Egremont 2Day April 2016

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Issue 61

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April 2016

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE

The Bluebells have made a beautiful comeback. Page 3

Egremont Fire station has made the UK no. 1 spot. Page 3

Folk Music

Book Week Spectacular

No. 1 Firefighters

Bluebells are back

World Book Day was celebrated throughout Egremont and distirct in March. Pages 12 &13

Ed Helsam folk music from the 19th century. Page 18

Beacon Invasion The Invasion has taken over The Beacon. Page 6

HARPS NW SHORTLISTED FOR Get ready to EPIC AWARDS 2016 - VOTE NOW Go Herdwick!

Harps NW have been recognised for their hard work learning an entire piece of music in a month - photo by Alan Cleaver

By Rachael Grealish HARPS North West have been shortlisted for the Engagement, Partnerships, Innovation and Creativity (EPIC) Awards 2016.

The EPIC were set up in 2010 to celebrate achievements of voluntary arts groups in the UK.

Mary Dunsford, Harps NW committee member, said: “Being short-listed for the Epic Awards is a true honour, and a wonderful reflection of the work that went into creating our Newvember Challenge.

“To be recognised for our efforts to embrace our internet age is very humbling, as we felt we were just

Egremont primary schools win Pupil Premium Awards 2016 ST BRIDGET’S RC Primary and Bookwell Primary Schools are two of six Cumbrian schools to win local Pupil Premium Awards 2016.

The schools both received a letter from Sam Gyimah MP congratulating them on winning a local award in the KS2 category of the Pupil Premium Awards 2016.

Suzanne Smith, headteacher of St Bridget’s School, said: “We are one of the most improved schools in the country in terms of attainment and

progress of our disadvantaged pupils since 2011.

“This has been down to the hard work of our staff, governors, parents and particularly our pupils. We aim to give all our pupils the best start in life.”

The Pupil Premium Awards recognised schools which have improved and help support disadvantaged children.

Mr Hardy, Bookwell headteacher, said he was immensely proud of all his pupils and staff.

taking the next step in reaching out to harp players and encouraging the playing of this wonderful instrument.”

The Newvember challenge was a month long challenge throughout November to learn an entire new piece of harp music, through daily short teaching videos and access to the sheet music each day as we learn the next section.

The piece of music Harps NW used was donated by composer in residence, Karen Marshalsay.

Ms Dunsford said: “Our idea was to create a month-long learning experience that harp players could do from the comfort of their own home.

“We work hard as an organisation to bring harp players together, but this project also helped us to reach out to players who might not be able to meet up with others.

“Our Newvember Challenge had a global reach, with people taking part from as far as America, Canada and Australia! The overwhelming response was that it created a sense of community for those taking part.” ● Vote for Harps NW by visiting: shortlist.epicawards.co.uk

Read more on page 5

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April 2106 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome to The Vagabond

Grealish

O

N a narrow street leading to the stunning Whitehaven Marina you'll find The Vagabond, which echoes the harbour's glorious past.

The Vagabond has kept its traditional character with rustic wooden tables and benches. Gabriel, one of the owners, took over the pub after a brief closure back in 2014. It is a family business and now employs 10 people - many of them local youngsters.

The wood-fired pizza oven, unique in the Whitehaven area, was added in 2015 and has quickly proved popular with customers. The Vagabond's pizzaiolo has 15 years' experience working with wood-fired pizza ovens in Romania, Italy, USA and now Great Britain.

What makes The Vagabond great? It is one of the few places in the town centre where you can enjoy a nice meal

Summer’s coming wrap up warm

Editor’s chair with Rachael rachael@egremont2day.co.uk

to enter or even be a journalist if it wasn’t for E2D and the support I’ve received from the team and, of course, the late and great Peter Watson.

In my opinion, it’s also As some of you may already have read recognition for journalism in the North I was short-listed for the Georgina West - the true North West.

Henry Women in Journalism Prize for We often get forgotten up here in Innovation. our mountains and lakes, but now And I will be having my fingers we’re getting a stronger voice to be and toes crossed in at the Press Awards heard in the industry and, as our in London on March 22 to find out if Chairman said, it is humbling for our I’ve won. small paper to have UK recognition.

This was an award I entered on a Humility was not my initial whim - thinking I would give it a try reaction, though it did appear, sheer but I probably wouldn’t get anywhere terror was. with it. But lo and behold I was shortTo read I was invited to the award listed. ceremony was nerve-wracking, to then Shall I tell you why? Because find out it is the journalism industry that’s the really important bit. Well, it’s equivalent to the Oscars was terrifying. because of all of you!

However, as I did a Drama degree I entered the competition in hope I did always hope I would get there one that if I won the prize E2D would be day. able to expand further and reach more Though I do not know yet if I people in Copeland. have won, to sound terribly cliché, I E2D was created to give a voice to feel like I already have in a way. the community and it’s the voices I’ve And if I don’t win, who knows, listened to and reported on that made we could be back next year winning up the pieces of work the judges were ‘best newspaper’ - it’s obviously our impressed with. It was your voices. next goal.

It’s not just recognition for the For now I shall be practising my work I’ve done, it’s recognition for the Friends Joey Tribbiani ‘graceful loser’ hard work all of the E2D team puts in. and ‘humble winner’ faces. Wish me I would not even be in a position luck.

We’re going to the Oscars - kind of!

The wood-fired pizza oven

with a regularly changing Specials Board and a selection of real ales from all over the country.

Starters are from £3- £6, mains from £7- £12 and real ales are £2.90.

Opening times are Mondays to Thursdays 5pm to 11pm; Fridays 4pm to 12am; Saturday 12pm to 12pm.

Contact 01946 66653. Website: www.thevagabondpub.co.uk; Email: enquiries@thevagbondpub.co.uk

It may not feel like it with the odd bouts of snow and the fact we’re still scraping ice off our cars, but summer is just around the corner - I’m hoping.

Easter is an exciting time, things start to get brighter, days get longer and your toes begin to defrost. There’s plenty to do to keep the kids happy over Easter; just look at our What’s On page (just cut out and keep).

And if you ask our assistant editor, Alan Cleaver, he may be able to point you in the direction of a beautiful lonning to walk down.

Egremont 2Day (incorporating Cleator Moor 2Day) Chairman: Tony Dunning Editor: Rachael Grealish Assistant editor: Alan Cleaver Advertising: Ali Burgess Advertising design: Nicola Cutts Email: info@egremont2day.co.uk Address: Letters can be sent to, or dropped off at, Lowes Court Gallery, 12 Main Street, Egremont, CA22 2DW. Please note: This is a drop-off point for post only. If you have any queries about Egremont 2Day please email egremont2day@gmail.com.

document). Pictures should be at least 250kb.

Please remember to include a contact name and telephone number.

For editorial inquiries please email advertising@egremont2day.co.uk or phone 01946 696907.

Letters are welcome on all topics. They must include a name and address for publication.

Letters be no more than 250 words long.

Social media: You will find us on Facebook: facebook.com/egremont2day and Twitter: @Egremont_2Day.

Website: www.egremont2day.co.uk NOTES FOR ADVERTISERS: Phone: 01946 820875 Egremont 2Day is a monthly free community newspaper run by volunteers. It is a not-forprofit organisation. If we inadvertently make any profits they are given to local charities.

Editorial and advertising deadline: The final deadline for next month’s E2D (May) is Friday, April 8th at 5pm. It will be published on April 15th. Please note: Receipt by the deadline does not mean inclusion is guaranteed. Do not leave items until deadline day! The earlier the better please.

Stories and pictures will be gladly received but we cannot guarantee their inclusion. If emailing pictures, please attach them as separate jpegs (not embedded in a Word

Advertisers must ensure they have copyright permission to use all words, pictures and artwork in their advert.

Artwork for adverts should be provided as a jpeg at 300ppi.

If you wish E2D to make up the advert for you please leave a few days before the deadline (second Friday of the month) for the advert to be made up for you to OK the proof.

If you require any changes to your advert please contact us well ahead of the monthly deadline.

Our advertising rates have been fixed for more than 12 months.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

April 2016 – Issue 61

Bluebells are back at Muncaster Castle

page 3

Shamanism explored with workshops WORKSHOPS in Shamanism and Womankind will be held in April by West Cumbria Therapeutic Shamanism Workshops, led by Catherine Leary.

An introduction to Shamanism will be held at the De Lucy Centre in Egremont on Saturday, April 2; and Sunday, April 3 at The Yurt in Holmrook. It runs from 10am to 4pm and costs £50.

Catherine says: "Shamanism can provide an easily-learnt tool kit of techniques and methods that are

FROM mid-April until mid-May (depending on the English weather!) bluebells start to appear and one of the best collections can be found in the grounds of Muncaster Castle.

You can combine a trip to the castle and its many attractions with a visit to see and photography the bluebells. Please note, that people with mobility issues may not be able to reach the bluebells as they are on a steep bank.

For more information see www.muncaster.co.uk/special-events/bluebell-heaven-0 There are some other sites around West Cumbria that display stunning collections of bluebells - Rannerdale is perhaps the most famous.

By Alan Cleaver

Egremont Fire Station take No.1 spot in UK EGREMONT Fire Station - with the help of the local community - have once again made it to the number one spot in Britain.

During January they collected 7.7 tonnes of clothes for recycling, raising valuable money for the Fire Fighters Charity at the same time.

David McDowell from the fire station said: “I would like to thank all the people who donated textiles to help us achieve such a fantastic figure, also thank you to everyone who helped us collect and to Egremont 2Day and the Whitehaven News for their support.”

The fire station wins a hamper which will be donated to local community in the coming weeks.

Egremont had seen off competition from 603 fire stations across the UK to win the title.

Runners up were Oundle Fire Station in Northamptonshire, collecting a magnificent 1.9 tonnes of clothing and third place went to Driffield Fire Station in Humberside, who raised an impressive 1.4 tonnes.

The Fire Fighters Charity raised more than £39,000 with the campaign.

David added: “This is a fantastic achievement – thank you to everyone who took part.”

To advertise your service in this space will cost just £15. Email your wording to egremont2day@gmail.com or phone 01946 820875.

You’ll be reaching 13,000 homes.

Collecting with the community: Egremont Fire Station make it to number one spot in Britain after collecting 7.7 tonnes of clothes for recycling.

profoundly useful for personal healing, helping with life issues, raising self awareness, personal and spiritual development and much more."

The Womankind Workshops will be held over four sessions at the Yurt and will, says Catherine, "discover and nurture the spiritual, authentic, empowered woman that you are".

To find out more phone Catherine on 07753 988719 or email catherine.leary@tiscali.co.uk.

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Letters to the editor Sir, Because I have been given an ‘earache’ by a number of Egremont’s electorate who brought to my notice the lack of access to both the actual ‘published’ monthly minutes and to the lack of financial information that they contain I bothered to look at Cleator Moor’s website and make a direct comparison.

I must compliment both Cleator Moor’s Clerk and their Councillors on having such good monthly minutes that also contain their tabulated monthly expenditure figures, etc., as well as their website providing information as to the how’s, where’s and printing costs of obtaining their annual expenditure accounts.

This brings me to this entry in Egremont Town Council’s December’s minutes (which incidentally are only published after approval by January’s meeting) that under item 101/15/16 Clerk’s Report: “Clerk confirmed she will be reducing her working hours to 3 days per week from January 4th and will officially retire at the end of March.” and until last week’s website update showing both a job advert and an application form for a 10hr per week Assistant Clerk there has been nothing else before or since.

This begs the question as to why apparently no public announcement has been made about the new clerk’s position and how it is to be filled. With February’s minutes yet to be published (and only likely after March’s meeting has approved them) the electorate are once again left in the dark by this present council’s inability to be both open and informative.

It is the electorate who pay the local precept that the Councillors spend and it is the electorate who want to see a similar approach to that taken by their Cleator Moor counterparts by any new Town Clerk with the support of the councillors.

It does not take 6 months to set up a website or even the 3 months taken so far to partly populate it with the information required nor does it take years to provide the electorate with the full details that should be in the public domain all it needs is a competent Clerk and a Democratically functioning council to ensure it is done.

Arthur Millie 6 Longcroft

Egremont CA22 2PT 01946 825593 Dear Sirs, Thank you to the activists and supporters in more than 200 countries who write millions of letters, emails and tweets as well as signing petitions for people who have been tortured, imprisoned without trial or who have simply spoken out.

As a result Amnesty has been able to put pressure on governments, leaders and decision-makers to make change happen. Successes have resulted in activists being released, prison conditions being improved, torturers being convicted and changes being made to abusive laws.

We have also been able to provide moral support to people being persecuted so that they know that there are people around the world like you who are thinking of them.

As a result of your efforts, in 2015, I am happy to report the following amounts raised: Walk for Life 2015 £876 South East Asian Buffet £205 Cakes and Carols £238 Christmas card sales £53.18 So we will be sending £1300 to Amnesty headquarters to continue the work necessary to highlight human rights abuses and to support those being abused.

Sedrick de Carvalho is a young activist in Angola where the regime has been in power since 1975.

He, along with 14 others, were arrested for their participation in a reading group, where young people discussed ideas about democracy and freedom.

After pressure was put on the Angolan authorities, he and the other activists were released from prison into house arrest.

They remain on trial.

Sedrick said: "I would like to thank Amnesty International for the support given during this critical period of our imprisonment.

Because of your support, we are no longer in prison, and I believe that you will continue to call for our unconditional release and to see human rights respected and democracy implemented."

And in Nigeria, Moses Akatugba, after several years in jail was granted a full pardon following an Amnesty campaign.

He was initially sentenced to death at the age of 16 for allegedly stealing three phones after being tortured to confess to a crime he says he never committed.

Over 800,000 activists sent letters demanding justice for Moses.

Moses said "My plans now I’m free are to continue my education and get as far as I always dreamt – I want to be a doctor to fulfil my late father’s wishes. But I’ll also be a human rights activist and help others who face the same challenges that I did”.

Alan Alexander Amnesty West Cumbria Sir, After receiving official Copeland Borough Council (CBC) confirmation that there is to be an additional election to be run in Egremont South Ward for a councillor to replace the long serving Councillor June Bland upon her announced resignation in January this year, I would like to thank the other 19 signatories to the initial form that was required by the CBC Returns Officer to bring about an election for the South Ward electorate to partake in.

The yet to be officially announced, but confirmed date of the 5th of May so that it will be run in conjunction with the Police and Crime Commissioners election provided, of course, that some nominees have come forward and submitted their applications by 4pm on the 7th of April to the CBC Returns Officer in Whitehaven.

This is the same date that the PCC nominees also have to submit their application as was pointed out in last week’s W-H News ‘Who wants to run our police’ article.

For any likely councillor nominee who has internet access there is a good official link to Part 1 - Can you stand for election? (either using http://goo.gl/rgGMDA) or entering this title on google) and the nominee application forms can be obtained from the CBC offices in Whitehaven, or at the Egremont Town Council office in the Market Hall.

Regards Arthur Millie 6 Longcroft, Egremont CA22 2PT

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont youth club, The Core, gets a revamp

By Rachael Grealish

YOUNG people have never had it so good! That’s often said by us old 'uns but in Egremont it just happens to be true!

That’s because the Egremont Youth Club, which meets at The Core in Chapel Street, has been revamped with a new roof, electrics, central heating and lights.

It’s been shut for a few weeks but there’s little doubt that all the work will have been worthwhile.

And now the youth workers Kathy McMullen and Sarah McNee, plus Academy peer volunteer, Ashleigh Dixon - are busy planning an exciting programme of events for 2016.

Kathy said: “It’s not just keeping them off the street, it’s about educating them in different things. Keeping them involved in a safe place.

“A lot of the ideas for projects do come from the young people themselves.”

There can be over 70 young people going through the doors each week and in the summer special trips and events are also organised, including canoeing, ghyll scrambling and the like.

Egremont Royal British Legion recently donated £750 to the Youth Partnership following a charity pool event.

Carole Woodman from the youth partnership said: "We should like to thank our funders, as we could not continue to operate without them:“Francis C Scott for the funds to buy the hall and fund the refurbishment with WREN; Copeland Community Fund and Cumbria Community Foundation for running costs, and the Police Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes, for funding the Cyber Cafe and Juice Bar." And she added: "We urgently need more volunteers to support and extend the sessions, particularly the Cyber Cafe and Juice Bar. “Even a few hours a month would be appreciated.

“We are also looking for a youth support worker and Trustees, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved!"

AS part of their 40th anniversary celebrations the Calvert Trust launched their new Go Herdwick trail on March Get ready and Go Herdwick: The Herdwick trail will be ready on March 25.

25 so look out for Florence the Zerdy sporting her Egremont Red, right, The trail features three ewes who (by Jenni Payne), the colourful creature below (by Sarah Taylor) and the took up residence at Florence Arts Ruskin inspired Flowery Ewe, above (by Karen McDougall).

- Photos by Robert Haile Centre while being prepared for their debut on the trail.

Artists Jenni Payne, Karen McDougall and Sarah Taylor had the honour of designing and painting three of the Herdwick ewes.

Jenni was responsible for ‘Florence the Zerdy’ (above left) who was painted using Egremont Red pigment.

Jenni said: “It's been super to be part of the Go Herdwick Public Art Trail and I've really enjoyed painting Florence the Zerdy. “ I hope it [the trail] will lift all spirits after the difficult time many people have had with the floods this winter.”

Zerdy, along with the other three ewes, was sponsored by the Derwent Cumberland pencils.

The regular events include:● Tuesdays: Cool Kids 4.30pm to 6pm for those aged 8 to 12 ● Wednesdays: 6pm to 7pm; projects for 12 plus including drugs, sexual health, team challenges ● Friday night project: Drop In, held in conjunction with Inspira, 6.30pm to 8.30pm for 11 plus. ● And Sarah is starting a cyber cafe on Saturday which includes a Smoothie Bar, which will teach internet safety and how to use the internet to search for jobs.

To have your group or society’s latest news and events feature, please contact us today at info@egremont2day.co.uk

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The Go Herdwicks have arrived!

The Calvert Trust said the Herdwick are ‘the most important sheep in the world’.

Herdwick are Cumbria’s native sheep and are ideally suited to life on the inhospitable high fells and mountains, grazing at up to 900m (3,000ft).

The three Egremont ewes will be placed in the Keswick part of the trail and will be seen grazing away outside the Derwent Cumberland Pencils popup shop.

The designs of the ewes were approved by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association - they made suggestions and tweaks to the shape of the ewes to ensure the life size statues captured the Herdwick’s unique qualities.

In Autumn the herd will be sent to a gala auction to raise funds for the Calvert Trust charity.

Jenni said: “The Calvert Trust do some amazing work and really deserve to raise lots of cash to help them transform lives.”

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Birds, boggles, lambs and foxes nature column by Wendy LeVoi

T

HIS afternoon I was surprised to see a barn owl hunting over the boggles,in brilliant sunshine; surely this is another sign of climate change affecting our wild life.

I watched in disbelief as it hovered ever closer to the ground, totally oblivious to our presence on the embankment until it decided to fly up towards us, stalling at the last minute and banking off in a seaward direction as huge brown eyes met mine.

I wonder how it manages to see its prey in these bright conditions?

Green plastic now surrounds the picnic bench and the area around it, as the developers plan their next move.

Last week the sea was as calm as a mill pond, the tide was high, and the breakers were rolling gently onto the shore.

Common ringed plovers idled the hours away by the waters edge, whilst groups of aptly named sanderlings chased the waves back into the sea, taking off at intervals in one perfectly synchronised group to skim the glittering water before coming to land further along the shore.

Today Braystones beach is an altogether different place, with the tide out as far as it can go, revealing an ancient world of stones, with Black

Combe straddling the southern horizon.

Today it is almost White Combe, being liberally sprinkled with snow, with the village of Seascale looking for all the world like a mountain village, nestling cosily beneath it. Strange how I never saw this side of my village when I was growing up.

Returning via the railway bridge I notice what looks like a small fox lying in the shallow waters of the Ehen.

But it is a little lamb, which must have been washed down the river from the nursery fields.

Sadly it didn't survive, though it was lying as if asleep on the river bed by the railway tunnel.

My spirits lifted again further along the embankment, when a siberian chiff chaff {YES!!} came into view in my binoculars.

These birds are a rare but regular visitor, arriving in early March, frequenting coastal bushes, willows and thickets near water.

This little chap sat on a fence post and chiff-chaffed away to its heart’s content.

There is a new picnic bench, where the old one had to be removed to complete the new drainage channel onto the boggles.

“How am I supposed to sit and have a picnic or spread out my Sunday papers on here?” complained a fellow rambler. “You'd need to be an orangutan to reach it.” Let's hope it's a temporary installation until a state of the art one can be made, preferably situated out of the wind, though that would probably mean it would be facing the new nuclear power station.

As I make my way home I watch a kestrel in the distance, hovering high in the sky over the boggles, wings beating ten to the dozen to sustain its position.

Words cannot express how I feel too, to be free like that kestrel, to roam through this wonderful coastal landscape that is linked so closely to the land of lakes and mountains on the horizon.

To lose it, even a bit of it, to my mind would be a terrible travesty.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

The Invasion has taken over The Beacon ALIENS, doctors and characters from a galaxy far, far away are just some of those among the Invasion that has taken over The Beacon, Whitehaven, from March 5 to June 5.

The exhibition boasts to have dozens of costumes, props and features from some of the greatest sci-fi films and shows.

From cult-programmes such as Red Dwarf, Doctor Who and Star Trek to blockbusters such as Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Alien (including the actual case Sigourney Weaver lay in), there is something for everyone.

Alex Farthing, curator of the exhibit and development officer at The Beacon, said: “We initially bought the exhibition for families, but when we put it up all of the staff were so excited with all the models and for adults it’s so exciting to get so close to the models and the costumes that were worn by the actors that the exhibition offers something to such a wide rage of ages.”

The exhibition is the start of a new expansion for The Beacon as it begins a new focus on science as well as history.

Ms Farthing said: “18 months ago we went into collaboration with Sellafield and opened the Sellafield story, which has meant a lot more people have come here with an interest in science, so over the next three years, we’re adding science to our history, heritage and culture themes.”

Invasion not only allows visitors to get up close and personal - and to snap a selfie - with some of their favourite film and television show characters, but offers a range of activities for young people during the Easter holidays.

The Small and Large scientist’s will be there to amuse and entertain children of all ages, making Alien refreshments and even toothpaste using blue alien blood and green alien snot.

The exhibition runs from March 5 to June 5 and information about free science sessions and book-able events visit: thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

The Force is strong at The Beacon: From Star Wars and Star Trek to Planet of the Apes, there’s something for everyone.

- photos by Robert Haile

It’s alive!: The scientists are here until June to make some weird and wonderful creations with alien blood and snot!

North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust launches a new pancreas and HPB service

A NEW specialist surgery service is launching at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for patients with benign (non-cancerous) diseases of the liver, biliary system and pancreas.

This is the first time pancreas and hepato pancreato biliary (HPB) surgery will be offered by North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Professor Ruben Canelo (left), consultant in general and hepato pancreato biliary surgery is pioneering the service.

Originally from Italy, he trained in Germany and worked for more than 10 years at Imperial College, London.

He is a professor of surgery, specialising in oncology and transplantation and is leading the programme for education and for F1/F2 trainee doctors since arriving in North Cumbria as well as conducting clinical research in surgery.

The new multi-disciplinary service provides a team of experienced surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, anaesthetists, intensive care physicians, nurse specialists and

dieticians, all dedicated to providing the best care for every patient.

There is also a new team of HPB clinical nurse specialists who can provide advice and support on all aspects of patient care, from the point of diagnosis throughout the treatment and to follow-up care.

The Trust treated 410 pancreatitis patients over the last two years and performed more than 470 cholecystectomies, bile duct explorations and benign liver pathologies.

The new service means there will be a wider variety of treatments on offer as well as research opportunities where the Trust can contribute to an increased knowledge of HPB conditions.

Professor Canelo, said: “It is exciting to be able to bring my experience to the Trust and enable us to offer a new service to our patients.

“Patient care is the reason we are all here. The aim of the NHS is to offer a first-class service to patients and hopefully, both through teaching and my own clinical work, this new surgery will help further improve our patient care.”

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Walls or Bridges? A Twopart report on Bangladesh

By Ken Ford-Powell

ken@egremont2day.co.uk

Part One

W

ELL I survived my trip to Bangladesh – did you miss me? No, never mind, better I don't know!

You may recall my nerves about going last month. Things are a bit volatile over there at the moment, with attacks on foreigners and religious minorities happening all too frequently.

Security was taken seriously as a result.

My wife and I were taken around by armed police guard to village clinics, where she assessed children with disabilities for three days.

Normally, while my wife does the useful work, I get to wander around taking photos and being nosey. I can travel for miles in the middle of

To advertise your service in this space will cost just £15. Email your wording to egremont2day@gmail.com or phone 01946 820875.

You’ll be reaching 13,000 homes.

nowhere in complete safety and be sure of conversation and hospitality from those I meet on the way. Not this time - it was like being under house arrest!

Nevertheless, I got to see a lot more of what goes on in these village clinics in the impoverished Northwest of the country.

Each day about 120 children came – from babies to teenagers with severe disabilities - and most had never received any treatment before.

Some were sent urgently to hospital. Even after ten years of an affair with this country, this was an eye-opener for me.

Tight security was still enforced in the capital city where I spent a week seeing friends.

April 2016 – Issue 61 I was under strict orders while in Dhaka to only take baby-taxis (where you're caged in) rather than open, visible pedal rickshaws which make foreigners a target.

Alas, when my taxi got stuck in traffic and dropped me in a part of the city I didn't recognise, I put myself in greater danger, wandering the busy back streets at night trying to find a landmark I recognised, rather than hop on a rickshaw to take me instantly home!

But, risky jaunts aside, it was yet another remarkable and refreshing time in that beautiful country.

The hospitality of the people is remarkable.

We were overwhelmed by the love of our many friends there; but I was amazed again how complete strangers – often poverty-stricken will gladly welcome you into their homes and feed you as best they can.

Nothing is too much trouble.

Getting deep for a moment, I can't help but be startled by the extremes: such welcome, despite a deep, brooding anger at how the West treats the rest of the world.

I look at the likes of Donald Trump and his wall-building antiMuslim rhetoric and feel dismayed at how we look to the 2/3rds world – and the Americans seem to love him!

Are we Brits any better, with our determination to keep refugees out as we watch what little they have bulldozed in Calais?

The world is undoubtedly a dangerous place – something we're no longer accustomed to here in the UK. But it is also a beautiful one and it would be a shame if we build walls – physical, economic or legal – to keep it out.

Better to build bridges. I'll pursue this theme further next time.

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day Use 2-4 leaves of lettuce to create a “tulip”, add a spoonful of fish mousse, at the bottom, push a scallop halfway into the mousse, making sure that the coral sticks out (to give extra colour), place on a tray and repeat the process until all the parcels are ready.

Plaice mousse with scallops and English lettuce A recipe by Jean-Christophe Novelli ● 1 tbsp white wine ● 1 slice of white bread with the crusts off ● 30ml double cream ● 3 tbsp double cream ● 1 lettuce head ● 1 egg white ● 1 tbsp of green pepper corn ● 1 clove of garlic finely chopped ● ¼tsp ground nutmeg ● Grated of ginger to taste ● 1 tsp honey ● Pinch of saffron ● 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped ● Salt and pepper

For the sauce

Serves 3-4 people Pre time 30 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients ● 300g plaice fillet chopped in to little pieces ● 8 large scallops (prawns or mussels could used instead)

● ● ● ● ● ●

3 red peppers 1tbsp honey 1 bay leaf ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 2 garlic cloves crushed Extra virgin olive oil

Method Place the peppers into a blender, blitz until smooth. Pour into a pan, add the honey and spices and reduce slowly,

until a syrup consistency is reached.

Remove from the fire and keep warm.

Mix the scallops with the wine, honey and season, cover and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Toast the bread then soak it in 3tbsp of cream and place in the fridge.

Place the fish in a blender with the bread, egg white, saffron, nutmeg, garlic and ginger and blitz until it forms a smooth paste. Whip the double cream and add to the paste and season, stir in the peppercorns and dill.

To cook: Pour some water in a pan and place a bamboo steamer over it, gently place the parcel on the steamer and cook. The cooking time will depend on the size of your parcel, 10 to 15 minutes approximately.

Instead of peppers you can use orange and cardamom, or beetroot juice and liquorice, the method will remain the same.

For a “melting” centre to the mousse, freeze the reduction in a bottle top and place from frozen in the centre of the mousse.

For a gentler steam add an extra tier to the steamer.

Place some ginger and lemon grass in the water bath for extra flavour.

To serve, warm the pepper sauce up, add the crushed garlic and olive oil and if too thick a drop of hot water, and dress.

Tips Instead of oil and water you can add a little cream to the pepper sauce.

Gerard Richardson MBE talks saying ‘I love you’ and a good Rioja

LAST night relaxing over a bottle of wine with my wife I said 'I love you'.

She said is that you or the wine talking, I said it's me talking to the wine!

Well, good folks of Egremont, the last column was all about rosé but I’ve been twiddling with the hairs on my chest and wondering whether you're ready for a tall tale with a bit of truth.

A few years ago a prominent international Wine Magazine acclaimed Australian wine as the best in the world overall. The year was 2001 which coincided with my one and only attempt to produce a commercial wine.

Before you let your minds wander, I didn’t use local vines from Cleator Moor or Egremont, nor is the Winery on Mirehouse or Kells.

What happened was that an Aussie chap turned up on my business doorstep unexpectedly and asked if I wanted a shark, yes, a shark.

Never one to avoid being tangled in a silly discussion I said yes and he disappeared to his hire car and came back with a life-size card cut-out of a great white shark to hang on the wall.

Then he introduced himself as Dr Richard Hamilton, a Gynaecologist who also makes wines in Australia and he offered me some samples.

Now at the time I was never short of confidence and when he started

talking about the English inability to make good wines, I challenged him to produce a blend to my spec and to my surprise he went back to the underworld land of spiders and animals that jump and did just that.

He sent a few samples over by post which I then advised on with tweaks and we ended up with a Shiraz Merlot - Cabernet blend which I called 'Menage a Trois', a name that will be lost if you don’t speak French but its well worth asking your old teacher to explain. Dr Hamilton then entered the blend into the Australian International Wine challenge and it won best in class, making me the best wine maker in Australia that year and if you believe the magazine, the best wine maker in the world!

Yes, that’s stretching the truth to breaking point but its my story not yours and I’m sticking to it!

We still stock some of Richard’s wines from time to time and they are absolutely stunning single-grape varieties, and if you ever see his Cabernet in the shop (usually at Christmas) it’s to die for.

Anyway it’s time to recommend a wine to try for Easter, so what goes well with overpriced chocolate and family gatherings?

And the winner is Rioja, preferably a Grand Reserva and we will talk about the style in more detail next time but all you need to know for now is that a decent Rioja is soft, creamy and fudge like.

They have easy laid back fruits and won’t line Gran’s false teeth with tea bag stains, nor will your snooty Auntie be able to trump you with her latest purchase from Waitrose.

Best of all, Rioja goes with just about everything whether white meat or red but its particularly fabulous with a good old fashioned roast.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

April 2016 – Issue 61

United Utilities announce new borehole scheme in West Cumbria Going underground A Borehole water scheme to help keep Ennerdale wet, wild and wonderful is nearing completion.

United Utilities has been working on a project to tap into naturally-occurring underground water sources in the area, to help supply local homes and ease the pressure on Ennerdale’s lake currently the primary water source for homes and businesses in west Cumbria.

The project has seen engineers dig four 100 metre deep boreholes in close proximity, between Egremont and Thornhill. Water from underground aquifers will be pumped up from the boreholes, and then transported along a new 10 mile pipe to Ennerdale water treatment works.

Once at the treatment works, the borehole water will be treated and blended with water from Ennerdale, before being transported to local homes.

Nearly there…

Work on the scheme began in August 2014. The pipeline is now complete, and within the next month, United Utilities will be ready to trial the new borehole pumping equipment.

Along the way, United Utilities has had to negotiate some significant engineering challenges, such as tunnelling beneath the A595 trunk road to lay a section of the new pipe.

Paul Wheadon from United Utilities said: “The project has certainly had its technical challenges, but it has been worth it, as this is such an important

project for the area.

“It will allow us to reduce the amount of water we take from Ennerdale, by making use of underground sources.

“Local people have been extremely patient and helpful during the project.

We couldn’t have done it without them!”

Saying thanks By way of thanks to the local community, United Utilities, supported by environmental charity Groundwork, will be creating a new community play area opposite the local primary school in Ennerdale.

Plans are shaping up well, and the scheme will include an all-weather, multi-use pitch. Work is due to commence this spring.

What’s next?

The new boreholes are by no means the end of the story for the future of west Cumbria’s water supplies.

United Utilities has applied for planning permission for a major new pipeline from Thirlmere reservoir to west Cumbria, to create a long term solution to the area’s water needs.

Ultimately, this will mean that United Utilities can stop taking water from Ennerdale entirely, preserving sensitive local wildlife habitats, as well as supporting the future economic growth of west Cumbria.

● To find out more, please visit unitedutilities.com/cumbria

Richard Johnson looks at Inheritance Planning…

ADVERTISEMENT

What Is Inheritance Planning?

I

F you would like to guarantee your intended beneficiaries will actually inherit what you intend to leave them then ‘just having a Will’ achieves very little. By the time it becomes effective there may be very little left to pass on.

Inheritance planning is to do with the protection of your assets such as your house and savings.

You have to be pro-active. If you wish to be sure your house will still be there for your beneficiaries then giving your home its own separate legal status is a good move. It takes it out of your estate and also allows you to live in it for the remainder of your life. You can even move house. Similarly, your savings can be protected through the use of a Will trust. This ensures that, for example, the first deceased’s savings cannot be taken to pay the Care Fees of the surviving spouse or partner.

Inheritance planning has to be done well ahead of any indication that a person is beginning to lose mental capacity. It needs to be carefully thought out and the relevant documents need to be prepared by qualified competent people who are experienced in this field of work.

01900 85269 or 07745 225 491 richard@wills-in-cumbria.co.uk www.wills-in-cumbria.co.uk

page 9

Egremont Mum named Shoe Zone SuperMum 2015

LORRAINE Young (above) from Egremont has now been crowned Shoe Zone’s SuperMum of the Year 2015 following her monthly title win in June last year.

She received 43 per cent of the votes from the discount retailer’s Facebook fans and has won £150 worth of Shoe Zone vouchers which she is hoping to donate to charity.

Lorraine was nominated for the title SuperMum of the Month by her mum, Helen, for her unfailing dedication to her family despite the many challenges she has faced.

Lorraine’s eldest daughter Jamie is autistic, and Lorraine had to give up her career in the Army to look after her.

After leaving the Army, Lorraine had hoped to go into the police force but with Jamie’s difficulties it was impossible, as she wasn’t coping in the school environment.

Lorraine gave up all chances of joining the police to care for and tutor Jamie herself.

Jamie’s autism means that she has a tendency to bite or chew anything within reach – a dangerous condition common in many autistic children.

Working closely with Dragon’s Den company, Chewigem, the family have been able to soothe Jamie effectively.

Last Summer, Lorraine took a position at the company and now helps other families by reaching out to them on social media channels.

“I was delighted to be nominated for Shoe Zone’s SuperMums competition by my mum last year, and couldn’t believe I had won the national title last week! I’m absolutely thrilled.” said SuperMum Lorraine.

“Life can be tough looking after Jamie, her autism means that she can struggle with the smallest of things, and I had no option but to leave work and look after her due to hospital appointments.

“It’s great that I can now make a difference to people’s lives through my work with Chewigem.

“Every mum out there deserves the SuperMum title for the things that they do for their children!”

High-street and online retailer, Shoe Zone launched the SuperMums competition in early 2015 to celebrate everything mums do for their families day in, day out, and give something back to all the marvellous mums out there.

Naomi Shefford, Marketing Director at Shoe Zone said: “There are so many mums across the UK who put their family’s needs above their own, and we launched the campaign to give something back to some of the unsung heroines who are selfless and loving at all times.

“Shoe Zone has been making sure mums and their families step forward in affordable style for almost 100 years.

“When we heard Lorraine’s story in June last year, we knew she particularly deserved a SuperMum accolade. We’re thrilled that she has been voted SuperMum of the Year.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign over the last 12 months and well done to all of our SuperMum of the Month winners.”

To find out more information about Shoe Zone’s SuperMums campaign, visit www.shoezone.com/SuperMums

page 10

April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Youngsters benefit from career advice and Phoenix Youth Project’s ‘Role Model’ scheme On his visit, Garry Bedford, a scaffolding supervisor from BEPDT, who also runs his own superheroes company, turned up dressed as Superman.

Garry said: “I had a great time and it was very well received by the young people of the club. I played pool, arm wrestled and took part in a Q & A session.”

During the visit Heroes of the future benefited from career advice provided by local companies reaching Garry talked about his out through the new Role Models scheme.

-Photo submitted career path and the lessons he’s learned YOUNGSTERS benefited from career The scheme was developed to during his working life. advice from a scheme developed by the help youngsters attending the centre Dianne Richardson, socioBox Encapsulation Delivery Team make informed decisions about their economic manager for the BEPDT, (BEPDT - a joint venture of Amec, future by benefiting from informal said: “Throughout our project we hope Foster Wheeler, Balfour Beatty and conversations with experienced to work with our supply chain, as well Jacobs), Carrs Engineering and professionals from the nuclear as in collaboration with our client Phoenix Youth Project. industry.

Sellafield Ltd, to bring the most longterm benefit possible to our local community.

“As part of this we talked to Carrs Engineering, one of our first suppliers to be awarded a sub contract, and together with Phoenix Youth Project identified that youngsters in the area could benefit from our professionals visiting the Youth Centre and sharing their career stories in an informal way.

“It’s wonderful that members of our team are prepared to give up their evenings to support the project.”

In the first few weeks of the project the youngsters have also been visited by Ivan Baldwin, Business Development Director from Carr’s

Engineering, and Stefan Mrugalski, Commercial Manager at BEPDT. Further visits covering a variety of roles are planned over the next few weeks.

Joanne Ritson, Community Relations Coordinator for Carrs, said: “We hope that the scheme will inspire the youngsters to realise that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

“We are looking to bring other companies on board which will really widen the scope for knowledge sharing and experience with the young people, and will also allow us to take this scheme to other groups and communities who will benefit from this unique project.

“I believe it’s not just the youngsters who can gain from this interaction.

“It gives us as employers a real insight in to what they want for the future and what is stopping them from going out and getting it.”

Paul Rowe, Project Manager of The Phoenix Youth Project, said: “Phoenix Role Models is a great way to help raise aspirations and confidence in our young people.

“The lack of understanding of the vast and varied opportunities in West Cumbria creates a culture of low confidence and aspirations in young people. A big thank you to our first two of, hopefully many, role models as this scheme gathers pace.”

• For organisations that are interested in becoming part of Phoenix Role Models please contact Dianne Richardson on 07790 943 647 for an informal conversation.

NEWS IN BRIEF Santon Bridge festival returns this Easter THE popular Santon Bridge Art, Craft, and Local Food Festival takes place this year on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3.

All event proceeds are going towards improving and maintaining the hall. The event is continuing with the format of exhibiting and selling art and craft as well as a variety of foods from Cumbrian producers.

Additional attractions at the event include the refreshments, free entrance and ample free parking.

Open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Lawrence Eden will keep going forward OUR thoughts go out to Lawrence Eden Kitchens whose showroom on Sneckyeat Industrial Estate, Hensingham, was destroyed by fire last month.

They are continuing to operate but it will be a while before their showroom is back up and running.

Meanwhile you can contact them on 01946 67450; they are based at Unit 8C on Sneckyeat Industrial Estate. We wish them well as they recover from the devastating blow.

Lamplugh look back to the way they were HISTORIAN Jenni Lister will give a talk on public health in Whitehaven from days gone by when she speaks to Lamplugh Heritage Society.

Her talk is on Thursday, March 24 at 7.30pm in Lamplugh Village Hall. Admission is £2 which includes refreshments.

Monster good film at Gosforth Public Hall GOSFORTH Public Hall is turned into Gosforth Cinema on Friday, April 15 when it shows Hotel Transylvania at 7pm.

The family orientated animated film tells how a group of monsters keen to get away from it all for a few days - retire to the lavish resort of Hotel Transylvania run by Count Dracula.

But when an ordinary human accidentally turns up for the party it’s the start of some unexpected chaos.

Keekle Village Hall to host open evening KEEKLE Village Hall is hosting an open meeting on Wednesday, April 20 at 7pm when everyone is invited to turn up and suggest ideas and events they would like to see at the hall.

The next music gig at Keekle Village Hall is on Friday, April 1, when The Maverick is the main act, offering 1950's music and style, and modern songs with a rockabilly twist.

The support is the Karter duo.

Doors open at 7pm and you can take your own tipple. For tickets call 07546 558408 or call into the Keekle Pub.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

SASRA review

by Jane Holland THE Rivoli String Quartet entertained over 60 people in the Market Hall at the beginning of March.

Amelia Jones and Helen Tonge (violins), Alexandra Wakeling (viola) and Helen Downham (cello) joined forces in 1999 to form the quartet.

Mutual understanding development since then was evident as they entered the Hall and launched straight into String Quartet in F Major by Mozart. Vibrato, although present throughout, on occasion helped the instruments to sing.

The excellent execution of phrasing brought the polyphonic texture of the first movement to life but throughout the piece, dynamics and a subtle balance between the instruments enhanced the performance.

Prior to the next piece, we were told a little background about the composer to provide a context for the music we were about to hear. Erwin Schulhoff was an early 20th century Jew from Czechoslovakia, living in Germany.

He was involved with experimental music, such as using quarter tones and wrote a piece consisting of rests long before John Cage composed his 4’33”.

Russian Communism influenced him and his later work.

He died of TB in a German concentration camp during 1942.

We were treated to Schulhoff’s String Quartet No 1, written during the 1920s. His Czech background was particularly evident in the style of the third movement.

Throughout the four movements we were treated to a wide range of techniques, from pizzicato to a selection of sounds produced by the bow attacking the string in different ways, for example, bouncing or scrapping.

At some points mutes were attached to the bridges of the instruments, affecting both the volume and timbre of the sound produced. Consequently some sections gave the impression that they could have come from a science fiction film.

The final movement ended with a cello ‘tick-tock’ motif which became more intermittent and stopped as the piece died out.

The audience reacted by giving the ending space before bursting into applause.

Overall the quartet gave a very accomplished performance of a complex piece, which people found accessible, perhaps due its suitability for live performance: it was visual as well as aural.

After refreshments, provided by the Cumbria-Rungwe Community Link, we were treated to a performance of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet in D Minor, Death and the Maiden. Again the sensitive execution of phrasing and accurate rests enhanced the performance of this well-known piece.

However, a little more vocal interaction with the audience might have added an extra sparkle to the concert.

Alexandra smiled often enough to convey her enjoyment. In all it was a very enjoyable evening for the SASRA Music & Arts group. ● The AGM is on Friday 6th May at 7.30pm in the Market Hall Supper Room, when the Croasdale Recorder Players are due to provide entertainment.

April 2016 – Issue 61

page 11

Attendance Allowance & Disability Living Allowance – Can I claim both?

WANTED: pet heroes, as Blue Cross pet charity calls for medal nominations 2016

of her husband’s benefit because his care needs had dramatically increased over the last few years as a result of Dementia.

Connie didn’t feel confident to complete the paperwork and was pleased to gain our support, she was also supported to apply for a Council Tax reduction as a result of her husband’s WEST Cumbria Carers are now holding benefits clinics throughout Copeland for people who care for a family member or friend with an illness or disability.

Our Benefits Support Worker Gillian is available to provide help to apply for a host of benefits including Carers Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.

She can also assist with Council Tax discounts and referrals to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Gillian recently met with 71 year old Connie* who cares for her husband Geoff*, aged 77.

Connie wanted to know if her husband was eligible for Attendance Allowance following a recent diagnosis of Dementia. Geoff already receives Disability Living Allowance at a low rate.

He receives this because he has struggled for years with painful rheumatoid arthritis.

Gillian supported Connie to make contact with the Department of Work & Pensions for a reassessment

dementia.

If you are caring for someone who was in receipt of DLA before they hit 65 and their care needs have increased then they can’t claim another health based benefit, however they are entitled to a reassessment of their needs if they are on a lower rate and have experienced increase in their care and mobility needs.

Clinics are held in the following venues: ● Whitehaven Library on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10am & 11am ● Seascale Library on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1pm & 2pm ● Millom Library on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10am & 11am Appointments can be booked by calling us on 01900 821 976. (*Names have been changed).

CALLING all courageous cats, daring dogs, brave bunnies and heroic horses.

Blue Cross pet charity is appealing for tales of hero pets as it opens nominations for the Blue Cross Medal 2016.

From life-saving search and rescue dogs, to caring companion cats, the Blue Cross Medal celebrates the important role pets play in our lives.

Sally de la Bedoyere, Blue Cross Chief Executive and one of the judges for last year’s medal, said: “The Blue Cross medal is our way of honouring the connection we have with our pets – the winner’s story could be as simple as a pet that has changed someone’s life with the bond they share, or as dramatic as a daring rescue.”

Previous winners include inspirational rescue dog turned Pets as

Therapy dog, Bonnie, who spent years helping vulnerable people in her community, and amazing Medical Detection dog, Daisy, who detected cancer in her owner, as well as hundreds of others.

The Blue Cross Medal was reinstated in 2014 to mark the centenary of the First World War when it first awarded a number of medals to honour horses which had served in the war.

Sick, injured and homeless pets have relied on Blue Cross since 1897 and the charity played an important role providing veterinary care to horses during World War One. Deadline for entries is 31 October 2016. To nominate a pet and find out more, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/medal

page 12

Egremont and Cleator Moor

*World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book

A booktastic week in Egremont

By Rachael Grealish – with photos by Robert Haile SCHOOLS throughout Egremont and district paid homage to their authors and stories as they dressed up for World Book Day 2016.

We visited Bookwell, and Orgill primary schools [of Egremont] on World Book Day to see how all the kids had got involved on Thursday March 3 and we also visited St Bridget’s on Friday March 4 for their celebrations.

From Disney, Harry Potter characters, and Where’s Wally to Red Queens and Cheshire Cats, Bookwell School pupils had many unique and fantastic costumes from all pupils.

Orgill Primary wasn’t short of Disney Princesses, Marvel Heroes and Jedi as they celebrated their favourite books.

Orgill School also had their pupils come back for a bedtime story with their teachers for the infant pupils and junior pupils had a sleepover in the school.

St Bridget’s RC Painting the roses red: The Red Queen reigns at primary continued their Bookwell Primary School. tradition of holding an

Best Gruffalo pose: Each class in St Bridget’s studied a different book for the week before dressing up as their favourite characters. (Above) Where’s Wally?: There were plenty of Wally look-a-likes at Bookwell Primary. (Below) annual book week, rather than just World Book Day. Each class chose one book to focus on for the course of Book Week which meant Reception class could give their best growls with the Gruffalo.

Suzanne Smith, headteacher of St Bridget’s primary, said: “We consider literacy to be a basic building block for education; reading expands children’s knowledge, opens their minds, develops creativity and provides endless entertainment.

“Whilst our children are positively encouraged to exploit and enjoy technological advances, we are happy to remind them there’s nothing better than a good book.”

Throughout the Egremont and district every child made a tremendous effort with their costumes to celebrate a love of books.

2Day – April 2016 – Issue 6

page 13

Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016**World Book Day 2016*

Books from a galaxy far far away: Orgill school pupils dressed up as character from Star Wars, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter, among others. (Above) Wicked Witch of the forest: The wicked witch took a class at Bookwell. (Below) Stand and deliver: St Bridget’s class five took on the Highway Man as their Book Week story. (Above) Heroes and Princesses: Orgill school had plenty of superheroes to save the princesses in class one. (Below)

page 14

April 2016 – Issue 61

Jamie Reed Copeland MP: Local health services need more money THE quality and accessibility of our local health services is one of the most important things to our community.

These services touch us all: they help bring us into this world and, inevitably, they have a role in helping us out of it.

This is why the ongoing Success Regime process should be so important to all of us.

Last week’s publication of the public progress report by the Success Regime with regard to the West Cumberland Hospital provides nothing that is set in stone.

Much of the report should be welcomed, but some elements should have us on our guard.

Let me be absolutely clear, yet again: consultant led maternity services at the WCH are non negotiable.

The Success Regime is a genuine attempt to improve healthcare in our area – that’s why I asked NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens to introduce such a process (the alternative was service closures and likely administration) and it’s worth noting the improvements in this report in contrast to recent thinking by the

government and by the local hospitals trust.

In October last year, under former Chief Executive Ann Farrar, WCH was faced with a slash and burn approach.

A&E was set to become a minor injuries unit and what was to follow would have been catastrophic.

Sir Neil McKay – the man responsible for the Success Regime – is working hard to make this process work for us. Stephen Eames, the new Chief Executive of our hospitals trust is regarded as one of the most effective in the country. David Rogers, local GP and the Medical Director of our Clinical Commissioning Group is lifting every stone in an attempt to craft a solution that works.

Theirs is the hardest job in the NHS in England. I’m not a spokesperson for the Success Regime, but it’s important to be honest about their efforts.

So far, Cumbria is the problem that refuses to be solved.

The Success Regime talks the language and appears to share the ambitions that I have pushed for over

many years.

It talks of us becoming an “..international centre of excellence for integrated health and care provision in rural, remote and dispersed communities…” as has always been my intention; it links this ambition to the new UCLan medical school at Westlakes.

In addition, the report makes it clear that the acquisition of our local hospital trust by Northumbria is “no longer appropriate”.

It also makes it clear that more operations are intended to be carried out at WCH than happens now, with some patient flows being returned from Carlisle.

Big improvements, but not yet enough. And this is before we consider our smaller hospitals, GP surgeries and the emaciated children’s and adult services provided by Cumbria County Council.

Emaciated as a result of

government cuts. Because ultimately, the Success Regime will only succeed if government gives it the resources it needs to succeed.

No ifs, no buts: these are the cold, hard facts. There are undoubtedly structural problems with our local NHS, but all roads lead to this conclusion: it costs more to provide health services in a community like ours than it does in an urban location.

The government must recognise this and act accordingly.

It was hard work to attract the money for the new WCH. Harder still to get the project reinstated after David Cameron and George Osborne cancelled the project (albeit with less money).

Nonetheless, I’ve continued to work to attract money for our hospital (and smaller hospitals) including the building of the new Health Centre at Cleator Moor, and now there is silence on Phase 2 of the rebuild (the scheme

Richardson’s Wines opens doors to help out flooded Grasmere Gingerbread Company

Grasmere is open for business: After the flooding companies across Cumbria are supporting each other to say Cumbria is open for business.

- photo by Robert Haile

whereby the site is finished and the existing buildings are modernised).

I lobbied for a £32m grant for the WCH that was approved in January last year, but since then nothing has happened, work has stopped and the fate of phase 2 is unclear.

Yet again, I’ve called upon government to act and will be making the arguments for our services – again – in the budget debate in the House of Commons. In this regard, I’ve already written to George Osborne setting out our needs and our concerns.

To secure what we need, it requires every single one of us to take part in the Success Regime process, but ultimately, more than any other issue, this is about money.

Make no mistake, government has the power to solve these problems.

We’re about to discover if it wants to, but I’ll do everything I can to ensure that it does.

RICHARDSON’S Wines opened its doors to Grasmere Gingerbread, allowing them to make a miniature pop-up shop on Saturday March 5.

Grasmere Gingerbread were one of the many unfortunate companies to suffer from the floods at the end of last year. The Grasmere Gingerbread said: “We’re really grateful for Gerard [Richardson] letting us in the shop.

The flooding last year and this was devastating for so many businesses.”

Mr Richardson said the shop has had a close connection with Grasmere Gingerbread for 20 years and it is important to support other local businesses, especially in their time of need.

The Grasmere Gingerbread will be back in Richardson’s on March 26 and are hoping for another sell out.

After the TV, it’s time for a quick dose of reality

E

VERY time I turn on the television these days there is yet another programme about vets.

However, despite what the programmes show, a lot of my working day is not spent performing heroic life-saving surgery but rather doing routine work like putting my arm up the back end of a cow or vaccinating pets. What surprises me is how many owners bring their pets in for routine vaccinations without understanding why they are coming in except that their vet has sent them a reminder.

Recently we have changed dog vaccines and this has led to a lot of conversations about what diseases the vaccinations protect dogs from.

The main change is that there are newer strains against a disease called Leptospirosis which is carried by rats and shed in their urine. It causes a severe fever and can result in kidney failure if left untreated. The other big disease in dogs that is prevented by vaccination is parvo virus.

This is a horrible condition that can affect dogs of all ages but especially younger ones. It causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and can end up with the dog dying of dehydration. We regularly have puppies in from this area with the disease and end up putting them on a drip for a few days to try and save their lives. Apart from

Cute - but in need of care: Your puppies need protection. Picture: Ted Fu

these diseases, the vaccines cover hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and distemper- which used to be called “hard pad” and was more common before vaccinations became routine.

As if sticking a needle in the dog wasn’t enough we can upset them even more by giving them a vaccination against kennel cough up their noses.

This is a terrible name as we see more cases in dogs that don’t go into kennels. It is more like flu, with dogs coughing over each other wherever they congregate and then starting with

a dry, hacking cough and a fever that can make them very sick, very quickly.

Cats needn’t think they will miss out either. Due to their tendency to argue with each other they need protecting against cat flu and enteritis (or inflammation of the stomach) and leukaemia which stops their immune system working properly.

So I guess that when we give these “routine” vaccinations we are saving lives.

Oh and don’t forget it is now illegal to have a dog that is not microchipped.

- Andrew Robinson, Millcroft Vets

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

REVIEW by Alan Cleaver: Dracula at Santon Bridge Village Hall And while it has been re-invented in film, video games and on stage many times, actor David Mynne put his take on it at Santon Bridge Village Hall last month.

The talented Mr Mynne staged it as a oneman show in an event supported by Arts Out West.

The Cornish actor has made the thousand-mile round trip before with his one-man show, Great Expectations. You would think he'd make it a twoman show if only so he had someone to share the For many Christopher Lee is the ultimate driving.

Just a few simple props Dracula - but David Mynne gave a biting and a minimum of 'stage' performance in his one-man show. lighting enabled him to conjure up a slimmed-down IT is over 100 years since Bram Stoker version of the gothic classic. penned Dracula, but it's appeal remains It begins, of course, with as strong as ever.

Jonathan Harker making the journey

April 2015 — Issue 61

to Dracula's castle in Transylvannia and encountering the family of vampires determined to uproot from their eastern European home and take up a new seaside residence at Whitby in England.

It was a simple re-telling of the often complex original tale (this adaptation was by Andrew McPherson) and at times it was hard to believe there was only one man on the stage.

The audience seemed gripped from start to finish - and the Santon Bridge crew had even laid on suitably themed nibbles for the interval (garlic bread featured of course but sadly no steaks!).

If there was a weakness it was trying to decide whether the show was comedy or horror.

For many, the idea of vampires flapping about is rarely going to be scary but there weren't enough laughs to make this comedy either; it ended up falling between two stools.

But entertaining it certainly was.

And damned impressive acting it certainly was.

Watch out for more Arts Out West events at Santon Bridge and other venues.

Top quality arts heads out west

By Alan Cleaver MANY people think West Cumbria is left out when it comes to statesponsored high quality arts. And they're right!

With the Arts Council giving to London folk about £50 per head each year, West Cumbrians get about £4 a year - there is a tremendous imbalance and unfairness that should be put right.

That's unlikely to happen soon but in the meantime there's an organisation trying to do its bit for arts in the rural communities.

It's called Arts Out West, and they help fund some top class acts to come to "the end of the world".

Their 2016 programme is just kicking off and you'll find artists at venues such as Muncaster Parish Hall, Gosforth Public Hall, The Kirkgate at Cockermouth, and many others.

In May for example you'll find Patchwork Opera going to Gosforth Public Hall (on May 7).

You will rarely find a chance to hear opera (with notable exceptions provided by Rosehill Theatre) but Opera A La Carte is promised on May 7 with works by Verdi, Mozart, Puccini and Gilbert & Sullivan.

This is a chance to introduce yourself or younger members of the family to opera, as the music will be some of the more 'tuneful bits' and it will be performed in a quirky and gentle style.

If drama is more your thing then watch out for Joe Sellman-Leava (above) on May 27 at The Beggar's Theatre, Millom.

His show, Labels, is a winner of a Fringe First and a Holden Street

Theatres Award, but you can see it just down the road at Millom. It's a funny, moving and true story about mixed heritage and multiculturalism in the 1990s.

Pick up an Arts Out West leaflet from various outlets or visit www.artsoutwest.com for more information. The London-bias for arts funding is still outrageous but at least Arts Out West can soften the blow!

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April 2016 — Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Ruth Sutton - giving a narrative to real Cumbrian events and lives Teacher turned author Ruth Sutton talks to Rachael Grealish about her series of books based in Cumbria that cover the fictional lives of Cumbrian characters from the 1910’s to the 1960’s.

S

OME people wake up one day and decide to an author, but for Ruth Sutton, it was different.

Ruth was trained as a teacher, she enjoyed writing and she was good at it, so upon retirement she did just that she wrote a novel.

Ruth Sutton, isn’t local to

Cumbria but, after years of travelling to here as a child and now living here in retirement, she decided to base her series of books in villages and towns on the west coast.

Her books; The Good Liar, Forgiven, and Fallout, follow the characters of the same family from the

first book’s heroine, Jessie.

Ruth’s most recently released book Cruel Tide is the beginning of a new series, yet still retains the families and descendants from the first three.

One of the wonderful things about Ruth’s books is that they flow into the next, but each work is a stand alone book for the reader.

Her character’s personalities emulate that of real people.

Ruth said: “Each of my main characters has a story board of their lives. Most of them I know where they’re from, where they went to school, their favourite food, drink where and what they did at university.

“I think they’re believable as real characters because to they are real - to me.”

A Good Liar follows the life of teacher Jessie who gives up her baby for adoption during the chaos of the Great War. Twenty years later Jessie is the head teacher of a a school, but soon her past comes to haunt her - in the form of her long-lost son.

Forgiven, again, follows Jessie’s life in post-war Cumbria and Jessie is still struggling to get by.

But this novel strays north to Whitehaven and the lives of ‘screen lasses’ in Haig pit. Among them, Maggie Lowery.

And the third Fallout follows what it was like inside Sellafield during the infamous fire of 1957.

An occurring theme throughout these three novels is they all have a heavy presence of strong female characters.

Ruth said: “Those women in the mines basically did exactly what the men did, it was just as hard, but they didn’t get paid as much for it. What Jessie went through happened to so many women, but she was strong, as a lot of them where, and she got on with it.”

All of Ruth’s books give an interesting and compelling narrative to real events and occurrences in Cumbria.

From disaster in the mines to problems with nuclear power; Ruth

Ruth with the beautiful backdrop of Cumbria which, over the years, she grew to love and make her home and the setting for her series of books -photo by Robert Haile covers the evolution of Cumbria in pointing out how it changed in such short years.

She said: “In the village I live in they didn’t even have electric until the early fifties and only a couple of years later they were building Sellafield.

Ruth also taps in to real cultural and social issues at the times the books are set; such as the role of women in work and illegitimate pregnancies.

Both issues that where mirrored throughout the UK during pre and postwar Britain.

Ruth said that her way of writing the original trilogy was driven by the characters, but it was different when beginning writing her most recent novel, Cruel Tide.

Cruel Tide is Ruth’s first crime thriller with a very current-theme of the exposure of child abuse.

She said: “When it comes to writing a crime novel I really needed to have my story planned, I had to know all my plot twists and how it would end for it to work.

“People need to be able to follow a good plot. Obviously, my characters are important, but because how I’d worked on previous books that came rather naturally to me.”

Ruth first published her first book in 2012, and though she was nervous about releasing her first novel, she was no stranger to having her name on a shop bookshelf.

“I was an educational advisor and I’d had my work published all over the northern States of the US and Canada and the UK, but becoming a self-published author seemed like a natural step because I loved writing, and I was good at it.”

Though, Ruth hasn’t left her teaching career behind, she now holds workshops on how to write a novel.

Ruth said: “I held a workshop and had everyone write out their process for their books and their steps for it and someone phone me up and said ‘I’ve done it, I’ve finished my book’ and it was brilliant. I felt very proud.

“Like when I was a teacher and pupils used to come back and tell me how they were doing, that’s what you want. You want to know that all that hard work has paid off.”

Ruth’s books are available online on Amazon as well as in many local shops up and down the coast, including Lowes Court Gallery in Egremont.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

April 2016 – Issue 61

short service commission then after four years, then once that was up he applied for a full position.

Throughout his years in the pits, the war and the RAF, Jimmy said his greatest partner in all his adventures with his wife as she and his two boys travelled everywhere with him.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

James Kyles talks to Rachael Grealish about how he went from Keekle “Dorothy [Jimmy’s wife] was my pit boy to RAF wing commander and the book of all his tales. next door neighbour when I lived in Keekle - that’s how we met.” Jimmy explained.

12 tubs to a set, linked to “But she hated me at first. When I a rope and for some used to get up early in the morning for reason the links got the bus to work, she used to go mad at severed or disconnected my clog dance on the door step and this set of tubs came though she didn’t tell me that ’til rolling down the hill. later.”

“Somebody heard it Jimmy took his wife and his two and yelled, but it was too sons to as many of the destinations, for late, I was hit by the tubs work, as he could - his family and ended up buried favourite being Cyprus. underneath this hole.”

“Cyprus was one of my favourite Miners had reserved occupation in the war, but places. It was wonderful to take Dorothy and the boys around the Jimmy wanted out of the island, exploring. pits and into the air.

“We got to see it all, it was before Jimmy said: “By 1940 most of the men, the the time of tourism. When we first got there they’d only started excavating fit men, had gone to war these Roman ruins, by time we were and I said to a friend one leaving it was dug up and you could day ‘I’m going to get out go see it.” of the pits’.

Stand out moments in the book “I tried to get release include Kyles deployment in Eygpt for two years - in 1940 during the Suez Canal Crisis and and 41 - and they said James Kyles, now 94, with his map of having a £25 bounty on his head to the we’d like to accept you, everywhere he’s been in Britain occasional Cumbrian wit such as - photos by Robert Haile but we can’t as you’re in “Everyone said how lucky we were – a reserved occupation. with Anglesey’s lovely mild climate.

“In ’42 I tried again, N 1942 a 20 year old miner stood Guess what? We had the snowiest, but this time I persuaded the pit with letter in hand as the he tried to coldest spell on record.” manager to give me a letter saying: if enlist in the RAF. He had been Jimmy spoke of some of his they took me he would release me.” accepted previously but had been told memories from these times.

He then added with a chuckled: he couldn’t as he was a miner. But this He said: “It was difficult with the “and it worked.” time he had made sure he was going to troubles in Egypt and it eventually got There was many occupations for war. to the point we had to send our young men during the war, but flying As he approached 55 in 1977 this families home as we had always ex-miner was about to retire as a Wing wouldn’t be able to called to Commander.

“This chap looked me up get food for them.”

Jimmy since James ‘Jimmy’ Kyles from Keekle “Though we is now 94 and has written about his life he was young. and down and said ‘Well, noticed at the time, “There in the RAF. well, well; Jimmy Kyles, because it was a Starting with his life in the village, used to be a difficult time, local chap who was Jimmy was only 14 when he became a families cottoned on it Gentleman!’” an aviator for a miner, he went down to the mine, in his was safer for them to flying circus Sunday best, with his father when he go shopping when we did.” that came to Moresby and we went to had someone stop him.

Jimmy started to write his book Jimmy said: “This chap looked me see them. after his wife passed away when he “We had no money, of course, up and down and said ‘Well, well, well; but you could’ve got a flight for a few was 80.

Jimmy Kyles, Gentleman!’”

He said: “People used to say: shillings. But that really helped me From this early on this would be “Why don’t you write a book?” And at with my decision for the RAF it was one of moments in Jimmy’s memories the time I would say I don’t have time, the right choice too.” that would represent the significant but as I began to slow down I decided Three years training done and he moments in his life and make up his I would start putting it together. was off in the air, or as Jimmy said: emotive and compelling book.

Jimmy’s books paints a fantastic “We had a month in England to teach Jimmy had short employment in colour about life in West Cumbria pre, us our left foot from our right then the mines, it was only six years, but was during and post-war. off to Canada.” still long enough to be involved in one It’s a fascinating coming-of-age Jimmy was primarily a navigator of the many mining accidents. true story a new must-read for the and bomb aimer once he was trained.

Jimmy said: “You don’t think area.

After the war Jimmy decided to about how frightening it can be, it was a The book costs £5 with proceeds matter of survival. You just get on with stay in the RAF and not got back to pit going to Cancer Research, Keekle work. it.

Village Hall and St. John’s Church, Because Jimmy was married at “I was in the bottom of the pit one Hensingham. Contact: 10946 694957 the time he decided to stay in for a day and there was a set of tubs, about

Jimmy Kyles, Gentleman:

Pit boy to Wing Commander

I

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Folk music from around West Cumbria being given a welcome boost

By Alan Cleaver

Ed Heslam: guitarist and folk enthusiast.

-Photo by Alan Cleaver

F

OLK music from Eskdale, Drigg and elsewhere around West Cumbria is being given a welcome boost by an enthusiast who is hoping to revive both old and new folk music from Cumberland.

Old tunes are being rescued from the county's archives and new ones such as All The Way To Lamplugh and Boot Mill Hornpipe - are being published by Ed Heslam.

Folk music is rooted in, celebrates and helps record local history and the people who once inhabited an area.

We may not know who Cumberland Nelly was - but the piece of music composed about her (Lass of Cumberland) still survives over 300 years after it was first written down.

We do know a bit more about Mrs Greenup. She was a widow living in Elterwater 200 years ago and Keswickborn fiddle player William Irwin took a bit of a shine to her.

He composed "Mrs Greenup's Strathspey" - a strathspey is a type of dance - and also a reel in her honour. It worked. She eventually married him.

The Whitehaven Hornpipe and Whitehaven Volunteers celebrate the naval and military connections with the once prestigious West Cumbrian port while songs such as New Road to Alston marked the building of a vital road link to this Cumbrian village.

They are catchy tunes that have survived hundreds of years - yet the tunes and the people who wrote them are now much neglected.

Bridgefoot musician Ed Heslam is hoping to change all that.

He grew up in Cumbria - at Red Dial near Carlisle - but has spent much of his teaching career down south.

Now he's back - and he's a man on a mission.

Ed is an accomplished guitar player. He and wife Fiona have been trawling through the archives of Cumbria rescuing and reviving many of the tunes.

Ed, 57, explained how his project began: "I started going to local music singarounds and instrumental session evenings but realised they were not singing any English music.

“Some Geordie songs were included but it was mostly Irish and a little Scottish.

“I suggested we play some English tunes and then thought about performing local music.

“I liaised with Sue Allan and started researching in archives such as the Armitt Museum at Ambleside."

He studied old manuscripts in the county archives and at Cecil Sharp House in London and, using his musical expertise to decipher some of the numerous errors and other

problems posed by the hand-written music scores, Ed worked the music into an anthology of local tunes.

These have now been published in a book called ‘The Music of Cumberland and Westmorland’. There is also a CD available of Ed playing some of the music.

It gave Ed and Fiona a glimpse into the life of Cumberland and Westmorland in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Ed said: "I came across the Brown manuscript at Armitt Museum and a man called James Lishman.

“He was a dance teacher and probably taught the children of William Wordsworth to dance.”

The Oughterside Rant, for example, gains its name from the former coal-mining village near Maryport, while the Whitehaven Volunteers Hornpipe alludes to the local militia, set up to counter the threat from Napoleon Bonaparte.

They're not all about the local militia or the county's industrial past.

They include such delights as Kiss Me Fast, My Mother's Coming, and Lassies Keep Your Legs Together.

Now who doesn't want to see them revived and performed on Top of the Pops!

Ed added: "The music was often played by just an unaccompanied fiddle.

“This is a difficult instrument to play in tune, which is why other instruments, such as melodeons and accordions ultimately supplanted it.

William Irwin is perhaps the bestknown fiddle player.

“He was born in Keswick but lived most of his life in Elterwater where he was a barrel maker at the gunpowder factory.

“He also played in a church band consisting of three violins and a cello.

“Apart from William Irwin, you don't find out much about these people.

Most are just names on a manuscript."

One rich source of material has been Whitehaven which for much of the 18th and 19th Centuries was a nationally important port.

The sailors provided their own shanties, and militia based in the town also had musicians within the ranks.

Whitehaven included the Howgill dynasty - a father and son, both called William. William Jnr. composed a number of pieces that have survived.

Ed said: "The music of Whitehaven was completely different to that of the Lake District. The middle class of Whitehaven went to classical concerts of chamber and symphonic music and danced to minuets and gavottes."

Unbelievably, the Howgills once arranged for a church organ to be brought up to Whitehaven from London's Covent Garden just so they could play it in a concert.

Since publishing the book of sheet music, Ed and Fiona have found around 100 more examples of local music from days gone by and are hoping others will contact them if they have anything hidden in the attic. ● If you have anything, contact Ed and Fiona on cumbrianmusic@yahoo.co.uk

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

E2D MUSIC MONTHLY: APRIL Mellow but intense - The Rogues take stage at The Wheatsheaf

April 2016 – Issue 61

Historic Cumbria by Beth and Steve Pipe Review by Alan Cleaver

THOSE who follow Beth Pipe on Twitter or via her blog will know she loves Cumbria with a passion - and always manages to find out something a bit more interesting than the usual travel writers.

Skill as the one-man-band: The Rogues showed their individual talents as well as their abilities as a group when they gave an intense and relaxed performance.

-Photo by Robert Haile DIFFERING from their usual loud and proud music the Rogues performed an intimate acoustic set at the Wheatsheaf, Egremont on Sunday February 6.

The night was split into three as frontman, Andrew Winter started with guitar and harmonica in hand.

Winter’s skill as a one-manband was evident on stage as he played such classics as Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues without any faults.

Then came Mitchell Hewer, playing a more indie beat, before being joined by David Tite and Michael Smith.

The noise might have been turned down but the intensity was

maintained with a mixture of covers and original songs.

Andrew Winter said: “We started really last year. We all had a similar taste in music and we came together playing music we like and we hope the audience likes too.”

With the cover of Love Machine the crowd got up and were dancing.

David Tite said: “Tonight’s show is a much more mellow version than what we usually play.”

The Rogues will return with an electric set in The Wheatsheaf on April 9 featuring a full line up including drummer David Hodgeson - not one to be missed.

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They say themselves they are 'nosey hikers' - and thank goodness that they are.

Although Beth's background is geology, this book covers much more: nature, wildlife, folklore, footpaths and a myriad of other threads.

Historic Cumbria (available in print and as an ebook) covers Haweswater to St Bees, Rannerdale to Walney Island and is illustrated with delightful photographs.

It's a 'virtual tour' of a county we probably all think we know well but their quest for the secret and less touristy side of Cumbria means there

will be plenty here for even the most knowledgeable in Cumbria.

Hence their visit to St Bees includes, of course, the start of Wainwright's Coast to Coast but also detours to the often-overlooked RSPB reserve slightly further north.

And it also includes Clints Quarry - Egremont's own nature reserve, managed by the Wildlife Trust and home to such unexpected pleasures as bee orchids, wild thyme, and yellow meadow ants.

Their local knowledge shines through and you 'know' this is a book written by true locals with an honest love for the county, rather than yet another ghost writer bussed in from London hoping to make a quick buck from sales to the tourists.

West Cumbria gets a good shout with background on the industrial and natural past of the area. But they also take us Barrow, Walney Island, Buttermere, Dunmail Raise and much more.

I have no hesitation in heartily recommending this book. ● See Amazon, your Kindle store or www.amberleybooks.com/historic-cumbria.html to purchase a copy.

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Computing for the beginner: Free Alternatives to Microsoft

By Colin Cartmell-Browne

Colin@egremont2day.co.uk

O

NE of the biggest complaints about owning a computer is the cost of software.

For example, at the time of writing, the cheapest copy of the Microsoft Office suite of applications (Word, Excel etc) costs £55 for a one year user licence. At the end of the 12 months you need to re-subscribe.

But do you really need Microsoft?

Most home users don’t need all the functionality of Microsoft Office, they only produce the odd typed document, written letter or, at a push, produce a spreadsheet of their personal finances.

The cost of Microsoft Office seems quite steep in this situation. The good news is that you can get away with paying absolutely nothing, and still fulfil your computing needs.

the on-screen instructions (see figure 1).

OpenOffice offers a range of applications including a word processor; spreadsheet and presentation (think PowerPoint).

The one main difference between OpenOffice and Microsoft Office is the use of single ‘launch’ window which allows users to create any of the required document types from a single window rather than load up separate applications (although some versions of Microsoft office have this function) (see figure 2).

The word processing and spreadsheet program are very similar to the Microsoft equivalent with only minor, mostly cosmetic, differences.

Anyone who has ever used Microsoft will find them easy to use.

Figure 1

OpenOffice OpenOffice is a totally free suite of programs for both PC and Mac produced by Apache. It can be downloaded from www.openoffice.org/download/index.h tml.

You just need to chose the right operating system and ‘British English’ before clicking download and follow

The other features of OpenOffice such as presentation and database are very different from the offerings from Microsoft and will require some playing around with before users are likely to confident enough to get the results they want in their work.

Figure 2: OpenOffice launch window

Google Docs Google Docs, as the name suggests, is part of a suite of programs from the search engine giant. Other programs include Slides (for presentations) and Sheets (spreadsheets).

You will need a Gmail account (Google email) before you can download the applications but its pretty straight forward to do this.

Just go to www.gmail.com; click on ‘Create Account’ and fill in the information (see figure 3).

Once done go to www.google.co.uk/d ocs/about/ and click on ‘Go to Google Docs’ in the middle of the screen (or Slides of Sheets depending on what

you want to do). Once loaded you can select a template for your document or select a blank page.

Google Docs doesn’t seem to have quite as many features as Word but the layout is pretty clear and, personally, I find it very easy to find what I need. Part of the problem with

Figure 3: Creating a Google account

Word is the ‘cluttered’ workspace with just too many different options. In that respect Google Docs is much cleaner!

The unique selling point of doing things the Google way is the ability to share documents with friends or colleagues.

With that in mind a lot of what Google does requires an internet connection. Documents are usually saved onto Google Drive (an online storage place accessed via a separate application) although they can be downloaded onto your own PC. For most users the requirement of an internet connection shouldn’t be a problem unless you happen to live in a place with poor internet speeds and want to work on a very large document. Having said that it is possible to set up Google Drive so that you can work ‘offline’ and save the files to your own computer. Google support has information on how to do that here: support.google.com/docs/answer/2375 012?hl=en WordPad Both OpenOffice and Google Docs aim to provide a complete alternative to Microsoft Office and as such have much the same features. At the other end of the scale is WordPad, also published by Microsoft. WordPad is very much a stripped down word processor. It has considerable fewer features than OpenOffice and Google Docs but is still capable of producing a range of documents and importing images, spreadsheets etc from other programs. The best thing about WordPad is that you PC should already have it installed as it usually comes with the Windows operating system.

This list is by no means exhaustive.

There are many other, free, word processors available but unfortunately we don’t have the space to list them all here.

If none of the programs discussed provide what you are looking for then try using Google to search for ‘Free alternatives to word’ or similar and see if any of those suggestions seem worth taking a look.

Just remember: 1. Check that the free version is truly free and not either an advertisement filled program which become unusable due to pop up ads 2. That the free version is not a limited use program that stops after a certain number of days 3. Mostly importantly that you download the program from a reputable website!

To advertise your service in this space will cost just £18.

Email your wording to egremont2day@gmail.com or phone 01946 820875.

You’ll be reaching 13,000 homes.

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Gosforth's secret to be revealed on TV

Rural Wheels scheme starts THE number 6 bus service from Gosforth to Egremont and beyond has been stopped as financially unviable.

Cumbria County Council have organised a transport provision from Gosforth Taxis under the Rural Wheels scheme. To take advantage of this scheme then you’ll need to join the scheme by calling 0845 6023786.

The initial charge will be a minimum of £5 which will them be converted to a £5 credit on a rural wheel smart card that you will then be sent for use with the transport provider. Concessionary NoWcards cannot be used as this is not a registered bus service.

Service times, on Wednesdays and Saturdays ONLY, are Seascale 09.55, Gosforth 10.00, Ponsonby 10.03, Egremont 10.20 for the 10.26 or 10.31 bus to Whitehaven. Return Journeys leave Whitehaven at 12.21 or 12.47 arriving Egremont for the return trip which leaves Egremont at 13.10.

Single fare from Seascale is £2.25, Gosforth £1.75, Ponsonby £1.50.

You MUST book the day before by 12 noon on 0845 6023786.

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Becoming a Northern Warrior with Cross Fit Ailsa Cowen keeps her new year’s resolution and tells us the benefits of becoming a Northern Warrior of Cross Fit.

TV PRESENTER Ellie Harrison filmed E2D writer Alan Cleaver at the end of last year for a show - Secret Britain heading to our screens at the end of the month.

The programme, to be shown on BBC2 on Wednesday March 30 at 7pm, features Alan's work on West Cumbrian lonnings.

Alan said: "The researchers were very excited about the lonnings (country lanes) and spent a day filming me walking mainly along Low Lonning, near Gosforth.

“They loved the wonderful stone bridge across the River Bleng, the shaded lanes, the wildlfe - and then the stunning views from the lonning across to the Wasdale screes.

“They also seemed to love the wonderful names of the lonnings Squeezed Gut Lonning, Primrose Lonning, Dog Lonning, Sawdust Lonning and the like.”

Fortunately it was one of the few beautiful and dry days when the crew filmed. They will also be screening some of the other ‘secret’ parts of the Lake District during the show.

The show is the start of a second series produced by the famous BBC Bristol unit. Other programmes in the series will feature Kent, Devon and Northern Ireland.

April 2016 – Issue 61

What is Cross Fit? Cross Fit is a fitness regimen developed by the workout king, Greg Glassman.

Over the course of several years he has created a programme specifically designed to increase fitness and health. For most people the idea of sit-ups, paused air-squats and rowing 1200m brings butterflies.

But in January I decided to do my fundamental training at Northern Warrior Cross Fit and it has been fantastic so far, as I can honestly say I have never felt fitter.

After doing the odd boot camp, which resemble your more traditional circuit training, at the end of last year, I started wanting to train more, as I could truly feel my physical fitness improving.

To take part in the Workout of the Day (WOD) you need to complete your fundamentals, which is where you learn all the different lifting techniques for weights and other exercises.

Lifting a weight is a lot more complex than what you might think, as lifting a weight incorrectly can lead to injury.

After learning the basics by using a PVC pipe with detailed, thorough coaching from the energetic, friendly instructors I felt confident and ready to take part in the WODs.

I now attend Cross Fit twice a week to do the WOD which only gets announced that morning (So you don’t have much time to chicken out).

The WOD usually entails an elementary skill which the instructors will take you through set by set.

They’ll spend time making sure you know how to properly perform the skill which you will then use within the workout.

For example, last Friday we spent time with instructor Tom seeing what weight we felt comfortable lifting, working on our technique and our reps.

The workouts are totally different every day.

All Cross Fit workouts are based on practical movements, and these movements mirror the key characteristics of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and a variety of other components.

By employing a continuously diverse approach to training, functional movements and intensity can lead to dramatic gains in fitness, without you having to do a crazy no bread or juice diet.

I can honestly say I have never felt more fit and healthy.

The workouts seem startling at first but once you’re shown how to complete the movements and techniques you're away.

The instructors make sure you’re able to push yourself and give endless encouragement.

Carl Rudd, a cross fit instructor and the owner of the Northern Warrior gym, said: “Training in a group environment with highly qualified

Join friends and supportive colleagues with a fitness regimen that offers physical and physiological help

coaches pushing you every step of the way allows you to achieve things you never thought would be possible.

“The life changes are not only physical but physiological, Cross Fit makes you adaptable and gives you a more positive outlook on life.”

You may be thinking I could just go to the gym? But where else are you shown how to correctly do a dead-lift or handstand push-ups? I cannot sing the instructor’s praises enough.

There is a definite communal feel to working out with other people, who you quickly develop friendships with.

You may have seen videos of American Cross Fit, where they high five each other and make Cross Fit look rather cheesy, but at Northern Warrior it’s not like that – there may be

the occasional high five but there’s nothing like a bit of encouragement.

Whether you’re a footballer looking for some extra fitness, like myself, an ex-rugby player, who wants to gain a bit of muscle back, or even just looking for a lovely group of people to work out with Northern Warrior is the place to be.

If you’re looking to attend, classes run regularly seven days a week with boot camps on Thursday evenings at 7pm and Sunday mornings at 10am, weightlifting on Fridays at 5pm and WODs running regularly.

Northern Warrior – Cross Fit CA22 have a Facebook page you can contact for more details, or call 01946 820999.

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April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

Sudoku winner

Spot the Landmark with Michael Brennan

CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs M Cooper of Wath Brow who won last month’s Sudoku competition; £10 is in the post! This month we have a crossword puzzle but there will be another sudoku for you to have a go at next month.

C

ONGRATULATIONS to all those who recognised last month’s mystery location, Florence Mine, Egremont (pictured top). First out of the hat was Doreen Head of Station Crescent, Beckermet and £10 is in the post. This month’s picture (bottom right) is another

challenge. Send your entry to Egremont 2Day c/o Lowes Court Gallery, 12 Main Street, Egremont CA22 2DW. Closing date is Wednesday, April 6th. First correct entry out of the hat wins £10.

LOCATION: NAME: ADDRESS:

POST CODE:

Easter Crossword

Jane Mitchell

HAVE a go at our Easter Crossword DOWN and you could win £10. Send your 1. 'This royal throne of kings, this completed crossword to to Egremont sceptred ----' (4) 2Day c/o Lowes Court Gallery, 12 Main 2. Use after characteristics (8) 3. Mortal sin united (6) Street, Egremont CA22 2DW. Closing 4. Judged how silly she is over the date is Wednesday, April 6th.

ACROSS 7. Decorate shells for Easter (5,4) 8. Potassium rich Parisian style going cheap?! (5) 10. Message from 8 across (5) 11. Very final performance (9) 12. August seen in awe (7) 14. Freeze in mid air (7) 16. Crockery on the lawn (5) 17. Scuttle off to get the coal in (3) 18. Palindromic lady of the night (5) 19. Weaken when fully in a spin (7) 21. Rude tot instructed with difficulty (7) 23. Stock list not in very great shape (9) 25. A din I make for sub continent (5) 27. Lisa's craft unfurled (5) 28. Tease neat tails (9)

NAME ADDRESS

POST CODE

editor (8) 5. Harper Lee's heroine amongst the boys (6) 6. Fruit from the Long White Cloud (4) 7. Pan to fade (5) 9. Middle name in engineering realm (7) 13. Mid West love letters in a muddle (5) 15. Duck down? (5) 16. Cottontail was one of four (7) 17. Wainwright's resting place had no need for these! (8) 18. Fabled itchy palm as the penny drops (8) 20. One is I imagine charged (6) 21. Hearing is taxing (6) 22. Elizabethan navigator raked over (5) 24. Vessel from the vine (4) 26. Trickle on tap (4)

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

April 2016 – Issue 61

page 23

*E2D MONTHLY SPORTS ROUND-UP**E2D MONTHLY SPORTS ROUND-UP**E2D MONTHLY SPORTS ROUND-UP*

Wath Brow Hornets power to victory over Egremont Rangers Report and photos Robert Haile Photography@egremont2day.co.uk THE first match of the new National Conference League Premier Division provided plenty to ponder as the first of the six Cumbrian derbies took place on Saturday March 12.

Wath Brow Hornets welcomed Egremont Rangers and took no time in showing their intent to send them away with no points.

Within the first five minutes the Hornets were over the try line twice only to be denied by the referee for a forward pass and Rangers holding the ball up over the line.

It was third times a charm as Ryan Amor crashed over the line after some

slick passing and powerful running punished Rangers.

As Fran King burst through the Rangers’ defence to set up Dean Rooney for the Hornets’ second try, the match looked like it was racing away from Rangers as the Hornets looked in the mood for a big score.

Then the Rangers fight back began as some quick passing after a high kick put Mike Ellwood over for the first of his two tries.

As half time approached the Hornets were applying pressure on the Rangers’ defence and Hornets’ Luke Davison crossed to regain the lead.

The second half had none of the first’s free flowing attacking rugby and descended into a classic derby.

As tackles started flying in, to the crowds cheers, a couple of Rangers’ players were on the receiving end of a couple of high tackles that resulted in the Hornets’ Richard Huby being sin binned.

Even down to 14 men the Hornets extended their lead as Mark Watson scored the only try of the second half.

As frustration took hold Rangers’ Matty Henson was sin binned.

The final points of the match were added by Hornets’ Cole Walker Taylor.

The 24 – 12 win for the Hornets gives them bragging rights until the two meet on Saturday June 25.

Egremont and Cleator Cricket Preview

By Robert Haile AS WINTER has moved into spring and the rugby league and speedway seasons have started, it is cricket’s turn to have pads and bats dusted off.

As Cleator announce their professional for the season, Sri Lankan Chaturanga De Silva, they will be hoping he can help fire the club back into the national consciousness like when they won the Davidstow Village Cup at Lord’s in 2013.

The first team start their league campaign with an away trip to Workington on Saturday April 30 before home games against Furness on Saturday May 7 and local derby against Whitehaven on Saturday May 14.

Sunday May 15 sees an away trip to Millom for the Higson Cup. The second team face Vickerstown at home on Saturday April 30 before away trips to Furness seconds on

Saturday May 7 and they too have a local derby with Egremont on Saturday May 14.

Sunday May 22 sees the previous days home match against Hawcoat Park in the Marsden Cup. Egremont open their season with a home game against Dalton seconds on Saturday April 30 before visiting Vickerstown on Saturday May 7.

The home derby with Cleator follows the week after.

In the Marsden Cup Egremont are at home to Lindal Moor seconds on Sunday May 22.

Egremont Second team start their league campaign with an away trip to Whitehaven seconds on Saturday May 14 before welcoming Haverigg seconds on Saturday May 21.

In the Vigodny Cup they visit Vickerstown seconds on Saturday June 11.

Egremont Rugby Union March round-up

Rangers on the attack: Egremont Rangers looking to breakthrough Wath Brow Hornets’ defence.

Get ready: Egremont’s Matty Henson starts off another Rangers’ attack in the first half.

Taking a sting out of a Hornet attack: Egremont’s stubborn defence halts Brow’s attack.

MARCH saw Egremont Rugby Union club travelling around the county, with away trips to Workington and Millom before hosting Windermere.

First up was a top of the table clash as first place Workington welcomed second placed Egremont looking to climb above their rivals.

Sadly Saturday February 20 was not that day as the home team ran out 24 – 7 winners.

Travelling to Millom on Saturday February 27 Egremont were looking to get back to winning ways.

They did this in style as they turned Millom over 38 – 8. Returning back to Bleach Green the Egremont side welcomed Windermere.

The second to last home game proved to be difficult despite the 39 – 20 score line.

With four games left Egremont still occupy second place with a visit to third place Keswick on Saturday April 2 and then Egremont (in pink) breaking through their final home game against Millom on Saturday Windermere’s defence April 9.

-photo by Robert Haile

page 24

April 2016 – Issue 61

Egremont and Cleator Moor 2Day

What’s On Egremont & District April 2016 SUN

MON

TUES Every Tuesday 1pm to 3pm: Age UK Link Up & Laugh (Quizzes & Games), at De Lucy Centre Egremont, £3.

Every Monday 10am to noon: Age UK Link Up & Craft, at De Lucy Centre Egremont. £3

10am to 4pm: Art, Craft and Food Festival at Santon Bridge Village Hall

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4

WED

THUR

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11 11am - 4.30pm: Romance and Realism at the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead

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All day: Food collection for Foodbank at Original Factory Shop, Egremont

24 10am - 4pm: Spring Craft and Shopping Fair, Lazonby Village Hall, Penrith

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7 11am or 2pm: Inside Out (PG) at The Rheged Centre, Penrith

11am or 2pm: Inside Out (PG) at The Rheged Centre, Penrith

2pm: Gosforth WI afternoon tea in Public Hall to mark Queen’s 90th Birthday. Ladies should wear hats!

7pm: Little Shop of Horrors comedy horror musical at Egremont Market Hall.

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7.30pm: Open Mic Night at Florence Arts Centre, Egremont

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7pm: Open night at Keekle Village Hall - pop along with your idea for events at the hall

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7.30pm: Lamplugh Heritage Society talk by Jackie Moore, Whitehaven Archive Centre

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Deadline for May issue of Egremont 2Day, 5pm

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7.30pm: Race night at Lamplugh Village Hall

9.30am Farmers Market at Egremont Market Hall

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7.30pm: Talk by Jenni Lister at Lamplugh village Hall

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7pm: Little Shop of Horrors - comedy horror musical at Egremont

7.30pm: Vortigern (live music) at Florence Arts Centre. Tickets £6.

7pm: Little Shop of Horrors comedy horror musical at Egremont Market Hall.

10am to 4pm: Craft Fair at Gosforth Public Hall

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7.30pm: The Professor of Adventure (play) at Calderbridge Village Hall

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1pm to 3pm: Spring Fair at Seascale Golf Club in aid of Parkinsons UK. All day: Food collection for Foodbank at Original Factory Shop, Egremont

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8pm: La’al Big Band at Florence Arts Centre, Egremont

7.30pm FloJazz at Florence Arts Centre, Egremont

7.30pm: Open Mic Night at Florence Arts Centre, Egremont

7pm: Little Shop of Horrors comedy horror musical at Egremont Market Hall.

SAT

8pm: Comedienne Juliette Burton at Florence Arts Centre 10am to 5pm: Art, Craft and Food Festival at 7pm: Live music from The Maverick at Keekle Village Hall Santon Bridge Village Hall

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FRI Every Friday, 11am to noon: a walk with Egremont Amblers, meet at the De Lucy Centre,

Every Thursday: 6.30pm to 8.30pm: Florence Art Group meets at Florence Mine. All levels welcome.

Every Wednesday, 10am to 2pm: Computer Drop In, at De Lucy Centre, Egremont.

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8pm: Dracula’s Ghost at Florence Arts Centre 7pm: Little Shop of Horrors - comedy horror musical at Egremont Market Hall.

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Cut out and keep – and add your own events!

If there’s something troubling you, then get in touch with The Samaritans.

Phone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call on the free phone number

Printed by Cumbrian Newspapers Ltd at Newspaper House, Dalston Road, Carlisle CA2 5UA