of a lobster) 11. Czech Republic Famous First Quiz (page 13) 1. Women took part in the Olympics for the first time 2. Captain Matthew Webb 3. J.K. Rowling 4. Amelia Earhart 5. He became the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.

I said to my wife “Would you like a Kit-Kat Chunky”. Over five hours I spent in A&E.

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JOANNA M

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THE LAKES MAN

underwhelming view. Still, it was beautiful to be out, the heat of the day still building. I love to set off early. my wife had told me there is always suntan lotion in the glove compartment of the mini. When I came to open it, sure enough… nothing there. Our son had set off to Sorrento that week and snaffled it!

Here’s an outing where we have to stretch our imaginations a little.

Last Summer, on a sunny morning, I walked through an area in the Northern fells that has known mining activity for some four hundred years. I have been coming here for several decades myself, enjoying the sense of permanence and peace it offers.

When my mother went into care in 2008, I was feeling a little upset. She had always said she would only leave her flat in a wooden overcoat! Now events had taken over.

I regained a sense of perspective on the grassy slopes of Knott. I sat there one sunny afternoon, eating an apple, admiring the view, and thought to myself, well, all this will be here in a hundred years’ time, maybe even a thousand. And I, of course, won’t.

Starting from Fellside, a level path leads you into the valley of Dale Beck. Several watercourses have found their way down the slopes, carving deep gills and in so doing exposing mineral deposits.

The first mines were opened up in July 1566. A hardback book entitled Roughton Gill and the mines of the Caldbeck fells by Ian Tyler, which I initially thought might provide a bit of a dry read, turned out instead to be a fascinating history of the area, with characters coming alive on the pages, together with tales of lightning storms, floods, fatal accidents, the slaying of “the beast of Caldbeck” and even a ghost story where two boys where

seen talking to a man in a long coat and a tall black hat, by their father, near the spoil heaps, the apparition then vanished into thin air!

The ascent of Roughton Gill itself is quite steep, climbing alongside a charming waterfall with two caves clearly visible,

IN ITS HEYDAY THERE WERE A HUNDRED MEN WORKING UNDERGROUND AND FIFTY MEN AND BOYS WORKING ON THE SURFACE HERE

bored into the left bank. This section of the walk is the most challenging as afterwards the final part of the ascent is over a featureless grassy slope, gradually climbing to the domed summit of Knott at 2329 feet.

Alfred Wainwright described the top as being suitable for a game of cricket with no features of interest at all. The view to the South is best, an array of peaks visible in the gap between Blencathra and Skiddaw.

Two men on mountain bikes were standing on the summit, supposedly admiring the

The descent is long and gradual, over Great Sca Fell to the North, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the mighty Scafell above Wasdale, and then down the easy grassy slope of Ward Steel, back to the beck.

Wainwright was wont to remark that the silence of these places is even more profound where so much activity has taken place in the past. It’s a point to ponder that in its heyday there were a hundred men working underground and fifty men and boys working on the surface here.

Now, with the wind whistling through the bent grasses, the sheep contentedly grazing the hillsides, the white clouds stacked in the heavens, the same expansive views in all directions, only memories remain. And me, swigging a chilled bottle of water.

So, I implore you to climb Knott but as I said at the start, please use your imagination. You might even see a ghost!

FELLWALkING ENThUSIAST STEPHEN ROBSON REFLECTS ON A LABOUR OF LOvE WhICh TOOk FORTY YEARS TO AChIEvE – COMPLETING ALL 214 WAINWRIGHT fELLS

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