Priory Church Rev’d Becky Gibbs, Priest in Charge (01946 822279) Retired Clergy with the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate: The Rev’d Jim Marshall (01946 64259) Rev’d Canon Jim Baker MBE and Rev’d Anne Baker (01946 822498) The Rev’d David Cox The Rev’d Canon Dr Trevor Park MBE The Rev’d Richard Lee

Sunday Services 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion (1st, 3rd & 5th - 1662) 10.30 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer (1st - Evensong; 4th Holy Communion) The sacrament of baptism is administered at the main service and must be arranged well in advance with the Vicar. For weddings, baptisms, funerals and other religious occasions, please contact 01946 822279 or email [email protected] Priory Web Site - http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Hire of Priory & Halls The church, Old College and New College halls are all available for hire for meetings, functions, lectures, concerts and recitals, etc. Contact booking officers for details. Booking Officers Ian & Rosalie McAndrew - 01946 822326 or [email protected] Priory Secretary - [email protected] Magazine production & distribution This magazine is free but production costs are about 50p per copy. Contributions from the Parish Council and our advertisers, to whom we are most grateful, pay much of the costs. However this leaves the balance to be paid by the PCC. Donations to the Treasurer* or your Magazine Distributor are most welcome. Circulation - 900 households in St Bees, Sandwith, Rottington, Linethwaite, Coulderton, Middletown, Nethertown. * - Treasurer - Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, CA27 0AR. DTP & Final Editing - Ian & Rosalie McAndrew Printed by Printpoint (01946) 64305

22 i St Bees Parish A B C History Group works towards improving knowledge of local history. Lectures Area Visitor / The parish is divided into 30 small areas each with an offi cial arranged periodically. Details from Chris Robson 822468. Good Neighbour Church Visitor whose task is to welcome and help people in the Over 60’s Club meets in Hodgett’s Club on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month: Scheme name of the Priory. Co-ordinator - M Westhead (822674). 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. Details - Gill Richardson Tel. 822394. Parish Council The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Jane Donaldson, East House, Arts Society meets every two months on the last Wednesday of the month at Coulderton. Tel. (01946) 822560, e.mail [email protected], who 8.00 p.m. Venue to be arranged. Details from Dilys Brownrigg will answer queries on matters. (822584) or Chris Robson 822468. Parochial meets 10 times a year. Elections for 20 members are held in March at Bellringing The Priory has a ring of 8 bells. Those interested in ringing or Church Council the A.P.C.M. Its task is to spearhead the mission and ministry of the learning to ring, contact D Sim, 31 Main Street. Practice church in the Parish. PCC Secretary - Wednesdays, 8.00 pm. Sundays, ring at 10.00 a.m. Jon Mellor, E-mail - [email protected] Brownies Brownies meet on Tuesdays. Further details can be obtained Playgroup meets every Wednesday in term time only, from 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. in from Leanne Cherry, contact 07805154408. (Toddler Group) New College Hall, St Bees Priory. Details from Amy Linton - Email - [email protected] Cubs, Scouts, Cubs for children aged 8 - 10, meet on Thursdays, 6.30 - 8pm. Beavers Beavers meet on Thursdays (term time) from 5.00 - 6.00 pm. Details Pop-in Cafe Every Thursday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon - Pop-in Cafe in New from Graham Young. They meet in CCF Hut, College Hall. Everyone welcome - Coff ee and homemade cakes. Pre-School meets in the new building next to the Village School, All day, 5 days a St Bees School. Scouts meet at Egremont. week. For children of 2 years upwards. Contact Pre-School on 823880. Choir rehearses on Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Details from Frank Bowler, the Prayer Group meets on Thursdays from 1.45 - 3.15 p.m. in New College Hall . All Organist (Tel. 825307). denominations welcome. Churchwardens are leading lay Church members who will be pleased to help and Priory Singers rehearse in Old College Hall, Mondays at 8.00 p.m. Details from Frank advise on church matters. Rosalie McAndrew (822326), Bowler. (Temp). (01946) 825307. Not meeting at present. Malcolm Lightfoot, Wendy Mellor, & Derek McGee Priory Web Site The Priory web site has up to date information on the ministry team, Councillors Copeland - Cllr Jeff rey Hailes- 01946 814819, 7.00 to 9.00 p.m church services and activities. See http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Monday to Friday. - Cllr Chris Whiteside, 01946 67575 or Seagalls meets fi rst Tuesday of month at 7.30pm in the Seacote Hotel. Contact 07798667678. E-mail [email protected] Lynne Smith - Tel. 822285 - or Judith 07772523742 Electoral Roll is the list of all church members qualifi ed to vote at the Annual St Bees Triers Friendly running club for all abilities. Every Thursday 6pm & 7pm. Email [email protected] Tel. 823497 Web www.triers.co.uk Parochial Church Meeting. E.R. forms are available in church Finance The Church Treasurer is Norman Killip, Honeybee House, Seamill St Bees Youth meets 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 7.00 p.m. in New College Hall. Group All youngsters of secondary school age are welcome. Contact organisers Lane, St Bees, who will explain our Christian Giving system. on 07518 394297. First Responders provide Basic Life Support in association with the Ambulance Sunday Club Children’s activities and toys are available in the Baptistery. Service. Contact Andy Brock 823497 Contact – R McAndrew (822326), Football Contacts - Seniors Tony Barnett 590640. Village School exists to raise funds for the school and to foster links between school Association Juniors (U-12) - Alec Morton 823992 & Alastair Billson. Association and community. Secretary - via School - Tel. 822392. Freemasons St Bega Lodge meet 7:00 p.m. On 2nd Wed of each month, Village Village Hall Management Committee administers Hodgett’s Club. For details and Hall. Details: 01946 64275 or www.cumbwestmasons.co.uk. booking contact Phil or Valerie Turpin (Tel 823772). Friends of the assists in the conservation of the Priory and encourages interest in Village in Bloom Details from Eileen B Todd, 14 Main Street. St.Bees. (Tel 822522). Priory its historical and architectural heritage. Contact Philip Barratt or Village Web Site Information for inclusion should be sent to Ian McAndrew (822326) or Tom Rice, Treasurer, Green Ghyll, Greendykes, Egremont. [email protected] Address is http://www.stbees.org.uk Women’s meets 2nd Monday of month at 7.30 p.m. usually in New College Hall Garden Society Details from Mark Hewertson, (Tel. 01946 825468). Flower Show is Institute (see program). Contact Roxanne Benson Tel 823137. held on the 3rd Saturday in August. . Guides meet on Tuesdays from 7.00 – 8.30 p.m. Further details can be obtained from Amanda Smith or email [email protected] ii 21 Calendar for February February St Bees News February 2020 2 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion This month I want to talk about romance, the birds and Saint Bees (excuse the pun) and 4 Tuesday 7.15 p.m. Seagalls – Seacote Hotel neighbourly love. 7 Friday 7.00 - 9.00 p.m. Youth Club, NCH Evidence is sketchy about why we celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Some say Saint Valentine was a priest from Rome who lived in the third century AD. 8 Saturday 8.00 - 9.30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast, NCH Emperor Claudius II had banned marriages, believing married men made bad soldiers and Magazine copy date Saint Valentine is thought to have arranged marriages in secret. He is said to have been 9 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship executed for his crimes on February 14th. 10 Monday 7.30 p.m. PCC Meeting, Vicarage About one hundred years later Saint Valentine began to be seen as a romantic fi gure - this 7.30 p.m. W I Meeting, NCH was probably all Chaucer’s fault. He wrote a poem called Parlement of Foules in 1382 11 Tuesday 7.00 p.m. Mission Community meeting, NCH which includes the lines; 16 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion For this was on seynt Volantynys day 1.30 p.m. Priory Paddock Conservation Day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make. 4.00 p.m. Choral Evensong for Emergency Servces, Priory In other words, birds choose their mates on Valentine’s Day, which, is in mid February and Buff et Tea (but it may have been celebrated in May during Chaucer’s time which actually makes 17 Monday 6.30 p.m. Parish Council meeting, Hodgetts more sense) Valentine’s Day received another boost in the nineteenth century with the rise in 19 Wednesday 7.30 p.m. Arts Society Lecture – Management Centre production of printed cards and the Penny Black stamp. And the anonymous nature 21 Friday 7.30 p.m. Friends of the Priory Talk - NCH of giving Valentine’s cards probably appealed to the prudish Victorians. These days 23 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship Valentine’s Day is hugely commercial; last year the UK alone spent about a billion pounds 25 Tuesday 11.00 -1.30 p.m. Big Pancake Party – NCH on Valentine’s cards, gifts and fl owers. 26 Wednesday 10.00 a.m. Ash Wednesday Service, Priory But romance needn’t be commercial or expensive. My fi rst wedding anniversary gift from 28 Friday 7.00 - 9.00 p.m. Youth Club, NCH Phil was a year’s membership of the RNLI and sixteen years later we’re still supporters March (and still married!) And we’re not the only ones who think lifeboats and love go together, 1 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, began his New Year message by giving 2.00 - 6.00 p.m. Diocesan Bell Ringers thanks for his local lifeboat crew. He then went on to say that helping our neighbours is a heroic act, because it’s an act of self-giving service and connection; “When we hear someone described as a Good Samaritan, we think about that person taking the time to help another. But it’s also a story told by Jesus about someone taking Pop-in Cafe - Every Thursday - 10.30 to noon - New College Hall the risk of reaching out to another who was very diff erent to them. Yes, the person needed Magazine ABC help – but they also needed connection. We rightly think of lifeboat crews as heroic, although they may be embarrassed to hear that. Yet every time we reach out and connect It has been pointed out that some entries in the St Bees News ABC sections on front and with someone, it is an act of heroism. Don’t underestimate it.” back inner pages are not correct. It would be helpful if you are aware of any errors if you All our emergency services are similarly heroic, reaching out to help and connecting could let the editors know. The ABC pages are full and we have had 2 or 3 requests to be with vulnerable people in their time of need. On Sunday 16th February at 4pm we will included but have had to refuse them due to lack of space, so if your entry is no longer be saying thank you to them at a Service of Choral Evensong at the Priory. Everyone is needed, again please let us know. welcome. This February let’s celebrate love and the heroes amongst us. With love from Becky. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Editor - March 2020 Magazine Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Jesus The March 2020 issue of St Bees News will be edited by Anthony Payne, Croeso, 83A “There are two kinds of love. Our love. God’s love. But God makes both kinds of them.” Main Street, St Bees, who would appreciate all contributions not later than Saturday 8 Jenny – age 8 February please. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01946 822637 20 1 Priory News The Beach Swimming Pool “There was a springboard and a diving The Christingle Service in December was well-attended and much enjoyed by everyone, board. The waves came over at every with the Priory Family Orchestra accompanying the carols. Many thanks to all involved – tide, with lots of seaweed washing in, the families; the Christingle-makers; the orchestra with Alison Morris and Frank Bowler; and the odd jellyfish and crab. But we bakers of tasty treats; and Sally’s helpers! Thank you to all for generous donations didn’t care; it took thirty-two lengths too - £248.97 was raised for the Children’s Society for homeless families and runaway non-stop to swim a mile, and our little youngsters. gang considered you weren’t a swimmer Christmas Gifts under the Priory Tree – Thank you everyone for your thoughtful until you had been seen to do it”. and kind gifts to our senior St Beghians in Care Homes and in hospital. They were all This is Irene Patterson, in Half a Stone delighted to be remembered and to receive a visit. Greetings and gratitude come from of Flour, writing in old age about the St. residents in Emmaus House at Moresby Parks, Wyndham Manor at Cleator Moor and The Bees of her childhood.* The Pool carved Gables at Hensingham. from the rocks near the Head was one of Sincere Thanks go to David Kennedy and friends for hoisting the illuminated Tower her favourite spots, sometimes she swam there even before going to school. Lately there Cross onto the Priory belfry; and to Doug Sim for fl oodlighting the Priory for the festive have been a number of queries about the Pool’s story, so these notes outline what we know season. of it. More thankyous to the Lightfoot/McAndrew team for decorating the Christmas tree so Several accounts have come down to us. The best I’ve seen is a 1990 piece by the late Mr. attractively; and to the strongarm trio of Colin, Charles and Jack for installing the tree in Leslie Brownrigg. He recounted how Captain Isaac Spedding originated the idea in 1932 position. (had he been a ship’s captain, or an army captain, or a ship’s engineer? - versions vary.) A year later he had a team from the village’s unemployed ready to work on it. All were Special Thanks to St Bees Brownies for kindly making the painted jar lanterns on the volunteers, with George Irving, Frank Lewis, Bob Lindsay, Tom Park and Billy Short windowsills in church. A clever and very eff ective idea – thanks to all. among the foremost. What’s On at the Priory in February Leslie Brownrigg tells us… “The initial phase required the use of explosives to blast the base rock, after which the St Bees Youth Club will meet on 2 Fridays 7th & 28th for sessions with music, chat, natural rock was dressed with cement. This resulted in a pool which at the end towards games and snacks. Held in New College Hall, 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. All young people of 10 the sea was 7 ft. 6ins. deep, while the shallow end was 4ft. A 3-ton crane was loaned by years and over are very welcome. Mr. Stout of Stout’s Foundry, to move the excavated rock from the area. After Men’s Breakfast – meeting on Saturday 8th February from 8.00 to 9.30 a.m. in New construction a diving board was installed and chains fixed round the pool, and a pole with College Hall. The menfolk are invited to attend for a hearty breakfast and lively a harness was provided to teach children to swim. discussion. At the opening of the Pool in 1934, it was agreed that the unemployed and old age Shrove Tuesday Pancake party & fundraiser – on Tuesday 25th February will be pensioners would have access free, children under fifteen would pay one penny, and adults held in New College hall from 11.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. All welcome. Sweet and savoury two pence, which was increased to three pence a year later.” pancakes available, with lots of fi llings to choose from. Cost £2 (includes a drink). Bring The first in the pool – before the official Opening and without permission, naturally - & Buy stall too. Funds go to Church Urban Fund for deprived communities. were our enterprising Boy Scouts. The Opening itself took place the next day, with a big crowd attending and a full report in the paper. From that day forward the Pool proved a Ash Wednesday Service – will be on Wednesday 26th February at 10.00 am in the Priory. great attraction to locals and holidaymakers alike: our beach “a miniature Blackpool”, the Messages posted in church – papers said. But with dwindling unemployment in the late thirties, and the strains of War We have received many Christmas messages of thanks for gifts, help, support and there-after, supervision had to cease. And so the sad situation we see today. kindness - from Deb & Frank Bowler, Elizabeth Cotes, Joan Hewertson, Andy & Liz A few years ago Network Rail’s contractors were working on the beach. With their White (Hawkins) and Rev. Becky Gibbs & family. heavy equipment they very obligingly cleared the pool of rocks and rubbish. But then the question arose: if in today’s times an accident occurred, might the village be deemed responsible? Advice was sought, and regrettable though it seemed, the contractors had to be asked to undo the good work they had done. Bob Jopling, Village History Group

2 19 18 3 New Team Rector at Egremont Parish British Takemusu Aikido Rev. Melanie Appleby, the newly appointed Team Rector of the Benefi ce of Egremont, Come and learn a traditional Japanese Bigrigg and Haile, was instituted by Bishop James of Carlisle on 22nd January at martial art in St Bees, at the Old Gym at Egremont Parish church. Melanie joins the Central Calder Mission Community team St Bees School. Adult classes with Rev Nicki Pennington at Crosslacon, Rev Becky Gibbs at St Bees and Rev Ian Thursday night 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Parker at Ennerdale and Lamplugh. We wish her well in her ministry in Egremont parish Contact Adrian on 07951 999 192 or and the mission community. email [email protected] for details or From the Priory Registers fi nd us on Facebook – Whitehaven Dojo Thanksgiving for a Child 22 December Noah Stott School House, School Lane, St Bees Christian Funeral 18 November Michael George Canning 95 Main Street, St Bees 24 January Rachael Clark 7 Abbey Vale, St Bees In Memoriam 30 November Jean Taylor Kirklands Residential Home, Cockermouth (service held at St Bees School chapel)

Deepest Sympathy is extended to Julie Taylor on the sad loss of her dear mother; to Audrey Murray mourning the sudden loss of her partner Mick Canning. Sincere Sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the late Jamie Lockie of Westwell House who died after a courageous battle against illness. May God’s Blessing be upon you and your families. Love & Prayers Love & prayers for healing and comfort go out to all who are ill or recuperating, especially sending loving wishes to Annie Southam and Margaret Thompson both in West Hospital, and to Russell Atkinson, Hugh Turpin, and Joan Hewertson. They are very grateful for Christmas cards and gifts, and Annie appreciated all her birthday cards including the Pop-In Café card of many signatures!

Deepest Sympathy Deepest Sympathy is extended to Bob Clark and family on the sudden and sad loss of his dear wife Rachael, who died in her sleep on 6th January. Rachael grew up in St Bees on Fairladies farm, in Main Street, and was well-known in showjumping, competing in county shows and at Wembley. She loved the outdoors life, whether farming or gardening, on caravan holidays, or travelling with Bob on his courier trips. She loved her music and dancing, cookery and photography, her garden and fl owers. A much-loved mother and grandma, she will be lovingly remembered and much missed. Our thoughts are with Bob, Claire and Luke, Andrew & Danielle and their children.

4 17 Parish Council Santa Parade – Thank you to everyone who helped with the Santa Parade on 10 December and to the families who braved the elements to watch the parade. Despite the torrential rain Santa travelled through the village to switch on the lights on the Christmas tree and a sum of £117.25 was collected along the way in aid of RNLI funds. We had a much larger Christmas tree this year and purchased new coloured lights – this posed some logistical challenges in erecting and decorating the tree and we are grateful to all the volunteers from the village and RNLI who helped with the tree and the parade. The Parish Council is also very grateful to the local resident who allowed us to use his electricity supply. As he did not wish to accept any payment, the Parish Council has agreed to donate the money to Hospice at Home. Parish Precept 2020/21 – the Parish Council approved its budget for 2020/21 at its December meeting. The budget includes funding for a number of projects - £5000 has been included as a contribution to the extension of the footpath on Outrigg if CCC decides to go ahead with the work and £2000 has been budgeted for a new base for the Village in Bloom Group in addition to funds to continue with community events, beach area improvements, tree planting etc . The precept (the small element of the council tax which comes to the parish council) will be increased by 5% which will mean an increase of approximately £2.85 per year for a Band D property. Public footpath from Sea Mill Lane to Sea Mill – the Planning Inspectorate has published its decision following an objection into CCC’s proposal to divert the route of the footpath to cross the new wooden bridge erected some months ago. The decision is that the diversion over the bridge should go ahead. The County Council has some work to complete before the new route will be open and more information will follow. A proposal to correct an error on the Defi nitive Map to show the correct crossing of the railway will need to be done by a separate Modifi cation Order. Coastal defence work- Work by Network Rail to reinforce the rock armour alongside the railway between Sea Mill and Coulderton is now taking place. CBC has secured funding to improve the coastal defences to protect the properties and car park at Sea Mill and this work will be taking place at the same time. The rock armour is being delivered to a holding area before being used on site. It is hoped that the work will be complete in the next few weeks. Parish Council Meeting – The next meeting will take place on Mon 17 February at 6.30pm in the Village Hall. Representatives from Action with Communities in Cumbria will be coming to talk about Community-led housing initiatives. Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meeting. Lowes Court Gallery The Gallery re-opens on Tuesday 28 January at 10.00 am following two weeks of stock taking, cleaning, and refurbishing. Subscriptions now due - Subscription Fees are now due for the year of 2020. Fees remain unchanged at £30 for Exhibitors and £15 for Friends. February Exhibition - Local Primary Schools Artwork on the theme of Winter.

16 5 Choral Evensong Service of Thanksgiving You are warmly invited to a Service of Choral Evensong and Thanksgiving for the Emergency Services in Copeland on Sunday 16 February at 4.00 p.m. in the Priory with Organist Frank Bowler and St Bees Priory Choir. All welcome. Afternoon Tea will be served after the service. All Emergency Service personnel and their supporters are invited to attend. There will be a retiring collection for the Australian Red Cross Disaster and Recovery and Relief. Spend a penny!

Most people will know what is meant when told to ‘spend a penny’ before embarking on a journey. At least, my generation did, as we were given a couple of pennies before any outing involving a time away from home, specifi cally for that purpose. Most of the public conveniences built by the civic authorities in late Victorian times - many of them underground - have disappeared, some to be converted into living spaces. There is one just outside Carlisle station (recognisable by its wrought iron railings) but no longer in use. Armed with a precious penny, when in need one would descend the stairs and be confronted by the lavatory attendant who would watch whilst your penny was placed in a slot on the door. The knob was turned, the door pushed open and a lavatory with a solid wooden seat would be revealed. They were usually spotlessly clean, the white tiles regularly hosed down with the water escaping down a drain in the fl oor. Our grandparents knew well what it was like to live without a proper toilet in their home and thought nothing of sharing one with several families in their ‘square’, or venturing out to the back yard whatever the weather. Very few modern family homes are without two toilets - one up and one down. As a result, infectious diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery have almost been eradicated because as a society we enjoy modern conveniences and are learning the importance of personal hygiene.

A while ago at ‘Pop-in’ on Thursdays, we were invited to ‘throw out our mouldies’ to go towards the New College Hall renovation fund. This has been achieved but still people want to give us their odd coppers. So it has been decided to collect the pennies (and any other coins you want rid of) and when we have reached the target of £60 we will donate it to the Twinning Toilets scheme. This charity provides the materials and the hygiene education for poorer communities to erect, operate and maintain their own toilets. This helps to protect families from debilitating water borne diseases and the real dangers to the women in having to do their business out in the open. In return we will be proud to display in our toilet a notice that we are ‘twinned’ with another one overseas. So our thanks go to all those who have and will ‘throw out their mouldies’ to let others ‘spend a penny’ in a safer and cleaner environment.

Sally Kennedy

6 15 News from the Village School We had a lovely start to the new term with children full of excitement and tales of the wonderful presents they received – what lucky children we have! We’re very excited about all the events, clubs and visits coming up this term together with lots of hard work. After School Clubs: Our after school activities clubs have started and are as follows… Tuesday – Football KS2 Tuesday – Craft Club for Years 4 & 5 Wednesday – Chatterbooks for Key Stage 2 Wednesday – Judo Thursday - Multi-skills KS1 Thursday – Lego-League Diary Dates: Tuesday 4th February KS2 Singing with Becky Gibbs Wednesday 5th February Life Education Bus Visit Year 5 Parents’ Assembly @ 2.45 p.m. Thursday 6th February Life Education Bus Visit Tuesday, 11th February Y2 Parents’ Assembly @ 2.45p.m. Friday 14th February School closes for half term @ 3.15 p.m. Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February Half term holiday Please note the change to Year 5 Parents’ Assembly due to swimming. A date for the Year 6 Parents’ Assembly will be announced shortly.

The Friends of St Bees Priory A very successful Quiz Night was held in a packed Old College Hall on Friday 22nd November. The event was in memory of Alan Hawkins who had devised so many quizzes for The Friends. Alan’s daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband ran the event and furnished the wine and cheese refreshments. Everyone agreed that the evening was a great success and a fi tting tribute to Alan. Monday 16th December was the occasion of The Friends’ Annual Christmas Concert. On this occasion The Priory Singers who have performed for the past several years, were unavailable through the illness of their founder, Hugh Turpin and other commitments of their accompanist, Frank Bowler. Not wishing to disappoint the usual Christmas audience, the committee of The Friends arranged an evening’s entertainment, “Waits and Measures”. The evening contained a series of readings, musical events and fi ve carols with audience participation. At the end there was mulled wine and seasonal food interrupted by the usual appearance of The St Bees Mummers. The evening although diff erent was pronounced a huge success by all. Many thanks to all who participated and helped in any way. On Friday 21st February, 7.30 New College Hall, Dr Ian Hill will give a talk on “Dickens and the Law”. Refreshments served.

14 7 8 13 St Bees Seagalls St Bees School News First of all the Seagalls would like to pass on our Very Best Wishes for 2020 to all our Here at St Bees School, we are excited to welcome our students back for an action-packed readers. As I mentioned in the December issue the Seagalls enjoyed another successful Spring term. 2020 for us will be a year of expansion, determination and passion. As our year and we look forward to an interesting 2020 with all our group members and numbers increase, so does our momentum. Our students are not just excelling at St Bees, hopefully some new ones! but they are thriving – and as such, with our unique Fusion Curriculum, we have some Our Christmas lunch at the Trout Hotel in Cockermouth was a great success. The location, exciting news to share… the food and the ambience were wonderful and had a very seasonal feeling. Plus, no-one Headteacher Roger Sinnett’s passion is (aside from feeding and adopting next door’s cat), had to drive home as we had booked a couple of mini buses! Very important!! We enjoyed developing a revolutionary educational framework – and one that considers more than just the occasion so much that an impromptu lunch was arranged in the Queens Hotel for 18th academics. When not in the offi ce, teaching or trying to ‘be cool with the kids’, Mr Sinnett December for anyone who was able to attend and, once again we had a full house and the can be found underneath mountains of paper trying to fi gure out how to assess character food and company made it all so festive! development in a more rigorous way. But his hardwork has now paid off . Our fi rst meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday 4th February at the Seacote Hotel at 7.15 p.m. This is entitled ‘Poppy Workshop’ when Vicky will come along and teach In conjunction with East China Normal University, St Bees, with Roger at the helm, us how to knit/crochet poppies. So, needles at the ready! Please come along and join in is proud to announce a partnership that will enable our practices here into character whether or not you are an expert or a learner in both these subjects. Don’t forget to bring development, to be systematically and scientifi cally studied. your knitting or crochet needles! (or both!!). Looking forward to it. See you all on 4th This means the character development programme we have in place for our students is far February. Angela Hargreaves more than just a ‘we make them confi dent’ scheme. This will be a tried and tested way of ensuring every single child reaches their potential. We’re really excited and hope you are too. Watch this space for more info… or drop us an email to fi nd out more! The Sandwith School Trust The Sandwith School Trust – applications invited for 2019/2020 academic year. 900 Words Competition The Sandwith School Trust was registered with the Charity Commission on 12 December It’s a year of celebration in St Bees with the Priory marking its 900th anniversary. To 1977, following the closure of Sandwith School. The Trust was formed for the benefi t of celebrate, here at St Bees School we are encouraging all young people the chance to enter villagers in the old parishes of Sandwith and Rottington. a short story in our ‘900 Words’ competition (or ‘500 Words’ for the younger ages), with Funds are available for young people under the age of 25 years, in Sandwith, Rottington the top prize being a £50 Amazon voucher. Your stories can be about anything at all …so and a portion of Abbey Vale for such things as their academic materials, educational start writing today and let your imaginations run wild! experiences, and Christian instruction. The trustees encourage children and young people Years 7 – 9: 900 words and Years 5 – 6: 500 words. The deadline is 27th March and to take advantage of this resource, and submit applications. Trustees generally welcome please submit to [email protected]. one application per academic year. Grant application forms are available by emailing [email protected]. The trustees will be meeting to discuss applications on 17th March 2020. Completed 900 Years Anniversary Logo applications should be received by 7th March 2020. They can be returned by post to the Many thanks to Kate Wilson for her design of the new logo for the 900th Anniversary of address on the form or by email to [email protected]. the Priory’s founding – with the slogan, or Flower Rota strapline as they say, and the rose window February 2nd Mrs Eleanor Crichton 9th Dr Claire Summers cinquefoil of the east end of the church. You will see this logo attached to 2020 16th Flower Fund 23rd Carole Smith Priory & parish graphics of events and March Lent – no fl owers 22nd Mothering Sunday projects.

12 9 Grassroots Grassroots Sincere Thanks to friends, families and societies in St Bees parish and beyond, who sent St Bees Charity May Ball - Save the Date! To start Christmas messages in the December magazine. You all helped to raise a wonderful total the celebrations of the “900 Years” of St Bees Priory, of £622 - that’s £562 for Priory funds and £60 for the Children’s Society. Thank you all we are planning a Charity Ball to be held in May. for your support and generosity. All proceeds from the ball will be shared between St Bees RNLI Ladies Guild and the Lifeboat Crew would like to thank everyone for the RNLI and St Bees Priory. Join in the fun at the their much-appreciated support of the annual Carol Concert. Despite the atrocious weather Seacote Hotel with a buff et and music from the La’al the evening raised £472.32 for this excellent cause. Thank you again. Wishing you all a Big Band all for £40 per person. prosperous 2020. So put the date of Saturday 16th May 2020 in your diary and keep an eye out for more St. Bees Mummers. The Mummers would like to thank everyone concerned, and in details in next month’s Parish News, posters around the village and on the Charity Ball particular the managements of the Oddfellows’ Arms, Albert, Manor and Queen’s Hotel facebook page which will all be appearing soon! for their support once again this year. The 46th annual Christmas Eve tour of the village Please spread the word and help support these two fantastic, local causes - we look raised the excellent sum of £250 for the R.N.L.I., and a great deal of seasonal good forward to seeing you there! humour! Thanks again to all. Traidcraft Thank you for supporting Traidcraft. An Amazing £3,500 of TRAIDCRAFT Priory Paddock Conservation Day, Sunday 16th February. Come and join our Big goods were sold in St Bees, Egremont and Cockermouth in 2019, meaning life and Bramble Bash, and help tame the brambles lurking in the main woodland area. Suitable security for farmers and artisans in the developing world. How can we increase that and clothing and footwear essential! Please bring strong gloves, and seccateurs, loppers or make an even bigger diff erence in 2020? Perhaps you would like to hold a fair trade coff ee shears if you have them. 1.30 p.m. start. All welcome! morning or tea, or you could ensure that one item you regularly buy is fair trade. Or you Over 60s meetings will restart in February but details of date yet to be confi rmed. could support the Special Farmer’s Market at Egremont on Friday 6th March 9.30-12.30. Members will be notifi ed. For more information please contact Deb Lee on 823470 or [email protected] St Bees Arts Society - The next meeting of the society will be on Wednesday February Thank you to all those who bought a copy of the Whitehaven Rotary Club’s Christmas 19th and will be rather diff erent from the normal. John Scanlon is an academic and Quiz, sold in aid of Hospice at Home, and sent in their answers. Everyone scored well cultural historian based at UCL Westlakes Campus. Since 2003 the University of Central over 40/50, and the fi rst prize for a score of 49/50 was shared by John Kennedy and Lancs has been encouraging new approaches to art, culture and urban development so that Steven Sanderson. Well done, everyone! artists and others can contribute to the form and functions of a place. Since 2017 John has Volunteer gardeners and grounds-people are needed at Eskdale Mill in the Eskdale being doing research in West Cumbria with the aim of bringing new ideas into this area. Valley which re-opened to the public in 2019. Adults of all ages are invited to work in John will be talking about the use of public art in Place Making and the ways in which his a team overseen by the Mill Manager. If you’d like to get involved in this community own work as a writer and researcher has attempted to engage in West Cumbria. project please contact Kate Hughes, tele. 0l9467 23335 or e-mail manager@eskdalemill. The talk is called ‘IN CERTAIN PLACES Cultural led place making in West Cumbria’. co.uk. For further details www.eskdalemill.co.uk. Come along to the St Bees School Management Centre on February 19th at 7.30 p.m. to fi nd out more. John is the author of several books, the latest being West Cumbria on the Edge WI News Village Hall – Another successful Murder Mystery held in December raised £300 for the First, a huge thankyou, to the Queens Hotel for the lovely festive meal which was enjoyed Village Hall refurbishment funds. Thanks to all who supported this event. by all our members. Secondly, it was lovely to see at our January meeting all our ladies Best wishes to Alan and Helen Sharpe on their move from The Crofts to Gilgarran and a return for the 2020 St Bees WI season, plus visitors. Our fi rst meeting was a talk on the warm welcome to Sophie and Tom at The Crofts. Golden Age of Poisons by Steve Wilson, a very interesting, fascinating and enlightening subject! This was followed by tea, cake and raffl e. On Monday February 10th 7.30 p.m. NSPCC Many thanks to everyone who supported our Coff ee Morning and Carols by we welcome Anthony Payne, who will be telling us about his recent visit to Namibia, Candle Light held before Christmas. Together these events raised £433. slideshow included. The competition is an African item. Do join us at New College Hall. New members most welcome. Further details from Roxanne Benson Tel 823137, village notice boards and our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/St-Bees-WI

10 11