The Whitehaven Guide Issue 33

ISSUE 33 DEC/JAN 2012/13

the

Whitehaven Guide

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THE WHITEHAVEN GUIDE WWW.THEWHITEHAVENGUIDE.COM

ALICE ROBERTS

Makes science cool for TV fans

SIMON RIMMER

Morecombe Bay Shrimp Trifle

RICHARD BARNARD

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH

2012 Manx Junior Rally Champion

EVENTS

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GIGS

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FESTIVALS

ELLIE GOULDING l

FOOD

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LIFESTYLE

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& MORE1

NO OP W EN ...

Al l I want

for Christmas.. can be found at..

Taylors Carpets l X-Catalogue l Oasis Dental Surgery l Sinclairs Jewellers l Cash Solutions l Katies Kitchen Nobles Amusement l The Works l Shoe Zone l Stephen Rowe Opticians l Mobile Booth l Jane Street Barbers

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www.workingtonretail.co.uk

the Whitehaven Guide

The Team

A word from THE EDITOR It has been a memorable year… with enough going on to help forget the appalling summer weather… but where did 2012 disappear to so quickly?

It’s also been a year that set new horizons.

Managing Director Stephen murphy T:01946 816 716 stephen@theguidemediagroup.com

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

Graphic Design Gary Hunter T: 01946 816 727 gary@theguidemediagroup.com

Graphic Design Laura Murphy T: 01946 816 728 laura@theguidemediagroup.com

Photographer Brian Sherwen T: 01946 63891 www.briansherwen.co.uk

It gave us a great new family-oriented West Cumbria music festival, Nuts in May, near Workington and there was a bigger and better-than-ever-before, At The Playground music festival, in May while June saw us all frantically waving our Union flags for the Queen’s jubilee and simultaneously enjoying another fantastic Whitehaven Festival before we keenly welcomed the Olympic Flame on its journey through the country.

Sadly the popular West Cumbria Vintage Club’s annual rally at Distington succumbed to the wet weather but others managed to dodge the late summer downpours. A lot has happened.

Now Copeland faces 2013 against a background of cuts to council services and the threat of job losses, meaning the community has again to rally around and strive to help keep facilities and services afloat... but Copeland had a Big Society long before David Cameron thought about it and we have no doubt that local folk will step forward and rise to the occasion.

Here at The Guide we have had our heads down (out of the rain) while you our advertisers and readers have backed our success in producing our widely-read, much talked about, free local magazines, of which 30,000 are now regularly picked up in Copeland, Allerdale and Carlisle.

We thank you all for that and wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

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

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Photography Brian Sherwen, www.briansherwen.co.uk

The Whitehaven Guide Dec/Jan 12/13

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EXCLUSIVE

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Ellie Goulding With latest album Halcyon

14 Alice Roberts

Makes science cool

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LOCAL Features

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Wild about Ennerdale Not ‘truly’ wild

BEAUTY

44 Amber Phillips A/W trend overview

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FOOD

56 Peter Sidwell recipe Salmon Carbonara

60 Alan spedding

Lemon Curd Cheesecake

64 John Christope Novelli

Mushroom and Nutmeg Soup

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MOTORING & SPORT

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Richard Barnard Manx Junior Rally Champion

86 Whitehaven Rugby League

Must hit the deck running

WHAT’S ON

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Five and Dangerous They’re thin busy

VISITORS

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Haig Pit Haig Colliery Mining Museum

109 Accommodation Guide

For family , friend, and visitor 5

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Haven or Hell?

It’s definitely going to be hell on the harbourside at Whitehaven, next May.

The area is the starting point for two, new, gruelling socalled Spartan Races, which involve a tough course with serious obstacles… and it’s all in aid of The Great North Air Ambulance and the North West Air Ambulance.

That’s guaranteed and there will be lots more hell within a six miles radius of the harbourside as a new-style endurance event takes place for the first time in West Cumbria.

There was one last year in Penrith.

Hobson’s-style there will be two courses from which to choose (if you are mad enough!). There’s a four miles toughie with just (ha!) 15 obstacles and tougher a six-mile event featuring 20 obstacles and just in case you don’t

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Feature think that sounds too far or too hard, then organiser, Mark Wear, assured us that the course will take at least one-and-a-half to two hours to negotiate and that you’ll have to get down and dirty … and presumably clean up to the top in some cases!

Spartan races often involve taking to the water but there won’t be any swimming… this year although it will be considered for any future events. Spartan races began in the USA and according to the Yanks are “events of pure primitive craziness that you’ll never forget”.

Spartan Race founders, Joe Desena and Andy Weinberg, say the races present a thrilling alternative to mundane, sedentary life in the form of a sport that anyone - yes, anyone - can do. They add that, inspired by the courage and discipline of the Ancient Spartans and by being dedicated to functional exercise, which requires neither equipment nor gym membership you need just a body, a will, and the great outdoors!

At Whitehaven there will be are both team and individual events that can be entered; finishers T-shirts will be awarded and it will cost you £26 each and a great deal of effort to take part. You can enter The Whitehaven Hell on The Harbourside Challenge online at:

www.west-lakes-adventure.co.uk 9

Eliie Goulding Exclusive interview: 10

The incredible Ellie Goulding is one of British pop music’s most talented and versatile stars.

The ethereal pop of debut album Lights was followed by a beautiful cover of Elton John’s Your Song last Christmas.

But now the singer has surprised fans yet again with latest album Halcyon, which won rave reviews both here and in the US thanks to its darker, dancier feel - it even sees the star try her hand at dubstep and pull it off in style.

With new single Figure 8 and a UK tour imminent, as well as a hand in the Twilight hysteria thanks to her song Bittersweet being chosen for the final film’s soundtrack, it’s a wonder Ellie had time to talk to us... but she did.

So the album has gone down pretty well then...

I am so pleased with the reaction to the album. Obviously I was nervous in the weeks running up to the release as it is a huge deal releasing the second album, espeically the second, but I have had the most incredible reaction to the point where it makes me really emotional. I put a lot into this record, a lot of personal stuff, and it makes me so excited to share it with everyone, and it has had the most amazing reviews so I am really pleased.

Exclusive You surprised people yet again by going much deeper into dance music this time, with the dubstep experiment. That must have been fun?

You landed a pretty big spot - Bittersweet is on the soundtrack for the final Twilight film. Did you go to the premiere?

I have always had a real affinity with electronic music and dance music. It’s something i have never been able to shake off. I just love it so much. I knew this was going to have a certain feel - it wasn’t going to be a folk record! I wasn’t really thinking about whether I wanted or needed to do a certain kind of sound. People keep saying they don’t know where i will go next, which is amazing.

Twiilight has gone huge for that song. I haven’t even released it but people are going mad for it. I keep getting calls and texts, people saying they have heard my song. i ask which one and they say the one from Twilight. I didn’t go to the premiere or anything but only because I was away - I probably would have gone along if i’d been here, to show my support for the film.

How do you go about physically writing music if you don’t plan direction and so on?

I follow my instinct. I literally get into the studio, we start something on piano or guitar and it gradually builds into a song over however many days or a week or whatever. That for me is instinct and i go with that on everything.

The tour is obviously the next big thing on the horizon, are you focussing fully on that now?

We are gearing up for touring, we have rehearsals for a few weeks. But I am still promoting the album too, I still haven’t finished. I just got back from Australia and New Zealand, went straight to Europe and now just back, kind of everywhere really. It’s been busy. So much so that at half four I have just managed to find time for my first food of the day!

What do you have in mind for the tour?

I want something ridiculous, i just don’t know what yet, I am still thinking about it. The main thing is i want it to sound incredible, i want it to sound out of this world.

What’s on the horizon apart from touring?

I never know what is going to happen so I play everything by ear. Figure 8 comes out then hopefully people like it.

Are you a fan?

I am not like a diehard fan but i totally get why they are so ridiculously popular.

The soundtracks have always been pretty strong - was it nice to be asked?

Yes I was really happy for the song to be on the soundtrack just because the past ones have been so incredible, so amazing.

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New roles for old mine

By Drew Spedding

SO where can you go if you fancy a sing, a dance, or a night out to see live music in the Egremont area? A discontinued iron ore mine of course!

Formerly Florence Mine, Europe’s last functional iron ore mine, which finally closed in 2008, has been transformed into a multi-functional arts and entertainment venue. The unlikely Egremont location has been hosting art exhibitions for nearly two years, but it was not until April this year, that the Florence Mine Centre for the Arts was launched.

The mine’s restoration and development was overseen by a number of organisations, including the Egremont Regeneration Partnership and Grizedale Arts.

Its manager, Peter Tyler, says: “Two years ago things were in a bad state, there was no electricity; no water. The transformation has been magnificent, we now have a studio for music which can also double up as a cinema, an exhibition space and a fully licensed bar. We are not done yet though; we are currently working on a community garden project, which will be great for music outside when the weather isn’t quite so wet.”

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The unique venue offers a great deal of variety; everything from open-mike nights to keep-fit classes taking place, and Peter Tyler adds: “There is always a lot going on, every third Wednesday of the month we have live music and there is currently a class creating paintings using the actual iron ore that has been extracted.

“It is early days and we are still trying to build awareness of the centre, but things are currently going great; we are getting people through the doors every night.”

So if you fancy an evening out, a day out, something new, or would care to take your hobby somewhere a little different, get down to The Florence Mine Centre… it might just be West Cumbria’s best kept secret.

See website at: www.florencemine.org

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Alice Makes Science Cool For TV Fans

SHE’S making science and anatomy look cool to millions of TV fans who are getting switched on to our distant past. And recently Alice Roberts gave Cumbrians a sneak preview of her next television series when she spoke about Survivors of the Ice Age at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. The Guide’s Ross Brewster grabbed an exclusive interview with the star of the BBC’s Incredible Human Journey, Coast and Don’t Die Young.

RB: Neither of your parents were doctors, so where did your interest come from?

AR: My dad is an aeronautical engineer, and my mum an English and Art teacher, so I grew up with a love of science and art. I was fascinated by the human body from a very young age, enjoyed science but wanted to work with 14

people, which is why I chose to study medicine - and had every intention of becoming a surgeon. I did a six-month month teaching job after my junior doctor training, and ended up getting de-railed into academia (in a nice way), following my passion for anatomy, and discovering a new passion for teaching. I feel that my work in the media is quite a natural extension of my academic job.

Exclusive RB: Were you encouraged at school, or was science seen as not particularly “cool?”

AR: I went to an all-girls school, so there was no question that science wasn’t feminine or uncool (although there were only five of us in my A level Physics class!). So I suppose I was encouraged, and I hate to think that anyone is put off doing science at school. It’s such an exciting sphere of human endeavour.

RB: Your first TV work came in 2001 on Time Team. How enjoyable has it been to be part of that team?

AR: Time Team was great fun. I was an expert contributor - there to help excavate and analyse human remains.

I made some good friends and studied some fascinating skeletons over the few years I worked on the series.

RB: Did you ever expect to have such an impact with your television and writing work?

AR: Back when I was a junior doctor, or as a fresh new university academic, I didn’t anticipate that I’d have a career as a science communicator on television. But it’s something I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to do - I love being able to bring subjects and research I’m fascinated by to a wider audience.

RB: When not digging up history what do you do with your time?

AR: I used to run a pub quiz in Bristol! On the other side of the table, though, I think I’d be good at sciencey questions, perhaps on art and history as well. But pretty useless when it comes to recognising celebrities or questions of sport. When I’m not working, I spend most of my time looking after my two and half year old daughter. She’s already very outdoorsy, and loves going for walks and even coming mountain-biking with me (in a front-mounted bike seat!).

AR: The deep similarities between humans all over the world. We can imagine ourselves to be very different, and there are differences, of course - it’s stupid to deny that.

But the things we have in common are much deeper.

RB: Earlier this year you became the first Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham. How important is it to use that role to inspire people about the sciences?

AR: It’s a very exciting time in universities at the moment.

We’re becoming a lot more outward-facing. There’s a realisation that researchers should discuss their work with the public at large, but also that the public should be more involved in determining the direction that research goes in. It’s a bit of a culture change, and part of my job is to help bridge the gap that has existed in the past, and work out how to break down remaining barriers. Science and technology are the most powerful tools for understanding who we are and where we come from, and for improving and saving lives - that’s inspirational in itself.

RB: Do you think kids are being asked to choose between the arts the science too early?

AR: I’d love to see more young people doing arts and science subjects right to the end of their secondary education - and on into university degrees as well. There’s a real danger in polarising our society between artists and scientists.

RB: Finally Alice, you’ve done a wide range of TV work.

When can we see you on our screens again?

AR: Well - Ice Age will be coming to a small screen near you (on BBC2) in 2013!

RB: What is your talk about?

AR: The talk is about the megafauna of the Ice Age - and what happened to them. Most of them went extinct at the end of the Ice Age, but one species of megafauna - us - survived to become very successful and colonise the globe.

It’s a great story, and I’m currently making a series with the NHU about the giant mammals of the Ice Age, so I included a sneak preview!

RB: Is there one thing in your work that has given, or gives you, that special “wow” factor?

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Yet it’s the million pound dream of a Moor Row woman, Dawn Raynor, and she and other members of the charity she set up, Give Us a Break 2010, are determined to make it happen.

The Give Us a Break Charity began in response to the closure of the Seacroft Respite Centre, St Bees, which had provided short breaks for disabled children across West Cumbria. Now the area no longer has such a centre.

Dawn has twin sons, Callan and Ethan, who suffer from tuberous sclerosis – a condition which causes them to have up to 15 fits each day. Although now 14 years old, they need constant care and the nearest closest respite centre is 20 miles away, in Allerdale, and it only opens three days a week.

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Parents like Dawn used Seacroft to provide a break for an evening, knowing it provided a safe atmosphere that the children enjoyed being in.

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Let them see the outside, let them climb a tree.

The creation of a temporary NHS respite centre, The Elms, in Workington, evolved from a bungalow and was meant to act as a half-way house while the new centre, in Whitehaven, was being developed by Cumbria County Council.

Dawn’s million pound dream

by Melissa Foster

A RESPITE centre to give hard-pressed parents and their children a break doesn’t sound like a lot to ask until you realise that it will cost £1million to create it.

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The council had been funding the £650,000 plan, to transform Melbreak House (formerly Hensingham Infants School) into the respite centre – specifically designed by parents themselves for their children’s needs – but with the last change of government, the money was withdrawn and no further plans have been made to develop a new centre.

Dawn said: “The Elms is a kind of stepping stone. The kids need garden and a space to run around in like normal children, but there isn’t enough there. The children aren’t excited about going there.”

The charity building the new respite centre will aim to open seven days a week, like Seacroft, and give carers and parents one night a month to recharge their batteries while providing the children with a fun and safe environment specially designed for their needs. Their vision is to have a six to eight-bed centre with an outside soft play area where the kids can run about and have fun in a safe environment.

Feature Hairdresser Dawn embarks on a 48- hour13-lake fund-raising paddle earlier this year, which raised £5,000

Dawn, who knows how much Cumbria needs this, said “It’s hard to weigh up how it feels to have this in your life, because you don’t know how it feels unless you have to deal with it. It is something that will benefit the whole community, including families dealing with these problems in the future, and people need to get on board.”

Give Us a Break 2010 is currently drawing up plans for more fundraising events across Cumbria, including a masquerade ball. To donate text GAUB10 and the amount you

They plan for it to open seven days a week, unlike any other respite centre in Cumbria, giving support to parents and children. Dawn, who realises that her own sons will be too old to benefit from the centre, by the time it is up and running, said: “These kids have no freedom; let them see the outside, let them climb a tree, even if they require a harness. Everyone comes to the Lake District to see the beauty we have here, but they don’t see what we actually need.”

Fundraising and grants will be paying for the centre, and having raised £25,000 so far, towards their target of £1million, Dawn acknowledged that Energy Solutions president, Richard Waite; and CFM Radio; the NDA, and Copeland MP Jamie Reed have been instrumental in Give Us A Break 2010 reaching £25k.

“When something like this means so much to you, you’ll do anything. The people involved with this will make it happen.”

want to donate (example GAUB10£5) to 70070. There is also a just giving page at www.justgiving.com/GiveUsABreak where you can donate.

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Sound solution

to toxic algae threat THE fight to save Loweswater and ultimately other lakes from the potentially toxic effects of bluegreen algae has begun in earnest.

A three-year, £300,000 programme, involves state-of-the-art equipment designed to combat the detrimental effects of the algae.

For years locals and visitors have been unable to use the lake for leisure pursuits, notices around it warning of the dangers of going into the water but now it’s hoped that a new Loweswater Care Programme (LCP) initiative under the wing of West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT) will resolve the problem and the lake’s image.

If successful the pilot programme will be rolledout to other Lakes locations that suffer from similar problems.

The campaign is not new.

Work first began after the Foot and Mouth epidemic of 2001, once the Loweswater Farmers Improvement Group identified it as an objective. Research work was conducted by University College London, via the Environment Agency, and up to 2010 by the Sociology Department of Lancaster University, together with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, also in Lancaster.

All along the local community in Loweswater took a strong interest in the ongoing project and received regular updates, via meetings in the village hall and its website, as it does now, on the progress of the scheme.

The LCP evolved into a more diverse group of local campaigners, but still with a strong farming link. The latest development is the £300,000 government grant, through Defra, to carry out the work that will tackle the problem created by increased phosphate content in the lake.

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Feature Leslie Webb, one of several people driving the work, says that one of the most exciting parts of the new work will be the placement of four solar-panelled rafts on the lake.

“Each raft,” Leslie explains, “will carry an ultra sound generator and the sound waves, way above any frequency we can hear, will not be audible to anything other than the algae and especially the blue-green algae. They are susceptible to this high-pitched sound and, in simple terms, it shakes the algae apart.

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If successful the pilot programme will be rolled out to other Lakes locations that suffer from similar problems.

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“The sound will be emitted from the rafts just below the surface of the lake and will zap the blue-green algae. It is hoped that the solar-powered rafts – all you will see is the solar panels raised at a slight angle on the surface of the lake – will be in place for March / April and will remain there until December. However, we do need to get planning permission to carry out this work.”

In addition to the rafts, other work will be carried out around Loweswater all of which will contribute to the overall project. This includes fencing off streams to minimise direct run-off from the land. It is also felt that the course of Dub Beck, the main inflow to the lake, may be restored more to its original line so that phosphates are not carried so readily into Loweswater. Natural England and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust are also contributing to this work.

The work will also look at the way in which the lake regenerates itself – that is the way in which the upper and lower levels of the lake mix and turn over – with the change of the seasons. Leslie Webb added. “In many ways this is a pilot project. As lakes go Loweswater is rather tiny and it really does present an opportunity to effectively test something out on a relatively small scale. It has been done before elsewhere but not on the same scale or in as sensitive a location as Loweswater.”

“With this new development and the work to be carried out we will hopefully soon see a big improvement and, ultimately, the taking down of the warning notices. It will not happen straight away but we are heading in the right direction.”

Loweswater is owned by The National Trust.

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Wild about Ennerdale

by Sarah Briggs

CUMBRIA is so sparsely populated that it is easy to forget that much of the countryside is not truly ‘wild’, but actually the product of centuries of man’s intervention.

The Wild Ennerdale Partnership, set up in 2002, aims to leave this beautiful valley – the most westerly of the Lake District lakes – more to itself. The main partners are three of the largest landowners in the area: United Utilities, The Forestry Commission and The National Trust.

In 2005 the partners’ aims were put drastically and unexpectedly into practice when tempestuous storms damaged almost 30,000 trees. Instead of mankind intervening, nature was allowed to heal itself.

This resulted in some forest trails becoming overgrown and the river being permitted to decide its own course and the result is one of the most spectacular and natural

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valleys in Cumbria, helped by the fact that it is only partially accessible by vehicle. If you want to form a complete circuit of the lake, some of it will have to be on foot, whether running or walking.

High Terrain Events specialises in organising ‘challenging events in stunning locations’. What sets them apart from other locally-based race organisers (Lakeland Trails, which organises incredibly popular large-scale trail runs ‘Inspiring races in beautiful places’ or Sport in Action, which organises mostly road-based duathlons and triathlons) is that their triathlons and duathlons tend to be off-road and their trail races in more remote places and therefore limited to a smaller number of participants.

It is perhaps due to numbers being limited that the impression you get is that the quality of participant is quite high: but High Terrain Events is keen to appeal to all and aspires to entrants enjoying their events for the sake of

them, rather than just for ‘a fast personal best’.

The first-ever Ennerdale Trail race on October 21, brought High Terrain Events and the Wild Ennerdale Partnership together, sponsored

by Salomon (who also, notably, sponsor Kielder Marathon, another spectacular run course), with 9Bar giving away tasty energy-giving nut and seed bars.

Three events were run: a 50km ‘ultra’, a 25km and a 10km, with numbers limited to 200.

As day dawned it was clear it was going to be a glorious autumn day.

It could not have been a better day for running, and Ennerdale looked gorgeous from the start.

A feeling of excitement and anticipation buzzed at the start line. Along the northern shore of the lake I caught up with and chatted to Kevin-from-Carlisle, who hit the nail on the head when he said that the stunning views and weather made you want to keep running just to see what came next (honesty bids me say that he overtook me at Blacksail YHA and I didn’t catch up with him again, though he waited to say ‘hello’ at the end). There were lots of compliments about the race, but Steve Russell perhaps sums it up most neatly: “I thought that the organisation was great and everyone involved in running the event was fantastic, and, of course, the weather was superb.”

Would I recommend it to other trail runners?

Yes, definitely. And would I recommend going to see the Ennerdale Valley? Again, definitely: just don’t expect the multitude of coffee shops and pubs that you might find elsewhere in our beautiful county!

For reference and to see more photos: www.wildennerdale.co.uk www.highterrainevents.co.uk

It was one of those races where everybody chatted to everybody, giving a great feel of camaraderie. The weather did, of course help: as I sat in the warmth of the sun after the finish line drinking a cup of coffee and gazing at hills and trees, the man I was sitting next to remarked how it was real picnic weather.

It felt a privilege to be able to participate in the run but also the spectators seemed to have enjoyed themselves, many walking along the lake to cheer us on in various locations: some were playing in the water at the end!

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Barturn Developments Ltd

It’s just a quickstep to the new ‘Cumbria’

by Chris Breen

Luxury, high-spec living has arrived in the heart of Workington

I

t’s perhaps not what you’d expect to find in the middle of Workington, but Barturn Developments have thought “out of the box” for their latest project, Cumbria House, in Corporation Road.

It’s on the site of a former ballroom and it’s a stunning success. There’s one or two-bedroomed duplex apartments; six two-bedroom apartments four two beds with balconies and two penthouse suites. Each of the penthouse suites has a large front and rear balcony, with views across the lower town and out to the Solway Firth.

It’s the sort of property you would see in a revitalised city area and it sits so well in its central Workington location, within easy reach of the town centre and bus and rail transport links just a short walk away. There’s a car park to the rear and on-street parking to the front.

They’ll appeal to a huge range of people and are all offered at what I was going to describe as “highly competitive” prices, but frankly, there is no competition and little

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comparison to be made in Workington, given the high standards; the uniqueness and the location. Prices range from £85k from a one-bedroomed duplex (on two levels) to £175k for each of the two penthouses.

Estate agent Yvonne McKenzie, from Tiffen’s, Workington, who are handling the sale, summed it up when she said: “These are the highest spec I have ever seen in Workington.”

Cumbria House is on the site of, and takes its name from, the former Cumbria Ballroom, at Corporation Road, Workington, opposite the old town hall and provides everything and more that modern apartment living can offer. They are finished to the highest standards with contemporary interiors to suit all ages.

There are lifts to all floors, a top-of-the-range security system and it is insulated so well, to the latest standards, that its energy consumption is guaranteed to be exceptionally low, so… ultra-low energy costs.

So, with stylish kitchens and bathrooms; energy-efficiency; cutting-edge technology such as that which allows the lift to drop gently to the ground floor and open, in the event of a fault; plus the ability to vet callers on display screens, Cumbria House has a great deal to recommend it. But don’t take my word for it… just go and see for CONTACT: Yvonne McKenzie, at Tiffen’s, 16-18 Finkle Street, Workington, CA14 2BB in the first instance. Tel: 01900 602777 or 01900 511549 yourselves.

barturndevelopments.com 23

Photography by Brian Sherwen www.briansherwen.co.uk

Developer George Turner also aims to keep maintenance charges to a minimum of around £250 a year, thanks to the latest extra long-life, low-maintenance exterior to the building and the opportunity for the residents’ management committee to make their own choices.

Carlisle Spedding: Whitehaven’s miner miracle

By Pam Telford

CARLISLE SPEDDING (1895 – 1755) was a famous mine agent or ‘Steward’ for the Lowther family who among other things invented the miners’ steel mill to help combat the fiery nature of the pits of this area.

The hand-cranked mill (pictured right) generated light by holding a piece of flint against a rotating hardened steel disc - it was not by any means safe, but considered much safer than candles!

Among his other achievements was: the first use of gunpowder for blasting underground, the development of underground ventilation known as coursing the air, and along with local scientist William Brownrigg he proposed using 24

methane (from the mines) to light street lamps nearly 200 years before it happened! Sadly he was killed by a minor pit explosion in 1755.

Carlisle was one of a line of Speddings who served the Lowther Family diligently for almost a century. He was by far the most important and successful member of the family. Born on September 10, 1695, to Edward and Sarah Spedding at Akebank, Whitehaven, Carlisle was the young-

est of four sons and his father Edward was a farmer, but not a successful one, and his debt made life hard for the Spedding family.

Educated in the basics in Whitehaven, Carlisle was destined for a life at sea. However, persuaded by his older brothers Edward and John Spedding who were employed

by Sir James Lowther, in 1710 at the age of 15 Carlisle he entered the colliery under the tutelage of Edward who had held the post of colliery agent since 1707.

Irish Street. The Newcomen engine was so successful in its work that Carlisle realised he needed to extend the coal mining efforts in Whitehaven and began making plans to sink a pit going out under the sea, the first of its kind in England. The initial site was where King Pit would later stand.

Using his skills and knowledge from existing pits Carlisle estimated that the coal band would be 105 fathoms (630ft) under the sea. In 1729 12 feet above sea level on an outcrop of rock at Saltom Beach the place was chosen to sink the new pit.

With the backing of his brother John funding and manpower was given to clear the headland from the cliff top and build a road. Trial sinkings of Saltom found coal at 80 fathoms (480ft). Lord Lowther then gave his permission to sink the pit.

The hand-cranked mill In 1712 Carlisle began working for his other brother John, who was Lord Lonsdale’s agent in the Whitehaven pits.

At that time most mines in Whitehaven were 20 fathoms deep (120ft) to the thick main band seam, however there were frequent problems with flooding and gas (methane).

At the age of 18 the young Carlisle was sent under an assumed name to work in the collieries of the North East to gain experience, and learn all aspects of deep mining, the use of blasting powder and the building of wagon ways, returning to Whitehaven when his true identity was revealed after an accident underground in which Carlisle was burnt. octors were sent from Newcastle to tend to his burns and his true identity and purpose emerged so Carlisle fled the North East to return with new skills and ideas for his employer.

Carlisle employed sinkers from Northumberland and Scotland to sink the shaft, installed horse ginns and build stone sheds to store tools and a water cistern (WC).

Carlisle further innovated coal mining with the use of an oval shaft 8ft by 10ft divided down the centre, allowing the dual operations of drawing of coal on one side and the ventilation and pumping of the workings on the other.

Carlisle planned that the day-to-day ventilation would be controlled by door traps that would cause the air to be directed around the workings. At a depth of 42 fathoms the sinkers encountered a thin band of coal emitting a rush of gas, lighting from the candles of the workers.

Carlisle further investigated this and instructed the sinkers to work without light because of the danger of fire. He then went about installing a piping method to drain the gas from the pit to the surface where it was said to burn day and night.

A small harbour and short wooden wagon way was constructed for direct shipment of the coals to Ireland

His new-found skills began to transform coal mining in and around Whitehaven. In 1715 he began work to install a Newcomen engine of 16-inch diameter and 8ft in length at Stone Pit, at the bottom of Monkwray Brow, to drain water and aid ventilation.

It was completed the following year at a cost of £85, though the wooden pipes were prone to leaks and not ideal. At the same time Carlisle was sought by rival engineers and offered double his wages, but he wouldn’t turn his back on Whitehaven or his future wife Sarah Towerson.

In 1716 Carlisle married Sarah and bought a house on 25

Saltom Pit

which completed the sinking of Saltom, late in 1731, the sinkers received a bonus payment of £6 and ale for their accomplishments.

In 1731 Carlisle installed a larger Newcomen Engine to prevent the continuing ingress of water and the use of air coursing to clear the mine of the gas. At this time the temperature’s recorded below ground were 33C on the coalface and 29C on the roadways. Because of this it was common practice for both men and woman to work stripped to the waist.

Humidity was high and they often worked in deep water.

Carlisle manned the pit with local families, men woman and children working long hours. By 1733, 861 tons of coals had been exported to Ireland, and the commencement of a drawing shaft at Ravenhill began to enable coal from Saltom to be raised to the wagon road.

In 1737, both Carlisle and his son James were badly affected by the underground gas following a rescue attempt at Corporal Pit on August 5, in which 23 were killed. This included eight men who had gone in as a rescue team. The injured were treated by Dr William Brownrigg with salad oil, this began a lifelong friendship with Carlisle and they both worked to further the safety underground of the miners.

Dr Brownrigg had a laboratory built to study the gas and its effects on miners, and Carlisle had the firedamp gas piped to the laboratory close to Pedlar Pit. Carlisle also 26

invented a device to be used underground for lighting and detecting methane – the Flint Mill.

From the time of the Corporal Pit explosion Carlisle’s health was in decline, although he still was overseeing the growing number of pits in the area with new workings at Thwaite and Parker Pits.

In 1750 Carlisle began drawing up plans for a new church in Whitehaven, St James on High Street.

Sadly Carlisle was killed in 1755 by an underground gas explosion and is buried in what is now Trinity Gardens in Whitehaven.

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Fells victim praises local hospitality Mountain accident survivor, Joe Beaumont 34, from Windermere, who recently completed a painful east to west coast-to-coast charity ride, with a broken leg, has praised the kindness of people who helped him en route.

And among them were Whitehaven guest house proprietors Leisa and Dave Kelly, of The Corner House, Foxhouses Road, who accommodated Joe and his mum Janet on the last night of their epic journey before it finished, at Wasdale Show.

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Feature and the breakage of bones on the right side of his body. Joe was an experienced climber and professional tree surgeon before his fall, and has endured multiple operations and surgical procedures since. He now can’t walk without great pain and still has a broken leg which hasn’t healed which is why he had to use a recumbent trike. Due to his disability he was unable to hold the handlebars or exert downward pressure on his legs.

They also arranged afternoon tea for the group, while Joe thanked everyone at the West Cumberland Hospital and Leisa and Dave readily agreed to house the camper van and back-up team of Joe’s twin brother John and best friend, Mike Dewsnap together with the brothers’ two Hungarian Vizla dogs, Bodhi and Jeb. Joe undertook the eight-day challenge on a recumbent bike, out of gratitude to all who helped him. It was just 19 months after crew at RAF Boulmer, Northumberland; The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and staff at The West Cumberland Hospital saved his life after he fell 40 meters in Eskdale and suffered extreme concussion, nerve damage

The challenge began at RAF Boulmer continuing via Alnwick, Harbottle, Bellingham, Haltwhistle, Alston, Langwathby, Keswick, ending at Wasdale Show, on October 13.

Joe told us: “My life has been completely turned upside down but I’m so grateful to so many people including surgeons and specialists, who put me back together, and my family and friends who’ve supported me through my difficult and ongoing recovery.

“I want the challenge to not only bring awareness of the great work my rescuers do but also to raise money for The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, because as a charity, they need about £30,000 per year to ensure they can always be there in times of need.”

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Just what the doctor ordered FOR 60 years – from the 1920s to the 1980s – a chemist’s shop stood on the corner of Queen Street and Lowther Street in Whitehaven a familiar, reassuring site to townspeople.

Now Whitehaven’s new Late Night Pharmacy has reclaimed the vacant site once again as a focal point in the town... but with a 21st century approach.

Located in Lowther Buildings, the new business is on a site which has housed a chemists run by various proprietors for so many years and it while it is encouraging to see an empty shop brought back to life it’s even more satisfying in view of the excellent effort that has been made to return this prominent site to commercial life.

Whitehaven Health Care, the company behind Whitehaven Late Night Pharmacy, say they scoured the country looking at various towns across the UK but kept coming back to Whitehaven and that to find a site that has been synonomous with pharmacies for so many decades was just an absolute bonus.

Whitehaven became

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the obvious choice, with so many fantastic qualities to the town it was such an easy decision to make. A company spokesman said they had been visiting Whitehaven for many years and had always hoped to be able to open up a business here.

The friendly, local team at Whitehaven Late Night Pharmacy are pulling out all the stops to ensure that they are at their very top of the game.

Feature So what makes Whitehaven Late Night Pharmacy different?

The management says: “What makes us different is that we are open until 11 pm, offer a very traditional one-toone service, delivered by an independently established business that also uses the very latest concepts to ensure that our customers get the very best of service.

“Our new concepts aren’t radical, they are simply focused on one thing and one thing only, to deliver the best possible service to all of our pharmacy customers and to the many care homes that we service”.

“We want to make a difference and it’s the little things which makes life easier for our patients, things like deliveries and collections from doctors – offering smoking cessation; blood pressure checks; diabetes management; Winter Flu vaccinations; free collections and deleveries; medicines use review and lots more”.

Whitehaven Pharmacy in bygone days

All of these services are delivered by a highly-motivated, freindly, local, efficient team.

Whitehaven Late Night Pharmacy T: 01946 66555

Unit 1, Lowther Buildings, Lowther Street, Whitehaven

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Need soars forFoodbanklifeline food nutritionally balanced to last the individual, couple or family but the Foobank itself doesn’t decide who gets the food. The nine day period can be extended, depending on circumstances.

“But more and voucher holders are being signed up daily,” said Jessie Hendry, project co-ordinator. “The number of people we are feeding each month is growing rapidly”.

Some of the local needs are as a result of benefit delay (35%); low income (10%); housing issues (11%) and debt (10%) the remainder being a mixture of all or any of these.

“But if it wasn’t for the generosity of the local community and our partnership with various professionals and agencies we simply wouldn’t be here,” Jessie said. “Recently we received a ton and a half of Harvest Festival food from schools and churches.

“We collect food from customers at supermarkets, churches, schools and through local groups to meet crisis situations with some practical help, while care professionals put longer-term strategies in place.

“We give out shopping lists so people know what to buy for us. Non-perishable food is handed in to collections points throughout Allerdale and Copeland and food is given out from our distribution centres where clients

IT’S shocking, it’s 21st century Britain and it really should not be necessary, especially here in Cumbria, but foodbanks are giving out more food than ever to the needy and in West Cumbria the need has grown dramatically.

The North Lakes Foodbank, centred in Cockermouth, was set up for aftermath of the 2009 floods in Cockermouth and has had to continue.

Now with a recent new base in Whitehaven and one in Workington it feeds about 240 people every month compared with 40 last year – a 600 per cent increase. Since April this year about 8.5 tonnes of food has donated and distributed in Allerdale and Copeland.

The Foodbank is intended as a temporary, stop-gap measure to help individuals and families in immediate crisis by providing emergency food.

There are 87 voucher holders in West Cumbria, such as health visitors, doctors, social workers, church and community workers identify the need and initially supply nine days’ worth of orange vouchers which are exchanged for 32

are offered a hot drink, a biscuit and a friendly chat. Here clients will be signposted to agencies to help further with their requirements.Voucher holders can pick up the food for clients not able to do so”.

Feature “Our vision now is to make the Foodbank accessible to all those in need across the whole of Allerdale and Copeland,” said Jessie.

“

Currently a team of 50 volunteers helps out but the Foodbank is bracing itself and preparing itself for the effects of the sweeping benefits cuts that the government plans to implement next April. “We are always looking for more people to help, and more donations,” Jessie said and we expect to be busier, so if you would like to volunteer or donate financially please contact the North Lakes Foodbank.

”

Our vision now is to make the Foodbank accessible to all those in need across the whole of Allerdale and Copeland North Lakes Foodbank Opening times are: Workington: The Bridge Centre, Central Square – Mon/Wed/Fri Noon to 2pm. Cockermouth: Lorton Street Methodist Church – Tues/Wed/Thurs 10am-Noon; Whitehaven New Life Church, Irish Street – Mon -Thurs 11.30am-1.30pm.

Donated Food can also be dropped off during these times at the Whitehaven and Cockermouth Distribution Centres but NOT at the Workington Distribution Centre.

There are also Foodbank collection points for your food at: Most churches in Allerdale and Copeland; Allerdale Council; Asda, Workington; Morrison’s, Workington; Co-op, Cockermouth; Stephen Rowe Opticians, Workington; Brigham Community Hall; Liz Hunter Physio, Cockermouth; Lakes College, Lillyhall; and Westfield Housing Association.

FOOD BANK Shopping List Please help local people in crisis by buying items from the list below and giving them to the North Lakes Foodbank

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Milk (Full Fat or Semi- Skimmed UHT) Fruit Juice (1 ltr carton UHT) Pasta Sauces (jars or sachets) Biscuits or snack bars Cereals (Medium sized boxes) Tinned Meat Tomatoes (Tinned or Carton) Tinned Fish Tinned Fruit Tinned Vegetables Soup (Tinned no Cuppa Soup) Rice Pudding (Tinned) Instant Mash Potato Sponge Pudding (Tinned) Sugar Jam Pasta (Medium bags of dried pasta.

No sachets of ‘pasta & sauce’ mixes) Tea Bags/Instant coffee (Med)

CONTACT: Tel Jessie Hendry - Project Coordinator on 07502 311 452 or 01900 823854.

Email: The North Lakes Foodbank at info@ thefoodbank.org.uk.

Website: www.thefoodbank.org.uk 33

Selfless service gets recognition WEST CUMBRIA’S volunteers recognised one of their own when they chose Peter Bartlett as their Volunteer-of-the-Year, recently.

Peter, from Beckermet, volunteers at the Centre for Complementary Centre, Eskdale. Peter has been a regular and faithful Wednesday volunteer for three years. With multiple sclerosis, he can no longer drive and is severely limited in his mobility, but he manages both inside and outside at the centre with the use of a power chair, a walker and gritty determination.

He also collected the award category for overcoming adversity which celebrates an inspirational person who has made a difference despite personal difficulties and it was as a result of that will that he audience chose him on the awards night as Volunteer-of-the-Year. It was a tough decision but the audience felt Peter deserved the extra special recognition. In spite of his limited mobility he is always smiling and is as active and enthusiastic as any ablebodied volunteer.

It was all part of the first Volunteer Achievement Awards Evening and was held at The Wave Centre, Maryport to

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recognise the achievements of individuals who volunteer for NMP-funded projects. There were eight categories.

In the Young Person (aged 13-19 years) section the winner was Nathaniel Riley who volunteers at the Howgill Family Centre Boys Group. Until recently starting university, Nathaniel volunteered every Tuesday evening for at least two hours and regularly worked weekends to help with fundraising events while studying for his A-Levels and holding down a part-time job. He assisted with arranging this year’s residential, as well as attending it as a volunteer.

Trustee award winner – for committee or trustee/Board member director went to Benny Quayle of the North Copeland Youth Partnership. Benny has helped, over years to build a youth organisation that was originally run by volunteers and which now has three youth workers offering young people from Parton, Lowca and Moresby a youth provision. Despite failing health he has not stopped.

He is also a parish councillor, chair of Parton Village Hall management committee and secretary of the Parton pensioners group and has supported the new village play area.

Keswick’s Carol Green, who was a founding trustee of child sexual and domestic abuse charity Safety Net, missed out on the trustee award. But she received special recognition from High Sheriff Juliet Westoll, who presented her with a High Sheriff’s Award.

Communtiy

Professional award winner was Gary Hewer of Distington Club for Young People, a Trustee for 17 years. He’s chairman, funding and policies officer and line manager for a youth development officer. He’s rescued it and overseen its revival and refurbishment from a run-down condition.

Gary has also developed a career as a neighbourhood development officer with Home (Housing) Group; gained a degree in Youth and Communities and is currently employed as a youth worker with Inspira. Working Together Award – for the volunteer who achieved most by working in partnership with other organisations, was won by Sharon Barnes, of Edinburgh Road, who volunteers for Ewanrigg and Netherton Residents and Tenants Association (ENTRA) at Maryport.

She is secretary of ENTRA and treasurer of the West Cumbria Breathe Easy Support Group. Alongside her secretary duties she prepares meals for 40 at a weekly coffee and crack group and at three Christmas events, she organises the Friday bingo and regular trips out for local residents. Through her efforts ENTRA now works with Maryport Settlement and Children in Need and has worked with local schools on several projects.

Sharon is key to all of these.

A safe community award was presented to Sharon on behalf of ENTRA acting as a third party reporting point for the police. She is also a member of the steering group working on the one million pound investment by the Big Lottery, in Ewanrigg. The award for Raising Aspirations of Children and Young People – a theme of the NMP Community Fund – went to the mayor of Workington, Andrew Lawson who volunteers for West Cumbria Trades Hall and at 21, is Britain’s youngest mayor. He’s an active member of the Trades Hall board bringing in new ideas and is

always looking for new opportunities for the centre. He is the youngest ever member of the board, aged 21, and his particular barrier was being taken seriously because of his young age. Andrew was specifically asked to be part of the board to inspire and motivate young people.

Raising Aspirations of Adults and Older People award is for volunteers who support people over 19 to develop new skills that improve their quality of life: health, wellbeing or employment prospects and was won by all the volunteers of Whitehaven and Egremont Credit Union.

In the last four years 20 volunteers have completed NVQs in customer service; advice and guidance; and IT. Eight have also gone on into employment.The event was organised

by Nuclear Management Partners and the Cumbria Community Foundation and Graham McKendry, NMP’s general manager, said: “Respect for others is a very important value and I think volunteering and giving up your time for the benefit of others is a very important thing to do.”

Deb Muscat, director of the community foundation, said it was hoped the awards ceremony could ultimately be extended across Cumbria to include all organisations supported via the Foundation.

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Pets

Pooch Prezzies

by Wayne Southwell from Wayne’s World of Pets, Whitehaven

Woofmas time is nearly here again and what better way to start your shopping than with some unique gifts for your pets?

We have gone all out this year in the shop with everything from chocolate oranges for dogs to our popular dog-teasers, and Advent calendars to stockings. We even have make-your-own gift bags.

For those of you who would like something unique and unusual we have a few other ideas.

Antler dog chews

Keeping it seasonal are our antler dog chews, don’t worry no deer were harmed for your dog to enjoy this tasty treat since deer grow a new pair of antlers each year from the age of one and shed them annually too.

Our antler chews come from healthy free-ranging deer that live natural lives. They are a bit of a wonder chew really, extremely hard wearing, don’t splinter, even when cleaning your dog’s teeth and are non-fattening too. Coming in a range of sizes there is one for every dog from a Chihuahua to a Great Dane.

Pet ID Tags

A new tag for the New Year is a must for the discerning dog owner, especially with the recent crackdown on dog control. Your dog’s tag should have on it your surname and postal addresses on it, to make your dog legal, so don’t get caught out. If you can’t get to the shop to get one done then you can order them from us online at: www.waynesworldofpets.com

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Dog Goody Box

If in doubt about what to get your pet you could always just give us a budget and we can make a box of treats and toys up for you… after all everyone loves a surprise even your dog!

Insect Tarrium

If your tastes are a bit more exotic then why not try your hand at keeping some locusts or crickets in our insect homes. Kids love these things and the insects are a very inexpensive pet to keep.

I hope that has given you some inspiration and we look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks and a Happy Christmas to you all from everyone here at Wayne’s World of Pets.

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The Lottery Winners

Boxing Boof packs punch to KO Christmas lethargy

By Drew Spedding

IT is fast approaching, whether you like or not, there have been rumblings of what size turkey to order, Cliff Richard has blown the dust off his microphone, and Sian Lloyd is predicting snow, Christmas is most certainly descending.

The music synonymous with this time of year is unsavoury to say the least, but this festive period fear not, as the Might Boof presents Boxing Boof, an event sure to slay all those musical demons, even Roy Wood.

With the finest acts West Cumbria has to offer taking to the stage, plus The Lottery Winners, from Salford, and Whitehaven’s I Am Spartacus, this one-off event provides not just musical solace, but a perfect chance to don your dancing shoes and shed some mince pies.

Taking place at Whitehaven Civic Hall on, of course, December 26, the Boxing Boof will be an all-day extravaganza, with doors opening at 12:30pm and tickets only £10, It’s safe to say you will be getting a lot of bang for your buck.

Also featuring across the weekend will be local favourites Shore and Colt 45, House of Three Hands, Life In A glasshouse, the rather talented Proudbone and Gavin Mckew, siblings Emma and Sarah Dockeray and David Eldon. Thrown in for good measure, DJ’s Maud, Couch and Blackie will also be on hand to ensure there is plenty of frolicking throughout the Boxing Day celebrations.

Tickets are available from Whitehaven Civic Hall, Tel: (01946) 514960 and Threads Clothing 16, King Street, Whitehaven, Tel (01946) 690008 email www.threadsclothing.com

Emma Dockray 38

I Am Spartacus

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There’s just 51 weeks in a woman’s year A RECENT study of 2,000 women has apparent ly revealed that for every year of our lives, one week is spent in front of our mirror at home getting ourselves ready for… whatever.

On the face of it (joke) it looks like a lot but when you consider that, according to the study, women typically spend 18 minutes each day on grooming – which equates to four and a half days a year – and then factor in the extra time spent on getting ready for a party or special occasion, the time involved soon mounts up.

Women spend just over 40 minutes getting ready for a night out with friends (slightly less time if going out with a partner!) and up to an hour preparing for a special occasion.

On average, that extra preparation for parties pushes preening time up to 168 hours a year, or seven days, spent on beautifying even before getting out of the door.

Nor does that week spent on beauty each include time spent on nails, waxing, tanning or hair at salons or spas, which is likely to add considerably to the grand total of time In 2010 the QVC Beauty channel conducted the same survey with 1,000 women which showed that average 40

British women spent five days gazing into the mirror, so in the last two years an extra hour every week has been added to grooming rituals. So, bizarrely, as a nation, we’re sleeping less but looking better.

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Autumn/Winter trend overview The blustery showers have started and this has had a big influence on autumn winters leafy inspired palette, with tones of greens, purples and blues. Good thing for us is that from one garment several looks can be created by layering, and as Vogue so effortlessly puts it ‘why where one piece when you can wear five.’

Read on for the main trends this autumn and winter.

Amber Phillips specializes in fashion and beauty editorial and has previously worked on Britain’s Next Top Model Live. Amber now lives in London and works in entertainment TV. You can follow her on Twitter @MissAPhillips

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Lifestyle

COATS Yes, coats may be an obvious trend but the A/W catwalk has emphasized how a look can be transformed by how a coat is worn. The military trend has finally been booted off the catwalk and replaced by minimalist detail on top with a high waisted belt worn over the coat to exaggerate the hips. Oversized coats are literally huge this A/W and not only do they compliment a slim line outfit, but also practical if you are layered up! Go for natural colours like beige or pale pink for a classic look.

MORE IS MORE Plain brown leather boots? Boring! This A/W studded struts owned the catwalk and the louder and scarier the better! Opt for metallic boots (YSL, Marni) with strong patterns, contrasting materials such as wood vinyl (Rochas) and tweed (Erdem) and not forgetting a colourful sock if all else fails.

COLDish COLOURS Two colours are very dominant this A/W and those are rich vibrant purple and a slightly darker peacock

blue. Perhaps it was the inspiration of the Royal wedding that meant purple flourished onto the catwalk, particularly from Prada.

Designers such as DKNY, Lanvin and Oscar de la Renta showcased luxurious blues.

LAYERING One chilly trend is pairing a skirt and trousers, as seen in Marc Jacobs A/W collections. When putting together an outfit, do not be afraid to clash prints. By layering up various textures in your outfit, you can create a style that looks extremely lavish (by not spending a lot). If however, like me, you work in a hot office then layer-up a blouse with a waistcoat and statement necklace.

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HAIR: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE The big fringe has seen its day, and the middle parting is the only way to wear your hair this A/W. Keep round the face choppy with different lengths. To add volume use product in the roots to give it texture, or use rollers to add bounce. Put hair in a low loose ponytail with a ribbon for a daytime look.

BEAUTY: PRETTY IN PINK If you haven’t got a natural all-year-round tan, get rid of the bronzer and experiment with using plum/rose blusher if you have a medium to dark complexion or fuchsia pink blusher if pale – think English rose. For the eyes, use more eye shadow and less eyeliner for a more natural eye shape.

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Lifestyle

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Christmas is coming... at Whitehaven Civic Hall 01946 514960 Santa’s Grotto

Aladdin by Whitehaven Theatre Group

Thurs 6th &13th Dec: 4.00 - 7.00pm Fri 7th & 14th Dec: 4.00 - 7.00pm Sat 8th & 15th Dec: 12.00 - 5.00pm Sun 9th & 16th Dec: 12.00 - 3.00pm

Evenings Tue 11th to Sat 15th Dec: 7.00pm Matinees Sat 15th & Sun 16th Dec: 1.00pm Tickets £8.00/ £6.00 concessions

£5 per child incl. gift

Boxing Day Boof

Christmas Dinners

The Mighty Boof brings ten fabulous live bands for just £10, with The Lottery Winners headlining.

Starts 12.30pm

Christmas dinners on Sundays 2nd, 9th & 16th December Main courses £5.95

NEW YEAR: Workout at the weekends and you could win a year’s free membership!

Attend any six weekend fitness classes at Whitehaven Sports Centre during January and February 2013 and you could win an annual fitness and swim membership (50 runners up will receive a goody bag) BRING THIS VOUCHER WHEN YOU ATTEND SIX FITNESS SESSIONS AND COMPLETE YOUR DETAILS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAW. Please book ahead to ensure availability.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Name _____________________________

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

Email __________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________________________ Valid until 28th February 2013. If you do not want to be contacted with offers and news please tick here

www.northcountryleisure.org.uk/copeland Excellent Sports and Leisure for All North Country Leisure is supported by Copeland Borough Council 48 Registered Charity No. 1075009

Fashion Lifestyle

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www.bridgetfoster.co.uk 50

bridget bridget bridget foster foster Up & Hair foster Make Make Up & Hair

Make Up & Hair Artist

Artist Artist Bridget Foster

BA Hons Fashion, Bridget Foster

Lifestyle

Well its the perfect time of year to start looking at your make up bag and seeing what you need to re jig. Preparing yourself for the party season and also making sure your looking your best... with or without your hangover.

luminating products which keep the skin looking fresh and glowing.

Bold colours on the eyes are on trend this year, so don’t be shy to apply that colour. Keep it simple and push the pigment onto the eyelid bending outwards.

Next line the eye to create a smoky look and remember to highlight the brow bone and shape those eyebrows.

Lipsticks are now overtaking lip glosses this year. I’ve always been a fan of a complimentary lipstick colour to

Now do yourself a favour and invest in a good cleanser.

Even if you fall asleep with your make up on if you have a good cleanser to cleanse of your party make up in the morning you may save your skin!

Balm or oil cleansers rebalance any skin type and are fantastic to remove any dirt from your skin. They also don’t strip your skin of its natural oils.

The rest of your skin care will work much better once applied to a well cleansed skin.

A primer is also a good item to protect your skin from absorbing make up and drying out with central heating.

Finally, during the cold, opt for a cream blusher and il-

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A lot of my clients often ask how to look after their brushes. Wash them with baby shampoo and lie them with the hairs in the correct shape as they dry. Avoid getting the handles wet.

Lancome have their popular mascaras in a Christmas set along with a eye make-up remover and Khol eye liner. go with a winter woolly, whatever the trend may be. If you’re not a fan of lip colour just use a flash of colour on the eyes.

The majority of the cosmetic counters now have Christmas gift sets, so now is the perfect time to replace anything you need to invest in for your own make-up bag.

I always keep an eye out for brush sets as we all know how expensive good brushes can be. Bare Mineral have a Mini Brush set for £29 which is great for travelling.You don’t have to use these brushes just for Bare Mineral make up.

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Fashion Lifestyle

Strange Fruit

Celebrates 10 years in business It’s hard to believe that Strange Fruit has been open for a decade but believe it or not the quirky market place shop celebrates its 10th birthday on December 7.

“I expected a positive but hesitant response to Strange Fruit” said Shelley but the first day of trading went without a hitch and it’s been a must for anyone struggling with present ideas or jewellery dilemmas in Whitehaven ever since.

Apart from having more staff and more stock little has changed in the past 10 years, it remains a helpful and friendly place to shop, “Strange Fruit couldn’t function without my fabulous, loyal staff Lorraine and Christina, our Saturday girl Rosie and Ali who just won’t leave and continues to cover shifts.” The quality of service and the draw of the unique products that Strange Fruit offers is attested to by the fact that the very first customer through the door of Strange Fruit continues to shop there today.

Pilgrim and Terramundi to name but a few. Shelley also said: “We’re lucky enough to stock Konplott, a very exclusive range which is made to order.” Recently Strange Fruit has extended into home wear, beautiful crockery and vintage bespoke spoons with messages ranging from “Happy Birthday” to “50 shades of Earl Grey” printed on them.

2013 will see Strange Fruit extend its furniture range, a new cushion design and the introduction of upholstery.

As well as these new ranges the shop will undergo a refurbishment and there will be a meeting room above the shop which can be hired out at an hourly rate and will host craft courses. A website and Facebook page are also in the pipeline for the New Year so watch this space for new events!

After a successful 10 years Shelley is raring to go for another 10, “Thanks to all our customers for shopping with us and being so loyal, we hope they enjoy Strange Fruit for another 10 years because we really enjoy being there.”

A lot of hard work goes into making sure Strange Fruit is ahead of the trend which is achieved by buying products six months ahead of the season and viewing up-and-coming designers who have just finished college. Shelley does not merely rely on designers to come up with ideas, she works closely with her friend, Clare Tyler, to create soft furnishing such as cushion and door stops. As well as having some designs made to her specifications by jewellery makers. Shelley has not forgotten the ranges that drew in her first customers and still orders from Bomb Cosmetics, 53

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Potted Smoked West Cumbrian

Recipe from Peter Sidwell

Salmon Carbonara

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(Serves 4)

Food

Ingredients: 390g of dried spaghetti 125g of butter salted 1/2 red chilli chopped finely and de seeded 1 tsp of fennel seeds 1 lemon 1 tbsp of capers 250g sliced smoked salmon from West Cumbria 250g of hot smoked salmon from West Cumbria Chopped flat leaf parsley Black pepper and salt

Method:

Pre heat a large non stick frying pan. Cut the lemon in half and place cut side down into the pan, cook until golden brown. Add in the butter and turn the heat down to low to allow the butter to melt slowly.

Add in the fennel seeds, chopped chilli and capers.

When the lemon is golden and caramelised remove and squeeze out the juice straight into the pan.

Break up the hot smoked salmon and add to the butter, slice up the smoked salmon and add to the pan. Turn the heat off and carefully mix the salmon and butter together. Leave to cool then finally add the chopped parsley and season to taste.

Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water for 9-10 minutes, drain and return to the same pan.

Add the potted salmon to the pasta and mix together. Any remaining salmon left pour into a clean sterile jam jar and keep in the fridge for next time or spread on warm toast.

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Food It’s the return of a former classic to the market place, next to the Wellington Pub, and, thanks to its new owner, John Reid, the cafe which has been a feature of the area for more than 40 years has been given a new lease of life.

John was previously the manager of The Bounty, Workington, and he’s confident that the cafe’s new image, together with a policy of proving good, wholesome, uncomplicated, locally-sourced food will attract customers. He told us: ‘The café has a good reputation and a solid history of serving good, quality food; I intend to uphold that and develop it”.

He also intends to provide a comfortable, homely feel to the café and will open during the day for breakfasts, lunches and in the evenings to serve alcohol and dinner and provide a great place to unwind after work or for a quiet, night out with friends. Table service will also add to the comfortable, relaxed feel. Classics to be served include pie and peas, locally-sourced steaks, special dishes on rotation and even Italian-style pizzas made fresh to your order.

Return of an old favourite WHITEHAVEN’S well-known Espresso Cafe & Bar, in Market Place, has re-opened.

John who originally comes from Manchester, wants to reestablish the café as an important part of the local scene in time for Christmas so after a windswept winter walk on the harbour-side why not cosy up in the Espresso Cafe and Bar relax in a great environment and enjoy excellent food.

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Otter Milk and

Lemon Curd

Cheesecake

t’s the most wonderfully rich cheesecake you’ll ever experience and it’s made with the milk from Northumbria’s only remaining I“Otter” herd… and if you believe that then you`re as daft as I was.

Words & Photography

My good friend, Laird Bell, of the Borders protected this recipe with his life. It was a firm favourite in his country pub and the ingredients were a closely guarded secret. Basically the reason for that was so I couldn’t re-create it and take all the glory at work.

“So what makes it taste so creamy then?” “That`ll be the Otter’s Milk, mate,” was always the reply... Some of us actually believed him. When the pub closed the so called “secret” recipe was finally revealed – Where`s the Otters? Nowhere to be seen!

Alan Spedding

So now you can all have a go at this wonderful creation at home. It’s guaranteed to be an absolute winner and it really is so easy to make. All you`ll need is a tin or flan-ring .(I used a nine-inch springform deep round ring) to put the cheesecake into and that’s it… oh, and one tip here... make sure you use “cheap” lemon curd because the good stuff just turns to liquid overnight (Not enough “cement” in it!) whereas the “El Cheapo” curd manages to remain in perfect blobs throughout the middle of the cheesecake... and Gale’s lemon curd is the best choice for this... or try the “value” brands.

Now I`m not even going to attempt and work out the calories as this one is just a heart attack on a plate but, boy oh boy, it`s good and getting into the Christmas spirit sounds like a good enough excuse to me. So sit back, smile, don’t feel guilty and enjoy your… Northumberland “Ottermilk” Cheesecake.

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Food

Ingredients - For 15 - 20 portions.

Method

125g (4oz) unsalted butter 250g (8oz) digestive biscuits (crushed to fine crumbs) 2 tsp ground ginger 2 tins of Nestle’s Sweetened Condensed Milk 600g of full fat Philadelphia cream cheese.

550 ml of double cream.

1 bottle of JIF lemon juice.

1 jar of cheap lemon curd (Gale’s if possible)

• •

First of all you`ll need to make the cheesecake base, so sit the flan- ring on a sheet of tin foil or greaseproof paper (or use a dish).

Melt the butter in a saucepan and then stir in the crushed digestive biscuits and ginger powder to incorporate fully. Pour this crumb mixture in to the flan-ring or tin and press it down evenly to form a solid level base. Place into the fridge to firm up.

Pour this crumb mixture in to the flan ring or tin and press it down evenly to form a solid level base.

Place into the fridge to firm up.

To make the filling • • •

Mix the cream cheese and condensed milk together in a bowl until fully blended together with no lumps left. Pour in the double cream and mix in thoroughly.

Start adding the lemon juice (you may need an extra set of hands to help here). Keep on stirring or whisking and then you`ll notice that the mixture starts reacting with the lemon juice and begins to firm up and start setting. It normally takes a full bottle (approx 7/8 fresh lemons) but keep slowly pouring and mixing and then taste the mixture.

Pour the lemon mixture over the biscuit base to “half fill” the ring. Use a spoon to level the mixture out. Take a teaspoon and start putting small blobs of lemon curd on top of the mixture. Space these out evenly over the surface of the cheesecake so they set into place when the top layer is added. Pour over the top layer of the lemon mixture and then level the mixture out evenly. Place into the fridge to totally firm up. Cut the cheesecake into wedges and enjoy. If any liquid runs out then you`ve used the wrong type of lemon curd... it’s a tough job next….you’ll just have to eat the cheesecake and try once again! Follow Alan at: www.alanspedding.co.uk www.theguidemediagroup.co.uk 61

Cum brian L odge Hotel & Restaurant

T. 019467 27309 62

www.cumbrianlodge.com

E: cumbrianlodge@btconnect.com

Starters

Alan Spedding Recipe

Apr/May 2012 Food

Peeled Tiger Prawns served with a sweet chilli and garlic butter sauce on a toasted muffin and garnished with peppery rocket leaves. £6.95 Smoked Duck slices served on a bed of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and feta cheese, and drizzled with lemon and mustard olive oil. £6.95 Aubergine & Courgette Parcel stuffed with rosemary, sunblush tomato, feta cheese and rocket oil. £5.95 Black Pudding wrapped in bacon and served with ‘Samir’s’ home-made chilli jam. £6.95 Beer-battered goat cheese stumpy on a walnut and pear salad with wholegrain mustard dressing. £6.95 Prosciutto with melted mozzarella, roasted peppers, rocket, grated parmesan and aged balsamic vinegar. £6.95 Soup of the Day (v) - Home-made soup served with our own bread and toasted croutons. £5.95 Smoked Salmon and Prawn Parcels - Served with mixed leaves and a lemon and dill dressing. £6.95

Main Courses Skinless Salmon Fillet with citrus fruit segments, crispy potatoes and mustard lentils. £15.95 Braised Brisket of Cumbrian Beef served with roast vegetables, wholegrain mustard mashed potatoes and thick rich gravy. £15.95 Pan-fried diced Chicken breast cooked with chorizo sausage and olives, served on a bed of Linguine pasta. £14.95 Winter Vegetable Crumble. Parsnip, sweet potatoes, butternut squash and carrots served with a cous cous crumble and a tomato concasse. £13.95 Oven-Baked Duck Breast served with sweet potato wedges, steamed spring onions and red currant sauce. £15.95 Slow-braised Rolled Belly Pork - Served with home-made black pudding, apple purée with crispy crackling, fried cabbage and bacon, and mashed potatoes. £15.95 Classic Surf and Turf. A 10oz Rib Eye steak, cooked to your liking, served with extra large wholetail breaded scampi, onion rings, mushrooms, tomato and chips. £18.95 Sirloin Steak/Rib Eye Steak/Chicken Breast - Your choice served with peppercorn sauce, sautéed mushrooms, chips, tomato and onion rings. 10oz Sirloin/Rib-Eye steak £17.95 10oz Chicken breast £14.95

Restaurant Opening Hours Serving Dinner: Monday to Saturday, 6.30pm until 9.30pm

58 Gosforth Road, Seascale, CA20 1JG

Cum brian L odge Hotel & Restaurant

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Winter Warmer...

Mushroom and nutmeg Soup

Ingredients (serves 4)

* 450 mixed mushrooms wiped and sliced, such as portabella, oyster, seps, enoki, shiitake, chestnut etc. * A little rapeseed oil * 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced * Salt and freshly ground black pepper * Pinch freshly ground nutmeg

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* Few sprigs tarragon * 4 sprigs basil * 4 sprigs thyme * Drizzle Cumbria honey * 10 cl hot stock * 10 cl of double cream from Mawsons of Bailey Ground

Food

Method 1. Infuse the mushrooms in the honey for 30 minutes then spoon into a preheated hot pan.

2. In a pan sweat the mushrooms for 5 minutes with a little oil and garlic seasoning, nutmeg, tarragon, thyme and a squeeze of honey. Stir.

3. Remove thyme stalks and place in blender with equal amount of hot stock.

4. Just before serving add a swirl of cream or crème fraiche, low fat or soft cheese.

5. Serve soup piping hot with croutons or crusty bread.

Jean-Christophe Novelli's Tips

Use a selection of mushrooms of your choice. Use herbs of your choice. Remove some of the mushrooms before. Melt with blue cheese and garnish with green herbs. Don’t wash mushrooms, just use a soft brush to brush away the the dust. Always add finely chopped onions, shallots or fennel with the infusions. If you love garlic, swap the cream for garlic boursin. www.jeanchristophenovelli.com

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Gosforth Hall Invites you to dine in their newly refurbished restaurant

Standard Menu Also Available

Call:019467 25322 66

2012 Christmas Menu Starters

Winter Vegetable Soup served with speciality Bread Smooth Smoked Salmon Parfait with Cream, Herbs & Lemon served with a Rustic Ciabatta Crispy Duck Tagine mildly spiced in a sticky Honey Sauce, with Olives and a Pitta Bread Goat’s Cheese & Caramelised Onion Tartlet baked in the oven served with Cranberry Sauce

Main Course

Roast Goose locally sourced served with Roast Potatoes, Winter Vegetables, Sage & Onion Stuffing & a Yorkshire Pudding accompanied by an Apricot & Ginger Sauce Haddock Fillet presented crispy side up with New Potatoes tossed with Chestnuts and Bacon. Served with Broccoli Spears and a Lemon & Dill Butter Fillet Beef Wellington medium cooked, seasoned with Duck & Port Pate & Spinach then rolled in Short Crust Pastry, served with Dauphinoise Potatoes & Kenya Green Beans Large Field Mushroom Wellington laced with Cranberry Sauce and layered with rich Camembert & Spinach wrapped in Shortcrust Pastry served with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Winter Vegetables

Dessert

Traditional Christmas Pudding served with Brandy Butter Sauce Home-made Celtic Christmas Cake chocolately, light & rich in flavour topped with Cream Cheese & finished off with a dusting of Sugar Icing Strawberry Pavlova with homemade Meringue, whipped double Cream and a generous topping of Strawberries. Served with a dark Fruit Coulis Cheese & Biscuits selection of Brie, Stilton & Cheddar served with Grapes and Strawberries

Coffee & Mints

ÂŁ24.95 per person www.gosforthhallinn.co.uk Gosforth, Cumbria, CA20 1AZ 67

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Food

Morecambe Bay

Shrimp Trifle Ingredients: 750g Morecambe Bay shrimps 50g Butter Juice 1 lemon

Tomato sauce: 1 Finely chopped shallot l 450g Skinned tomatoes 1 Sliced garlic clove l Handful of basil 50ml Olive oil

Avocado custard: 200g Mayonnaise l 100g Yoghurt l 1 Avocado Juice of 1 lime l 4 salted anchovies

Method: tomato sauce, gently fry the shallot and garlic for 3-4 minutes, chop and add the tomatoes, add salt and cook for 15 minutes to break down the tomatoes. Add the basil and cool completely. avocado custard, blend everything together.

Fry the shrimps in butter, drain and toss in the lemon juice.

Assemble in glasses by layering up the shrimps, custard and tomato sauce, finishing with a layer of shrimps. Serve cold.

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70

Food THE Wheatsheaf, Egremont A good deal better…

Deal or no deal?

Estelle who have spent their life savings on making the pub a free house, somewhere they can truly make their own.

Max and Estelle who have ran have bars since the late 90’s took on the challenge of opening a pub which had been shut for 18 months after scouring the UK. Shy and quiet Max said ‘We looked at dozens of Towns and opportunities but as soon as we came to Egremont we stopped looking, we had found the perfect place and the perfect venue and the people here have been amazing. We couldn’t have been luckier.’

Max and Estelle organise several reoccurring events throughout the week such as karaoke on Friday nights and Saturday nights and their own take on the classic TV show, Deal or no Deal where a £1000 is up for grabs every Sunday night from 8pm is packing them in.

Calling All Musicians....

The pub also plays host to Band/Jam nights on Tuesday evenings where local musicians, whether they be novices or experienced, are welcome to come along and perform to a supportive, local audience.

Real ale is also a feature at the new look Wheatsheaf and with lager only £2.50 a pint together with Sky Sports TV; it’s definitely a deal that’ll beat the Banker.

At a time when pubs are closing down at a rate of 12 a week, surely the last thing any sane person would want to do is open a pub…

Well that is exactly what Max and Estelle have done with the reopening of The Wheatsheaf, Egremont and despite all the odds not only are they making a go of it, The Wheatsheaf is bouncing with activity and has become the main focal point for many a discerning drinker who is in search of a good tipple in good company.

The Wheatsheaf is now typical of what a real pub used to be like years ago, it’s busy, it’s cosy, it’s welcoming and it is the type of pub where you would want to take your partner to enjoy the craic, the atmosphere and somewhere where you can chat.

It really is a breath of fresh air for the small Market Town and all credit due to the daring- duo Max and the lovely

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Cumbrian BBQ

pork

PETER SIDWELL, said: “Belly pork is an all-time favourite of mine. It has so much flavour, plus it’s a forgiving cut of meat as it’s not easy to over-cook. Just start it at a high temperature, then turn it down to cook for a few hours until tender and melt in the mouth. This recipe was inspired by a trip to the USA, when I was asked to be a judge at a world barbecue championship in Lake Placid, upstate New York. The blend of flavours is sweet and smoky, with just a hint of aniseed that works so well with pork”.

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Food

Ingredients: 2.5kg (5lb) belly of Cumbrian pork 2–3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp sea salt 2 onions 2 apples 1 star anise or 1 tsp Chinese five spice 2 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp ketchup 2 tbsp brown sauce 2 tbsp dark soy sauce

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220 ̊C/425 ̊F/ Gas Mark 7. Using a sharp knife, cut into the skin of the pork. Make around 10 cuts about 1cm (1⁄2in) deep, so that the flavour can soak right into the centre of the meat.

Dry the skin using kitchen paper, as this will help it form some serious crackling – when you cook belly pork, crackling is what it’s all about. Drizzle the oil on to the pork and

rub it into the skin so it becomes shiny. Season well with sea salt flakes, opening up each cut to make sure some of the salt has got into the meat.

Chop the onions and apples into chunks and put them in a roasting tray. Sit the pork on top, skin-side up and cook for 20–30 minutes until the skin starts to crisp up. Turn the oven down to 150 ̊C/300 ̊F/Gas Mark 2 and cook for 2–3 hours until the pork is tender.

While the pork is cooking, make the barbecue glaze.

Crush the star anise, if using, with a pestle and mortar. Mix the star anise or five-spice powder with the maple syrup, ketchup, brown sauce and soy sauce.

When the pork is tender and the skin is crispy – after 2–3hrs – brush it with the sauce, making sure it gets into the cuts in the skin. Put the pork back in the oven for 20–30 minutes so the sauce caramelises and becomes sweet and sticky.

When the pork is ready, please, please rest it before carving. Take it out of the oven, cover with a sheet of foil then place a tea towel over the top to keep it warm. When you have set the table and got everything else ready for your meal, then – and only then – cut the pork into thick slices and chop the crackling into pieces.

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The Eating In Guide The best takeaways in your local area.

Traditional Indian

Chinese

Other

Fraser’s Fish and Chips

Tiger Inn Takeaway

Marmaris Pizza and Kebab

33 Main Street, Egremont, CA22 2DR T: 01946 823642

Ropers

Moza Indian Takeaway

Best price, quality and quantity! 11 High Street, Cleator 8 High Street, Cleator Moor, Moor, CA25 5AH T: 01946 814664 CA25 5AH T: 01946 811812

66 Meadow Road, Mirehouse, Naj Tandoori CA28 8ER 10% Discount & Free 2Ltr T: 01946 65444 Bottle Of Soft Drink With Collection Orders Over £15 Free Local Home Delivery With Orders Over £15 18 Main Street, Egremont, CA22 2DW T: 01946 820088

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Orchid Manor

Five Course quality meal only £8.99 from Sun-Fri Strandhouse, Strand St, CA28 7LJ T: 01946 692676

(pizza, kebab, fried chicken)

6a Tangier Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7YZ T: 01946 62963

Moza Fried Chicken

Lip licking good!

8 High Street, Cleator Moor, CA25 5AH T: 01946 811812

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Eating Out

LAKELAND FOOD TO GO

The Big Take-out Sunday Lunch!

Delicious Sunday Carvery.

All you can eat for £6.99

Order, pick-up and enjoy or just eat in!

Order line: T: 01946 825 225 Lakeland Food To Go.

2 Main Street, Egremont

HUNDITH HILL HOTEL Try something different… The Hundith Hill family run country house hotel is known locally as the area’s premier venue for weddings and celebration dinners. They are now pleased to welcome you to join them for fantastic bar meals and evening dinners. The hotel’s Sunday lunches are very popular and great value, reservations can be made to avoid disappointment.

Being set among some of the most beautiful scenery in the country makes dining at Hundith Hill a real experience. Dining out just got better.

Lorton Vale, Cockermouth, CA13 9TH. Tel: 01900 822092. www.hundith.com

WASDALE HEAD INN

Enjoy real food and real local ales in the beautiful location of Britain’s Favourite View at the Wasdale Head Inn.

Home cooked, local products served from 12noon – 8.30pm daily Roast Turkey Dinner & Christmas Pudding throughout Dec only £9.95!

For any information, please call 019467 26229 or email reception@wasdale.com Wasdale Head, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1EX Tel: 019467 26229 reception@wasdale.com www.wasdale.com Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheWasdaleHeadInn

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Richard gains gravitas on gravel WEST Cumbrian rally driver, Richard Barnard, has clinched the 2012 Manx Junior (under-25s Rally Championship, standing him in good stead in both the Association of North East Car Championship (ANECC) and his West Cumbria Motorsport Club’s Stage Rally Drivers’ Championship.

But after this success on the Isle of Man he will now have to wait to see if anyone can pip him at the post to these

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titles and, if not, it will give him a unique treble for the 2012 season.

Going into the recent Dave Corris Autos Forest Stages Rally – on the island – the final round of the 2012 Manx Rally Championship, islander Connor Corkhill led with Manxman Walter Bridson second and Richard 24, lying third and trying to win in his last year as a junior.

He needed Corkhill to either fail to finish or come home at least five places behind. In the event Bridson didn’t make the start because his car wasn’t ready following problems earlier in the year. The very quick Martyn Jones (fourth) was also in contention and against this back-

Motoring ground Richard had never competed on a forest event and was taking part in a hired car, a forest spec Subaru Impreza, though he did have Manx co-driver Seb Turner in the hot-seat to guide him around. Then Corkhill suffered suspension problems which saw him drop out of contention and continue at an easier pace, for fun. Martyn Jones had also had a problem on the early stages and he too dropped from the main field so Richard had to be sure to finish.

But it very nearly didn’t happen with a big ‘moment’ at a junction on stage three when he went too quickly into a left-hand corner going off, over some logs and between trees before emerging unscathed and back in the fray.

Subaru: by Martyn Parnell Sensible driving thereafter meant few dramas for the Cockermouth driver over the remaining stages and when results were posted in fading light at the TT Grandstand finish they showed Richard had finished seventh overall, second in class; collected the Best Newcomer Award and done enough to leapfrog the two drivers who had been ahead of him to secure the title which had never been won before by an off island driver.

Richard told us: “ I am absolutely delighted but I know that I have a lot of people to thank; the businesses and organisations who have sponsored me; the guys who have prepared and run the cars for me and the co-drivers who have sat in with me. I would also like to announce my retirement from gravel rallying (after this one event) and look forward to returning to good old tarmac next year, when I enter the REIS Get Connected MSA Asphalt Rally Championship; yet another step up for me”.

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Superfast Insignia

is a nod to Vauxhall’s sporting heritage

VAUXHALL has released a high-performance replacement for the 325PS Insignia VXR that achieves 170mph – 15mph more than its predecessor yet costs £3,760 less than the outgoing car at £29,995.

The Insignia VXR SuperSport, produces more power and achieves a higher top speed than any other UK production car costing less than £30,000, including market newcomers like the BMW 135i M Sport. With no speed-limiter, the SuperSport realises the Insignia VXR’s true performance potential, while visual identifiers like blue ‘Brembo’ lettering on its front brake callipers and additional increments on its speedometer offer subtle hints about the car’s giant-slaying intent.

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But the SuperSport isn’t the first Vauxhall to set speed benchmarks. More than a century ago,Vauxhall launched Britain’s first sports car, the C10 ‘Prince Henry’, quickly

Motoring followed by the UK’s first 100mph production car, the iconic 30-98.Vauxhall’s engineers even provided customers with a certificate to guarantee that the car had been tested at the ‘ton’ on the fearsome Brooklands circuit in Weybridge.

The tradition continued post-war, with the legendary Lotus Carlton becoming the world’s fastest production saloon car in 1989, with a top speed of 176mph. And even in the current line-up, the VXR Maloo is the country’s fastest, officially-imported light commercial vehicle, with a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

At the heart of the VXR SuperSport is Vauxhall’s 2.8-litre V6 Turbo ECOTEC engine, with a micro-alloy forged steel crank, classic 60-degree cylinder angle and die-cast alloy sump – all features found in many a race engine. Producing 325PS, the engine uses a single, twin-scroll turbocharger and variable valve control for quick throttle response, and accelerates from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds.

In the mid-1920s, when the average speed for a family car was 40mph, the 100mph set by the Vauxhall – the first production car in the UK to achieve this speed – was exceptional. The 30-98, which celebrates its centenary next year, quickly became a legend and defined the word ‘vintage’ more than any other car of its time. Robert Beaver, a 30-98 owner who had lapped Brooklands at 113mph and hit 122mph along the Railway Straight, wrote: ‘I’ve had about 30 cars from GNs to an 8-litre Bentley, and nothing gave me the kick I had from my 30-98. They are marvellous old cars and will run hundreds of thousands of miles without trouble.’

Vauxhall Motors will be joining the 30-98 Register next year to promote the model at a variety of different venues.

Of the 500+ cars built, more than half still survive, many of which will be taking part in the centenary celebrations.

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Tyre labels tighter NEW tyres now have to show more information to give drivers about fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise performance.

Last month saw the new EU legislation to ensure that all new tyres are labelled with clear ratings. It aims to provide users of vehicles with clear and relevant information about the quality of tyre, and to guide them towards choosing a product which is more fuel efficient, has better wet braking and is less noisy. The EU directive known as ‘tyre labelling’ is the biggest change to the industry and the way tyres are sold for more than 50 years.

The labelling will be similar to that required for household appliances and potential buyers will be able to compare tyre characteristics before making a purchase. Like the European energy label, the tyre label (pictured here) will use classes ranging from best-performance (green ‘A’ class) to worst (red ‘G’ class).

Besides indicating how much the tyre affects the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, it will also give information about its performance in wet conditions and its external rolling noise in decibels.

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Sling the junk and garage your car

Motoring Nearly one in five frustrated motorists has stopped parking in the garage in the last 10 years as the accumulation of arbitrary accessories makes the space inaccessible for cars.

Tim Bailey for Continental Tyres added: “It is a generational thing, 40 per cent of us remember our father doing routine car maintenance in the garage, yet we don’t.

“It means we understand less about the workings and safety considerations of a car and that impacts our safety and our cost of motoring increases as we fail to do simple things for ourselves.”

Despite the fact that the junk in our garage is worth only a quarter of the value of our car, we have all but abandoned using garages as a place to park a vehicle according to new research from Continental Tyres.

Fewer than one in three motorists ever use the space as intended, despite their motor being worth on average £11,157 – four times the value of the £2,808 cost of the accumulated boxes, the lawnmower, tins of paint and camping gear. With a dictionary definition of ‘a building to house a motor vehicle’ our busy lives and changing habits has meant garages are no longer fit for keeping cars in according to the study by Continental Tyres.

Tools top the list of stuff that now find home in the garage, followed by tins of paint, DIY paraphernalia, a lawnmower and bicycles in the poll of 2,000 drivers with garages.

Three in 10 of us would still rather store unwanted boxes from when we moved than make room for the car.

Tim Bailey, spokesman for Continental Tyres said: “The garage has become an extra room for the house, yet we lose sight of the value in terms of secure parking and the chance to do important, yet simple checks on our vehicle.

“With the car on the street we shun routine checks on tyre pressure, oil and water levels yet a few minutes a week on these will improve road safety, save money on fuel and reduce maintenance costs.”

Around half of us would like to convert the garage into another room for the house, though three in 10 of those that would cannot face the thought of clearing out the space to do it. One in 10 motorists now resort to doing routine maintenance on petrol station forecourts or in deserted car parks as result of not having the garage space at home.

Top 10 things people store in their garage: 1. Tools and garden equipment 2. Paint and varnish 3. DIY paraphernalia 4. Lawnmower/strimmer 5. Bicycles 6. Garden furniture 7. Fridge/freezer 8. Unwanted boxes from last house move 9. Sports equipment (tennis rackets, surf boards, skis, etc.)

10. Gym/fitness equipment

More than a third of the space in the average garage is taken up with a random collection of items and the overspill from the house prompting a quarter of people to clear out the clutter once a year.

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Whitehaven entertain York City Knights in their first match of the new Championship season which kicks off on Sunday, February 3.

But this coming season Whitehaven will have to be on top form from the word go because, having been promoted from Championship One last term, there isn’t going to be any breathing space this time. There are no easy games next term; there’s little margin for error and a consistently higher standard is called for if Haven are to hold their own in this elevated company.

They must travel to Keighley for their second match – which is their first away game – before hopefully becoming TV stars when the cameras call at the Recreation Ground for the trick encounter against old rivals Leigh Centurions, on Thursday, February 14 – the first of Haven’s four scheduled appearances on satellite TV station, Premier Sports.

Whitehaven coach, Dave Woods, fairly relaxed about Whitehaven’s start to the Championship, commenting: “York, like us, have recently had a few seasons in the Championship but they have been disrupted by having to work with a new coach together with the introduction of new players.”

HAVEN MUST HIT THE DECK RUNNING 86

At the same Woods also fully realises the scale of the challenge ahead for Haven. He pointed out: “It’s not important who you play in the Championship – these games are going to be fast and physical… and we’ve simply got to be prepared to hit the ground running against York. There’s no way we can afford to give anyone a start and it’s a great chance for us to get off to a good start in front of our own fans.”

Sport Woods had also put the tin hat on any further signings, saying that he won’t now be spending much, if any, time seeking further new signings. “Recruitment for next season is pretty much done,” he remarked.

Haven however may have reinforced their ranks with the signing of two prop-forwards from Papua New Guinea who intend to travel with Jessie Joe Parker. But sounding a note of caution Woods added: “Terms have been agreed and contracts signed, but it’s out of our hands whether they will be given the go ahead to come to Whitehaven.”

Cup-wise Whitehaven will not take part in the group stages of the Northern Rail Cup this coming season. They sidestep a preliminary round, the group format stage, and the two Championship One teams that emerge from that join the 14 Championship teams (which include Whitehaven) in a straightforward knockout competition. The opening round of that is scheduled for the weekend of May 18 – 19.

DERBY GAMES: Local rivals Workington Town won’t get a televised match featured on Premier Sports, until they play Whitehaven for the first derby clash, at Derwent Park, Workington, on Thursday, March 29. The return encounter takes place at The Recreation Ground, Whitehaven, on June 23.

Co-operative Championship Fixtures FEB 3, York (H)

MAY 2, Swinton (A)

FEB 10, Keighley (A)

MAY 18-19, Northern Rail Cup Rd 1

FEB 14, Leigh (H)

MAY 26, Barrow (H)

FEB 24, Dewsbury (A) JUN 2, Hunslet (H) MAR 3, Featherstone (H)

JUN 6, Sheffield (A)

MAR 10, Hunslet (A)

JUN 23, Workington (H)

MAR 17, Barrow (A) MAR 24, Halifax (H)

JUL 7, Halifax (A)

MAR 29, Workington (A)

JUL 14, Batley (H) JUL 21, York (A)

APR 1, Sheffield (H)

JUL 28, Dewsbury (H)

APR 14, Batley (A) APR 28, Doncaster (H)

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Kids’ Pages Colouring Time

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Kids

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Word search

Christmas Chestnuts Holly Jackfrost Jesus Mistletoe Noel

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Northpole Nutcracker Reindeer Sleigh Snowflake

Kids

Kids’ Sudoku

91

across 1. Old pronoun (5) 6. Capone and Pacino (3) 9. ____ guilty (3) 12.Slugger Hank ___ (5) 13. Sombrero, e.g. (3) 14. How __ you? (3) 15. Interest benchmark (2 wds.) (9) 17. “Cry ___ River (2 wds.) (3) 18. Flavourful seed (6) 19. Famous canal (4) 21. Colour changer (4) 23. Artist’s tripod (5) 26. Baseball club (3) 29. Citrus drink (8) 31. Lincoln, informally (3) 32. Coins from Mexico (5) 33. Barbie’s beau (3) 34. Inserted more bulltets (8) 36. Discontinue (3) 37. Swipe (5) 38. Tattle (4) 41. Ship’s personnel (4) 43. Guiding person (6) 47. School org. (3) 49. Provisional (9) 51. ___ Alamos (3) 52. ___-gallon hat (3) 53. Tear to bits (5) 54. Thus far (3) 55. Get by (3) 56.Young people (5)

Crossword

Down 1. Faucets (4) 2. Rabbit’s kin (4) 3. Eye part (4) 4. Roaming tribesman (5) 5. Adversary (5) 6. Eureka! (3) 7. Past due (4) 8. Sound systems (7) 9. Junior, to his father (8) 10. Mine extract (3) 11. Pekoe. e.g. (3) 16. Teetered (6) 20. Actor ___ McKellen (3) 22. Adjust again (5) 24. Genesis location (4) 25. Give temporarily (4) 26. Taverns (4) 27. Aid in crime (4) 28. Transmit a TV show (8) 30. Early car (2 wds.) (6) 32. Artist’s board (7) 35. Boat paddle (3) 39. Minimum (5) 40. Woodturning machine (5) 42. Calendar unit (4) 44. Urgent (4) 45. Equal (4) 46. Cincinnati baseballers (4) 47. Layer (3) 48. Boot tip (3) 50. Wind dir. (3)

Sudoku

Please see the directory for puzzle solutions 92

TheWHAT’S

OnGuide

Whats On

Five&Dangerous

Your guide to all that’s best in Carlisle, West Cumbria and Keswick, from

MusicTheatreFilmComedyOther

Music l Theatre l Film l Comedy l Other

They’re thin busy!

F

IVE AND DANGEROUS are five local musicians who initially came together to perform the classic live Thin Lizzy album, Live and Dangerous. The name stuck and so did they.

Marco suggested that everyone should meet up after the shows and an exchange of emails between Allan and Marco made it possible.

The project was supposed to have a limited time span, but due to the success and popularity of the band it has continued with an ever-expanding set of Thin Lizzy classics.

McCarten – bass guitar and Allan Hall – drums.

Five and Dangerous comprise: Steve ‘Pecker’ Woods – lead vocals; Paul Nichol – lead guitar; and vocals; Bob Cullen – lead guitar and vocals; Mark

Over the summer they played at nearly all the local festivals, to acclaim from many ardent Thin Lizzy fans.

This November they embarked on a mini tour centred on Dusseldorf, in Germany Coincidentally, Thin Lizzy themselves were performing in Cologne, at the same time.

A few weeks ago Allan and Steve met up with Thin Lizzy’s bass player, Marco Mendoza, when he performed at the Vine Bar, in Workington.

93

The What’s On Guide December/January MusicTheatreFilmComedyOther

Music Fri Dec 7 Hammerhead - Live 9.30pm The Vine Bar, Workington Cindy Hoten 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven

Red Priest - Baroque Carnival Piers Adams (recorders) Julia Bishop (violin) Angela East (cello) David Wright (harpsichord) Pre-concert talk by members of the group at 6.45pm Theatre by The Lake, Main House, Keswick A Dickensian Christmas Carnegie Singers present, “A Dickensian Christmas” with traditional music and readings.

7.30pm. Tickets from Box Office £7.50, including mulled wine and mince pies.

Carnegie Arts Centre Workington

Fri Dec 7

Cindy Hoten

Martin Simpson Trio The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth Sat Dec 8 For One Night Only Malcolm Dowler Christmas Special Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven The Christians Celebrating their 25th year with the re-release and repackage of their iconic platinum selling albums ‘The Christians’ and ‘Colour’ the band will perform classic tracks like Hooverville as well as material from their brand new album. 8pm.

Carnegie Theatre, Workington

Band Blast Christmas Special The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth Sunday Dec 16 Secure Unit 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven Hansel & Gretel’s Christmas Feast Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven

Monday Dec 10 Gavin Mckew 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven Tues Dec 11 Roll Out The Barrel Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven

Wednesday Dec 19

Emma Dockwray

Wednesday Dec 12 Gavin Mckew 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven Thursday Dec 13 Gavin Mckew 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven Fri Dec 14 Seventh Wave - Live 9.30pm The Vine Bar, Workington

Keswick’s Own Christmas Proms Keswick Rotary Club presents a new event - a Christmas concert featuring once again the Championship NASUWT Riversdie Band with Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid Theatre by The Lake, Main House, Keswick Complete Madness - Tribute band, Live from 9.30pm The Vine Bar, Workington Monday Dec 17 Gavin Mckew The Waterfront, Whitehaven

Sunday Dec 9 Solway Delta’s The Waterfront, Whitehaven

Wednesday Dec 19 Emma Dockwray 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven

The Hannah Maguire Band with support from The Status Duo, 4pm Harrington Legion,

Thursday Dec 20 Cindy Hoten 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven

94

Sat Dec 8

Malcolm Dowler

Friday Dec 21 Cindy Hoten 9pm The Waterfront, Whitehaven

Whats On

Sunday Dec 23 Shore The Waterfront, Whitehaven Wed Dec 26 Resident DJ - Drew Field The Vine Bar, Workington Thur Dec 27 BBC Radio 1 DJ Kutski Local DJs before, from 7pm The Vine Bar, Workington Fri Dec 28 AWOL The Vine Bar, Workington Mon Dec 31 Resident DJ - Drew Field The Vine Bar, Workington Sun Jan 13 Katie Bray (contralto) and William Vann (piano) Pre-concert talk by John Cooper Green at 6.45pm Theatre by The Lake, Main House, Keswick

Sat Dec 1 - Jan 19 The Railway Children Theatre by The Lake, Keswick Tue Dec 4 - 9 Calendar Girls Theatre Royal, Workington Tue Dec 11 Sleeping Beauty Schools Christmas Pantomime from The Panto Company! Join giggles the Jester and his friends for this magical tale! Teachers go free!

10am - 1.30pm Carnegie Theatre, Workington Aladdin Whitehaven Civic Hall

Wed Dec 26 - 30

Dick Whittington

Wed Dec 26 - 30 Dick Whittington Presented by the Workington and District Amateur Musical Society (WADAMS) Carnegie Theatre, Workington Fri Jan 18, 19, 25, 26 Panto At The OK Corral The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth

Mon Feb 11 Kaiser Chiefs Sands Centre, Carlisle

Fri Feb 1 Another evening with the humour of Newhardt and Lehrer Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Saturday Feb 16 Heidi Talbot with John McCusker Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Sat Dec 1 - Jan 19

The Railway Children

Theatre Fri Dec 14 - Dec 24 Aladdin Sands Centre, Carlisle Tue Dec 18 The Nightingale The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth Thur Dec 20 A Victorian Christmas The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth Fri Dec 14-24

Aladdin

Film Sun Dec 2 The Muppet Christmas Carol Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven Wed Dec 5 -6 Hope Springs (15) Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven Fri Dec 7 Sightseers Plaza Cinema, Workington 95

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Whats On

Sid Wright: A Renaissance man and his music

By Drew Spedding

WITH a spectrum of talents ranging from cartoonist to photographer, Singer/Songwriter Sid Wright is quite the Renaissance man.

Music being his main passion, the Cockermouth based artist is a rare breed of performer who looks to excite and evoke the imagination through words.

Performing contemporary folk, Sid’s lyrical style flows from the same vein as the likes of Dylan and Cash.

Abstract, unambiguous and honest, Sid’s music tells short often humorous stories from personal experience.

He says: “I take inspiration mainly from older music; I recently started listening to the sounds of The Small Faces and The Kinks. When I’m writing I like to draw upon people I know, talk about friendships and make fun of friends”.

Still only 24, Sid has already produced three albums which are available on ITunes, but now he is looking to take his career to the next level, he adds: “The offers from record labels keep coming in, but I feel like they want to control

me, help name song titles, choose album artwork. Advice is great, but keeping full creative control is very important to me, because what is the point if it isn’t your work?”

Currently working under his own label, Expendable records, 2013 could be a big year for Sid, he says: “This is an exciting time for me; I’m set to release the Pipe Dreams Demo, Sex, Drugs and Bread Rolls album and a Cover Songs EP all in the coming months.” In-between his music, time has been found to also write a book, “The Contemplations of A Nobody”.

“All proceeds made from the book go to the Roadpiece Charity, Sid says: “It’s just a silly little book of short stories, quotes and translations. I have already finished a second we just need to complete the illustration. The great thing is the books in digital print, so even in 50years if the book is bought the money will still go to charity.”

Sid Wright is a talent to keep your eyes out for; you can catch his musical endeavours live at The Bush, Cockermouth, on November 15th and the Rose Hill theatre on December 8.

97

The What’s On Guide December/January MusicTheatreFilmComedyOther The Man with the Iron Fist Plaza Cinema, Workington The Oranges (15) Plaza Cinemas, Workington Sun Dec 9 Brave (PG) The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth

Fri Dec 21 Pitch Perfect Plaza Cinema, Workington Wed Dec 26 Jack Reacher Plaza Cinema, Workington Thurs Dec 27 The Odd life of Timothy Green Plaza Cinema, Workington

Wed Jan 16 8 Women Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth Fri Jan 18 Monsters Inc 3D Plaza Cinema, Workington

Tues Jan 1 The Impossible Plaza Cinema, Workington Mon Jan 7 Shadow Dancer (15) The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth

Sun Dec 9

Brave

Wed Dec 12 - 13 On The Road (15) Rosehill Theatre Thurs Dec 13 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D Plaza Cinema, Workington Fri Dec 14 Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings 3D Plaza Cinema, Workington

Wed Jan 9 Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D Plaza Cinema, Workington A Bout De Souffle Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth Fri Jan 11 Les Miserables Plaza Cinema, Workington Mon Jan 14 Anna Karenina Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Mon Jan 21 Killing them softly Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth Wed Jan 23 Betty Blue Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Mon Jan 28 Holy Motors Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Mon Dec 17 Petit Nicolas (PG) The Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth

98

Lincoln

Fri Jan 25 Lincoln Plaza Cinema, Workington

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (tbc) Plaza Cinemas, Workington

Thurs Dec 20 Life of Pi Plaza Cinema, Workington

Fri Jan 25

Wed Jan 30 Les Diaboliques Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth Thurs Dec 20 Life of Pi

(Plaza cinema listings subect to change)

Whats On

Friday Dec 7 Father Christmas at The White Mare White Mare, Beckermet

Comedy

Sun Dec 9 A Dickensian Christmas Carnegie Theatre, Workington Wednesday Dec 12 White Mare Special Christmas Quiz White Mare, Beckermet Sat Jan 5

Roy Chubby Brown

Sat Jan 5 Roy Chubby Brown The Sands Centre, Carlisle

Sat Dec 15- Sun 16 Christmas Art Exhibition Gosforth and District Art Society Gosforth Village Hall

Other Mon Dec 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20 Derwent Railway Society Club Night 6.30pm - 9pm. All Welcome Phoenix Court, Cleator Moor Thursday Dec 6 Brian Hartley and George Ward Memorial Pool Competition White Mare, Beckermet

Fri Dec 7

Fri Dec 14 - 22

Fireside Stories for Christmas

Fri Dec 14 - 22 Fireside Stories for Christmas Taffy Thomas MBE and his apprentice Ian Douglas will rouse up the festive spirit with a feast of Christmas and winter tales good enough to bring cheer to even the hardiest of bah humbugs. 7pm (late night session Sat 22 December, 9.30pm) Theatre by The Lake, Keswick Tues Dec 4-29 Victorian Christmas at the Castle Woolpack Inn, Boot

Father Christmas Whiteh Mare

99

100

A litt le bit of Cumbrian sunshine…

T

By Adam Glover HE LANDSCAPES

and traditions of Cumbria don’t particularly end themselves to fostering quality underground dance music.

The rolling hills, the sheep, you know what I mean; they don’t really sit comfortably with strange metropolitan words like “techno” or “progressive house”. Despite this, hidden away in home studios across the county you will find talented computer producers like Dean Whitehead and Andrew Dale, or, as they are known by during the midnight hours, Obyvate and Soulmelt.

I caught up with the Workington-based pair to talk about their latest project - their newly founded record label: Sesque Music.

“I set up a label years ago, but I failed, to be honest”, said Andy. “I’ve learnt from making mistakes, and we’ve been able to create a global record label releasing tracks by artists from all over the world - from Romania to Columbia to Australia.”

Of course, the beauty of today’s music industry is that you don’t need a massive local following, thanks to the internet, and the pair have had their tracks played on radio stations and by DJs internationally. And though they are a digital-only label at the minute, Dean reassured me that they have plans to release some records in vinyl format in the future.

The pair founded Sesque Music only six months ago, and have acted quickly by releasing tracks by some 20 different artists. Andy added “A lot of the other labels don’t promote or distribute well enough, so we wanted to set one up, so we could have total control over where the music is going”. Their label’s sound is a relaxed, smooth strain of deep house - one that retains the positivity of more funkier styles, but with an added bit of style and soul.

Dean Whitehead and Andrew Dale Dance music has always had its stereotypes and its prejudices. I personally don’t like the phrase “Dance music”, because of the connotations it conjures in one’s mind. I’m sure many readers will see adverts on TV, with shouting narrators, with sweaty neon dancers and scantily clad women; for things like “Now That’s What I Call Clubland 49”.

This has got nothing to do with what Andy and Dave are about, and hopefully, if it sounds of interest, you might feel like you want to find out exactly what this strange and space-y music is all about. I think it’s great to know that there are two experienced and passionate people doing some great work in the ever expanding dance music world. And isn’t it great knowing, that even in the clouded landscape that is the Cumbrian dance music “scene”, you can find a little bit of Ibizan sun, shining through.

To find out more on Andy and Dean, and Sesque Music visit: www.sesque-music.com http://soundcloud.com/sesque-music http://soundcloud.com/djdeanwhitehead http://soundcloud.com/soulmelt

A lot of the tracks are reminiscent of the Balearic Islands, but Andy pointed out that their label and their own productions are two very different beasts. Dean’s own sound in particular, is a more swaggering, darker kind of tech house. Which is funny, considering their early influences include old synthesizer bands like Soft Cell and 1980s funk trumpeter, Quincy Jones.

101

Whats On

The What’s On Guide December/January MusicTheatreFilmComedyOther

Mon Dec 31 No Nonsense New Year’s Eve Woolpack Inn, Boot

Sun Feb 3 Brendan Cole Licence to thrill Sands Centre, Carlisle DERWENT RAILWAY SOCIETY CLUB NIGHTS

Mon and Thurs 6:30pm - 9pm

Phoenix Court, Cleator Moor Sun Feb 3

Brendan Cole

102

Christmas at the Sunnyhill Mon Dec 1 - Jackie Woodburn Fri Dec 7 - Gavin McKew Sat Dec 8 - Mazzoni Accoustic Fri Dec 14 - Shore Sat Dec 15 - Emma Dockeray Sat Dec 22 - Jackie Woodburn Mon Dec 24 - Gavin McKew Sat Dec 29 - Plastic Paddy New Years Eve - Tom Taylor

Win an Electric Guitar with The Rock Project The Rock Project are giving away to one lucky winner a Electric Guitar, all you have to do for your chance to win is answer the question bellow: Q: Ozzy Osbourne reformed his band this year to perform at Download Festival 2012, but what is the name of his band?

A) Black Sabbath B) Black Veil Brides C) Black Out To answer go to www.therockproject.com and click on then simply fill out the form with your details and leave your answer in the comments box at the bottom.

Competition will be drawn on Monday 17th December 2012

103

Summary of train times between 9 December 2012 until 18 May 2013 Barrow-in-Furness - Whitehaven - Carlisle Mondays to Fridays Barrow-in-Furness Millom Ravenglass St Bees Whitehaven Workington Maryport Carlisle

0630 0648 0656 0738

0600 0629 0647 0711 0725 0743 0751 0835

0650 0719 0737 0801 0811 0829 0837 0922

0902 0920 0928 1013

0910 0938 0955 1020 1028 1046 1054 1138

1011 1039 1056 1120 1129 1147 1155 1239

1122 1149 1206 1227 1236 1254 1302 1346

1231 1259 1315 1338 1347 1405 1413 1457

1331 1358 1415 1438 1448 1506 1514 1558

1450 1518 1535 1601 1611 1629 1637 1721

1641 1709 1726 1749 1758 1816 1826 1908

1728 1758 1815 1845 1855 1912 1920 2004

1931 1949 1957 2041

2030 2150 2048 2210 2056 2139 -

Saturdays Barrow-in-Furness Millom Ravenglass St Bees Whitehaven Workington Maryport Carlisle

0630 0648 0656 0738

0600 0625 0642 0706 0719 0737 0745 0828

0705 0734 0752 0816 0826 0844 0852 0936

0915 0933 0941 1024

0907 0934 0952 1015 1024 1042 1050 1134

1011 1038 1056 1119 1129 1147 1155 1239

1122 1149 1207 1229 1240 -

1254 1312 1320 1404

1234 1301 1319 1340 1350 1409 1417 1501

1350 1417 1435 1456 1505 1523 1531 1615

1450 1517 1535 1601 1611 1629 1637 1721

1533 1600 1618 1646 1656 1714 1722 1806

1725 1752 1810 1833 1843 1901 1909 1953

1931 1949 1957 2041

2030 2048 2056 2139

-

-

Sundays 1257 1628 1315 1646 1323 1654 1407 1737

-

1500 1539 1550 1610 -

2028 2046 2054 2138

Additional trains operate between Barrow-in-Furness, Millom and Ravenglass - 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 Maryport Workington Whitehaven St Bees Ravenglass Millom Barrow-in-Furness

0600 0609 0628 0635 0657 0717 0749

0728 0735 0757 0815 0849

0744 0823 0834 0855 -

0844 0922 0933 0951 0959 1021 1040 1114

0940 1019 1030 1050 1057 1118 1137 1209

1043 1122 1133 1153 1200 1222 1241 1313

1150 1229 1240 1300 1307 1327 1343 1409

1247 1326 1337 1357 1405 1425 1444 1517

1420 1459 1510 1530 1537 1605 1625 1701

1512 1551 1602 1622 1630 1654 1714 1748

1631 1710 1721 1739 1750 1814 1835 1910

1727 1805 1816 1836 1844 1905 1924 1958

1813 1852 1903 1924 -

1915 1954 2005 2025 -

2033 2112 2123 2143 -

2150 2229 2240 2300 -

0626 0637 0657 0710 0732 0751 0824

0744 0823 0834 0854 -

0837 0915 0927 0946 0954 1014 1033 1107

0939 1018 1029 1049 1056 1118 1137 1209

1043 1122 1133 1153 1200 1220 1240 1314

1139 1218 1229 1249 -

1254 1301 1321 1341 1413

1248 1327 1338 1358 1405 1425 1444 1516

1420 1459 1511 1530 1538 1600 1619 1653

1525 1604 1616 1636 1643 1703 1723 1755

1630 1709 1721 1740 1748 1810 1829 1903

1740 1819 1830 1850 1857 1917 1937 2011

1815 1854 1906 1928 -

1900 1939 1950 2010 -

2005 2044 2055 2115 -

2145 2224 2235 2255 -

Saturdays Carlisle Maryport Workington Whitehaven St Bees Ravenglass Millom Barrow-in-Furness

Sundays 1900 1939 1950 2010 -

2150 2229 2240 2300 -

Additional trains operate between Ravenglass, 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 n s t ve ad -Fu as wn s in to on d ne or to gl ft ha -in eld n Ro m e kle ia n gt w ng by ale fiel y sle m o sto ther Be yp patr gton lsto o ite rton rrin orki kic sc a cro otle ven rigg y l rli r rr ka irkb oxfi ree a l h e m i a t ill ar l e s o a a S D B A K C Se Se N Pa F G Br W Ha R M M W Fli W Si As Bo Ca Da

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

104

northernrail.org

105

Fourteen men were sealed in mine… forever AFTER the explosion at Haig Pit on December 13, 1927, which killed four men, the 800 miners at Wellington Pit, Whitehaven, returned to work on January 3.

But Haig, still lay idle along with its 1,100 men. Doors were made in some of the stoppings on the February 9, in preparation for exploration work. Samples of air were taken through pipes in the stoppings earlier in the week had been analysed and showed the fire was probably extinguished.

Checks on the far side of the main stopping were made using canaries, which revealed a satisfactory state of affairs.

Saturday was chosen to resume the search for the body of Harold Horrocks. Permission was gained from the inspectors and a party of 24, consisting of two rescue teams, mines inspectors, officials and colliery managers entered the mine.

On reaching the stoppings, the canaries seemed unaffected by gas, so the first rescue team proceeded into the area of the fire at No.1 Dilly, leaving the others, who had no breathing apparatus, behind. They came back with pieces of coke and charred wood and reported that the fire was out and they could find no heat. At this, the rest of the party entered the area. The deputies cleared de-railed tubs and electrical engineers restored telephonic communication with the surface 106

At the seat of the fire, it was found that 25 yards of the coal face was a mass of coke and the props had been charred to a depth of two inches.

At 11 pm, with work progressing well, Messrs.’ Johnson, Foster, Durham, Morgan and others returned to the surface, while refreshments were conveyed to the remainder.

Shortly before midnight, the rescue team returned to the entrance of development district to recharge their breathing apparatus. A section of the party headed by Mr Steel, the works manager, entered the engine dip in search of Mr Horrocks, leaving five deputies to clear up falls in the main road.

Without warning, a series of three explosions occurred within 15 minutes. The first was described as “a rumble”, the second, more serious, enveloped the men in clouds of coal and stone dust, while the third was extremely violent, hurling the men off their feet and filling the workings with foul air. Battered and bruised, 11 survivors groped their way, nearly three miles in the dark, to the shaft bottom by following the rails and telephone wires. Immediately, three rescue parties, numbering about 15, descended the shaft.

Battling through foul air, in which the canaries quickly collapsed, the rescue parties reached the area of the main stopping and discovered the area completely wrecked and further progress barred by huge falls of roof. The stopping had been totally smashed by the explosion and the debris was flung over 80 yards.

According to one of the rescuers: “The whole area was quivering and quaking” with roof falls. It was decided by all present, that no one could have survived further inbye and as there was evidence of another fire, it was decided to again, seal the area, this time with bags of stone dust which were readily available, and the rescue parties were withdrawn.

One of the survivors, a deputy named John Graham, explained: “We were quite sure when the last explosion took place that no one was alive in there. I shall never forget it as long as I live. I have a brother in there – Bob; his wife and six children live next door”. An overman, Isaac Graham, survived the ordeal and had been involved with every explosion that had occurred in the local district over the previous 20 years.

He received the King Edward medal for his efforts at the Wellington Pit Disaster but describes this as “the worst explosion he had ever seen”. After discussion, it was decided to check on the situation underground on Tuesday February 14.

More than 3,000 men lay idle from Ladysmith, Wellington, William and Haig Pits. Over 2,000 of them met at the Recreation Ground, where telegrams of sympathy were read from the King and Queen and from many other

sources. The meeting learned that work at Wellington would not be resumed at present but the men from Ladysmith and William pits decided to return to work the following day. The meeting also appointed Mr James Martin JP, the temporary miner’s agent, following the death of Mr H.C.Hanlon.

In the House of Commons, Commodore King, in answer to Mr R.S. Hudson, (Con) member for Whitehaven, gave particulars of the disaster and said that he had directed a formal investigation. The official inquiry opened on March 8 with the proceedings covering both of the recent explosions and each set of circumstances were discussed in minute detail. The reason for both the December and February explosions seemed to be a mystery, according to all the witnesses called.

Gas had been detected on numerous occasions in the district, throughout the year, but the source of ignition could not be decided upon, although many suggestions were put forward. If a detailed examination of the area could have taken place as usual, the causes may have become apparent, but as the area was never re-entered, the secrets will remain sealed in the mine forever.

The bodies of 14 miners were never recovered and remain in No.3 (Development) District to this day.

107

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Back Ginns Ginns

Guest Houses 1 Corner House

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Corkickle Station

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1 2 3

Sports Grounds Recreation Ground Cricket Ground 1 2

Places Of Worship St Nicholas’ Church St James’ Church St Begh’s Church

Points Of Interest The Candlestick The Crow’s Nest The Hub The Market Place Civic Hall/Library Castle Park Trinity Gardens/Labyrinth Mount Pleasant Supermarkets Tesco Store Morrisons

Information Tourist Information Local Records Office Copeland Borough Council

Attractions The Rum Story The Beacon Haig Mining museum

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 1 2

1 2 3

Maps

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Family, Friend and Visitor Accommodation Guide

Accommodation

THE CORNER HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST At The Corner House we pride ourself on providing the right balance of service and quality that you would expect from a hotel with the personal and friendly atmosphere you would find in a bed and breakfast. Whether it’s a romantic weekend away, fell walking, cycling or business; The Corner House offers quality accommodation, comfort and style.

1 Laurel Bank, Foxhouses Rd, Whitehaven, CA28 8AD Tel: 01946 843 524 www.thecornerhousebandb.co.uk

KING GEORGE IV INN Nestled in the beautifully Eskdale valley The King George is the place to stay, whether you just want to relax in the peaceful setting, clime England’s highest mountain or something in between. We have three self-catering holiday lets, The Apartment sleeps 8, The Cabin sleeps 6 and The Flat sleeps 4 and we also have two double en-suite rooms. Start your day with our hearty Cumbrian breakfast and then enjoy our local home cooked food which is served from 12 to 8.45 every day and wash it all down with a great pint of local real ale Eskdale CA19 1TS T: 019467 23470 www.kinggeorge-eskdale.co.uk info@kinggeorge-eskdale.co.uk

C A L D E R H O U S E H O T E L, S E A S C A L E An elegant Victorian seafront Hotel, beautifully appointed contemporary bedrooms.

Bar and restaurant open daily, offering a wide choice of menus, lunchtime and evenings, traditional ales, malts, wines and spirits for business or pleasure - a warm welcome awaits you.

Special offer weekend deals throughout the year. For that special occasion or even just sheer indulgence why not spend a night in one of our luxury executive rooms?

Calder House Hotel, The Banks, Seascale, Cumbria. CA20 1QP Tel/Fax: 019467 28538 email: steveandy@calderhouse.co.uk www.calderhouse.co.uk

FOREST HOW

A hidden jewel in Eskdale Green, Forest How Guest House offers peace and tranquillity set in beautiful gardens with absolutely stunning scenery. Come and experience the best that nature has to offer – enjoy watching red squirrels while you eat breakfast in the conservatory, spot roe deer in the field or in the garden and have fun trying to identify the garden birds that flock to the feeders. Forest How is the ideal retreat for couples and busy executives.

Come and relax, unwind and walk in our little back yard – the Eskdale Valley.

Children welcome over the age of 18, dogs of any age welcome!

Eskdale Green CA19 1TR Call: 019467 23201 or for more info: www.foresthow.co.uk

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Your Guide to Local Services Roofing Services

Accountants

Plumbing

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Taxi services

Paint and Decor

Scaffolding

Landscaping

Flooring

MoT & Servicing

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Wildlife of the Solway Firth The Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus

THE body shapes of some fish species are so far from the generic that we cannot help but look twice. The Greater Pipefish certainly falls into this category.

Is it an eel, or some kind of sea snake?

In fact it is a fairly close relative of the well-known seahorse, and if you look at the shape of the head and the way it swims you can see the connection.

These pipefish are found on most Southern and Western coasts, reaching a maximum length of about 45cm/18�. They are not strong swimmers and rely on rapid movement of their small fins to propel the rigid body forward.

They catch their food, mainly small shrimps and fish fry, by getting close enough to draw them into their tube-like mouth by a sudden sucking action. Their body has a segmented look, emphasised by brownish body rings along its length and should you ever be in a position to feel one you will find it hard and bony.

This is one way of telling this pipefish apart from the four or five other British pipefish species.

This body shape and colour allows them to merge into sea grass and seaweed, their favourite habitat.

The male dutifully accepts the eggs from the female and cares for them until hatching in a special body pouch‌just like the seahorse.

At the Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport, we often catch young pipefish when we are netting in the shallows for shrimps and they make a fascinating addition to our local sea-life displays.

www.coastaquarium.co.uk

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Tide Tables

Time Zone UT (GMT)

Add 1hr for (GMT) Summer Time

Time Zone UT (GMT)

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Attractions

Haig Mining Museum Muncaster Castle Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway The Beacon The Rum Story Haig Mining Museum 01946 599 949

Cumbria County Council 0800 121 8800

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

Council and 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 Non-emergency Police 101

Cuedoc 01228 401 999

Careline Cuedoc Lowther Medical Centre Mansion House NHS Direct Proudfoot and Rudman Queen Street Medical Surgery Sydney and Partners Trinity Health Surgery West Cumberland Hospital

01946 810 500 01228 401 999 01946 692 241 01946 693 660 0845 46 47 01946 693 094 01946 694 457 01946 692 173 01946 693 412 01946 693 181

Miscellaneous

Citizens’ advice bureau W. Fare Ltd pharmacy Citizens’ Advice Bureau 01946 693 321

01946 693 321 01946 692 978

Sports Centres and swimming pools Egremont swimming pool Hensingham swimming pool Whitehaven sports centre

01946 821 038 01946 696 049 01946 695 666

If you’d like your service listed here, please call 01946 816 716 Copeland swimming pool

01946 696 049

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Handy No.

Sports Grounds

Whitehaven cricket ground Whitehaven Recreation Ground

01946 695 441 01946 328 088

Taxis

Downton Travel J and J Taxis White Line Taxis - Whitehaven

0800 118 2891 01946 691 415 01946 66 111

Whitehaven Recreation Ground

01946 328 088

Theatres and cinema Carnegie Theatre Kirkgate Theatre Plaza Cinema Rosehill Theatre Theatre by the lake The Wave Whitehaven Civic Hall

01900 602 122 01900 826 448 01900 870 001 01946 692 422 017687 744 11 01900 811 450 01946 514 960

Whiteline Taxis 01946 66111

Tourist information Egremont Whitehaven

01946 820 693 01946 598 914 Rosehill Theatre 01946 692 422

Travel and weather

Bus timetables Lake District weather service Train timetables

0871 200 22 33 0844 846 2444 08457 48 49 50

Vets

Galemire Cleator Moor, CA25 5QX Millcroft 66a Main St, Egremont, CA22 2DB West Lakeland Veterinary Group St Bridget’s Lane, Egremont, CA22 2BB West Lakeland Vetinary Group Preston St, Whitehaven, CA28 9DL Solution to Crossword

Solution to Sudoku

01946 810 295

Whitehaven TIC 01946 598 914

01946 820 513 01946 820 312 01946 693 303 Lake District weather 0844 846 2444 Solution to Kids Sudoku

Galemire 01946 810 295

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