<<

The News August / September 2017

‘Heather on Kings How’ by Gill Bulch (Framed prints and greetings cards of this painting and others are for sale in Grange Methodist Chapel in aid of The Borrowdale Story)

Sponsors for The Borrowdale News 2017 - The Borrowdale Gates Hotel LINDA WILSON F & W GREEN (KESWICK) Ltd. CURTAINS, SOFT FURNISHINGS, FUNERAL DIRECTORS CLOTHING ALTERATIONS 19, ESKIN STREET, KESWICK, CA12 4DQ Over 25 years experience, all sewing work considered Contact Zoe Green on 017687 72246 (24 hours) 01900 822605 m. 07979 652855 m. 07730 520663 e. [email protected]

NEIL WILSON DAVIES TAXIS OF KESWICK BUILDER AND HANDYMAN - ANY JOB CONSIDERED: 017687 72676 www.daviestaxis.co.uk Roofing, Plastering, Tiling ESTABLISHED '65 - dog friendly, 8 Seater minibus - all General Building Work available, any distance, scenic tours, 017687 78382 m. 07999 863716 deliveries & contract work, credit cards accepted.

SALLY'S COTTAGES: M & K BUILDERS KESWICK LTD. DO YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY HOME? FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS Let us help you achieve great bookings New Builds, Extensions, Plastering, Tiling, Roof Work, Patios, Stonework and general Building work. Full cleaning service also available 017687 73455 m. 07770 857174 or 07743 678104 For full information ring Sally on 017687 80571 e. [email protected] 1, Irton Cottage, Isel, CA13 9ST SIMON ROAST. HOME AND GARDEN SERVICES - THE KINGFISHER, TAKE AWAY FISH/CHIP & LICENSED THE COMPLETE HANDYMAN SERVICE - for gardens, 50 SEAT RESTAURANT. 77, Main Street, Keswick. guttering, fences and hedges. Also for house repairs, 017687 73106. Pensioner Specials, Large Cod inside and outside, maintenance and painting speciality, Homemade Sausage & Pies. 017687 78858 m. 07740 364751 Gluten free fish available. All cooked to your order.

TEXTURES, St Johns Street Keswick KESWICK GARDEN MACHINERY. SALES, SERVICE REPAIRS & QUALITY SOFT FURNISHING FABRICS HIRE. ALL MAIN DEALERS - Stihl, Viking, Husqvarna, Lawnflite. Experienced Garden Machinery Repairs. Free local collection. AVAILABLE ON THE ROLL - First class branded garden machinery. Over 25 years or to order from a wide range of pattern books experience. 017687 74434. [email protected] 017687 80304 www.keswickgardenmachinery.co.uk

STEPHEN EDMONDSON NEED A PLUMBER? PAUL ROWLANDS PLUMBING ALL ASPECTS OF STONEWORK (KESWICK) 017687 80472 m. 07970 842604 www.cumbriastonework.com Bathroom suites, ensuites, tiling, showers, outside taps, Contact Stephen on 07739 278084 tap washers, kitchen/washing machine plumbing, burst pipes, leaks, radiators etc. e. [email protected] [email protected]

ROB BRIGHT JINGLES UNISEX HAIR STUDIO PAINTER AND DECORATOR - INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR 5, STANDISH STREET, KESWICK Swinside Farm OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 017687 78363 m. 07770 587831 Cutting, colouring and perms e. [email protected] 017687 80001

EVERGREENS FLORIST, DAVID HINDMARCH PACKHORSE COURT, KESWICK BORROWDALE APPLIANCES, SALES, SERVICE 017687 74976 Unit 5A, High Hill, Keswick For every occasion and that extra special gift idea 017687 77611 m. 07801 582469

JOHN YOUNG FURNISHINGS OF KESWICK NEIL BEATY FINE FURNITURE IN KESWICK FOR OVER 125 YEARS CHIMNEY SWEEP 12/14, Main Street, Keswick N A C S member ROTARY SWEEPING 017687 74848 017687 79085 m. 07835 976030 www.johnyoungkeswick.co.uk e. [email protected] or Facebook

EDITOR: Malcolm Stonestreet, 77671. ARTISTIC DESIGN: Gill Bulch, 77078. DISTRIBUTION: Jeff Hall and fantastic team, 77856 . ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sharron Thompson, 77032. PUBLISHED BY: The Church in Borrowdale. PRINTED BY: McKanes Printers, Keswick, 80574. 2 NATIONAL TRUST UPDATE JULY 2017

We’d like to thank everyone who Photo: Rob Grange braved the rain and then the midges to come to our community open evening at Thorneythwaite in June. It was really good to be able to share with you the findings of the surveys that we’ve commissioned so far. What was even better was the depth of local knowledge that added to the surveys, like Billy Bland’s record of the wildflower species he’d identified at Thorneythwaite during his school The midges didn’t manage to spoil the tea and cake days, or like the additional bird species to add to our list, pointed out by David Woodthorpe and Andrew Webb. A walking route through the intake was also mentioned and we’re looking to make sure that where it crosses the boundary, there’s a way through. Thorneythwaite Website One thing people asked at the open evening was if we could make the survey reports available on our website, so that’s what we’ve done. It’s a work in progress as we’re still waiting for the final reports on some of the surveys to come in, but as they get to us we’ll put them on the website, so keep popping back to see what’s new: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale Plans for the future We’ll be using the survey reports to inform our plans for the future of Thorneythwaite, which we’ll be drawing up over the summer. We’d love to hear from you if there’s additional information you think could help us with our plans – please email us at [email protected] Keswick School On 12th July all 113 Year 7 pupils from Keswick School came out to spend a day looking after the environment on their doorstep, working with us at Derwent Island, Force Crag Mine, litter picking ON lakeshore and building small exclosures within the intake at Thorneythwaite to help us monitor what vegetation grows when the grazing pressure is taken off the land. Mr Bowler from Keswick School said “The kids got stuck in and loved every minute of it, they all came away thinking it was an amazing place.”

3 Photo: Rob Grange

We looked hard to see the four new Galloway heifers grazing the intake

Photo: Daniel Simpson

Photo: Daniel Simpson The pupils worked really hard making temporary Even the teachers got stuck exclosures to help us monitor vegetation in with the visit from Keswick School

4 From the Editor In our October edition we have booked a whole page for you, dear reader. We want you to write to us and tell us about all our failings - "the News is a disaster because..." and "how dare you suggest that..." and "its fantastic, keep at it, we love it and consume it before it hits the ground in our house". That's a whole page for YOU. Email: [email protected] or ring him on 77671 or write to Northside, Grange, CA12 5UQ. We have to get all our pictures and written material to the printers by: 22nd September, 23rd November and 20th January 2018. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who advertise in The Borrowdale News. This creates an income to us of £945 a year and covers over a quarter of our annual costs. We ask that all our readers will always consider supporting these individuals and firms when they are looking for help. Our advertisers are all supporting and helping our community. Malcolm

4G Signal for Borrowdale? Borrowdale Parish Council has been approached by EE & BT in partnership about the possibility of the valley being used as a pilot site for new 'micro cell' technology that EE are developing which provides mobile phone signal to rural areas using the Broadband network. This technology has a greater capacity than the Vodafone Sure Signal project that runs within Rosthwaite, and also the EE technology has the capacity to be 'radioed' from one location to another. If sites were forthcoming there is a possibility that this system could get 4G EE signal into Langstrath/ . The focus for EE is that this project needs to be community led and responsive (where possible) to community need. EE now need your feedback, is this something that you would like to see happen? Would you be willing to host a site (they are small and fairly inconspicuous), in particular if you live on Middle Howe and would be interested? (This would allow the signal to be bounced to another mast further down the valley). If you are interested can you let Becx Carter (Parish Clerk) know on [email protected] by the 1st September 2017. If you are interested or would like further information about possibly hosting a site you will be asked to undertake a broadband line speed check (free and the Clerk can provide you with the link).

5 TRUDY HARRISON MP I write this piece with great excitement and I congratulate the National Park Authority and the 24 partner organisations for their tremendous work in securing the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site status for a National Park, in its entirety. During the recess period I will be visiting our many food, drink, accommodation and attraction businesses which support the £2.5 billion Cumbrian tourism economy. I look forward to supporting each one, to capitalise on this fantastic opportunity, both those areas within the Park and those out, as visitors will not experience any boundaries. I was fortunate to feature in a Channel 4 commissioned documentary about the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and Lake District (indeed that is the name of the programme), which highlights our stunning landscape, but also depicts a side of life that is less well portrayed. My life before politics supported many community groups, I have therefore decided to add a further element to my Parliamentary role and would be delighted to support not-for-profit organisations in achieving their vision. If you have a plan, and would appreciate support, please do get in touch.

What to Look out for in - August and September Heather, or Ling, is found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions, so it is no wonder that it is found on many of our fells in Borrowdale, flowering in late summer. It is an important food source for sheep and deer which graze the tips of the plant when snow covers low-growing vegetation. Grouse also feed on the young shoots and seeds of heather. Formerly it was used to dye wool yellow and to tan leather, as well as being an ingredient in beer during the Middle Ages and used for making besoms or brooms. Heather honey is popular and has a characteristic strong taste and unusual thixotropic texture. Heather has long been regarded as lucky, a tradition brought from Balmoral by Queen Victoria, and sprigs of it are often sold as charms and woven into bridal bouquets.

6 ‘NEW LOOK’ BORROWDALE SHEPHERDS’ MEET SUNDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER After a series of cancelled and washed out events, you could forgive the organising committee if they just gave up altogether. But this is Borrowdale, where people are used to a constant battle with the weather, are used to adapting to changing circumstances, but are not used to giving up. Whilst it has been decided that the large event that has been held in recent years is no longer practical, the centuries old tradition of holding a sheep show in the valley must be preserved. The stars of the show have always been the sheep, and it will remain one of the most important Herdwick Shows in . Miles Jessop has kindly offered the use of the field opposite the Hotel to host this smaller Shepherds’ Meet. The ‘Sheep Show’ will commence with judging of Herdwick & Swaledale breeds at 10.30 a.m. There will also be a Working Shepherd’s Dog Show, an Invitation Hand Clipping competition and the fell race. Details will be posted on the website borrowdaleshow.org.uk. Apart from the usual car parking facilities within Rosthwaite, there will only be a small field available next to the access road to Hazel Bank. It is to be hoped, therefore, that valley residents will walk, cycle, catch the bus, or park at a friend’s house if they need to drive, so as to leave as much parking space as possible for visitors. It is very much hoped that this will be seen as a local community event and social occasion. There will be hot drinks and cakes available on the field (and ice cream if it’s a nice day), and food and drinks will be available from the Riverside Bar at the Scafell Hotel. If you haven’t tried it before, you will be amazed how therapeutic it is just staring at sheep all day and having a natter with friends…or complete strangers! The Lake District is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (“…shaped by an agro- pastoral land use system characterised by fields. The combined work of nature and human activity has produced a harmonious landscape…”). Unfortunately, there are those that would have you believe that farmers are an aging population with few if any successors. It is to be hoped that they will be joining us, and then they will see that the show ring is packed with the next ‘two’ generations of farmers! Sunday 17th September: Please put the Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet in you diary.

7 QUIZ 1. What is the name of the breed of sheep native to Borrowdale known for their hardiness, 1 durable wool and smiling faces?

2. The mine at the top of produces which distinctive green rock known for its beauty and strength? In the late C17th, it was used by Sir Christopher Wren at Kensington Palace.

3. Which fell was purchased by Princess Louise (President of The National Trust) in 1910 as a public memorial to King Edward VII?

4. What sort of trees are ‘the fraternal four’ made 4 famous by Wordsworth’s poem in 1803, and thought to be 2,000 years old?

5. The impressive double-arched bridge at Grange was built in 1675, but who in Medieval times first cleared the land and established a farm here?

6. What is 6 X the height of a person, balances improbably on one edge, and in the early 1800’s was billed as a ‘must see’ for visitors to the valley?

7. Have a guess……. 7 Derwentwater is ? miles long, ? miles wide and ? feet deep

8. What is the name of the river that runs through Borrowdale?

8 9. Can you name the hamlets of Borrowdale?

R______G_ _ _ _ _ W______

ST______S______SE______E

10. Which famous waterfall tumbles in a 10 steep cascade over 100ft into the Borrowdale valley, situated behind a hotel of the same name ?

11. Which traditional, stone-built bridge is on a single track road to and is famous for its fine view across to ?

11 12. What is the name of the estate on the western shores of Derwentwater which has an octagonal walled garden, credited as the inspiration for Mr McGregor’s garden in Beatrix Potter’s

‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ ?

m l o h g n i L . 2 1 , e g d i r B s s e n h s A . 1 1 , s l l a f e r o d o L . 0 How well did you do ? 1

, e t i a w h t a e S , r e l l o t a e S , e t i a w h t e n o t S , h t a l d n e t a W , e g n a r G , e t i a w h t s o R . 9 , t n e w r e D

r e v i R . 8 , p e e d t e e f 2 7 d n a e d i w e l i m 1 , g n o l s e l i m 3 . 7 , e n o t S r e d w o B e h T . 6 , s k n o m

y e b b A s s e n r u F . 5 , w e Y . 4 , e w o H s g n i K . 3 , e t a l S n e e r G d n a l r o m t s e W . 2 , k c i w d r e H . 1

9 ON THE SPOT WITH ... CRAIG FEARON 1. Global Or Local view of life? - Local. 2. Film, Concert, play or Sofa? - Film. 3. Introvert or Extrovert? - Extrovert. 4. Computer/Internet or Dictionary and Pen? - Computer/Internet. 5. Holiday: Scottish Lochs, Skiing or Ibiza partying in the sun? - Skiing. 6. Looking back or planning forward? - Planning forward. 7. Had to spend an hour with: Vicar / Banker / Lawyer? - Vicar. 8. Hot curry or Roast dinner? - Roast dinner. 9. The Borrowdale News: waste of space or marvellous? - Marvellous. 10. Cup of tea/coffee, a pint or G&T? - Pint. 11. Bracing walk, good book, Twitter or Facebook - Bracing walk. 12. Favourite holiday destination? - Les Arcs, France. 13 First car/van? - Citroen Berlingo. 14 Favourite TV programme/film? - Vikings. 15 Favourite Borrowdale view? - . 16 What would you spend a lottery win on? - A big farm. 17. If you weren’t a farmer what other profession would you like to have been? - Mechanic.

Craig Fearon

10 SNIPPETS Emily and Ben were married at Saint Andrew's Church, on Saturday 3rd. June they became Mr and Mrs Stockley and will live in Loughborough. The Local National Trust team did a great job up at Thorneythwaite on 15th June. Snippets learnt something about grass and rotating the meadows and about Vikings and a recently discovered Iron Age settlement or Corrale. Church Council Members are all off for a training session on Safeguarding on the 25th September - so we shall all feel the safer for that. The Fitzwilliam filled Holy Trinity with people and with near divine music. They will come again - next year. Snippets likes popping into school. The lunches are v. good and the Sports Day was great. We have budding athletes; then there was the School Fair - won a raffle prize and enjoyed a burger. Then there is always cake - these kids have wonderful parents. Just got back from A Mini Comedy of Errors - it's all about twins. Excellent performances by everyone. Good lighting and high quality tech. stuff. Shakespeare wrote it. Looking forward, sadly, to the End of Term or Leavers Service in Church. Heard about “Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm” recently. Got to be 65 and a bloke, but then you can have a free check up to ensure Aortics are in good order. It's free, it's done in Penrith and you ring 01914 452554 to book a half hour appointment. In April and May, the second series of the BBC drama ‘The A-Word’ was filmed. Borrowdale School features in the series as the school that the main character attends. It is anticipated that the series will be broadcast in the Autumn (October?).

Filming The A-Word

11 The Borrowdale Story Digging Deep – The Mines of Borrowdale All around us there is evidence of mining. The valley is dotted with spoil heaps, scars and the remnants of mine buildings. These are especially visible at Honister, on the hillside at Seathwaite and on the shoreline at Brandlehow. Cumberland was thought be a wild and worthless place until Queen Elizabeth 1 decided she needed money. In 1564 she set up The Company of the Mines Royal and hired some experienced German miners to prospect for something valuable. All that mountain building had caused cracks to open and hot liquids to rise from deep below. These cooled to form veins of white quartz and metals. The miners would have looked for these first and worked them from the surface. After this, horizontal adits and vertical shafts were dug. The early miners chipped these by hand and there are some good examples visible in the valley. Copper was found at Rigghead and Ellers, and lead above Brandlehow. was mined at Seathwaite from an unusual pipe shaped formation. Iron was mined in the valley, along with a small amount of zinc. For over 350 years slate has provided a livelihood for valley people. As well as Honister there were quarries at Rigghead, Yewcrag, Dubs, Quay Foot and a number of other small sites. Although mining continues at Honister, most activity had ceased by the late 1800s. There is still plenty to see, but don't be tempted to go into the mines as some open quickly into vertical shafts. Lorraine Crisp

Entrance to the graphite mine above Seathwaite with spoil heaps on the hillside beyond

Ref: Seathwaite Wad and the Mines of the Borrowdale Valley by Ian Tyler; The Borrowdale Story leaflet ‘Mining and Quarrying in the Borrowdale Valley’

12 Borrowdale News Clips from Betty Walker The Borrowdale Bus – The Summer Service When we were young there were five bus companies on the Borrowdale route in the summer. Askew’s of Derwent House had one bus driven by Willy Askew; Weekman’s of Keswick had one bus driven by John Atkinson; Simpson’s had one driven by Sid Simpson; Young’s had a bus and the Cumberland Motor Company had one. Fortunately they all worked together to the bus timetable so that collectively they ran a regular service. With wartime petrol rationing everybody used the bus so the buses were crowded with long queues waiting in the Market Square. Sometimes (especially on Market Day) we had two queues, one for locals and one for visitors. This way local ladies, who were given priority, could be sure to get home in time to cook dinner. Visitors could afford to wait! There is a legal limit to the number of people who can stand when the bus is full. All the drivers were very careful to stick to this limit when in town. But it was a different matter up the valley. I have known the bus so full that the door could not shut and someone was even on the step! Then the bus would stop part way down the hill near St. John’s Church and the extra passengers would be off- loaded so that the bus would roll into town with only the legal number of passengers. One day we had a couple of Australian airmen coming to spend their leave with us. They arrived at the Market Square and looked at the bus queue. “Paddy” the policeman, was standing in the Market Square keeping an eye on things as usual, so they asked him if the queue was for the Borrowdale bus. “Yes”, said Paddy. “Will there be room for everybody on the bus?” “Well”, said Paddy surveying the queue, “I don’t know about that, but tell you what, you go up the road there and he’ll pick you up at the Church!”

The Borrowdale Bus When “Pont” Pepper moved from Seatoller to the cottage at The Bowderstone his la’al dog missed his village companions so he started walking back along the road. One of the bus drivers noticed him, recognised him and gave him a lift in the bus. Soon he was getting lifts from all the bus drivers. He’d gar darn t’roadside, get a lift up t’valley, see his pals and hitch a lift back!

13 Worship and Dates... 6th August 10.30 am. Saint Andrew's, Stonethwaite and 4pm Evensong at Grange. 13th August 10.30 am. Holy Trinity, Grange (Service Honouring the Methodist Tradition) 20th August 10.30 am. Saint Andrew's, Stonethwaite and 4pm Evensong at Grange. 27th August 10.30 am. Holy Trinity, Grange. 1st September 7 pm. The Borrowdale Story at The Borrowdale Institute - Ian Hall talks about his new book on Thorneythwaite.(he lived there as a teenager) Plus Supper. 3rd September 10.30 am. Saint Andrew's, Stonethwaite and 4pm Evensong at Grange. 4th September School Reopens. 5th September 9.30 am. Editorial Meeting at Northside. 10th September 10.30 am Holy Trinity, Grange. (Service Honouring the Methodist Tradition) 13th September 1 pm. PCC at Northside. 17th September 10.30 am. Saint Andrew's, Stonethwaite and 4pm Evensong at Grange. SHEPHERDS' MEET 20th September PCC Safeguarding Training. 22nd September Copy Date for Borrowdale News - October/November edition. 24th September 10.30 am. Holy Trinity, Grange.

Contacts: Vicar: Charles Hope. 017687 75855. [email protected] Mobile: 07884 070619 Assistant: Susie Strang-Wood. Mobile: 07831 224901. 77580. [email protected] Head Teacher: Borrowdale C of E School. Ralf Smits. 77686. [email protected] Chairman of the Parish Council: Trevor Dowson. 77651. [email protected] Editor Borrowdale News: Malcolm Stonestreet. 77671. [email protected] Chairman of Borrowdale Story: David Woodthorpe. 77828. [email protected] Advance Notices: 8th October 10.30 am. Holy Trinity, Grange. GUADIAMUS CHOIR. 13th October 2.15 pm. School Harvest Thanksgiving. Gifts for Food Bank. 15th October 10.30 am. Saint Andrew's Harvest Festival. 19th October Children’s service pm. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Opening of our School - Celebrations in School followed by Service of Thanksgiving at Saint Andrew's Special Childrens' Service at Saint Andrews 10.30 am. on 1st October, 5th November and 3rd December. 24th November 7 pm. Farmers' Service and Dinner.

14

WHERE IN BORROWDALE CAN YOU SPOT THIS?

' l e p a h C t s i d o h t e M e g n a r G '

KESWICK COMPUTER SOLUTIONS (KCS) A professional and friendly I.T. Solution provider. We offer Commersial and Domestic I.T. Support, website design, digital marketing and Wifi solutions. 5,Packhouse Court. 017687 75526. [email protected]

SHARP EDGE CONSTRUCTION Derwent Digital & Wireless Ltd Building & Plastering, Extensions, New Build, Wifi, broadband, fibre & phones, Conversions, Roofing, Plumbing, Heating structured cabling, internet security, CCTV All aspects of building work undertaken Helping you get better connected Tel: 017687 75375 07912 37584 T: 017687 74684 E: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.derwentdigital.com

EGGS FOR SALE - FREE RANGE HIGH HILL AUTOMOTIVE Ltd. FORD SPECIALISTS £2.40 a dozen at Hollows Farm, Grange. SOUTHEY HILL TRADING EST. KESWICK 017687 77298 Sales, Service, Repairs. 8.30-5.30 (Sat: 9-1) Free delivery in Grange on Friday evening. Sunday Car Sales - Ring: 017687 74894

LOGS FOR SALE AGA/RAYBURN COOKER - MAINTENANCE Contact Craig Fearon: Heating Boilers, Stoves and Plumbing 017687 77298 or 07792 043080 PHONE - Mike 07906217276 Any size order. www.snug-heating.co.uk

WINDOW CLEANING SKYLINE AERIALS Ariel and Satellite Installation and repair service, + CONSERVATORIES & GUTTER CLEANING Freeview, Freesat, Same day Sky TV Repairs, TV wall mounting, phone line extensions, extra TV points LEE GRAY - 07729 328299 Damon Mallinson In Borrowdale every week [email protected] / 07713136076

15 Publicise Your Hospitality Business The Borrowdale Story is updating its website (www.theborrowdalestory.co.uk) and is asking anyone who runs a hotel, B & B, camp site, restaurant, or café in Borrowdale to drop them a line or call with the following information: • Name of business • Website address if you have one • Phone number if you don’t • A few words about what you are offering. Borrowdale Story contact: [email protected] or telephone Freda on 77295.

“Friday 1st September - social evening at the Borrowdale Institute" There is to be a social evening at the Institute on 1st September. In addition to a mouth-watering buffet, a bar and good crack there will be a short presentation on Thorneythwaite Farm. It has featured prominently in local conversation in recent times and Ian Hall has been researching Thorneythwaite and is about to publish a book on its history from 600 AD to present. After a short presentation, Ian will lead a discussion on the topic. The event is at 7PM ON FRIDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER . Tickets are £5 for singles or only £10 for couples or families with children going free, to include the buffet. Tickets from David and Marilyn Woodthorpe (77828), Gill Bulch (77078), Freda Chapman (77295) or pay at the door on the night - though to help with catering please let one of us know if you are coming.

Emily Crisp and Ben Stockley www.derwentphotography.co.uk

16