The Whitehaven Guide Issue 45

GUIDE DEC’14 / JAN ‘15

WHITEHAVEN

egremont // st bees // gosforth // cleator moor // seascale

INSIDE HAIG COLLIERY

Exclusive look!

DIARY ROOMS From the front line.

Bald Beauties

Bare all in new calendar

Pi

ck

...

FREE M e up i ’ m

EVENTS | FESTIVALS | FOOD | LIFESTYLE | & MORE www.theguidemags.com December /January 2014/15 | 1

B&B Accommodation Beautiful Holiday Cottages Extensive Private Grounds Licensed for Civil Weddings Serving Delicious Food & Real Ales Perfect for Parties, Business Functions & Conferences On-site bar; all pets welcome Walkers Welcome Close to Scafell Pike & Wastwater ing Now be !

FREE WiFi

NU E M W E N served

Make Irton Hall your first choice for business meetings and conferences

2 | The Whitehaven Guide

STAY, DINE IN STYLE & DRINK IN THE COMPANY OF KINGS

AT IRTON HALL, THE LAKE DISTRICT’S HIDDEN JEWEL!

WHY NOT JOIN US FO DELICIOUR A SUNDAY R S OAST

Legend has it that Henry VI sought hospitality at ancient Irton Hall back in the 15th century – and when you call in to our warm and cosy bar these days, you can still be sure of a right royal welcome, in the good company of some of Lakeland’s finest ales!

Beers from the Great Gable brewery, as well as award-winning OPEnInG TIMES: FOOD SERvED Loweswater Gold from Cumbria Legendary Ales, are typical of the beers on offer – but we’re constantly offering new brews Bar & Restaurant from a diversity of regional breweries, so call in as often as you Sunday to ursday 12:00-9:00pm like to find out what’s new!

Friday & Saturday 12:00-9:30pm We also serve delicious home-cooked food in the bar and at our sumptuous restaurant – and if you’d like to relax Please book a table for Friday & Saturday and stay overnight, experience our regally comfortable to avoid disappointment B&B accommodation!

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

December /January 2014/15 | 3

4 | The Whitehaven Guide

theWhitehavenGuide DEC / JAN 2014

Managing Director Stephen Murphy T: 01946 816 716

stephen@theguidemediagroup.com

Editor Chris Breen T: 01946 816 715 chrisbreen@theguidemediagroup.com

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

Graphic Designer Nicky Proniewicz T: 01946 816 728 nicky@theguidemediagroup.com

A

Word from the Editor Steve sprang to his sleigh, to the Whitehaven Guide team he gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Y

ES, the office tree is up, our Christmas lists to Santa have been written (don’t think Steve is on the good list) and some of us have started our Christmas shopping.

We’re almost ready for Christmas and this Guide aims to prepare you for Christmas and New Year.

We’ve a delicious turkey recipe; tips on keeping the cost of Christmas food shopping down; present ideas for the man who has everything and MEN take note; we’ve an article to help you when shopping for the women in your lives… while, as ever, we are encouraging you to shop locally.

We want you to support our fabulous local and hardworking businesses if you can and get better service, better care, and best of all, there’s no waiting nervously by the letterbox for Amazon boxes to arrive. When you stop and think about it you CAN get everything you need in Whitehaven.

We’re not all about Christmas though, we’re gearing up for New Year with ideas about how to spend New Year’s Eve and why we do daft things at New Year, such as bringing a lump of coal into the house, and why we make resolutons.

We’re saying goodbye to 2014 with a look back, in photo-form, over the past 12 months, and similarly saying hello to 2015 with an exclusive look inside the new Haig Colliery Mining Museum and with another Home and Garden Show on the horizon, plus whispers of new developments in town, 2015 promises to be a good ‘un.

Graphic Designer Kerry Cook T: 01946 816 728 kerry@theguidemediagroup.com

We wish all our readers, supporters and fabulous advertisers a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Oh!… and our boss Steve insists on sending you all big sloppy kisses and snugly hugs. xxxxxxxxx

Advertising/Distribution Paul Seath T: 01946 816720 paul@theguidemediagroup.com Editorial T: 01946 816 715 Published by EOL Publications, The Guide Media Group, Phoenix Enterprise Centre, Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA25 5BD. All feature articles and advertising is copyright of EOL Publishing.

Printed by The Magazine Printing Company.

Photography Brian Sherwen: www.briansherwen.com

Deputy Editor Ali Hipkin T: 01946 816 730 ali@theguidemediagroup.com

GUIDE MAGAZINES

/thewhitehavenguide @whitehavenguide December /January 2014/15 | 5

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6 | The Whitehaven Guide

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The Whitehaven Guide | Contents

10-13

18-19

key Features

10 Haig Pit

Exclusive Look

18 Derek Eland Diary Rooms

24 Gareth Bowler

Disese of our Generation

28 Craig Cook

Local Speedway Star

LIFESTYLE & BEAUTY

24-25

38 Bridget Foster

Seasonal Changes

40

42

Nelson Brown

Showcasing the Best in Hair

Ashleigh Panther Not Fur Real

F OOD

28-29 50

40 Alan Spedding Recipe Rocky Road Cake

MOTORING & SPORT

66 Britains Worst Car All The Parts You Don’t Want

WHAT’S On

40 28

78-81 What's On Listings Music, Theatre, Film, Comedy, Other

December /January 2014/15 | 7

Feature | Shop Local

Shopping locally is an experience

… not just a purchase

T

HE Christmas lights are lit, Whitehaven’s first Christmas Market is imminent and the first doors of the advent calendars have been opened. Yes, the festive season is well and truly under way and while it’s tempting to do all your shopping from the comfort of your sofa, or in the nearest city, you really should try thinking local first!

Look at it logically; £70 or more on fuel or train tickets to your chosen destination; £15 on munchies and magazines for the painfully dull journey; £10 to £30 on lunch depending on where you eat, and if you’re there long enough you’ve got lunch and tea to buy, not forgetting the £8 parking fee – so just how much are you willing to spend in search of a “bargain”?

By contrast using local companies on your doorstep is more advantageous to all concerned; better customer service, better product knowledge, better aftercare, AND there’s no waiting nervously by the door, come Christmas week, for packages you didn’t order in time. So help support the local economy; It’s win-win all round!

8 | The Whitehaven Guide

Dorothy Holt, from Holt’s Art Shop, which first opened in Whitehaven in 1977, summed it all up when, she said: “Shopping locally is the most positive thing you can do; it saves time, and puts money back into the local community which will circulate; it gives people jobs.”

Part of the problem is that we look but we don’t see! We walk up and down the same streets every day – blinkered.

We know where we need to go to get what we want, so we don’t take in our surroundings.

But Whitehaven is full of local, independent shops spread out from Duke Street to James Street and from Roper Street to Church Street; it’s so easy to stay on the main track and forget about the treasure troves tucked away down our side streets.

Shelley Williamson, who chairs the Whitehaven Town Team, firmly believes in shopping locally and said: “You get excellent personal service, quality products in one-stop shops.

Independent shops go the extra mile for their customers

Shop Local| Feature

with some of them even offer gift-wrapping at Christmas.”

“Going into your local shops can lift your mood; it’s also a way for people who are on their own to feel included in the community.”

Whitehaven’s independents have got Christmas well and truly covered. There’s shops for shoes; clothes, including specialist children’s clothes; arts and crafts; sweets; wine merchants; jewellery and gifts; toys; electrical, including Samsung’s store-of-the-year; antiques; haberdashery and stationery shops.

There are countless places, including our museums from which to get local produce for Christmas hampers. Then there are hair salons and beauticians… ideal for getting ready for for your Christmas party or arranging vouchers as presents. And vouchers for the town’s restaurants and eating places would make a great Christmas present while the many eating places themselves are great for Christmas dinners and parties.

With the town’s long-established butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers and so much more there really is little need to go elsewhere.

David Dawson, from Wils Hambling butchers, pointed out: “Local businesses can usually get you exactly want you want… even if it’s not on display, or they don’t have it in stock.”

The small independents in and around Whitehaven know their stuff they holds sales throughout the year and new stock is constantly arriving.

“Shopping locally is an experience not just a purchase; you leave feeling like a human, not like a battery hen,” said Shelley and we couldn’t agree with her more.

Whitehaven’s shopkeepers are our own, local Santa’s Little Helpers, so why not let them help you this Christmas?

They’re ready and waiting to deliver service with a smile and buckets full of product knowledge.

Check out our handy map in the back of the Guide and rediscover our lovely local traders… and if you think Whitehaven is full of charity shops? Think again, it has just seven!

December /January 2014/15 | 9

HAIG Feature | Haig Pit

After attending the opening of the Haig Pit Visitor Centre, in November, we, couldn’t wait until February to get a peep at the museum. So here’s an EXCLUSIVE look inside Haig Mining Museum and how much it’s changed… and boy has it changed!

S u perb t es tamen t t o area’ s m i n i ng h i s t ory

T

HE Haig Colliery pithead area, which has stood at Kells, Whitehaven, since 1914, has undergone a £2.4 million restoration. Gone is the cold and draughty museum full of heavy-duty machinery and artefacts; enter the fantastic new, warm, welcoming and interactive age of Haig Mining Museum.

To make the area’s mining history much more accessible for children interactive displays include shot-firing; crawling through the mine tunnel and transporting a piece of coal from the mine to the powerhouse and they can also follow an activity trail around the museum with the help of Pammy the Pit Pony.

Artefacts from the old museum have also been given a new lease of life such as the old oil lamp that you can light up with the touch of a button and the original 1914 engines, still in residency in the engine room.

10 | The Whitehaven Guide

The driving force behind Haig Pit Museum is Pam Telford and talking to her family and colleagues it is clear that she is dedicated and passionate about making the museum a success, not only as a tourist attraction but as a way of preserving the town’s mining legacy for future generations.

Pam said: “So many people in the town have roots in the mining industry; the museum is a way to commemorate this.”

Since last January Pam and her trusty team of volunteers have been searching for lesser-known stories from the local mines to display in the museum. They have been on interpretation courses and spent hours scouring the county records office.

PIT - HA Haig Pit | Feature

COLLIE RY

& MIN ING

OPEN S

MU

HALF TER

FEBRU SEUM ARY

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Even our photographer, Brian Sherwen, who considers himself something of an expert on tales from the mines, was surprised at the stories which emerged during our exclusive tour of Haig.

Pam said: “We’ve excluded national stories because we wanted tales about the area and its people; stories that people don’t necessarily know. We want to appeal to people’s curiosity and tell stories about the other side of life. We wanted the community to feel like it was their story.”

So you’ll discover the tale of Jet the Alsatian, who was awarded the Star Dog of Whitehaven, after the William Pit disaster and why there were fights between Belgium refugees and Kells miners. There are of course a few wellknown stories among them such as that of Sal Madge and the purpose of having canaries underground.

“We wanted to make Haig about real-life people and the community, added Pam.

December /January 2014/15 | 11

Feature | Haig Pit

COLLIE RY

& MIN IN

OPEN

GM

S FEBR USEUM UARY

HALF TER

M

The museum charts all aspects of life in the mines and as a miner, charting the days of the week and what various milestone days entailed. Sunday was for church, Monday for washing day and Friday was pay day.

Along with this display is an activities box which will change daily to correspond to the current day and explain its relevance.

Former miner and member of the Mines Rescue Service, Gerald McClennon, who was at the first phase of the opening, said: “Once the museum has opened we will really be able to show people what mining was all about. It’s vitally important for present and future generations; we do a lot of work with schools and there’re children today who don’t even know what a piece of coal is.”

area’s mining history there are some poignant reminders of how different life is today. On the second floor there are two large images on the walls. One of the Wellington Pit funerals, in 1910, with a huge procession travelling along Low Road, while “Once the museum at the other end of the room hangs a photograph from the 1980s of three has opened we will smiling miners.

really be able to show people what mining was all about. It’s vitally important for present and future generations”

While the museum celebrates and commemorates the 12 | The Whitehaven Guide

Pam said: “The funeral shows everyone; the community at the back, soldiers, children, the well dressed and the less well dressed. I like the contrast in these photographs indicating that mining history spans generations and these pictures reflect both the sorrow and the pride and the happiness in their work.”

The museum is sure to be a great family day out but there is no escaping the hard relentless life of a miner from

Haig Pit | Feature

the early history of Haig to its final days and there are some sobering facts posted throughout the museum. You’ll learn that young children worked in mines for as long as 12 hours underground, some from just five years old, and The End of an Era display notes the many closures of mines up and down the country.

But Haig Pit is almost about the community as much as it is about the areas mining history, with this in mind there is a huge space available for conferences and exhibitions and with two conferences already booked in, it promises to be a popular venue.

Although the museum won’t be open until February Pam is already making future that plans for it will hopefully see the cellar come into use as an underground mine experienced.

The museum also includes the history of other mining towns such as Workington, Maryport, Broughton and Aspatria.

In the spring the memorial garden presently located at the enterprise centre will be moved to the museum site and sit between the visitor centre and the museum itself.

With the views across the Irish Sea, beneath which Haig’s generations of miners toiled, it will make a perfect place to sit and remember those working the shift that never ends.

December /January 2014/15 | 13

14 | The Whitehaven Guide

December /January 2014/15 | 15

Feature | Derek Eland

‘ War thoughts’ e x h ib iti o n condens ed i nto n ew b o o k

BY ALI HIPKIN

P

ICTURE postcards are usually used as a way of telling people where you are and what you’ve seen while you’re there, but local war artist Derek Eland took this idea to the extreme.

Derek, a former army officer himself, spent a month living in some of the most dangerous areas of Helmand, Afghanistan with soldiers, asking them to write their stories, thoughts and feelings on a postcard.

The 600 postcards were then turned into a travelling exhibition, which has now been around the world after a spell in the Imperial War Museum, and now 100 of them have been reproduced, in a book called Diary Rooms, along with stories and photographs taken by Derek, in Afghanistan.

Derek, who went to school in Whitehaven, told us: “I chose the stories that were most universal, most profound and the most honest stories. It was a very difficult process.”

Diary Rooms is a raw and honest depiction of the life of a soldier. The book is ended by a postscript written by a soldier, who, just three days after writing it had his legs blown off and there is an introduction written by the mother of a soldier who was killed by his friend in an accident after he too had written a postcard. Despite losing her son she writes that she was glad that he was at least killed by his friend and not as a result of hatred.

16 | The Whitehaven Guide

Derek was on his way to Northern Ireland to give copies of the book to both these contributors as he spoke to me.

In 2009 he spent a year trying to convince officials to let him go to Afghanistan.

“When I got to Afghanistan I was in a small camp, the soldiers had been there for three months and had had contact with the enemy 87 times. It’s reminds you of the intensity of being there but there’s also a lot of time to think and reflect.”

“I was shot at and attacked out there, I took the same risks as the soldiers I think this made them trust me, I wasn’t a journalist. I could ask them their stories.”

“I never thought I’d be a war artist. I thought as there’s no point unless you can bring a new perspective to things, how can you add to what’s been done already.”

“I didn’t want to go out there and do what other war artists have done before; I wanted to find a new way to get inside the heads of those on the front line.”

The original idea for the exhibition came from Derek’s Residency with Carlisle City Council. He took an empty shop in The Lanes and called it “Love Carlisle” and asked people to write down their thoughts on Carlisle, he collected 4,000 post cards in just six weeks and displayed them in Tullie House.

Derek Eland | Feature

He carried out a similar exercise in Cockermouth after the floods and liked the way of engaging with people and the way they think, he said: “Handwriting, in this digital age has honesty about it, this is about building self-portraits.”

The exhibition has been on display around the world and had a profound effect on those who saw it, with some galleries having to put tissues in the rooms.

Derek had been blogging a story a day for six months with 15,000 people reading the blog he said: “I thought ‘this is something that people are really engaging with’. There were a lot of readers from the States and Britain and some from China… there’s a universality about these stories that apply to any war and any conflict and these stories are written in the middle of conflict.”

The book presents a collective self-portrait of individual experiences on the front line of a contemporary conflict – with soldiers often referring to ‘two wars’, one involving bullets and bombs and the other which goes on in a soldiers head, when everything goes quiet.

Derek empathises with this: “I can really relate to the fact that you keep things to yourself there, you don’t talk to your friends about things and you don’t talk to your family about it. The link between the build-up of tension and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is obvious. In a way writing their stories down helped them.”

The proceeds from the sale of Diary Rooms will go to the Veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress, Derek said: “This wasn’t about me or making money; it’s my duty to share these stories, I’m supporting a charity that supports those most affected.”

Diary Rooms is available to buy from Amazon.

December /January 2014/15 | 17

18 | The Whitehaven Guide

Don’t hibernate this winter!

Winter Walking| Feature

by Danielle Murphy

W

hen winter approaches us with its icy bite, we all disappear into the safe, warm and lazy confines of our houses. But It doesn’t have to so. There are things that you might not automatically think about doing in the winter that are actually no less fun than in summer.

The worst thing about this is that we live in the most beautiful place in Britain. The Lake District is all about the outdoors, no matter what threat the weather may pose.

You would be surprised how fantastic taking a brisk winter walk around or alongside a lake can be. You can pack the whole family in the car along with the dogs and head to your nearest lake. Ennerdale Water is particularly beautiful.

Take flasks of hot chocolate, and / or soup and enjoy an exhilarating walk. The kids love it, the pets love it, and it is just something that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Some folk think that you can’t go horse riding in winter.

Not so, of course you can. There are stables which don’t open in the winter but many do so give your local riding stables a call to find out.

Wasdale Mouta in Rescue

What yo u need f or winter w alking

Waterpro ofs (jac ket and Insulat pants) ing fleec e Thick s ocks + 2 spare BUT it does require certain rules and regulations to be Warm h pairs at complied with. NEVER have a campfire anywhere that isn’t Gloves permitted, but if you know an area in which it’s legal then Waterpro break out the marshmallows, sizzle those sausages and bake of walk ing boot Gaiters potatoes for a fun wilderness lunch. Councils can usually tell s (optiona l) you where there are campfire-friendly areas.

Compas s & map Torch & head to The beach is a beautiful place anytime of the year. It’s also rch Fully ch arged m fun. A beach walk in the winter can be bracing but really o bile pho A dequate ne blow away the cobweb and make you appreciate the beauty food / water of our coast and the raw power of nature.

AND… if going up And don’t forget your bike… if you haven’t got one borrow An high ice axe one. Family bike rides can provide a great day our around Crampo ns here, with so much countryside right on your doorstep or Ski gogg you could even take your bike on the train if you want to les get further afield.

Enjoying a campfire and cooking it too is great fun and appeals to our primeval instincts.

So there are lots of simple, cheap or free fun activities that you can indulge in during winter if you put your brain into gear, wrap up well, and get out there… anything can be fun if you want it to be if you keep warm, dry and if you are well-prepared.

December /January 2014/15 | 19

Feature| Christmas Truce

Border Regt. VC winners were part of The Christmas Truce

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e are launching series in which we aim, in each edition thank’s to the Cumbrian Museum of Military Life, to tell the story of the Border Regiment during World War 1. In our two-monthly editions, until November 2018, we will recount what the regiment’s men were doing during the corresponding months, where they fought, who they were and how they suffered. Christmas 2014 marks the centenary of the Christmas Truce, between British and German troops. It saw soldiers from both sides lay down their arms and meet to celebrate Christmas, together, in No Man’s Land. Cumbrian soldiers of The Border Regiment were there; this is their story.

On October 5, 1914, the 7th Division of which the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment was a part, embarked at Southampton for Zeebrugge, Belgium. By October 15 they were in the front line, east of Ypres, at Zillebeke and had their first contact with the enemy in what became known as the First Battle of Ypres.

In December they were at Sailly and on December 18 fought in the last action before Christmas. The attack on the German positions was unsuccessful with the loss of 114 officers and men.

Two private soldiers of the Battalion, Abraham Acton from Whitehaven and James Smith from Workington, who had joined the Battalion at the beginning of December, were both on the frontline and were awarded the Victoria Cross.

The Citation published in the London Gazette of February 20 | The Whitehaven Guide

18, 1915 read “For Conspicuous Bravery on 21st December at Rouges Banc in voluntarily going from their trench and rescuing a wounded man who had been lying exposed against the enemy’s trenches for 75 hours and on the same day again leaving their trench voluntarily, under heavy fire, to bring under cover another wounded man. They were under fire for 60 minutes whilst the wounded men into safety.”

On Christmas Day the enemy holding the trenches opposite signalled that they wished to speak to an officer and when one went, over, an armistice was proposed for both sides to bury their dead. The Christmas Truce had begun and the soldiers of both sides, including Ptes Acton and Smith, met in No Man’s Land.

Pte Robert Roper who mobilised with Ptes Acton and Smith to the Western Front was also there. He wrote to his wife in

Christmas Truce| Feature

Border Regt 2nd Battalion: Pte James Smith - sitting Left. Pte Abraham Acton – Standing second in from the left (distinct ears) Denton Holme, Carlisle, on December 28, saying: “We have just come out of the trenches for four days, the last time we were in we fought a battle, a night attack on the German trenches but there was too many of them and we had an armistice on Xmas day to bury the dead. The Germans and us were talking quite friendly between the trenches which are only 80 yards apart and they buried the men who fell near the trenches, it was a sight I shall never forget as

long as I live. Dear Jennie I shall have some stories to tell if I come back home. I shall say nothing now because you would not understand.”

In the Border Regiment’s sector the Truce held until January 8, 1915 when the Battalion’s War Diary recorded “firing recommenced on this day”.

Private Roper survived the war and returned home to tell his stories. Private Smith VC was wounded in March 1915, but survived the War. Private Acton VC was killed in action at Festubert on May 16, 1915 and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, in northern France. Smith’s VC and medals are in Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, at Carlisle Castle and Acton’s are in the Beacon Museum, at Whitehaven.

This article was written from archive material held at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, where you can see artefacts from the First World War, immerse yourself in an interactive trench environment and much more at the newly opened Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life located in Carlisle Castle.

Open 7 days a week (closed Christmas and New Year). For more information go to: www.cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife. org or call 01228 532774.

December /January 2014/15 | 21

Feature | Gareth Bowler

S

ociety is plagues by diets: supermarket shelves stacked with diet foods, books dedicated to diets, diet pills readily available online and glossy magazines claiming to have the answer to quick weight loss these are some of the issues that are covered by Award Winning filmmaker Gareth Bowler in his latest film Diet: The disease of our Generation.

The short film which features performance nutritionist Ben Coomber put our eating habits under the microscope and really questions what we are willing to put into our bodies in our quest to be ‘thin’.

The subject of this video is close to Gareth’s heart as he went from 24 stone down to 14 in the space of a year, Gareth said: “It’s the greatest thing that will ever happen to me and I wanted to make a film that would inspire others to do the same.”

Although his weight loss is a huge achievement it wasn’t just a case of going on a diet Gareth explained there was a period of five years of trying and failing before he made the change.

22 | The Whitehaven Guide

Gareth’s moment of clarity came when his belt broke on a university reunion in Leeds, unable to find a belt that would fit him comfortably Gareth bought the biggest belt he could find and put an extra hole at the very end, Gareth said: “I’d struggled finding clothes to fit for years but having to improvise a belt to stop my jeans falling down was the final straw.”

“I had to battle for three months, I probably had a few binges in that time but once that you’re in that mind-set then you just go for it.”

Gareth said: “When I’d tried to lose weight in the past I was taking silly approaches trying shakes and diets that weren’t really sustainable.

I remember one of the worst was talking to one of my mates and saying; ‘I haven’t had anything to eat today except porridge oats and water.’ ” “It’s not about starving yourself. Eat more good food and exercise and the weight will fall off. What I was doing was a combination of starving and pushing myself too hard.

Before his weight loss Gareth would go to a shop buy three sandwiches, a pie, sausage roll, a big bag of crisps and something sweet. Eating that whilst lying on his bed and feeling like he was going to fall back to sleep, or falling

Gareth Bowler | Feature

back to sleep followed by a big takeaway that evening, then maybe a pie and sandwich from an off-licence after midnight, a pattern he described as: “a blur of indulging myself, selfloathing and feeling ill.”

Gareth’s previous personal project Sober about his friends recovery from drug use won best documentary at the Cumbria Film Competition 2014, toured the UK with the Recovery Street Film Festival, was screened at Addaction’s recovery conference Nov 2014 and continues to engage at risk young people across the UK. He said: “Obesity’s a mental illness and can be as bad as drug use; they’re both addictions to substances which are destroying you.”

“It wasn’t until I went to London to film the fat scenes that I realised that this is a video that talks to everyone.”

Diet: The Disease of our Generation received 10,000 hits online in just 24hours a number that more than doubled in 48hours.

Gareth said: “It aims to take on the big brands, trying to engage with people and persuade them to take the sane approach.”

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For further information call 01946 828 010 or email admissions@stbeesschool.co.uk

www.stbeesschool.co.uk December /January 2014/15 | 23

Feature | Local Bobby

Town Centre bobby

back on beat

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HITEHAVEN’S streets are being regularly patrolled once more by a police officer on the beat.

September 9 saw the return of PC Frank Paine to the town centre beat, having previously patrolled Whitehaven 18 years ago. He said: “It was totally different back then.’ ’ The introduction of a police officer on a regular basis not only prevents crime, but gives the public peace of mind.

PC Paine can be seen on patrol throughout the week and is also on hand to dispense some types of advice and even information but there is a limit, and a police officer can only really advise on crime-related or legal matters although many people also see PC Frank as someone to talk to, the friendly face of the Law. Not only has he been targeted for advice but also local info.

“I seem to be the local tourist information. I’ve had people

from Chile, Denmark and Cornwall approach me to ask questions. Luckily I am local and was born in Whitehaven so I am able to give people information about the history and places to go in.’ ’ It is very hard to miss PC Frank Paine when he’s walking through Whitehaven. With his hi-vis jacket, his large black helmet and the fact that he is six foot, he’s very difficult to miss... but then that’s the whole idea.

PC Paine wants to be noticed, by potential criminals as well as the public, who, as he said: “Know there is help if its needed and criminals are much less inclined to cause trouble.’ ’ And he really is in touch with the townspeople. ‘’I love talking to people; I can have a banter and a laugh with them, which is always nice. I don’t want people to see me as a robot, I’m just a normal human being like everyone else and I love being able to speak to people on a daily basis. It’s the best part of the job.’ ’ And as another part of his role he goes each morning to the new Albion Square buildings to oversee traffic and spot any potential problems.

Having previously worked as a bricklayer and then a lecturer, Constable Paine began his career as a volunteer “special” for five years.

And it seems Whitehaven is particularly privileged to have both Frank and such service... because it doesn’t exist, even in big cities.

Frank’s role will hopefully be a permanent one. Not only does it provide a safety net for the town centre residents but some eyes and ears around town and if you have a problem or any issue he’d doubtless be happy to help.

24 | The Whitehaven Guide

Feature | Brooks

Dixons | Feature

is best!

T

HE face of local shopping has already enjoyed a revival this year with the introduction of the ‘Check-out Whitehaven’ loyalty card but Brooks, of Duke Street, have really put Whitehaven on the map.

Brooks have been awarded the Samsung Store-of-the-Year, in the North of England, Northern Ireland and Scottish regional category. It means that Brooks have been recognised for their sales figures and in- depth knowledge of Samsung and their products.

David Simpson, general manager of Brooks, said: “It’s a massive win, especially when you think about how the economy has been in Whitehaven.”

The award is perhaps even more impressive given that Brooks, who celebrated their 90th Anniversary last year, have only been selling Samsung products for 18 months and David said: “It’s really amazing because we were up against people who have been selling Samsung products for years.”

Following several written stages David Simpson and Grant Blaney, sales department manager, went to the Albert Hall, London, to take part in the final. David said: “We had no idea what we were going into, so we just brushed up on our technical language.”

The final included challenges such as creating the ultimate sound system which they then had to demonstrate and explain to judges posing as customers. They also created a window display using Samsung merchandise and took part in a quiz to demonstrate product knowledge. While this might seem like a challenging day to those not in the know it was a walk in the park for the Brooks experts, David said: “It was a really good fun relaxing day.”

There were hundreds of applications to be Samsung Store-of-the-Year, in the northern category, stretching from Sheffield up to Scotland. David said: “To be recognised at that event was beyond astounding. There was always hope that we would win but when we’d got that far we just thought it was fantastic to get to the finals.”

Brooks AWARD WINNERS

David said that the response from customers and the general public has been “fantastic.”“Even before we went to London people were sending us messages to wish us good luck.”

“We’re renowned for our customer services and that’s what we’ve always focused on. We wouldn’t have achieved it without our customers so we have to say a massive thank you to them.”

Hopefully such outstanding service and success will attract more people into Whitehaven, to shop locally, and reap the benefits of shopping with independent retailers and since the award was announced Brooks have already attracted new customers. David added: “I can only see things getting better.”

The award means that Brooks will have increased backing from Samsung, new in-store displays and all staff will have access to intensive in-store training, which means no more trips to Birmingham for courses.

David said: “Samsung’s product line is phenomenal; they’re creating future-proof products so that you won’t have to change your TV every few years and you can just buy a box with all the updates you’ll need.”

The award truly is a testament to the dedication and hard work to the staff at Brooks.

December /January 2014/15 | 25

Feature | Craig Cook

The Cleator Kid

Craig Cook

A

doesn’t pull his punches Danielle Murphy talks to West Cumbrian speedway ace CRAIG COOK about his meteoric rise together with his somewhat unconventional approach to training.

Y

OU might think that there’s little to connect the diverse sports of speedway and boxing, except perhaps some fancy footwork, but Cleator Moor-based speedway ace, Craig Cook, has other ideas.

Training for speedway can vary, some just practice on their bikes as often as they can, but Craig, one of the country’s top riders, with Belle Vue Aces and the Edinburgh Monarchs, takes a different approach. Speedway bikes don’t have any brakes so concentration is key when the riders are on the track, where the slightest error of judgement can make the biggest of differences in what is a fast and furious sport.

Craig said: ‘’ Boxing is one of the most difficult sports to train for. Your reactions have to be quick and you have to stay sharp, as you do on the track.’ ’ So Craig practices his boxing on a weekly basis, a form of training that doesn’t just benefit his physical fitness but also trains his mental reactions and reflexes.

Craig, or “Cookie” as he is known to his fans, has been riding speedway professionally for five years. He began at Workington Comets and, now 27; he’s been interested in motorsport since childhood.

After winning the national league riders’ championship in his first season, it was clear he was going to go far. He has

26 | The Whitehaven Guide

E C Craig Cook| Feature

A

now won the League Cup, the KO Cup and the Premier League title with the Edinburgh Monarchs and this is just in one season.

Craig said: ‘’ When I won the National league riders championship I didn’t understand it. It was my first season and didn’t know what it meant really, but I knew it was a massive achievement.’ ’

Possibly one of his most exciting achievements was coming second in the British Championship and getting a wildcard into the British Grand Prix.

“I was in front of 50,000 people and 15 of the best riders in the world.” ‘’ The Grand Prix was organised; there was no room for error. I was in front of 50,000 people and 15 of the best riders in the world. It was a special moment and a learning experience,’ ’ Craig said.

Success in any career can lead to all kinds of unexpected outcomes and Craig is not only famous for his skills on the track, he recently starred in world-famous band Elbow’s new music video for their latest single Charge.

It came about for Craig, and his club Belle Vue Aces, when the band had the idea of using the speedway track as the primary focus of the video. Craig, who appears alongside retired speedway rider Chris Morton, explained: “Some members of the band used to come to the track and watch the races, they wanted to use a young rider and an older one in the video.’ ’ Having travelled over 50,000 miles in his van this season Craig tells us he’s happy to be home. After five years of storming success and receiving multiple titles, does the talented young rider have any ambitions left? He told us: “I want a long career. The world’s best rider is 44; I hope that when I reach 40 I’m still doing this.”

Craig is an inspiration to all aspiring speedway riders and says to all of them: “You need to work hard, be prepared and it takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it.’ ’

December /January 2014/15 | 27

Wasn’t it Fabulous

Feature | Look back at 2014

2014

IN

28 | The Whitehaven Guide

Look Back at 2014 | Feature

WITH the promise and endless possibilities of a New Year looming we decided to take a look back over 2014 and what a fantastic year it has been for Whitehaven and the surrounding areas.

With so many fantastic community events, sporting events, music events and festivals it was hard to squeeze them all in to a double page so here are a few of our highlights. Can you spot your favourite moment from 2014?

December /January 2014/15 | 29

30 | The Whitehaven Guide

Eco Green Energy | Feature

One hot deal you can’t afford to ignore…

B

IOMASS is the fuel of the future but you can get it here and now, make considerable savings… and enjoy further big financial benefits through a government reward scheme.

Called the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI), it provides a seven-year cash back payment. Furthermore VAT is only 5%.

The Eco Green Energy Centre, from Scaleby, near Carlisle, are leading experts in these systems which can provide all your heating and hot water needs. With the ever-increasing costs of heating oil, LPG and natural it’s an extremely costeffective way of dramatically reducing hot water and heating bills… AND it’s clean and green. Eco Green can also supply the wood pellet fuel at very competitive prices.

With an extensive range there’s a system to suit you and intelligent boilers ensure you’ll never feel the cold again.

Installation involves very little upheaval because everything ties neatly into existing radiator and water systems.

The RHI scheme is the government’s way of thanking you, for helping lower CO2 emissions. To qualify you’ll need an assessment, which Eco Green can help arrange.

See www.greendealcosyhome.co.uk for details For a free survey and a no obligation quote please contact Eco Green Energy on: 01228 675 125 Website: www.ecogreenenergycentre.co.uk Email: info@ecogreenenergycentre.co.uk

December /January 2014/15 | 31

Feature | Pretty Bald

It’s Pretty Beautiful being Bald

F

OR many women their hair is part of their identity; it’s what defines them and makes them stand out but for many others (and some men too) it’s their lack of hair that defines them.

condition and much-needed funds for the charity. Jokingly one day I said we should do a nude-bald calendar and to my surprise, 11 other ladies agreed! It was hard work but a lot of fun!”

A group of women who suffer from alopecia have thrown their wigs into the wind and bared their bodies and bald heads for the ultimate ‘Calendar Girls’ calendar for 2015; “Pretty Bald”.

“There are many nude calendars out there, but I don’t think any can claim to be as challenging as this one was. For many of the girls it was their first time in public without their hair and they’re prepared to share that with the world! Amazing!

I am so proud of what has been achieved and hope it can play a small part in raising awareness of alopecia and funds for Alopecia UK.”

Alopecia is a general term used for hair loss; this can be anything from a small bald patch on the head or the loss of all the hair over the entire body.

Victoria Short, calendar organiser, said: “I’d been trying to think of an interesting way to raise both awareness of the

Since the calendar went on sale, in September, it has received coverage on Good Morning Britain, in national newspapers and worldwide from Australia to the USA and Canada, Europe, Asia and Russia.

Among the 12 women baring all was Jen Chambers, from Workington, who is Charity Manager at Alopecia UK. She said: “Doing the calendar has been an experience. Taking my clothes off is one thing, taking my hair off is another. It’s not often that they both happen at the same time for other people to see! But if it gets more awareness of alopecia out there and raises much needed funds for Alopecia UK then it’s all worth it. As Charity Manager of Alopecia UK there’s not much I won’t do in order to help the charity I’m so proud of all the girls who took part as it was a massive thing for all of us to do and they all look amazing.”

32 | The Whitehaven Guide

Pretty Bald | Feature

Jen, who was diagnosed with alopecia when she was just 11 years old, said: “I struggled with losing my hair but I sort of got on with things and it grew back by the time I was 16 but I lost it again a few years later. It was really tough losing it again, but I decided it wasn’t going to stop me doing the things I wanted to do – which it had done before.”

“For me a big part of coming to terms with the condition was understanding my experience with it. This led me towards the psychological side of things, which resulted in me completing a psychology with health studies degree and an art psychotherapy masters. I focussed both of them around the topic of alopecia where I could and both of them were hugely beneficial to me and have led to me doing the work I do now with Alopecia UK. ”

* Calendars are available priced at £10 in Sugar Craft Corner, at Chambers, Workington with all proceeds going to Alopecia UK. For further information about Alopecia UK and the support group please: alopecia.org.uk To purchase a calendar online visit prettybald.co.uk.

Whether you have cancer, thinning hair, scarring or alopecia, the Pretty Bald calendar aims to showcase and raise awareness of lovely ladies (and gents) without hair and challenge society’s perceptions of what is beautiful.

“I think there is a perception in society that “it’s only hair”…. and it is only hair, alopecia is not something you can die from, but when you struggle to look at yourself in the mirror, feel uncomfortable in your own skin and changes the way you interact with people then it certainly has a lifechanging effect which should not be underestimated.”

Jen is helping to set up a support group in West Cumbria for sufferers of alopecia, which will meet for the first time on Thursday November 27, 7pm - 9pm, at The Trout Hotel, in Cockermouth (see Alopecia UK website for details).

Support groups are an opportunity to meet other people with alopecia, Jen said: “It’s really important l to meet with others who have alopecia. There is an immediate connection and sense of understanding there which you can’t always get from friends and family.”

December /January 2014/15 | 33

Going Gaga to help baby unit

TIME to get your poker faces out and just dance!

M

argaret of De Margo’s has really gone out of her way this winter to bring a fantastic act to Egremont Conservative Club. On December 12 a Lady Gaga tribute act will get people out of their homes and dancing their way to the Cons Club to party the night away.

Not only is De Margo’s hosting a fantastic disco night with, let’s face it one of the best pop artist tributes around, but the tickets also include a full carvery! For only £22 this is a fantastic opportunity for an inexpensive but brilliant night out plus the chance to support a special cause close to Margaret’s heart, the Special Care Baby Unit at The West Cumberland Hospital.

That’s because alongside the popular songs and fantastic food there will also be a raffle from which all proceeds will go to the unit.

Margaret said: “It’s something many of us forget about.

People who haven’t experienced the horrors of something going wrong with a baby won’t understand how vital and how absolutely necessary it is to help and raise money for units such as this. The Special Care Unit has saved hundreds of babies’ lives”.

Such facilities need all the help they can get which is one of the primary reasons Margaret hosts tribute nights; to not only raise awareness, but try to help such units improve their facilities and by extension save vulnerable lives.

All the proceeds will go directly into the hands of the unit, so if you want to have a brilliant night, with live, popular music, great food and the knowledge that you are contributing to something so vital then get yourself down to Egremont and get your tickets!

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December /January 2014/15 | 35

Feature | New year Traditions

Strange New Year traditions stretch back for centuries

N

EW YEAR is full of traditions in which we knowingly take part. Some we do without thinking, others we’ve amended to become our own.

Most are meant to help secure wealth and good fortune throughout the forthcoming year and range from superstitions about cupboards, doors and visitors to your home.

Having full cupboards before the New Year is supposed to be extremely important. If your cupboards are bare it is believed that’s way they’ll stay for the coming year.

Another superstition said to bring luck is First Footing. This is a process in which a tall, dark haired handsome man steps into the house with a piece of coal, and a piece of bread.

These items will then be used.The coal should be put on the fire (tricky if you’ve got gas or electric heating) and the bread should be shared among the family. Apparently this will help ensure that the year will be warm and everyone fed.

Some traditions stretch back to the middle ages when everyone thought that the world was plagued with evil spirits which caused all things negative. The spirits were said to have a passionate hatred for loud noises which is why we ring bells at times of celebration such as New Year. The idea that we sing and make lots of noise at New Year also comes from those times.

It is also traditional to let the old year out of the by opening your doors and windows at midnight. This allows the New Year to enter.

36 | The Whitehaven Guide

The midnight kiss is probably the most universal New Year tradition. We merrily (sometimes too merrily) celebrate by kissing a loved one but this tradition has origins which go all the way back to the eighth century BC. The reasons vary, from purification to setting a tone for the year to come…. and some is just plain old fun.

The kiss is believed to be so important because it ensures that the bonds and ties we have with the special people in our lives will last during the coming 12 months.

Many of these traditions are based purely on superstition, yet even the least superstitious of us still take part in them, which goes to show the extent of the power and hope that a new year can bring.

New Year Resolutions

Resolutions | Feature

Danielle Murphy suggest a more practical and rewarding approach to ensuring that you keep to your New Year’s resolutions

We think of all the things “wrong” with us and from the resulting list decide which aspect of ourselves we ought to try to change for the better in the New Year.

Lose weight, get fit, and stop smoking. These are just some of the most common New Year’s resolutions we make each year but the harsh reality of it is that although they are de rigueur, they are very hard to keep and most of us give up within a week.

But by doing this you have already set yourself up for failure.

If you do feel you must make a resolution it is important to seriously think about it first. And it’s worth bearing in mind that it doesn’t always have to be entirely about you.

So before the New Year comes around, start to think about something you truly want for the coming year. For a start exclude the usual things that everybody says they will change.

This year, do it differently. People always want to improve themselves, whether it is their appearance, their health or their physical fitness.

What better time to begin the process of becoming a new you than a brand spanking New Year? We love the idea that a New Year will bring new things for us, we like to have a start date, but in reality, what’s the difference between saying you will change something in the New Year or saying you will do it today?

The big trip up we all make is setting ourselves a big goal just because we feel we have to. Almost before the strains of Auld Lang Syne have subsided and the champagne is drunk, we start to panic.

For instance if you haven’t yet passed your driving test then maybe that’s a good start?

By thinking about practical things it will benefit you in a ways in which you might not expect and you might find it more useful, less stressful and more satisfying And whatever you decide, do it by degrees because bit by bit is often more sustainable So if think carefully about what you really want before you make any goals or resolutions and then maybe you might be able to keep to them.

December /January 2014/15 | 37

Feature| Bridget Foster

Facing up to Seasonal A

change of season means a change in clothes and changes to your skin. You can get rid of that dull dry winter skin by exfoliating once or twice a week and applying a night oil /balm.

Marks & Spencer have launched a new beauty concept, offering a multi-branded department which includes one of my favourite brands: REN a natural skincare brand.

I would recommend their gylcolic peel. It’s fantastic for all skin types, even sensitive skin. A blend of fruit acids, this product is great for anyone wanting a smoother brighter skin, or with acne-prone skin. I prefer gylcolics to scrubs as scrubs can scratch and spread bacteria around the face.

Most gycolic peels are over £50 but this one is £32. Make sure you wear your SPF all though winter because the sun is actually lower and your skin still is at risk of sun damage, so be extra careful when using exfoliating treatments.

Make Up – X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing are back on our screens, giving us inspirations for full face makeup and new hairstyles.

Changes

together for you. Look for colours that compliment your eye colour and you can smoke up or play down.

Most colours, suit brown eyes, blue eyes look stunning with bronze and orange tones while hazel eyes carry purple tones well. Avoid eye shadows that match your eye. Eye shadow should bring out your eye colour not blend into it.

Remember when you apply the colour to your eye, push the colour into the skin rather than sprinkle. The pigment needs to last on your eye. Apply then blend.

Here are my top favourite red lipsticks. Some are warm orange tones and some are cooler.

Orange tones look stunning on blondes or an olive skin tone, such as NARS red square matt lip pencil, £21; or Channel rouge allure Incandescent Satin finish, £26.

Dark plums and warm reds with a hint of copper are on trend for this season.

Blue cooler reds are: Barry M 161 £4.99; Revlon Matt “really Red" £7.49; Classic matt red, – more blue toned – Mac Lipstick Ruby Woo £15.50; Dita Von Tese strong bold lip.

Eye makeup is the thing I get asked about most. Many people make the simple mistake of trying to match an eye shadow to a dress. Makeup should enhance and compliment your hair colour, eye colour and skin tone. Make your life easier and look for eye palettes where the colours are put

Lip tint/ Gloss – If a red lip scares you, try a more transparent texture such as Dior Attict Extreme in Fireworks 756 which has a more transparent texture. I love this range as it adds just enough colour to complete and complement any look.

Sarah's mum has booked me to help teach her daughters some basic skills. Make Up parties and tutorials are a great idea over Christmas and are also a personal and thoughtful gift.

Article by

bridget foster will go here Make UpFooter & Hair Artist www.bridgetfoster .co.uk 38 | The Whitehaven Guide

Photographs by Louise Crouch

Bridget Foster| Feature

Anna Anna is, a student studying radiography. She has a stunning eye shape and effortless "undone" hair.

She was happy to model Top Shop Constellation Eye Palette £12: a combination of plum, pinks and greys and the other a classic blend of neutral tones. Anna has blues eyes so I had to be careful with the pinks and silver.

I started by concealing all over the eyelid, which is vital for any eye makeup for hold and an even skin tone. Adding the pink in the middle of the socket area adds warmth to the cool shades. The silver was only used in the corner to brighten and the plum to blend around the socket area.

Black eyeliner was applied to define and create shape on top and inside the eye line.

This is quite a summery look but can be updated for autumn / winter by applying bronzer instead of the pinks and adding a plum lip. Using your bronzer as an eye shadow is a great way of making your make up balance and complement your overall look.

Anna is a big fan of bare minerals but I like to get my clients to try new products so I used Mac Face and Body: a more fluid foundation it’s natural but buildable. Set with a loose powder and contoured with bronzer and a TopShop blusher.

Sarah Sarah is a very natural, Australian, girl who is head and shoulders above me; perfect for catwalk and modelling. I decided to do a classic red lipstick look. Anyone at any age can carry off a red lipstick. Plum is a young trend.

When creating a red lipstick look it’s important to make sure everything on the face looks polished and clean.

Eyebrows are a must with a red lipstick as they pull the look together. I used Urban Decay’s new basic's palette, £22, to keep the eyes fresh and neutral. Dior also have a classic basic palette that I always have in my kit. Dior 5 culeurs 030 incognito, works brilliantly on mature eyes. Use liquid liner and a white pencil in the inner eye with lots of mascara on the bottom lashes, to give a fresh open-eyed look.

I hate full coverage mat foundation with a red lips, I understand it’s classic 1940s/50s Hollywood glamour, but it’s 2014; we have better foundations now. Keep it modern and allow your freckles to show, enhance your beautiful skin. I only used concealer and my Laura Mercier mineral powder, £32, to even Sarah's skin tone. If you want more coverage try Urban Decay's Naked Skin foundation, £27, it’s lightweight yet covers any flaws with light-diffusing particles, creating a demi-matt effect.

December /January 2014/15 | 39

It’s easy when you know how Feature | Nelson Brown

Browns hair have a new online booking platform for 24/7 appointments at

www.brownsthestylist.com

Clothing by Clothing-www.beau-boutique.co.uk

Christmas is just around the corner which means it’s party season. Here Trae Corbet Force manager of Browns, Lockerbie and Dumfries, tells us how to create this Elegant and glamorous intricate plaited bun; the perfect hairstyle for your Christmas do.

-------------------------------------------------Updos are the perfect way to add a touch of glamour to any outfit and this intricate looking bun was created by Trae Corbett and Modelled by Poppy Fitzpatrick

1

Leave the hair natural with a fluffy texture.

Gather hair into a low ponytail, and secure with elastic cord

3 Pull through and tighten with tension

WORDS: NELSON BROWN

//

MAKE-UP: ABBIE SNEDDON

//

STYLING: ABBIE SNEDDON //

PHOTOGRAPHY: KERRY CLARK

first of its kind with hair in this area

www.facebook.com/brownshair 40 | The Whitehaven Guide

2 Create a gap with forefinger and thumb under the base of ponytail and thread the tail through

4 Split tail ends into two sections; use the same pull through technique to create a woven effect

Nelson Brown | Feature

Be THE face of the Guide

Here’s how…

We’re launching a brand new competition to find a fresh, new face for 2015, to feature on the front page of The Guide Magazine’s!

If you aspire to strut down the runway or just like the idea of being dressed and styled, groomed, photographed, and being in the public eye then this is the competition for you.

To enter please send us two recent and clear photos of yourself: one head to toe, and one profile, to appts@brownsthestylists.com The judging will be carried out a panel at the Guide Magazines, featuring backstage and international hair educator, Nelson Brown; our regular beauty columnist, Bridget Foster, and professional photographer, Kerry Clarke.

The closing date for entries is Saturday February 28.

Good Luck.

December /January 2014/15 | 41

Feature | Not fur real

Not fur real… unless it’s vintage

Ashleigh Panther looks what’s hot and what’s not in the controversial world of fashion fur.

Y

EARS ago, when the weather started to turn frosty and unwelcoming, it was fashionable to indulge in a lavish fur coat that would make you feel and look glamorous.

They were made from animal furs such as mink, fox, rabbit and other critters. Even now our eyes start to dart to vintage shops when the weather starts to turn, hands running through the rails of shiny furs… but stop!

There are many shops on the high streets that supply beautiful faux fur coats that look and feel like the real thing, and will also keep you warm and toasty.

Here are three different examples of how you can add faux fur to your wardrobe: Casual Biker – There are plenty of jackets out there that just supply a faux fur collar, they’re not too OTT, but you’ll have that soft faux fur keeping your neck nice and warm, while looking glamorous, but not too Hollywood!

River Island for example, has a large choice of fake leather jackets with faux fur collars, in a range of colours that would look great with jeans and boots for a day on the high street.

Something a little more edgy – if you want something a little more out there, shops like Urban Outfitters and Cheap Monday supply edgy, cool clothes including their full faux fur jackets, dyed in out there colours such as blue and green that are sure to turn some heads, add some originality to your outfits and keep you warm without the guilt.

For those nights on the town – gone are the nights on which you can walk around in a short dress and heels without freezing your legs off, waiting to get into a club. But have no fear! There are some incredible, formal faux fur coats out there that won’t overbear you and will keep you looking on point for the night!

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Topshop has a shearling midi coat by Unique. Your eyes might pop out when you see the price of this one, but it’ll be a worthwhile investment when you feel like a million dollars in it (even though you might not have it in your pocket any more.)

Real furs will never disappear from vintage shops, they are part of fashion’s history and they can be good collectors’ items, but with so many good faux furs out there, we can make them just that, a collectors’ item.

Say “yes” to faux furs!

December /January 2014/15 | 43

Feature | Darling Manor

Making fairy tales come true for your child…

I

F you don’t believe in the world of magic and fantasy that a prince or princess can bring to a child then perhaps you ought to.

And now the magic of fairy tales has come to Whitehaven, even bringing their sparkle to the Christmas lights switch-on, when they dazzled everyone.

With the arrival of Darling Manor, Cumbria’s Magical Princess Party Venue, Tearooms, Sweet Shop and Boutique, dreams are sure to come true. Your very own little princes and princesses are certain to be overwhelmed by the idea that they can have a real-life princess attend an event such as a birthday party!

All your favourite princess’s can be found at Darling Manor, including Elsa and Anna, Princess Aurora, Cinderalla and Snow White.

It’s every child’s dream to be in a fairy tale, but until now it’s not been possible. Darling Manor has not only brought something new to town but it’s almost as if a page from a fairy tale book has come to life in Darling Manor. Now it’s possible for every Cinderella to attend the ball and have some fun!

Amy Irving and Rachellle Chambers, who run the organisation, have gone to infinity and beyond to provide a service that puts smiles on the faces of little ones as well as giving them the most wonderful gift that can be given, belief, magic and fantasy.

44 | The Whitehaven Guide

Darling Manor not only gives us the magic of princesses and fairies, they are also providing tea! The girls have been waving their wands in the kitchen providing cakes and cake pops! The café is perfect for a royal tea party after an afternoon of shopping.

There’s also a sweet shop and an exclusive range of beautiful Disney Couture jewellery… well every princess must be ready to dazzle!

For more information why not pop in and have a chat?

They’re only a magic carpet ride away.

Dixons matches best city stores

D

ixons, Lowther Street, is one of the town’s oldest businesses….but don’t confuse “old” with “old-fashioned”… especially after the store’s new multi-million pound refurbishment.

No matter how fabulous the shoes, no outfit is complete without the perfect handbag and Dixons have got this covered with the likes of Radley, Fiorelli, Dice and some on trend metallic satchels by Sienna Rose.

The store has been transformed into a department store that any city would be proud to call its own.

The cosmetics department has also been upgraded complete with an Estee Lauder trained make-up artist on hand, to offer advice on finding the right shades for you.

Estee Lauder specialise in skin care and pride themselves on excellent customer service which Whitehaven shoppers can now experience.

The shoe department is one of the latest areas of the store to be given a makeover so whether you’re looking for a pair of ballet pumps, work shoes, party shoes or a fabulous pair of winter boots Dixons’ new-look shoe department is the place to go, especially as it is now stocking prestigious brands such as Timberland, Converse, Joules Wellington Boots and Jones Bootmakers who offer a click and collect service – perfect for the busy shopper.

To keep your shoes and boots looking their best you should invest in Jones shoe care products and for the man who has everything a valet box complete with shoe brushes, creams, polishes, shoe horn and travel bag is ideal.

For those in search of their favourite perfume or a new scent, then look no further, Dixons have an extensive range of perfume and gift sets including Prada, Elie Saab, Valentino, Paco Rabanne and Jimmy Choo. Not forgetting hand creams and body care products by L’Occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn.

December /January 2014/15 | 45

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December /January 2014/15 | 46

girls’ gifts

Guys Guide | Feature

Guys’ guide to

BY ALI HIPKIN

C

hristmas Shopping: Two words sufficient to strike fear into the hearts of the bravest of men.

The bad news is that it’s time to get shopping, the good news is that because you are reading this you’re armed with an idiot proof guide to buying Christmas presents for the women in your life.

Follow the simple TLC rules and you should be fine.

T is for Time: DO NOT leave Christmas shopping until the last minute. Standing in the middle of a department store, in the gift section, during Christmas week is not a good idea, as it leads to panic buying. Whether you’re buying for your mother, your sister or your girlfriend/ fiancé/wife the chances are they’ve put a great many hours into thinking of what to get you, so return the favour.

Pre-plan, go out with at least a vague idea of what you’re looking for and if you start Christmas shopping early, you’re more likely to be able to find it.

L is for Listen: Girlfriends/fiancés/wives in particular, will have been dropping hints for weeks about what they want.

Women rarely just come out and say what they mean, or what they want, so make little mental notes of their fleeting comments. She might say something like: “My nails are a mess!” so buy her a voucher to have her nails done; she can take an hour out of her usually busy schedule for some me time – some people think vouchers are a cop out, but I think they’re great as a present on the side.

C is for Concentration: As well as making mental notes of what she’s saying pay attention to what she likes and what she uses. A perfect example of this is jewellery, look at what she likes, does she wear gold or silver? Does she wear sparkles or plain jewellery? Does she like in-your-face colours? Likewise with clothes and underwear find out what size she wears and what style she prefers, for example if she wears French-cut knickers or if she prefers a thong. It sounds simple but you’d be surprised how easy it is to get it wrong when you’re faced with a cabinet full of necklaces, or a rail of bra and knicker sets.

Good Luck!

December /January 2014/15 | 47

Get yourself a sales strategy!

A

ARE you ready?

fter pulling your hair out over Christmas the time has come to man up, get on your gear and head straight into the warzone that is the January sales. Luckily, this year you will be armed with these tips.

Don’t pay for a price: Don’t buy things because they are cheap. An ugly top at a pretty price will result in unnecessarily cluttered draws and cupboards. If you wouldn’t buy it for its full price… then you don’t want it!

But before you do anything you must have a LIST.

Rummage: There are those who stash the nice things at the back of the rack to come back to. Check through the racks thoroughly and you never know they might just have your size.

List: You need to think about what you need. These things will be your priority. Tights, socks, underwear, things for the house such as pans or cutlery will be super cheap.

Leave the kids at home: Sales demand your full attention! The kids will run around, hide in the clothing racks and stress you out. You need to be in a Zen state of mind.

Budget: Decide what you can spend. Then and only then should you begin. You need to limit yourself Dress appropriately: You must consider comfort. Don’t worry about how you look. You need comfy shoes, bottoms e.g. leggings and an easy top you can slip in and out of easily and quickly when you try things on.

Think about the coming seasons: Spring and summer will roll in fast. Think about clothes you’ll need for the summer months. You will be thankful if you get some or all your summer clothes now.

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Know when to stop: Keep aware of what you are spending and stop when you you have everything you need (not want). Be sensible with your spending.

December /January 2014/15 | 49

Food|&Alan Spedding Food Drink |Alan Spedding

R

ocky Road Cake So simple it`s childs play

C

hristmas is nearly upon us and it’s at times like this that we throw the diet out the window and indulge in rich, delicious chocolately goodies. So we asked our resident foodie Alan Spedding to come with a choctastic delight that’s perfect wrapped up as a homemade present or to treat yourself with a cup of coffee at the end of a hard day shopping and wrapping presents.

There are literally thousands of versions of this classic cake in tearooms and coffee bars throughout the world. With a little bit of experimentation and substitution I managed to find a good recipe that worked well for me. Get your kids involved with this one , it really is a dream to make at home. Extremely messy, very chocolatey and the bowl is a proper cracker for a good licking at the end of the cooking session. Be warned - Have some wet wipes at the ready as I can`t guarantee that the grown ups won`t be taking a dip into the bed of chocolate marshmallow goodness...Enjoy.

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Alan Spedding| Food

Method

Recipe ( makes 16 Bars )

Take an 8" Cake tin which is roughly about 1" deep and line it with baking or greaseproof paper.

225g / 8oz salted butter.

115g / 4oz good quality dark chocolate, 60% or over.

30ml / 2 Tbsp caster sugar 30ml / 2 Tbsp golden syrup 30ml / 2 Tbsp good quality cocoa powder.

350g / 12oz mixed ginger snaps and digestive biscuits.

50g / 2oz mini marshmallows.

80g / 3oz mixed white and dark choc chips.

A generous handful of Maltesers.

Icing sugar for dusting.

Put the butter in a pan along with the chocolate , caster sugar, syrup and cocoa. Place the pan over a gentle heat and stir lightly until everything has melted and blended together then remove.

Place all the biscuits into a plastic bag and then bash with the end of a rolling pin until they have been broken into small pieces. Stir the biscuits into the Chocolate mixture.

Now add the marshmallows , chocolate chips and the Maltesers to the mix and stir it all together.

Spoon all of the mixture into the cake tin and spread it all out evenly. Press down gently but not too much as it should look like its name.... A Rocky Road.

Chill the cake in the fridge for at least 1 hour until firm. Remove form the tin and cut into the sizes that you require. Big , small , bars or nibbles. Dust with icing sugar for a professional finish.

Words & Photography by Alan Spedding Follow Alan at: www.alanspedding.co.uk www.cumbriafoodie.wordpress.com www.theguidemediagroup.co.uk

December /January 2014/15 | 51

Feature | Cut The Cpst

Cut the cost of Christmas not the quality

BY DANIELLE MURPHY

B

UYING the ingredients needed for that perfect Christmas dinner can be very costly, but if you use some of these little tips you might save yourself time and money.

Go shopping with your partner or someone who will be attending the meal, going Christmas dinner shopping with a friend often ends in you buying things they have bought ‘’just in case’’ so take your list and stick to it!

Check your cupboards!

You don’t need to pay a fortune for good food. Not all the best food is expensive, supermarkets often have deals on their turkeys and other foods, don’t be a snob. You will regret it when you get to the till. Shopping in cheaper supermarkets always helps to keep the cost down as you are not tempted into the false deals put on by the major supermarkets.

Before you go out on the food shop, look through your food cupboards for ingredients you know you’ll need. You will be surprised at what you already have. This quick check will save you doubling up unnecessarily.

Write a list!

Sit down and work out how many guests you will have, then all you have to do is work out portion sizes. A Christmas dinner does not need to be huge! Remember portion sizes can save you those all-important pennies.

52 | The Whitehaven Guide

Christmas doesn’t have to be all about money. There are lots of little ways you can save yourself and other people money and stress and this little collection of tips is one way of achieving that. By using clever little ideas, you will realise Christmas can be a doddle as opposed to a season of running around manically. An easier and happier Christmas is in the palm of your hands.

Park Head Inn

proves popular with diners

T

HE Park Head Inn, Thornhill, Egremont, has been re-opened less than two months and has already won over an army of contented diners.

New owner, Andy Greenwood, has brought a wealth of business experience with him having run both bars and restaurants in Majorca and Switzerland and even in Egremont, where he once ran The Wheatsheaf, Market Place.

With home-made food and large-sized portions The Park Head Inn now offers a relaxed, comfortable and spacious restaurant with everything and more that you expect from a country pub and its food.

They use only the best of local ingredients and take pride in being able to amend dishes to accommodate any customer’s personal requirements, regarding allergies or diet.

Essentially The Park Head offers homely, comfort food and roast dinners are on the menu all day on Sundays.

Opening times are: Wednesday – Saturday: Lunch: Noon – 2.30pm.

Dinner: 5.30pm – 9pm Sunday: Noon – 6pm

December /January 2014/15 | 53

F F O T I G N I K C I K YLE Feature | Welington Bistro

T S I W I K

NEW ZEALAND

11am

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54 | The Whitehaven Guide

BANGLADESH

2pm

6pm

PAKISTAN

7pm

SOUTH AFRICA

10pm

U.A.E

GERMANY

8pm

11pm

RUSSIA

united kingdom

9pm

12am

December /January 2014/15 | 55

Choccylicious

Feature | Choccylicious

From stilettos to a Tardis… eat your art out!

I

t’s a difficult job... but someone has to do it! Ali Hipkin takes on the tough task of talking about chocolate… to Sharon Leece from Chocylicious, Whitehaven.

From stiletto shoes to a rather extravagant chess set and characters from the Disney film Frozen, Sharon believes that almost anything can be made out of chocolate and she always welcomes a challenge.

“WHAT woman doesn’t love chocolate?” asks chocolatier Sharon Leece… and I have to agree, but Sharon’s products are more than just chocolate, they’re nothing short of edible art.

Previously a pastry chef, Sharon spent many years working in bake houses and it was decorating cakes and working at sugarcraft that lead to Sharon experimenting with chocolate.

She said: “I’ll literally have a go at anything; I like the challenge. It all started when I was doing sugarcraft three years ago I began making creative cupcakes which led to cake decorating in my spare time and I decided to experiment with chocolate. I bought a shoe mould and put a few pictures on Facebook and people went wild for them.”

“I’ve always been very arty-farty and studied art and design; so this gives me an outlet for my creativity.”

One of her most challenging requests to date has been a fish, a Carp, which I was able to have a look at. Not only did it look fantastic, even in the early stages in which I saw it, but the smell was enough to send me into a chocolate frenzy.

Sharon has also created a whole range of chocolate shoes, handbags, and Disney characters as well Dr Who’s Tardis, wrestling ring with wrestlers, a play station 3 and much, much more.

Whether it’s a Wedding, Baby Shower, Birthday, Anniversary, Passing a Driving test or Exams; Retirement; Moving house, there’s a chocolate possibility for all occasions.

Taking inspiration from the famous Brighton chocolate shop: Choccywoccydoodah Sharon creates her artworks using non-toxic and totally edible paints, glitters, dusts, 56 | The Whitehaven Guide

Choccylicious | Feature

sugar decorations and glazes. All products are made from good quality chocolate using milk, dark, white or coloured chocolate.

She is clearly passionate about what she does, she said: “I like doing arty things but in baking, decorating deserts and learning to spin sugar I realised how much you can do with chocolate. You can literally make a sculpture of anything!!”

Along with her creations Sharon also makes more traditional chocolates such as scrumptious rum truffles naturally incorporating Whitehaven’s delicious, unique Jefferson’s Rum. All Sharon’s products can be made to order within seven days so they are perfect if, close to Christmas, you’re still struggling for presents.

Visit her website www.choccylicious.com, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Choccylicious or telephone Sharon on 01946 696269 to make your chocolate dream a reality.

December /January 2014/15 | 57

01946 599 949 SOLWAY ROAD, KELLS, WHITEHAVEN, CA28 9BG www.haigpit.wordpress.com

VISITORS CENTRE & PIT TOP CAFE

COLLIE RY

& MIN IN

OPEN S

THE PIT TOP CAFE NOW OPEN

G MU

HALF TER

FEBRU SEUM ARY

M

CHRISTMAS 3 COURSE DINNER EVERY THURS, FRI, SAT IN DECEMBER 1 COURSE £9, 2 COURSES £12, 3 COURSES £13.50

PLEASE CALL 01946 599949 TO BOOK AND FOR MORE INFO

DRINKS

Tea ........................................................£1.20 Ringtons Speciality Teas.................£1.50 Coffee....................................................£1.25 Latte.......................................................£2.00 Cappuccino.........................................£2.00 Hot Chocolate....................................£2.00 Luxury Hot Chocolate.....................£2.20 Water Bottle........................................£0.70 Orangeade Bottle.............................£0.50 Cans......................................................£0.70 Cordial..................................................£0.25

FOOD

Sausage Teacake .............................£1.50 Bacon Teacake...................................£1.50 Soup of the Day................................£2.00 Freshly Made sandwiches.............£2.25 Salad Bowl..........................................£2.25 Jacket Potatoes with a variety of fillings available ...............................£2.50 Pasta Bowl...........................................£3.00 Children’s Boxes................................£2.00 Cup Cakes...........................................£0.80 Home Made Flapjack..................... £1.50 Home Made Cakes..........................£1.50

EAT IN, OR TAKE AWAY THANK YOU TO ALL STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS PAST AND PRESENT FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THIS WONDERFUL PROJECT KEEP UP WITH 58 | The Whitehaven GuideUS ON www.haigpit.wordpress.com

HAIG COLLIERY MINING MUSEUM WHITEHAVEN

Christmas Turkey | Feature

Maple-glazed roast turkey and cider gravy USE a whole FRESH, FREE-RANGE turkey about 6.3 - 7.2 kg (14-16 lbs) It will be plenty for six hungry people, just allow an extra 500g (1 lb.) per extra hungry person You need a free-range bird… fresh not frozen!

We know it’s a bit more expensive but it is Christmas after all.

OTHER INGREDIENTS 1 block unsalted butter, soft but not melted. A good handful of fresh sage leaves, chopped. 125ml maple syrup. Sea salt and ground black pepper. 2 onions, skin on, but cut in half. 5 carrots, skin on cut in 1/4s. 1 leek cut into 5 cm pieces. 6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme. 4/5 cloves garlic. 4 apples cut in half

METHOD In a bowl, or even better a food processor, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly, about 2-3 mins in a food processor Gently loosen the skin around the breast with your fingers and stuff the butter under the skin and smear over the legs.

Pre heat the oven to 160c/ gas 3.

Put the chopped veggies in a large roasting pan with the turkey on top and roast in oven for 3.5 – 4 hours. Very important to remove the tray every 20 mins and spoon the juices in the bottom over the bird. When the turkey is ready remove from the tray and leave to rest in another tray covered with scrunched up tin foil for at least half an hour, Meanwhile, make the gravy, for which you’ll also need: plain flour, tomato puree and one pint of chicken stock Tip most of the fat out of the tray and place tray on a hot stove top. Stir in three desert spoons of plain flour and one desert spoon of tomato puree stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping up all the caramelised bits on the bottom of the pan.

Add one pint of cider in three or four goes, while stirring all the time, and allowing the tray to boil before adding each bit of cider.

Add one pint of chicken stock and allow to boil. Strain the gravy into a saucepan and check the seasoning. If the gravy is a bit thin just boil further until thickened. If it’s a little too thick just add a drop more chicken stock. Just before serving add the juices from the resting turkey.

Serve with all the festive trimmings!!!

December /January 2014/15 | 59

Eating at The Screes is now twice as good!

Feature | The Scres Inn

T

Inn

HE Screes Inn, at the beautiful village of Nether Wasdale, has introduced something new to the area.

Diners who go there will be able to go home and readily recreate the new dishes that they have enjoyed in the new restaurant, from the inn’s all-new menu.

That’s because The Screes Inn not only has a refurbished restaurant but has added a smokehouse, grill and deli which can supply you with the locally-sourced ingredients that they themselves use.

The Screes Inn, smokehouse, grill and deli opened its doors on December 1, with a refurbished restaurant, but with the arrival of its new smokehouse, grill and deli this picturesque little inn is particularly well set to tantalise the taste buds of everyone who visits.

With an experienced chef in the new chargrill, The Screes will be serving up the best of locally-sourced meats from Cumbrian farms together with a range of fresh fish.

60 | The Whitehaven Guide

They will also be serving a selection of smoked fish and cheeses, all of which will be products of their all-new smokehouse.

So if you have eaten there, and discovered a dish that particularly appeals, then thanks to the deli, you’ll have the chance to enjoy it again... particularly home-smoked products... and there will be many others delights on sale too, such as beers, ales and fresh vegetables.

Roasted Berries with Whipped Cream

I

Christmas Dessert | Feature

ideal for diabetics

T’S lovely eating fresh berries with whipped cream for a low-carb dessert that won’t spike your blood sugar and roasting them too is a delicious way to serve them.

We I thought it be good to try roasting a favourite desserts to change it up! The result was worth the experiment and if you don’t like the idea of using sugar, then you can certainly try an artificial sweetener of your choice.”

1 pint fresh blueberries, washed and dried 1 pint fresh blackberries, washed and dried 1 pint fresh raspberries, washed and dried 3 tablespoons sugar 1 vanilla bean, seeds halved and seeds removed 8 oz whipping cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons sugar / or equivalent sweetener Heat your oven to 450F / 235C Place the berries on a sheet pan and sprinkle with the sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Toss to combine. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

For the whipped cream, put the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. When the cream starts to thicken, add the sugar and the vanilla. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Serve with the berries.

Serves: 6 Nutrition Facts per Serving: Calories: 213; Carbohydrates: 24g; Dietary Fibre: 7g; Sugars: 14g; Fat: 12g; Saturated: 7g; December /January 2014/15 | 61

62 | The Whitehaven Guide

Cafe West | Feature

free coffee OFFER at Café West

Order a bap with your app

W

EST House Café, in Workington Library, Oxford Street, is launching a free app to make life easier for the busy nine to fiveer, who needs to avoid long queues in their short, but precious, lunch breaks.

The free app will the app allow you to pre-order your lunch or take away and keep up to date with any promotions, events and activities as well as providing a link to West House’s Facebook page.

West House Cafe uses locally sourced ingredients and is freshly made on the premises.

Paul Martin, enterprise development manager for West House, said: “West House cafes are part of the community and supports West Cumbria’s youngsters. We give them an opportunity to work, gain skills and experience. The more people use us the more opportunities we can offer.”

As if saving time on your lunch break wasn’t enough, you will also receive a free coffee for just downloading the app.

So download the app from your favourite café… today.

December /January 2014/15 | 63

Feature | Road Safety

Don’t rue the day... or the day after

I

T’S the season of good will and the time to raise a glass in merriment... but the goodwill doesn’t extend to drink-driving so it’s also the season when police carry out early-morning breathalyser tests.

It’s the time of year we all over indulge and get a little too merry; we go out, have a few too many, go home to sleep, wake up and jump in the car to go to work or the shop to get our chosen hangover cure but the changes are we’re not legally safe to drive.

You wouldn’t start drinking at 8am finish at noon and then get in your car and drive at 6pm the same day would you?

So why when we factor six hours sleep into the equation to we assume we’re safe to drive?

Experts suggest it takes 12 hours for alcohol to leave the system, which means 12 hours after your last drink. This, however, is not definitive it also depends on the type, strength and amount of the alcohol you have consumed as well as your age, sex, your metabolism, how much food you have eaten and whether you’re on medication.

64 | The Whitehaven Guide

In 2012, there were still 230 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 13% of all road fatalities.

However it is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit.

If you’re the designated driver this year it’s best not to have any alcohol and if you’ve had a session the night before it’s best not to drive at all the next day. Better to be safe than sorry!

There are strict alcohol limits for UK drivers: 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; 107 milligrams of

Car Gifts | Feature

Gifts for the

S

OME people are notoriously hard to buy Christmas presents for but if they are a car owner then Walkingshaw’s Car World, at Lillyhall, Workington, is sure to have an answer.

Owned by Walkingshaw’s, who run the VW and Kia dealerships near-by, it’s a long-established business with a great reputation, great prices and great stock together with staff who are knowledgeable, helpful and never pushy.

From gadgets to gear knobs and torches to tools, Car World is a real treasure trove of potential presents. It features nearly all the accessories, gadgets, safety devices, tools, paint, lubricants and cleaning products that you’ll ever need for your car, but Car World’s not just for petrolheads.

the leading makers of external fittings such as roof boxes, cycle carriers and roof bars.

An extra sunshade to extend the depth of your visor against West Cumbria’s low winter sun (£5-99) would be a great idea; as would 90% extra bright headlight bulbs x 2 (£19-99) or cool-looking night vision glasses (£4.99).

CAR WORLD is at Joseph Noble Road, Lillyhall Industrial Estate, Workington, CA14 4JH. Tel 01900 608000

At the less expensive end of the scale there are Top Gear valeting kits containing everything you need to spruce up your vehicle for £9-99 and Walkingshaw’s are the only stockists in Cumbria of the highly-regarded and extensive range of Poorboys valeting and detailing products, which are a favourite at many cars shows. There is also big range of the famous Autoglym car care products, including gift sets from £10.99 to £65.

For £8.99 there’s a really practical, small, rechargeable LED torch that can live permanently in your cigarette lighter socket ready for immediate use. That socket could also house a Bluetooth hand-free device for a mere £19-99, or what about a Streetwise Video Journey Recorder for just £29.99? Fitted to your windscreen it films your journey in 15 minute chunks… in case there’s an incident. After 15 minutes it then starts to re-record… or you can save if necessary. A car tracker device is also offered at just £58-99.

While there’s a huge range of products to help care for and enhance your vehicle and improve your safety and security, you can even extend its versatility as Walkingshaw’s are agents for big brand names such as Thule, who are among

December /January 2014/15 | 65

Feature | Britains Worst Car

Britain’s worst car

Make and model BMW M5 Audi RS6 Jeep Grand Cherokee Mercedes-Bens R-Class Fiat Multipla Seat Alhambra

Car part Engine Axle and Suspension Gearbox Electrics Braking System Air-conditioning

Age range (04-11) (02-11) (06- ) (04- ) (99-05) (96- )

Chrysler 300c

Steering system

(05- )

66 | The Whitehaven Guide

Britains Worst Car | Feature

B

ASED on its statistics a car warranty firm has put together, on paper, what would be the worst car in the country.

Costing an average of £550 when it breaks down every other month, this is the UK’s ‘nightmare’ “bitza” car, according to Warranty Direct. It’s “built” of the least reliable components of various makes and models.

The automotive specialist analysed its 50,000 live policies and combined the worst-performing cars from each. With the suspension of an Audi, the gearbox of a Jeep and the electrics of a Mercedes, the fictional vehicle would be the motoring equivalent of Frankenstein’s monster.

The ‘body parts’ of the ‘Horrific 40RR0R’ Overall, the Reliability Index shows that two in five vehicles need some form of repair each year and, while the average repair costs just over £350; some garage bills can spiral to a scream-inducing £35,000.

“This large variety of vehicles that goes into the concoction proves how typically reliable cars can be dragged down by one poorly-performing part.”

Almost two fifths of Audi RS6s require a trip to the workshop to repair axle and suspension components each year, while three in every 10 Mercedes-Benz R Class vehicles report electrical faults. Gearbox problems see one in 10 Jeep Grand Cherokees in trouble annually.

A quarter of BMW M5s need engine repairs to their engines, while the same proportion of Fiat Multiplas experience braking faults and 10% of Chrysler 300Cs require repairs to their steering. The same number of SEAT Alhambras need their air-con fixed during a typical year.

December /January 2014/15 | 67

Sport | Whitehaven R.L.F.C.

Haven must be on

Their mettle!

By craig wishart

T

HE new Championship is going to be a very tough environment and Haven need to hit the ground running.

We know it, new coach Steve Deakin knows it and his playing squad will know it… in no uncertain terms.

So preparation in key and coach Deakin said: “During the off-season we’ll be training Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There’ll be plenty of preparation and hard work but, hopefully, it will have its benefits.”

Given the quality of the opposition to be faced only a fully professional approach will set the team in good stead, Haven simply can’t afford a slow start. Right from the outset Deakin has been well aware that he needed to bolster a squad that last season relied on luck to survive.

He wasted no time in starting work to get the team he wants and said: “We’ll know whether we’ll be plugging for top eight, top six or top four in the league, based on who we have signed.”

Haven have reaffirmed their determination to sign top local talent and they’ve snapped up Connor Holliday from Kells and half-back John Paul Brocklebank, from Egremont Rangers, together with prop / second rower Stephen Fox, 24, on a two-year deal. He re-joins the club after a spell with Egremont Rangers last season having first joined Haven, aged 14, on a scholarship programme. He left mid-way through last season because he wanted to play more matches.

They join Jordan Burns and Ben Milburn to play an

68 | The Whitehaven Guide

important part next season and Haven have made sure that there’s plenty of experience to help guide them. Brett Seymour has re-signed for another year and the club also have Italian international full back, Richard Lepori plus signings that include former Super League player, Ben Davies, and Tyla Hepi while from Hunslet they’ve signed brothers James and Thomas Coyle. Then there’s the re-signings of local favourites, player-ofthe-year Scott McAvoy and winger Craig Calvert.

Haven also made a major signing in recruiting ex-Widnes Craig Calvert Vikings’ back-row forward Dave Allen, 29, who made 18 appearances last season for Widnes and Deakin’s delight, in beating several clubs to the punch, was obvious. “We needed strike players on our edges.

“We already have Jessie Joe Parker and Scott McAvoy at centre, but the second-rowers last year, Lee Doran and Lee Mitchell, I felt were more middle-type players.

Forward Stephen Bannister, the former St Helens, Salford and Widnes back-row forward who made 16 appearances last season for North Wales Crusaders, is on board too and the 27-year-old had a period on loan at Haven, in 2007.

Next season will see an extra derby clash with Workington Town, as part of the RL’s new brainchild… the Summer Bash weekend, at Blackpool. The normal local derbies in the Championship are at Workington, on Good Friday, (April 3) and at the Recreation Ground, on Sunday, July 12. Sat May 23 (2.30pm).

Whitehaven R.L.F.C. | Sport

Next season Haven will play 11 home and 11 away matches plus the extra derby game at Blackpool.

THE club has secured a six-figure deal with long-time sponsors, Nuclear Management Partners, to take them forward into the new Championship season. The three-year arrangement takes NMP into a 15th season supporting Haven and makes it one of the longest associations.

Gary McKeating, head of stakeholder engagement at NMP, who run the Sellafield site, said: “We believe the club is currently undergoing a change of direction which we want to fully support it. There is a new coach and new members on the board and this three-year deal gives the club stability.

FIXTURES: Feb 15 Halifax (H); Feb 22 Bradford Bulls (A); Mar 1 Sheffield Eagles (H); Mar 8 Dewsbury Rams (A); Mar 15 London Broncos (H); Mar 29 Leigh Centurions (A); Apr 3 Workington Town (A) TBC; Apr 6 Doncaster (H) ko TBC; Apr 12 Hunslet Hawks (A); Apr 26 Featherstone Rovers 3pm (H); May 3 Batley Bulldogs (A); May 10 Bradford Bulls (H); May 17 Halifax (A); May 23/4 Summer Bash v Workington Town (at Blackpool); May 31 Leigh Centurions (H); Jun 7 Hunslet (H); Jun 14 Sheffield Eagles (A) TBC; June 21 Batley Bulldogs (H); June 28 Doncaster (A) TBC; July 5 London Broncos (A); July 12 Workington Town (H); July 19 Dewsbury (H); July 26 Featherstone (A).

Kick offs all at 3pm unless otherwise stated TBC = to be confirmed December /January 2014/15 | 69

Sport | Comets

COMETS resolve to ride again in 2015

L

AURA Morgan, owner of Workington Comets, has pledged to keep the sport running at Derwent Park next year.

When she took over from previous owner Keith Denham, she gave herself three years at least before re-appraising the situation.

So far she has presided over two years of the sport in West Cumbria but there were suggestions that it was becoming tougher and more unpredictable than envisaged and that she was ready to move on. However she has roundly declared that her heart is definitely still in the Comets and that she will lead the management team into 2015.

Here she tells The Whitehaven Guide about this year’s season and their plans for 2015: “In many ways it’s been an unfortunate season at Workington this year, with what feels like so many things going wrong but which were beyond anyone’s control.

70 | The Whitehaven Guide

“At the start of the season we had, on paper, what appeared to be an unstoppable team and I’m not being biased in saying that team was the talk of the league. However, having seen more than our fair share of injuries and not managing to have riders all hitting good form on the same night, things sadly never really came to fruition.

“We finished sixth in the league making the Play-Offs by a whisper, but failed to pull up any trees from there, losing at home to Edinburgh. Injuries took their toll on the team which meant we operated all season with guest riders standing in. The guest rule is fine as an odd “one off ” but to be forced to repeatedly use guests is a far from ideal situation.

Looking back there were a couple of freak incidents this year, we had to abandon one meeting as a follow up County ambulance was 66 minutes away, there was a missing trauma kit bag with vital equipment one evening and let’s not forget the meeting we got two races run on a very wet track, before having to abandon it in the interest of rider safety.

Comets | Sport

In spite of all that, we have been treated to some absolutely tremendous racing with breath-taking moves, as well as the usual little controversies that go with the sport.”

There was late, if only small, consolation when the Comets beat Berwick Bandits on aggregate in the final match of the season to win the Border Trophy – silverware which was re-activated after a number of years gathering dust.

Looking forward to the new season Laura said: “We are currently building our team for 2015… which is no easy task. We have already signed Kenneth Hansen, Mason Campton and Rene Bach.

Compton should and would have been a Workington rider in 2013 but his season was ended before it began because of red tape and problems with visas.

Nevertheless Comets’ management persisted and he was able to come over and ride in the season which has just ended.

Campton was the recipient of one of the three annual awards provided by the Comets’ management when he picked-up the trophy for most bonus points achieved.

December /January 2014/15 | 71

Feature | Screes

Bed and breakfast at its very, very best

S

even miles from Carlisle (10 min from the M6) Heads Nook Hall Bed and Breakfast offers a unique luxury country guest house experience.

Its location makes it ideal for exploring the north of the county, the Roman Wall, or as a place to stay while on a weekend shopping trip in Carlisle. But is equally suitable for business stays, during the week, or its magnificent grounds make it somewhere you can be certain of a peaceful and relaxing stay at all times.

The beautiful 1840s building has all the original Victorian features and that theme runs throughout this charming bed and breakfast.

While Heads Nook Hall retains many of its original features, it is complete with all life’s modern essentials including Free WiFi in the guest rooms and internet access in the Morning Room.

72 | The Whitehaven Guide

Room prices start at £115 and all have either a double or king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom, with either a large Victorian bath or a shower. For those in search of the ultimate luxury there’s the gold room, complete with a super king-sized four poster. Breakfast options include a continental buffet and freshly-made full English Breakfast.

Conference space is also available with ample onsite parking and a luxury two-bedroomed holiday cottage is also available in the grounds.

Feature | Egremont Crab Fair NMP| Feature

Free fibre broadband and I.T. NMP Free fibre trainingand for broadband I.T.job training for job seekers

seekers

P

hoenix Enterprise Centre, Cleator Moor, is one of 11 community groups in West Cumbria to benefit from a grant of £37,500 from the NMP Community Fund.

The money is being used to give unemployed people in Copeland new opportunities and the funding will allow free access to computers in specific centres in Copeland and this free computer usage has also been upgraded.

The programme began in 2010 when Phoenix staff discovered that around 52% of all jobs required some form of IT knowledge, whether emailing CVs, filling in application forms or, using the popular video chat programme Skype, to be interviewed.

Operations manager at the Phoenix Centre, Joanne Crowe, said: “This funding will ensure that at least 400 unemployed Copeland residents will be able to get supported access to the internet in order to find jobs. NMP’s funding will bring positive benefits to some of the most vulnerable in our communities and will allow them to compete equally for jobs in this digital age.”

The unfortunate truth is that many unemployed people don’t have the resources to own ,or access to a, computer and/or the internet at home and even those who do can lack keyboard confidence. This obviously hinders employment possibilities but having access to resources at The Phoenix Enterprise Centre means that they can now

have access to computers on a regular basis, without having to pay for anything.

All computers in The Phoenix Enterprise Centre’s facility have been replaced with all-new machines and the run off the recently arrived fibre optic broadband , which allows a better, faster experience.

But this isn’t just an opportunity for job seekers; a fullyqualified IT instructor is always on hand to guide the less confident and people can also take part in online testing if necessary.

The programme began on October and runs until September next year but Joanne says that they hope it can continue after that.

Drop-in sessions Monday and Tuesday – Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project: 10am – 3pm Tuesday – Phoenix Enterprise Centre: 9am – 4pm Wednesday – Phoenix Enterprise Centre: 9am – 4pm Thursday – Phoenix Enterprise Centre: 9am – 4pm Thursday – Egremont De Lucy Centre: 10am – 4pm Friday – Millom Network Centre: 11am – 3pm

December /January 2014/15 | 73

n o i t i t e n Comp

Fun & Games | Colouring Time

i g n i r Colou

Name:..................................................

Age:......................................................

Contact number:.................................

74 | The Whitehaven Guide

Darling Manor Competition: Do you wanna build a snowman?

Win a place at the “return to Arrendelle�

Christmas grotto where Santa will present you with a princess or pirate gift box.

Complete our colouring in page by Wednesday December 17 and return it to Darling Manor.

The grotto is on the 20th and 21st December.

Word search

Christmas Fun Christmas Santa Rudolph Tree Presents

Holly Snowman Tinsel Angel Nativity

December /January 2014/15 | 75

Puzzles | Take a break

Catch-Words

Test your knowledge and complete the catch-phrases

Across 1. Pieces of ___ (5) 4. ___ on the Roof (7) 8. A secret ___ (7) 9. Save it for a ___ day (5) 10. Put out to ___ (7) 11. Me and ___ (3) 12. ___ said than done (6) 14. ___ and liabilities (6) 19. Let sleeping dogs ___ (3) 21. A first ___ (7) 23. A ___ engagement (5) 24. Return to sender, address ___ (7) 25. ___ awaited (7) 26. Come up smelling of ___ (5) Down 2. Fun and ___ (5) 3. ___ chamber (7) 4. Forgive and ___ (6) 5. The ___ tricks department (5) 6. Act in haste, repent at ___ (7) 7. A ___ flush (5) 10. As easy as ___ (3) 13. Buying and ___ (7) 15. City ___ (7) 16. Original ___ (3) 17. ___ and the Beast (6) 18. An ___ a day keeps the doctor away (5) 20. Trial and ___ (5) 22. Keep a few___ in the fire (5)

ALPHA SUDOKU Place a letter from A to I in each empty cell so everyrow, every column and every 3x3 box contains all the letters A to I.

76 | The Whitehaven Guide

SUDOKU Place a number from 1 to 9 in each

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

Bragg from previous musical affairs.

However, Andrew took a little persuasion they told us, apparently he spends most of him time breaking bones and having accidents. Alan Car is on the drums and he was described as a relic and a good base player.

W

hat do you get when you take a group of 5 guys, who each have an individual talent and have a particular interest in punk/rock music? Well in this case Project 9.

Hearing real punk music is a rarity and these guys can defiantly give you the real deal.

They got together via the wonderful social network that is Facebook. When one of the band members Stewart Todhunter had decided his talents needed to be shared; he advertised himself on Facebook, asking friends and posting on different pages about possible candidates all in the hunt for the perfect punk rock band. Shortly after Paul Fligg and Bob Nichol met up with him. Stewart already knew Andrew

At the moment Project 9 are in the process of promoting their album ‘ Story of our Youth’ and doing gigs all over the place. From Workington to Lancaster they are getting themselves about and really making their mark. They say their inspiration comes from strong coffee and people they hate, something only a true rock band would say.

We asked them where they got the name Project9 from, apparently Stewart was working on 9th project and they all liked the ring it had.

All of their music and other information about upcoming gigs can be found on their website and Facebook page. “http://Www.project9band.co.uk/”Www. project9band.co.uk and https://www. facebook.com/Pr0j3ct9

December /January 2014/15 | 77

What’s On

Music / Theatre / Film / Comedy / Other

T

he unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. And in this AC/DC’s fortieth year, the band cover both eras as always with both ‘Gary’ Bon Scott and ‘Pete’ Brian Johnson present to take you on the Rock and Roll train for a night to remember.

The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !

12/12/2014

ACDC Livewire Dave Millings

//music

-----------------------------------------------Fri 5th Dec The Postcard Band+Support The Wheatsheaf, Egremont -----------------------------------------------Sat 6th Dec Knighthood + The Young Lounge 41, Workington Sun 7th Dec Keswicks own Christmas proms Theatre by the Lake, Keswick -----------------------------------------------Fri 10th Dec As Empires Burn + 100 Hand Slap Lounge 41, Workington ------------------------------------------------

78 | The Whitehaven Guide

Fri 12th Dec The Marratimes + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egremont ACDC Livewire Dave Millings Lady Gaga Tribute De margos, Egremont Xmas Special with Osaka Punch +Cloud + The Dark Eyes Lounge 41, Workington ------------------------------------------------

Fri 19th Dec Gary Mcalone + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egremont Bulletproof Rose Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Sat Dec 20 La’al Big Band, The Seacote Hotel, St Bees ------------------------------------------------

Sat 13th Dec Furian +thirteen Stars +Ivory Veins Lounge 41, Workington ------------------------------------------------

Fri 26th Dec Boxing day boof The Copeland Stadium boxing day bash Marcon club ------------------------------------------------

Sun 14th Dec La’al Big Band, Gosforth Village Hall, Gosforth.

------------------------------------------------

Thur Dec 31st New Years eve, Family Night Falcon club Kicking it off kiwi style Wellington Bistro ------------------------------------------------

Get Listed...For FREE

email whatson@theguidemediagroup.com

or call: 01946 816730

Fri 9th Jan Stolen + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egremont Black Nevada + Sunk +Blind Lounge 41, Workington ------------------------------------------------

Calling all local

musicians

Fri 10th Dec As Empires Burn + 100 Hand Slap Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Fri 16th Jan Paul Shepherd + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egremont Bull in a Whiskey Shop + The Sewer Rats Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Sat 17th Jan Hellion Rising + Metal Moth Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Fri Jan 23rd Dave Connor + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egramont Oaths + Kaoss Theory Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Sat 24th Jan Shoot the Poet + Duke Mercury Lounge 41, Workington -----------------------------------------------Fri Jan 30th Gavin Mckew + Support The Wheatsheaf, Egramont -----------------------------------------------Sat Jan 31 La’al Big Band, The Seacote Hotel,St Bees Diamond Mindworks + Support Lounge 41, Workington

T

HERE’s a new opportunity for all talented Cumbrian artists to convert those inside voices.

Egremont pub The Wheatsheaf wants all local artists, experienced or not, to go and perform, even if you’ve never performed in public before. Landlord, Max Bacon, former lead singer of 1980s rock group GTR, is seeking local talent with ex-lead singer of the local band, The Maratimes, Ste Murphy.

They want every act to fetch a support act, so artists who are relatively new, or just inexperienced, have a chance to perform without the pressure of an hour’s set. They want artists to feel comfortable in the environment and, hopefully, get them back at a later date… doing their own gig. By mixing different musicians with differing sounds – it will be a diverse experience.

Along with being paid all artists will have a PA provided, so there is no reason not to get involved! Gigs will run every Friday throughout and so far it’s proved so popular that there are no spaces left for 2014. So if you are an artist and think that this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, get in touch with Ste, ASAP, via email: stephen@theguidemediagroup.com December /January 2014/15 | 79

What’s On

Music / Theatre / Film / Comedy / Other

//theatre

-----------------------------------------------Fri 5th Dec Murder One Night Carnegie, Workington -----------------------------------------------Thur 11th - Tue 23rd Dec

By Light of the Fool Moon Muncaster Castle -----------------------------------------------Tue 2nd - Sat 6th Dec When Did You Last See Your Trousers?

Carnegie, Workington ------------------------------------------------

09/12/2014 - 10/12/2014

Rosehill on the road, fanfare for the common Wo/Man Theatre Royal Rosehill hits the road

W

ITH Rosehill Theatre closed for refurbishment, the Rosehill Shakespeare Players are touring their show, Fanfare for the Common Wo/man, in January 2015.

The first three performances will be staged at the Theatre Royal, Workington, at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday January 9-10 (with a 2pm matinée and 7.30pm evening performance on the Saturday). Tickets are on sale via the Carnegie Theatre website: “http://www.carnegietheatre.co.uk/” http://www.carnegietheatre.co.uk/ The show has something for everyone – with a selection of funny, moving and thought-provoking scenes from some of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest and Twelfth Night’. It will also include Shakespeare songs specially arranged

by Dave Camlin and performed by Cumbrian Community Choir, Sing Owt. 80 | The Whitehaven Guide

Dec 9 -14 Snow White Egremont Market Hall -----------------------------------------------Mon 15th - Tue 23rd Dec apart from Sundays A present for santa Theatre by the Lake, Keswick -----------------------------------------------Fri 26th Dec - Sat 3rd Jan Aladin Carnegie, Workington -----------------------------------------------January 9 -10 Rosehill on the road, Rosehill Shakespeare players: Fanfare for the common Wo/Man, Theatre Royal, ------------------------------------------------

Get Listed...For FREE

Music, Theatre, Film, Comedy & More | What's On Dracula | Feature

email whatson@theguidemediagroup.com

or call: 01946 816730

//film

-----------------------------------------------Tue 9th Dec NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: John Plaza, Workington -----------------------------------------------Tue 16th Dec Royal Opera House: The Adventures of Alice In Wonderland Alhambra, Keswick -----------------------------------------------Wed 17th Dec Serena Plaza, Workington -----------------------------------------------Wed 24th Dec Boishoi Ballet: The Nutcracker Alhambra, Keswick

Sat 6th Dec Paul Middleton The laa’l club Egremont Parents & kids morning at the Cockermouth fab lab BEC fab lab, Cockermouth Dec 6 - 7 Whitehaven Christmas Market -----------------------------------------------Fri 12th Dec The snow bear- Christmas show Kirkgate centre, Cockermouth ---------------------------------------------Fri 12th, Fri 19th, Sat 27th Dec & Fri 2nd Jan

Lakeland hauntings: Ghost walk The Bush, Cockermouth ---------------------------------------------

Sat 13th Dec Top North east duo The laa’l club Egremont -----------------------------------------------Sat 20th Dec Members night/ Entertainment The laa’l club Egremont Christmas Crafts The Beacon, Whitehaven -----------------------------------------------Wed Dec 31st New Years dip whitehaven harbour ------------------------------------------------

//comedy

-----------------------------------------------Dec 26th Top hat and high heels family night Falcon, Egremont

//other

-----------------------------------------------Thursday 4 December Christmas crafts workshop Parton Village Hall -----------------------------------------------4th-6th Dec Round Table Beer Festival Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth ------------------------------------------------

December /January 2014/15 | 81

BOXING DAY

IS BACK!!

M

ighty Boof are back with a new weatherproof venue… the Copeland Stadium, ready for the return of the Boxing Day Boof!

After a year off the Boof are Back with a vengeance there are new acts, an optimistic attitude and a weatherproof site (just as well given our part of the world).

With two stages for 17 acts, and the Boof DJs, this year is going to be a big one. There’s no need for a raincoat, or any coat for that matter, as the whole event takes place indoors, in a heated marquee!

82 | The Whitehaven Guide

Mighty Boof promotions director, Danny Maudling, said: “The line-up has been specifically chosen to include mainly local talent but the headline act has been pulled in from afar… just to make the event that little bit special.”

The Antarctic Monkeys will headline and there’s no doubt that the international tribute band are going to bring a real sparkle to the event.

“Our local performers are sure to bring just as much great music to the event with well-known acts such as Brad Kavanagh and his band, Jolan and his band and The Chandelics, who, having just launched their EP, are climbing the musical industry ladder.”

Also on the line up The Fiction, The Hilltop Sea, Sophia Brenan Band, Andrew Winter, Arran George, David Eldon, Joe Riley, Emma Dockeray, Sarah Dockeray and Paul Shepherd. Along with DJ Pavarotti, DJ Glvr, DJ Shep and DJ Blackie.

There will be a fully-stocked bar and tickets are available from Threads clothes shop, King St, Whitehaven, or online at www.threads-clothing.com the tickets are limited so get tickets now to avoid disappointment. But please note this unmissable event is only open to the over-16s.

mighty boof promotions presents...

The Official International Tribute Band to the Arctic Monkeys

jolan full band • brad kavanagh • chadelics FACTION • The hilltop sea • sophia brenan band adam amor • arran george • david eldon • joe riley Emma dockeray • Sarah dockeray • paul shepherd dj pavarotti • DJ GLVR • dj blackie • DJ Shep Tickets: £15adv ALL DAYER | doors 12:00pm

Copeland Stadium OUR NEW WEATHER PROOF SITE heated marquee and indoor bar stage

Tickets Available from: Threads, Whitehaven 01946 690008 threads-clothing.com December /January 2014/15 | 83

Feature | La’al Big Band

Swinging into a la’al big revival

B

URSTING back into popularity is big band music and spearheading the charge locally is West Cumbria’s own jazz and swing outfit, La’al Big Band which plays all kinds of music.

It comprises 17-18 musicians and singers largely from the west of the county and under the leadership of trumpeter Paul Marks, a former rail manager-turned-train-driver, from Southport, Lancashire, but who also has a home in Gosforth.

The band regularly includes professional performers such as saxophonist Mike Smith, from Southport, who has accompanied Sandi Thom and King Creole and it also features guest vocalists.

All together they are working hard to popularise big band music locally and are starting to make quite an impact in the process.

It all grew from jam sessions in the Calder House, Seascale… at which interested musicians simply turned up and played for fun. The band was the brainchild of Paul who had always had a passion to form a big band and its la’al version has now been swinging along for three years.

“I’d thought about forming a band in Merseyside but it became apparent that it was going to be possible here, particularly with the great support we were getting locally, plus we would be the only big band in the area... so less competition. I also wanted to give something back to the area; people here had been good to me.”

“I’ve always loved Wasdale, the Western Lakes and walking, so when the chance arose we bought a house at Gosforth.

Now the band takes up so much of my time that I don’t walk much any more!”

La’al Big Band then developed a regular spot at The Seacote Hotel, St. Bees, which it still maintains most months, and it also performs at Whitehaven Golf Club and has graced other prominent venues such as Maryport Blues Festival, Morecambe Jazz Festival and the Theatre by The Lake, Keswick, as well as featuring on BBC Radio Cumbria.

84 | The Whitehaven Guide

Recently (Nov 23) the band paid a musical homage to the famous bandleaders of the 20th Century, at Whitehaven Golf Club, their second event hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria presenter and former Border TV producer, Harry King, (who was born in Whitehaven) and they regularly feature themed performances such as film music, swing, or ballroom. They also play private bookings.

Regular band members are: First alto sax: Graham Kilner; second alto sax: Alan Whitham; first tenor sax: Susan Lambert; second tenor Sax: Eric Graham; baritone sax: Rob Daglish; first trumpet: Paul Marks; second trumpet: Ian Higgins; third trumpet: Anna Bown; fourth trumpet: Beatrice Lamb; first trombone: Tim Lysons; second trombone: Sarah Taylor; third trombone: Fergus Norie; bass trombone: Colin Hoodless; piano: Anthony Wilson; bass Neil Shallcross; guitar: Samuel Worthington; drums: Steve Barnes; vocals Deanne Shallcross.

After performing next at Gosforth Public Hall (Sun Dec14) and The Washington Hotel, Workington’s, Christmas Party (Sat Dec 20) the band can be heard the following night at Big Band Christmas, at The Seacote Hotel, St Bees (8 – 11 pm); on Sat Jan 31 and Sat Mar 7 at The Seacote, St Bees, and Sun April 19 at Whitehaven Golf Club.

Snow White| Feature

By Danielle Murphy

T

HIS year the Whitehaven Theatre Group will be taking us to the woods… with a beautiful princess and seven of her little friends.

Egremont Town Hall will welcome back the Group for another fantastic production of a classic fairy tale of Snow White and her la’al marras, Grumpy, Happy, Doc, Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey and Bashful.

It’s a panto which promises fun for all the family and having lost the use of Whitehaven Civic Hall 12 months ago, the town’s Theatre Group had to take it on themselves to find a new home.

They did so successfully, with Egremont Market Hall becoming their new venue, and although it’s somewhat different to Whitehaven Civic Hall, it has a good stage with a large auditorium.

This year the popular story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has been adapted to include even larger amounts of comedy and laughs, for the whole family, combined with some popular music to get everybody tapping their feet.

Each year the Theatre Group bring a fantastic atmosphere to the venues at which they perform. Last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty was similarly adapted, using modern songs and lots of comedy and prove to be a great success.

This year’s show will be performed on Tuesday December 9 and Saturday the 13th at 7pm. There will also be earlier shows on Saturday Dec 13 and Sunday the 14th at 1pm.

So get ready to boo those cackling baddies; cheer the heroes and laugh your socks off at Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.

Tickets can be obtained from the Whitehaven Theatre Group website: www.whitehaventheatregroup.com Phone: 0758 805 1942

December /January 2014/15 | 85

Feature | Jackie Cooper

Cold remedy, poultices and a hair tonic for brunettes…

J

ackie Cooper BSc (hons) is a medical herbalist and member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, who practices from her clinic in Hethersgill, near Carlisle who believes.

She says that if make your own remedies, from ingredients as close to their natural state as possible, you can reduce the need for chemicals to preserve them and rely on the preserving qualities of those natural ingredients – which is more environmentally sustainable… and better for good health.

Photograph: Jackie

Cooper

Here are three more of her top tips:

Garlic as a cold remedy - is my favourite cold

remedy. Not for the taste or the unsociable nature of its aroma, but for the speed at which it cures the nastiest of colds.

At the first sign of a cold (when the throat is starting to feel ‘scratchy’), just crush a whole clove (a clove not a whole bulb!) and quickly put into a baked potato, and eat as soon as possible. Garlic is highly antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal, as well as having many other powerful properties.

Don’t use it daily though, unless you really need it, and not in excess if you are pregnant or a ‘hot’ person!

White Cabbage Leaf poultices - have been used, since time immemorial, to reduce swelling and clear pus.

Break the high ridges of the leaf, clean and then dip the whole leaf in clean warm water. Apply it as a poultice on infected sores. You can attach it with a loose bandage. After an hour, or sooner if the leaf becomes warmer from the inflammation, replace it. Cabbage leaves have also been used historically in mastitis as a similar remedy.

86 | The Whitehaven Guide

Rosemary Hair Tonic - Rosemary is used as a wonderful hair tonic, for darker haired folk. You can pick a small handful of leaves, and make a herbal tea from them by placing them into a teapot and pour boiling water onto them. Make sure that the infusion is covered, to keep all the lovely essential oils from escaping. Then strain and pour the liquid into a larger jug of warm water, and rinse your hair with it (after washing your hair). Massage your scalp, then rinse well. Rosemary is used by herbalists to stimulate the cerebral circulation, and so can improve blood supply to the scalp. Because of this, however, avoid using in high blood pressure, pregnancy or migraines.

Belle Vue Vets | Feature

December /January 2014/15 | 87

Feature | Gold Award for Maryport

Gold award for MARYPORT MARINA

M

aryport’s Marina has so much to offer that it’s been granted a national

award.

It has become the first marina in Cumbria to be awarded Gold Anchors...and has been awarded three of them.

The Gold Anchor rating scheme has been operating for more than

88 | The Whitehaven Guide

“

25 years and audits harbours and marinas all over the world. It recognises harbours that meet industry demands and take care of their customers.

The three gold anchors, show our dedication in offering our customers a good, consistent service

”

Pauline Gorley, general manager (one of only 327 such certified marina managers in the world) said: “The award means we have been recognised for offering a good solid service for people to moor their boats which will bring more tourists to

Gold Award for Maryport| Feature

Maryport, not only to spend more money in the town but further afield as well.”

It’s been a long time coming for Pauline and the marina staff have been working towards the award since 2007, when the size of the berth was increased.

Pauline said: ‘The marina staff and I are delighted to receive the three gold anchors, as it shows our dedication in offering our customers a good, consistent service.’

The maximum amount of anchors that can be awarded is five. Maryport’s three recognise that it provides a quality service, with a convenient access to fuel service; that it is environmentally aware in the prevention of pollution and that it meets health and safety requirements.

It is hoped that the award will draw more people to Maryport to rediscover the beauty of the marina and its coastal views.

December /January 2014/15 | 89

Feature | Whitby Fishing School

Here’s your chance to become a fisherman L

OCAL lads are being offered a unique chance to train as fully-qualified fishermen.

Whitby and District Fishing Industry Training School is seeking applications for the third year of its successful training project. There are training places for six apprentices from the region to complete the Level 2 Apprenticeship in Maritime Studies – Sea Fishing, the only such apprenticeship in the country. Interviews will be held in November and December and enrolment in the New Year.

“During 2013 – 2014 skippers on the N&W Cumbria Coast have been key to our success with the pilot scheme, Anne added: “The outcomes set for the pilot scheme are on target for the first year, in part, due to the wonderful support of the skippers and crew. The third year of the scheme, to begin in January 2015, will again require the much-needed support of skippers and crew willing to take on an apprentice to train”.

Successful applicants will train in Whitby for 10 weeks of classroom-based tuition in all aspects of sea fishing. They’ll stay in homely lodgings, in Whitby, provided by the school.

Skippers are not required to pay a ‘share’ to the apprentice, who will be funded by an alternative scheme.

Then the apprentices will return to their coastal area to complete work-based learning aboard fishing boats, supported by a training co-ordinator in their area. Anne Hornigold, chief executive said: “We want applicants determined to work in a hard industry”.

Anyone wishing to apply for an apprenticeship, or skippers willing to give a lad a start, should contact the company directly on 01947 825871 or email: info@whitbyfishingschool.co.uk

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  

  

             



                90 | The Whitehaven Guide

New Year Dip| Feature

Something really cool to do for New Year…

I

F you’re feeling particularly bonkers as the New Year approaches, then let it all out on New Year’s Eve and take part in Whitehaven’s annual dip in the harbour.

Each year our harbour side fills with people eager to watch a group of Whitehaven’s bravest characters take to the Irish Sea. In the past we have seen several Santas, the odd batman and a few Wizard of Oz type Tin Men together with a wide variety of other well-known wacky characters.

The event doesn’t only entertain the spectators, as the crazy participants shiver and shudder in the water to the amusement of everyone watching; it’s all for a very good cause. The whole event has been created by the Golden Sands Polar Bear Club, and insane people who want to take part can raise money for whatever charity they choose.

The whole idea is to get people doing something crazy, as well as fun, to raise as much money as possible for charities

that really need the help.

This year’s event will take place on the December 31 but the waters are going to be populated a little earlier than previous years because of the tide times.

All participants will meet at the Wellington Bistro at 9am and there will be a warm-up session at 9:45 followed by a march from the bandstand to the Golden Sands at 10:05.

There will be a safety briefing at 10:20. Swimmers take to the sea at 10.30.

So, if you think that you are brave enough to take on the Cumbrian waters and raise money for a good cause of your choice, then check out the Facebook page: Golden Sands Polar Bear Club.

You must be 16 years or older to take part and under 16s are allowed to spectate and support the deeply dippy dippers.

December /January 2014/15 | 91

Wildlife of the Solway Firth | The Black Bream

Wildlife of The Solway Firth no. 32 The BLACK BREAM

Spondyliosoma cantharus

By Mark Vollers

T

he Black Bream is no relation to the Common Bream of fresh water habitats, but one of a widespread family of fishes ( The Sparidae) found in temperate and warm seas worldwide. It is an occasional Summer visitor to the Solway Firth and may become more common as sea temperatures continue to rise. They are a beautiful silvery deep bodied fish growing up to 60cm long with several rows of small sharp teeth used for grazing on seaweeds and catching small prey like immature cuttlefish.

Black Bream come into shallow water to breed, the male scooping out a hollow in the gravel with his tail for the

92 | The Whitehaven Guide

female to lay her eggs in. At this time he aggressively defends his territory and acquires broad black vertical bands on his flanks up until the eggs hatch. The young fish shoal together in the vicinity of the nest for several months until moving into deeper water. These fish are protogynous, meaning that females have the ability to change into males in later life.

As a commercial catch they have some value, but most Bream seen at the fishmonger will have been commercially farmed in Spain or Greece. We always have some of these beautiful fish in the aquarium at Maryport as they readily adapt to captivity and thrive in community displays with other species, on occasion even breeding.

Tide Tables | Info

JANUARY 2014

WHITEHAVEN

JANUARY 2015

WHITEHAVEN HEIGHTS ARE ABOVE CHART DATUM

HEIGHTS ABOVE CHART DATUM High Water Date

Morning

High Water

Low Water

Afternoon

Morning

Date

Afternoon

Time

m

Time

m

Time

m

Time

m

1.1 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.0

17 41 18 31 19 21 20 06 20 54

0.9 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.9

1 2 3 4 5

Morning

Low Water

Afternoon

Morning

Afternoon

Time

m

Time

m

Time

m

Time

m

TH F SA SU M O

08 13 09 11 10 00 10 42 11 22

6.8 7.1 7.4 7.6 7.7

20 36 21 32 22 21 23 03 23 41

7.1 7.3 7.5 7.6 7.6

02 13 03 16 04 11 04 58 05 38

1.9 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.5

14 46 15 48 16 42 17 28 18 09

1.9 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.3

TU W TH F SA

11 56 00 15 00 50 01 25 01 59

7.8 7.6 7.6 7.5 7.3

12 31 13 05 13 38 14 13

7.8 7.7 7.6 7.4

06 14 06 46 07 17 07 46 08 18

1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.7

18 45 19 18 19 48 20 18 20 50

1.3 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.7

1 2 3 4 5

W O TH F SA SU

10 49 11 36 00 04 00 54 01 44

8.2 8.5 8.3 8.3 8.1

23 16

8.2

12 24 13 14 14 03

8.6 8.5 8.4

05 14 06 03 06 51 07 36 08 21

6 7 8 9 10

M TU W d TH F

02 33 03 23 04 18 05 19 06 30

7.8 7.5 7.0 6.7 6.4

14 53 15 46 16 43 17 48 19 00

8.1 7.6 7.2 6.8 6.6

09 08 09 56 10 49 11 50 00 28

1.2 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.1

21 41 22 29 23 25

1.1 1.5 1.9

13 03

2.3

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

SA SU M TU W

07 43 08 46 09 37 10 19 10 55

6.5 6.7 6.9 7.3 7.5

20 09 21 09 21 58 22 39 23 14

6.6 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4

01 40 02 46 03 41 04 27 05 06

2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.7

14 17 15 21 16 14 16 59 17 36

2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5

11 12 13 14 15

SU M TU  W TH

02 36 03 16 04 03 05 00 06 12

7.0 6.8 6.5 6.2 6.2

14 49 15 31 16 21 17 25 18 41

7.1 6.8 6.5 6.3 6.2

08 53 09 34 10 21 11 21 00 09

1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.4

21 25 22 07 23 00

1.9 2.1 2.3

12 38

2.5

16 17 18 19 20

TH O F SA SU M

11 28 11 59 00 17 00 51 01 24

7.6 7.7 7.6 7.6 7.5

23 46

7.5

12 32 13 05 13 36

7.7 7.7 7.6

05 40 06 11 06 41 07 14 07 47

1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.5

18 11 18 42 19 12 19 43 20 16

1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.5

16 17 18 19 20

F SA SU M TU 

07 23 08 27 09 21 10 09 10 55

6.4 6.8 7.2 7.7 8.1

19 52 20 54 21 47 22 35 23 21

6.5 6.8 7.3 7.7 8.1

01 29 02 38 03 36 04 29 05 19

2.3 2.1 1.7 1.4 1.1

13 58 15 04 16 02 16 56 17 46

2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 0.9

21 22 23 24 25

TU W TH F e SA

01 57 02 33 03 13 04 03 05 06

7.3 7.1 6.9 6.8 6.5

14 08 14 44 15 27 16 22 17 35

7.5 7.2 7.0 6.8 6.6

08 22 08 59 09 39 10 28 11 33

1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.3

20 51 21 27 22 10 23 06

1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2

21 22 23 24 25

W TH F SA SU

11 39 00 05 00 52 01 40 02 27

8.5 8.3 8.4 8.2 7.9

12 24 13 13 14 00 14 49

8.6 8.6 8.5 8.2

06 06 06 52 07 35 08 19 09 03

0.9 0.8 0.7 0.9 1.1

18 34 19 21 20 04 20 48 21 33

0.7 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.1

26 27 28 29 30

SU M TU W TH O

06 25 07 42 08 49 09 46 10 37

6.5 6.8 7.2 7.7 8.2

19 00 20 16 21 21 22 16 23 07

6.6 6.8 7.3 7.7 8.1

00 23 01 51 03 02 04 03 05 00

2.3 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.1

12 59 14 23 15 33 16 34 17 31

2.3 2.0 1.6 1.2 0.9

26 27 28 29 30

M TU  W TH F

03 17 04 12 05 15 06 31 07 47

7.6 7.1 6.8 6.5 6.5

15 41 16 39 17 49 19 04 20 19

7.7 7.3 6.8 6.6 6.7

09 50 10 43 11 46 00 24 01 44

1.4 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.1

22 21 23 16

1.4 1.8

13 05 14 26

2.2 2.1

31

F

11 25

8.5

23 53

8.4

05 51

0.8

18 21

0.5

31

SA

08 55

6.8

21 21

6.8

02 56

2.1

15 33

1.9

Time Zone UT(GMT)

Time Zone UT (GMT)

Time Zone UT(GMT)

Time Zone UT (GMT)

December /January 2014/15 | 93

Summary of train times between

Train Times - January 2015 - May Sunday 14 December 2014 – Saturday 162015 May 2015.

Barrow-in-Furness - Whitehaven - Carlisle Mondays to Fridays Barrow-in-Furness Askam Millom Ravenglass Seascale Sellafield St Bees Whitehaven 0620 Workington 0638 Maryport 0646 Wigton 0707 Carlisle 0729

0557 0607 0626 0644 0651 0658 0709 0724 0742 0750 0812 0834

0650 0700 0719 0737 0744 0751 0801 0812 0831 0839 0900 0925

0758 0808 0826 0843 0849 -

0906 0924 0932 0953 1015

0908 0918 0936 0953 1000 1007 1016 1025 1043 1052 1114 1135

1010 1020 1038 1055 1101 1108 1118 1128 1146 1154 1216 1238

1131 1141 1158 1215 1222 1228 1238 1251 1309 1317 1339 1401

1231 1241 1259 1316 1322 1328 1338 1348 1406 1414 1435 1458

1331 1341 1359 1416 1422 1428 1438 1449 1507 1515 1537 1559

1452 1502 1520 1537 1544 1551 1602 1612 1629 1637 1659 1720

1640 1650 1708 1725 1731 1740 1751 1800 1818 1826 1847 1910

1728 1740 1758 1815 1822 1827 1845 1855 1912 1920 1942 2004

1934 1952 2000 2021 2043

2030 2150 2048 2210 2056 2117 2139 -

0609 0619 0635 0651 0658 0705 0715 0724 0742 0750 0812 0834

0655 0705 0724 0742 0749 0756 0806 0816 0834 0842 0904 0926

0744 0754 0812 0829 0835 -

0906 0924 0932 0953 1015

0908 0918 0936 0953 0959 1005 1017 1027 1045 1053 1114 1137

1010 1020 1038 1055 1101 1108 1118 1128 1146 1154 1216 1238

1126 1136 1153 1210 1217 1223 1233 1241 -

1254 1312 1320 1341 1404

1233 1243 1301 1318 1324 1330 1340 1350 1408 1416 1437 1500

1350 1400 1418 1435 1441 1447 1457 1507 1525 1533 1555 1617

1452 1502 1520 1537 1544 1551 1601 1611 1629 1637 1659 1720

1533 1543 1601 1618 1624 1630 1646 1656 1714 1722 1744 1806

1726 1736 1754 1811 1817 1822 1833 1843 1901 1909 1930 1953

1934 1952 2000 2021 2044

2030 2048 2056 2117 2140

1915 1933 1954 2005 2025 -

2033 2051 2112 2123 2143 -

2015 2032 2052 2104 2125 -

2145 2203 2224 2235 2255 -

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

Sundays 0620 0638 0646 0707 0729

1233 1251 1259 1318 1341

1433 1451 1459 1518 1541

1633 1651 1659 1718 1741

1933 1951 1959 2018 2041

2200 2218 2239 2250 2310 Sundays 1410 1710 1427 1727 1447 1747 1459 1759 1520 1820 -

1910 1927 1947 1959 2020 -

2110 2127 2147 2159 2220 -

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

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

Carlisle - Whitehaven - Barrow-in-Furness Mondays to Fridays Carlisle Wigton Maryport 0559 Workington 0609 Whitehaven 0628 St Bees 0636 Sellafield 0651 Seascale 0654 Ravenglass 0701 Millom 0723 Askam 0741 Barrow-in-Furness 0758 Saturdays Carlisle Wigton Maryport 0613 Workington 0624 Whitehaven 0644 St Bees 0651 Sellafield 0704 Seascale 0707 Ravenglass 0714 Millom 0733 Askam 0749 Barrow-in-Furness 0805

0722 0729 0740 0744 0751 0810 0826 0843 0735 0753 0814 0825 0845 -

0735 0753 0814 0825 0845 0905 0908 0915 0934 0950 1005

0901 0904 0911 0930 0946 0959 0838 0856 0917 0928 0948 0955 1006 1009 1016 1034 1051 1108

0838 0856 0917 0928 0948 0955 1006 1010 1016 1035 1052 1109 0938 0956 1017 1028 1048 1055 1108 1111 1118 1136 1153 1208

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

1054 1112 1133 1144 1204 1211 1222 1225 1232 1251 1307 1324

1054 1112 1133 1144 1204 1211 1222 1225 1232 1251 1307 1324

1138 1156 1217 1228 1248 -

1150 1208 1229 1240 1300 1307 1318 1321 1328 1347 1403 1420

1254 1302 1314 1318 1324 1344 1400 1416

1247 1305 1326 1337 1357 1404 1415 1418 1425 1444 1500 1517

1247 1305 1326 1337 1357 1404 1415 1418 1425 1444 1500 1517

1420 1438 1459 1510 1530 1537 1555 1558 1605 1626 1644 1701

1420 1438 1459 1510 1530 1537 1550 1553 1600 1619 1635 1653

1512 1530 1551 1603 1622 1630 1643 1647 1654 1714 1732 1748

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

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

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

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

1727 1744 1805 1816 1836 1844 1856 1900 1906 1925 1942 1959

1814 1832 1853 1904 1925 -

1814 1832 1853 1904 1925 -

1900 1918 1939 1950 2010 -

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

No Sunday service between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness. ss s ne es ur rn n s -F on t s n ve ad -Fu as wn s in ld e gt or ia to ne to ie gl n ft ha n Ro om al d -in e kle in n w y sle yp tr le ven gg asc llaf ro te ing ork to lsto sto ther Be rkic am kby xfiel een ro k rli ill r i hi arto arr ec oot ig mb Mar spa ay r M St Se Se W Dr Ba As Ki P Co W A Gr Sil Ra H Fli B Ne W Fo Ca Da Br

For train times and fares information visit our website or call National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50.

northernrail.org Solution to Crossword

94 | The Whitehaven Guide

Solution to Sudoku

Solution to Alpha Su-

handy numbers Attractions Haig Mining Museum Muncaster Castle Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway The Beacon The Rum Story

01946 599 949 01229 717 614 01229 717 171 01946 592 302 01946 592 933

Council & other services Egremont Library Copeland Council (enquiries) Copeland Council (out of hours emergency) Cumbria County Council Whitehaven Credit Union Whitehaven Library

01946 820 464 0845 054 8600 01946 815 500 0800 121 8800 01946 667 55 01946 506 400

Emergency services Police/Fire/Ambulance Emergency Non-emergency Police

999 101

Medical & Support Services Careline Cumbria Health on Call (CHOC) Lowther Medical Centre Mansion House NHS Direct OutREACH Cumbria LGBT Helpline Proudfoot and Rudman Queen Street Medical Surgery Sydney and Partners Trinity Health Surgery West Cumberland Hospital

01946 810 500 03000 247 247 01946 692 241 01946 693 660 0845 46 47 0800 345 7440 01946 693 094 01946 694 457 01946 692 173 01946 693 412 01946 693 181

Miscellaneous Citizens’ Advice Bureau W. Fare Ltd Pharmacy

01946 693 321 01946 692 978

Cumbria County Council 0800 121 8800

Cumbria Health on Call 111

If you would like your service listed here please call: 01946 816 716

Sports Grounds & centres Whitehaven Cricket Ground Whitehaven Recreation Ground Whitehaven Sports Centre

01946 695 441 01946 328 088 01946 695 666

Swimming Pools Egremont Swimming Pool Hensingham Swimming Pool

01946 821 038 01946 696 049

Taxis Downton Travel Stirling Taxis

0800 118 2891 01946 823000

Theatres & cinema Carnegie Theatre Kirkgate Theatre Plaza Cinema Rosehill Theatre Theatre by the Lake The Wave

01900 602 122 01900 826 448 01900 870 001 01946 692 422 017687 744 11 01900 811 450

Tourist information Egremont

01946 820 693

Travel & weather Bus Timetables Lake District Weather Service Train Timetables

0871 200 22 33 0844 846 2444 08457 48 49 50

Vets Galemire (Cleator Moor) Millcroft (Egremont) West Lakeland Veterinary Group (Egremont) West Lakeland Veterinary Group (Whitehaven)

Lake District Weather 0844 846 2444

01946 810 295 01946 820 513 01946 820 312 01946 693 303

Copeland Swimming Pool 01946 696 049 December /January 2014/15 April / May 2014 || 95 95

- YOUR GUIDE TO -

Local Services

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FROM ACCOUNTANTS TO SCAFFOLDING

96 | The Whitehaven Guide

Here’s to 2015

It’s going to be a good one!

W

e wish all our lovely advertisers, supporters and our fantastic readers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

If you would like to find out how we can help your business grow and prosper in 2015 then get in touch. You can either use The Guide -The Carlisle Guide or The Whitehaven Guide to reach your target audience.

Call 01946 816 716 or email: stephen@theguidemediagroup.com

December /January 2014/15 | 97

Brought to you by

Whitehaven Chamber of Trade

Miss Selfridge

FASHION l Threads l Burtons l Chaos l Claires l Clarks l Dixons Store l Dorothy Perkins l La Chic l Little Cherubs l M & Co. l Miss Selfridge l New Look l Miss Monroes l Peacocks l Shoe Zone l Shooz ‘n’ Sox l Strange Fruit l Topshop l Dixons Flowers & Gifts l Clinton Cards l Flowers & Foliage l Jeans Flower Boutique l Rosebudz l The Flower Basket l The Perfect Gift Co. l What’s New PETS l Breeders Choice l Milbury Hill Pets l Martins Pet World

PLACES TO EAT l Anna’s Cafe l Arrighi’s Chipshop l Cafe West l Casa Romana l Caspian Classic l Costa Coffee l Crosby’s Chipshop l Cross Cafe l Dixons Rooftop Cafe l Espresso Cafe Bar l Georgian House l Golden Lion Cafe l Haven Cafe l La Venue l Market Cafe l Market Deli l McDonalds l Orchid Manor l Pacha Coffee l Pixes Pasties l St Nicholas’ Cafe l Subway l The Chase Hotel l The Rum Story l The Waterfront l The Waverley l The Wellington Bistro l Vagabond l Westminster Cafe l Whitehaven Community Trust Cafe

l Zest l Chicken Hut l Uppercrust

Don’t forget your Check-Out Whitehaven Loyalty Card.

We have highlighted the businesses involved in blue to help you collect as many stamps as possible!

98 | The Whitehaven Guide

Brought to you by The

Whitehaven Guide

Brought Brought to to you you by

by Whitehaven Whitehaven Town Town Team Team

Whitehaven...

What will you discover this Christmas!

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Whatever you are looking for you will be sure to find it right here in Whitehaven. With so many fantastic Independent and National retailers spread throughout the Town centre, First Class Attractions and complimented with some of Cumbria’s finest eateries makes Whitehaven a destination Hot-Spot.

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by Whitehaven Whitehaven Chamber Chamber of of Trade Trade December /January 2014/15 | 99

kia.co.uk/fl kia.co.uk/fleet

£165 per month* * * per month £139£139 per month

2014 KIA SPORTAGE 1.6 GDi2WD 5–DOOR 2WD 4 KIA SPORTAGE ‘1’ 1.6 GDi ‘1’ 5–DOOR

• 16” Alloy Wheels • LED Daytime Running • Air Conditioning Alloy Wheels • LED Daytime Running Lights • AirLights Conditioning • Bluetooth® with Voice Recognition and Music •Streaming USB & AUX Ports Walkingshaw (Workington) etooth® with Voice Recognition and Music Streaming USB & AUX• Ports • Rain Sensing Front Wipers • Cruise Control Electric • All-round Electric Windows n Sensing Front Wipers • Cruise Control • All-round Windows Joseph Noble Road, Lillyhall East, CA14 4JHWheel 01900 608000 • Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)Trimmed • Leather Trimmed Steering -start Assist Control (HAC) • Leather Steering Wheel & Gearshift & Gearshift Fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Kia Sportage range are: Urban 31.0 (9.1) – 47.1 (6.0), Extra Urban 46.3 (6.1) – 58.9 (4.8), Combined 39.2 (7.2) – 54.3 (5.2).

Walkingshaw The official CO (Workington) emissions for(Workington) the Kia Sportage are between 189 – 135 g/km. lkingshaw MPG figures are officialNoble EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

7 year / 100,000 mile warranty. See your local dealer or visit kia.co.uk for full warranty terms and exclusions. Model Joseph Road, Lillyhall East, CA14 4JH 01900 608000 eph Road, Lillyhall East, 4JH 01900 608000 shownNoble is a 2014 Kia Sportage ‘1’ 1.6 GDi 133bhp 6-speed manual CA14 5-seat. *Based on 3 years, 10,000 mile per annum, non-maintained,initial payment equivalent to 6 monthly rentals, followed by 35 monthly rental payments 2

thereafter. Excludes Shetland Islands from headline rental prices. Prices and specification correct at time of going to press (October 2014). For Business users only. The Bluetooth ® word mark and logo are registered trademarks and owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. kia.co.uk

100 | The Whitehaven Guide

Fuel consumption figures in mpg for the Kia Sportage range are: Urban 31.0 (9.1)Extra – 47.1Urban (6.0), 46.3 Extra(6.1) Urban 46.3(4.8), (6.1)Combined – 58.9 (4.8), Combined 39.2(5.2).

(7.2) – 54.3 (5.2 consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for(l/100km) the Kia Sportage range are: Urban 31.0 (9.1) – 47.1 (6.0), – 58.9 39.2 (7.2) – 54.3