Goodbye Anne Rev Anne didn’t arrive at the best of times in Bentham as we had a dark cloud of Anglican mistrust and division swirling around our heads due to the closure of St Margaret’s Church in High Bentham. However, time passes, gradually folk from St Margaret’s started to make their way to St John’s Church in Low Bentham, eventually warming to Rev Anne’s calming presence. Over the passing years I have got to know Anne and the contribution she has made to Bentham as a community other than her church work. Leading the Carnival Parade, heading the Armistice Remembrance service at School Hill, popping-up at the Christmas Market at the Auction Mart, as well as her behind the scenes ministerial duties. In Bentham we have been very lucky to have had Rev Anne in our presence for these past few years, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before the Bishop came calling to say “I (the church) have a job (that you can’t refuse) that is ideal for you.”

Continued on pages 2,3 and 4. Photos by Jon Brook of Bentham Imaging

Find us on Facebook the bentham news find us on the web www.thebenthamnews.co.uk 2 And so it is that Rev Anne leaves Bentham for a new community challenge near Leeds. I guess her work here is now done and that dark cloud we had when she first arrived has been replaced by sunshine, or is it a sunset like John Wayne riding off into the future? Whatever it is, my very best sincere wishes go with her. Allan Hartley, Robin Lane

Anne: we will miss you lots: your energy, empathy and down-to-earth friendliness. We have much appreciated your ecumenical work and the inclusive way you have welcomed us and given support. It feels as if we are now an inter-faith community in Bentham and can work together. The Pop-up-Pantry has been an inspired venture. You have an unerring sense of what needs doing in a community to enable all to thrive. Your new community in the Diocese of Leeds and the parish of Seacroft will greatly benefit from this and we wish you well in what could be a challenging task. Very best wishes and thanks, Quakers in Bentham

It is hard to believe that you, Robert and your family have been with us here in Bentham for seven years, yet these years have passed quickly. Not only you but also your family have made an impression on the residents of Bentham. You have all been active in the area and have become a loving presence. You have encouraged St John’s Parish to grow in numbers, through prayer, learning and discipleship together. We all need to listen to others of different faiths. This has been shown by your dedication and the way you have encouraged ecumenism between the Churches. The main Churches in this area supported each other in many ways, especially during the pandemic. You have had the needs of the Parishioners in your heart, giving your time to anyone who needed help and support; the Pop-up-Pantry is a great example of this. The Rectory door is always open for people who need someone to listen to them such as in bereavement and pastoral care to name a couple of issues. You conduct funerals with dignity, and one only needs to read Bentham News to realise how often thanks are offered following funerals of loved ones. You are very approachable and have a warm open nature. You have worked with the children both in the Church and in the local Primary School. You have been an inspiration in this area and are dynamic in all that you do. You have been pushing for improvements in the Church building to make it more welcoming and user friendly. Tasks which have been scheduled for years, in one case for 10 years, such as the provision of better toilets and a much-needed extension, will soon be a reality. Fund-raising is ongoing; this has been achieved by you and your lay team. One person who had spoken about the Ordination of Women told me that you, Anne, are the only female Rector on the Rector Board dating from the 1300s which can be seen just inside the back of the Church. This is a legacy that you will leave behind. Anne, you will all be sadly missed. You are going to another Parish which will be both different and challenging, but I am sure that, knowing you, you will take this in your stride. Thank you for all that you have done for St John’s and the whole of Bentham. God bless you, from Kathleen Kelly, St Boniface RC Church

Over the last three years I have known Anne as an ecumenical colleague and as a neighbour - we both currently live in Moons Acre opposite the school. During that time Anne has skilfully led Churches Together in Bentham which plays an active part in the life of our community. We, together with others, have worked together in joint events particularly around the festivals of Christmas and Easter and the Annual Act of

3 Remembrance. Anne also organised the rota of ministers to support the Farming Community Network 'caravan' at the Auction Mart. We're both engaged in the life of the school, supporting each other's work and collaborating on events like the harvest festival. Anne ably supported my initiative to bring back the Easter Sunrise Service by suggesting people to help. Perhaps my best memory is of a long prayer walk around the roads and lanes that surround Bentham. This was an idea that Father Frank proposed and the three of us (four if you count Frank's dog), with some support in the first stage, walked together. During that day we got to know each other better as we shared something of our callings to this work and our varied experiences of Christian ministry. Everyone at Bentham Methodist church wishes Anne and her family well in this next chapter of their lives. Stephen Caddy (Superintendent Minister of the Settle Circuit of The Methodist Church)

We would like to say a big thank you to Anne. As funeral directors it's been our privilege to work with her over her period of time in Bentham and district. We could not have had anybody more dedicated and compassionate with funerals, and the families have all appreciated her so much and have told us so. To say she will be missed by everyone in this district is an understatement. We wish Anne and her family well in her new role, and we will keep in touch. Our loss is their gain in Seacroft. We love you lots. Jimmy and the team at B&W Funerals.

We will all miss Rev. Anne’s positive, inclusive energy, and heaps of community spirit. Rev. Anne is a truly self-sacrificing person who has achieved so much for the people of Bentham and surrounding area. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and to work alongside you, thank you! Lynda and everyone at Pioneer Projects

Anne has such a lovely heart for the Lord and for people and has made a real difference in our community. Her involvement in the school, youth club, auction mart, Pop-Up-Pantry, Churches Together and other community groups, and especially as she simply gets alongside people from every walk of life, has meant that her influence goes way beyond St. John’s. She has touched our lives and reminded us all of God’s love and grace. It has been a joy to know and work alongside her. Thank you, Anne! Marcie Potts/Cornerstone Church

Rev Anne, as she is known by many, has been caring, generous and compassionate to all the community of Bentham, not only to church members. She has made many connections, with parents and children at school, the Youth Club, the farming community, Looking Well, the Pop-up- Pantry, Bentham Older People Together, Churches Together and further afield with Muslim women and refugees in Sudan. She has helped us through Covid and been there for us through the sadness of bereavement and the joy of weddings and baptisms. More recently she has spearheaded our building project at St Johns and is hoping to use the flush toilet before she leaves! Dear Anne, we will miss you and your amazing family. God be with you! St Johns Low Bentham

4 Rev Anne says Thank You as she bids Farewell to Bentham It’s been a great privilege to live in Bentham and serve our local communities. Without doubt leaving is going to be one of the hardest things I have to do. When I first arrived - seven years ago - people were quite suspicious and often wouldn’t give me the time of day – why would they? St Margaret’s had sadly just closed, and we weren’t that welcome. I guess I had to prove myself. I had to listen and that’s been great. Listen to people, listen to local stories, listen to loss and celebration, listen and love. Slowly my understanding grew. Every day I would pray, “Lord, break open my heart so the needs and lives of the people of Bentham will fall in. Amen” and it worked – often I found my heart broken but also it got bigger and stronger! I tried to gently follow the example of Jesus who didn’t stay inside religious buildings but always got out there in the streets and homes of real people. I have so many thank yous to give: for local farmers and businesses who are the bedrock of our community, for local schools especially Bentham Primary where my son flourished under the care of the teachers and Tessa’s girls school in Low Bentham. Thank you to our young people in our community especially those who came to Bentham Community Youth Café - we’ve had great (and often) chaotic fun! I thank our Funeral Director Jimmy and his team and all those who shared their grief with me as I conducted the funerals of their loved ones. What a resilient, brave and loving community we have! I have so many more people to thank – and I’ll be thanking my church colleagues in the Quakers, Methodists and Catholics, and those newly arrived at Cornerstone. We work together so well and have developed deep friendships. I’ll be thanking the churches in the next few weeks especially at Bentham parish church, St John’s. Building work will be complete a few weeks after I leave so please come and see our new loos and kitchen as we make the building a place where everyone is welcome. During the time of the pandemic the parish church of St John’s was out and about checking on people, ringing people up, running the Pop-Up-Pantry and delivering gifts, alongside other volunteers and supporters. The church is at the heart of the community because that’s where God wants us to be. We’re here to share, live and love! This is my prayer for you; that the blessing of God will be in our lives wherever we are – his love, mercy, forgiveness and laughter be yours forever. Photo supplied by Judith Johnson

5 Progress on Building Work at St Johns By Libby Wheildon All at Bentham Parish Church are delighted to report that the work to improve our church and make it welcoming for all is progressing well. The extension which will house the new accessible toilets has been roofed and the internal partitions erected. The external stonework is nearly completed, and work is now taking place inside the church to improve both the heating and lighting systems. Photo of the site foreman Marcus Walker with Reverend Anne in the new toilet extension We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported and contributed to our fundraising efforts over the past few months. We have also been delighted to receive a grant of £4,000 from the Harold and Alice Bridges Trust at the end of June. The Art Exhibition held at Bentham Golf Club from 25th-27th June was very well supported and raised over £3,000 for our building fund. Peter Bolton’s painting of Crina Bottom was bought in the auction for £1,250 by Roger and Margaret Wheildon as a gift to each other for their golden wedding anniversary, a reminder of the numerous happy times they have walked up Ingleborough during their marriage. Thank you to all at Bentham Golf Club for their hospitality and generous support with the exhibition, especially Isabel, Rachel and Mandy. Photo shows Roger and Margaret Wheildon with Peter Bolton, who is presenting them with his painting of Crina Bottom.

6 Person of Bentham – James Bargh

James Bargh, our 45th interviewee, is 48 years old and has lived and worked in Bentham all his life. He farms with his Uncle Donald, wife Jill and children Charlotte and Samuel on a dairy farm, but to find out more, please read on……

How long have you lived in Bentham and what bought you here? Well, I was born at Waterscale Farm and my great grandfather came here, we think, in 1899. But we can go further back than that: my great great great great grandfather farmed Gill Head. We’ve had seven generations farming in the Lune Valley. Also, my great great grandparents, called Alderson, ran the ‘Brown Cow’ which helped my great grandparents buy Waterscale Farm.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Oh, I never thought about anything but farming, I’ve worked here since I left school. I was never pushed into farming; it was just the next thing to do.

What is special about your farm? It’s been cared for by our family for 120 years. My father and uncle have made great improvements and my uncle and I continue to put in the hard work you need to, looking after hedges, stone walls, the soil, the grass, the stock. You get out what you put in. It’s a ring-fenced farm, down to the river and the railway, up the slope with woods and gills, open at the top towards the road looking over to Ingleborough and the Dales. There is also plenty of wildlife to see everyday. We have barn owls nesting in one of the old barns, kestrels nesting up at the house. A few weeks ago, I saw about 60 curlews gathered in the top field and a lapwing chick last week.

How do you relax? With the children - walking, biking, swimming.

What does the perfect day look like to you? Into the Dales with the family, visiting a garden or a country house. Anywhere as long as there is ice cream involved! Followed by tea on the way home.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you like to go? I’ve skied in France, Austria, Italy, Andorra, America and Canada. I’d like to go back to Canada - or to go round Europe on a train. Just seeing different countries from the train and a day or two in the capital cities. One or two days in a city is enough. Six hours is enough in London!

Tell us something about yourself that people wouldn’t normally know. I used to do time-trial cycling. And triathlons, before they were cool, and it was hard to find them round here. My cousin and I used to train after work and to get to events we had to go to Barnoldswick, Cockermouth or Burnley. The first one I did was at Barnoldswick, and I was 12th out of 200, that was something. We did that for two or three years and then in 2001 it was all shut down with foot and mouth. That was it.

What's the worst job you've ever done? Weeding cobbles. Thank heavens for concrete!

If you could witness any event of the past, present or future what would it be? It would be interesting to have been a fly on the wall when the Bentham Mills were working, to see all the hustle and bustle there must have been. I was born just around the time the last mill closed. I’ve got more interested in history lately - we were watching the

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Photo by Jon Brook of Bentham Imaging

Netflix films on the Tudors a bit ago; I like figuring out what life would have been like then.

Are there any world events that you remember particularly when you were growing up? When John Lennon was shot in 1980. The Falklands War in 1982. And I remember the day in 1981 when Prince Charles and Diana got married because we had a load of straw bales delivered that day. A big day: I must have been about nine.

If you had an unlimited budget, what investment would you make in Bentham? I’d invest in sports facilities. There used to be so many teams in Bentham. I was in the under-12s football team. But you need so much time and commitment from people to keep those things going, every week. If we had a sports centre with a swimming pool, gym and fitness kit, that would bring in workers and get things going. Teams generate so much; growing up together, going for a drink together, a centre like that would bring the community together.

What's your most treasured possession? Oh, my wife and my two kids are what it is all about, with the farm there in the background. I don’t have a prize bike, or car, or anything like that - just watching the children flourish is what matters most.

Is there a book, film or live event that you've particularly enjoyed recently? Well last night there was the semi-final of the Euros when England played Denmark. I’m not a big football fan but I enjoyed that. I’ll be watching the final match when England play Italy on Sunday - unless there’s a cow to calf!

8 Sponsored Walk for Longstaffe’s Educational Foundation By Felicity Hey Saturday July 10th saw several Trustees and friends walk approximately six miles of our beautiful local countryside to raise funds for Longstaffe’s Educational Foundation. Starting and ending at Riverside Caravan Park, it was a delightful way to enjoy the scenery and well-marked footpaths on a sunny and (mainly) dry afternoon. Many thanks to the walkers, especially Sue Dixon and her family, and to all those who kindly sponsored us. No exact amount is known yet, but the Trustees are confident that the cost of the annual awards made to Bentham-educated under 25s to help with their educational progress will be met.

Photo shows Jill Noble, Lucy Story, Clive Story, Sue Dixon and family, Felicity Hey, Jane Marshall and Judy the dog.

9 By August the harvest from our Your Garden or kitchen gardens should be quite Allotment in bountiful, ranging from root crops such as carrots and August beetroot to leafy ones like lettuce By Joyce Knapp and cabbage, and in this month By August we may be focusing we can begin to feel that all the just as much on fruit as vegetables, that is if hard work has been worthwhile. we are fortunate enough to have either an I am still in the process of gradually allotment or a rather large garden. This changing our garden in order to make it month sees a turning point when earlier easier to manage and with this aim in mind soft fruits have been harvested and we I have just bought three plastic tubs need to turn our attention to how best to designed in the style of small, black half treat the plants in order to maximise crops barrels. These will be used to replace next year. Take, for example, strawberry heavier planters such as an old chimney pot plants that have, hopefully given us a and the first one has already provided a reasonable return in the form of juicy, home for a newly bought dwarf conifer by sweet fruits this summer. As soon as the the name of Crytomeria Japonica 'Globosa crop is over, we can remove netting and cut Nana', i.e. a small cedar. off all fruiting stems at base, making it easier to see the runners that will no doubt Don’t forget the BN be appearing in great numbers. To make deadline date is matters simple, we can select just the best three runners from only the strongest 12th August for the plants, cutting off all others at base. This September edition will preserve goodness in the parent plants whilst also providing us with a few new, young plants which can be planted up next year when their roots should be well established. We may also wish to discard a few of the oldest plants as they become less productive after a few years, and these can be replaced by our home-grown runners. As a gardener, I find I am constantly learning and one thing I have noticed this year is that strawberry plants put in the greenhouse for shelter over winter produced very few, small fruit whereas those left to overwinter in the ground gave much bigger, juicier fruits. Raspberries are relatively straight forward to look after as we simply need to remove all old, fruited stems. The trick here is to snip them off just below ground level to leave no hollow stumps where the cocoons of raspberry moth can hide – this gets rid of the raspberry aphid that carries the virus which can go on to decimate the crop.

10 Baling Sunshine By John Dawson (a farmer) Summer is the haymaking season, which is fraught with drama and life shortening difficulties, it is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Hay is grass that has been dried in warm sunshine for three or four days before being baled and stored in the barn. In theory it is a simple straightforward process but in practice a nerve-shredding carry on, a bit like watching England in a football tournament. We like to make hay for feeding to the sheep in winter, the size of the bale is convenient for popping into the quadbike trailer and heading off to the sheep, the bales are known locally as ‘idiot bricks’. To make good hay requires a cool head, a lot of nerve and, of course, the ever-elusive sunshine. First the weather forecast is listened to and interpreted, which is no easy task, it is similar to interpreting government policy or the offside rule. Incidentally, I used to work for a chap who listened to lots of different weather forecasts until he “found one I liked.” When it is decided that the weather is “settled” for the next week or so then the grass can be cut. As soon as it is cut the weather deteriorates and “warm and sunny” becomes “dull with chance of rain.” There is nothing the peasant can do about this; it is perfectly normal. The grass is now “stirred” twice a day with some antiquated piece of machinery known as a “haybob”, which normally lives in the nettles behind the cowshed. It is dragged out each year, the perished tyres are inflated, the moving parts are greased and any bits hanging off are welded back on. By day three the grass has dried and begins to resemble hay, now is not the time to panic. Despite the threatening rain it is important not to bale too soon as any moisture left in the grass makes the hay heavy (ask Stephen Dennis). All the neighbours are watching and, of course, busily pointing out “it was never hay” or the ultimate insult “he never could make hay, his dad were t’same.” If baled too early the hay will “sweat hard” (heat up) and will go mouldy in storage meaning much of the feed value is lost. By day four the dodgy weather and worn-out machinery have shot the peasant’s nerves to pieces. He is not speaking to anybody and has taken up smoking (again) but crucially the hay is now basking in sunshine and has a lovely unique sweet smell, an aphrodisiac of the agricultural world. Now is the time to bale and be quick about it. It is important to bale sunshine as well as hay, that is why as soon as the baler arrives in the field the sun disappears. The hay baler is a law unto itself. Normally any machine either works or doesn’t, but not the hay baler. It has the ability to half work; it can make 20 perfect bales and then 5 loose ones (without string) then back to good ones. There is little point in investigating this, all that happens is that skin is lost off the knuckles by using a spanner that doesn’t quite fit and anyway, by now it is beginning to drizzle, which is also normal. This year we have used a contractor to bale our hay and at one point he had three balers, two tractors, lots of spanners and a mechanic (who had no skin on his knuckles) in the field, crucially, but typically, only one baler was working at any given time. If, by some miracle, mother nature is feeling benevolent, and the hay is baled up, then the work really starts, and it soon becomes obvious why bales are known as ‘idiot bricks’. Luckily at Bleak Bank we are surrounded by good neighbours who enjoy a challenge and a night out. “Many hands make light work” could have been written for the hayfield, with each bale being handled at least four times all help is welcome. Trailers with dodgy wooden floors are pressed into service and by dark the hay is safely stored in the barn,

11 piled up to the rafters. The feeling of satisfaction is a good one, if a little rare. The peasant can now give up smoking (again). None of the helpers would dream of accepting money as payment, so I don’t lower the tone by offering any. A good supper when the work is done is all the reward that will be gratefully accepted. Helping neighbours is part of our cultural heritage in the farming world and must not be undervalued; everything from sheep shearing to gathering up straying livestock and helping with the harvest. Often the help is not even requested, it just happens.

I remember a few years ago our baler was giving us grief, as usual, and I decided to get on with the cow milking while waiting for the mechanic. After milking I returned to the field wondering what traumatic scene awaited me. The sight was terrific, our neighbour had seen what was going on and turned up with his baler, the mechanic had fettled our baler and was busy baling the last of the field. From memory, I managed to sneak some fuel into our neighbour’s tractor while he was having supper. Brilliant……. Above, bringing in the idiot bricks …..

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Why say ‘thank you’ now? By Mary Winter On 4th July the nation held a day of thanks, when we focused on expressing gratitude to all the people who have helped us get through the Covid pandemic. Healthcare workers, teachers, food supply workers and many others came in for their share of thanks and celebration. But wait – it’s not over yet. The evidence for the continuing force of the pandemic just keeps on mounting. I can well imagine that there may be people who feel that it’s meaningless to give thanks for something incomplete. Why not wait until the job is done and dusted before we give thanks? This has made me reflect on the nature of the world we live in. Here on earth, so much is incomplete. We’re never finished with the job of trying to make things better. If we waited until a problem was completely solved before giving thanks to those who have helped tackle it, the chances are that they would never get thanked at all. Of course, the danger of setting a particular time for saying a big ‘thank-you’ is that we risk having people believe that it really IS all over. It’s a bit like the 76 years since the end of World War II; we’re fond of talking about the ‘peace’ that the world has enjoyed since 1945, yet it has been calculated that since then there have been only 26 days when there has not been war somewhere in the world. The job of winning peace is certainly not done. And while we rightly celebrate the eradication of smallpox, 1.5 million children under 5 still die every year from preventable diseases. The job of winning equal access to vaccines and healthcare is also certainly not done. But once we recognise that it is never over – that these celebrations are like, so to speak, a pause for a cup of coffee in the garden before tackling anew that infestation of bindweed – we begin to see that giving thanks while still in difficulty is an important part of being human. If we didn’t – if we insisted on waiting until everything was fixed – the chances are that we would never feel thankful at all. And what a waste that would be, when so much has been achieved by so many simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary people. The other thing that is highlighted by giving thanks while we are still working at solving the problem is the role we humans play in the progress of this world. Many religions believe that God actually needs us – that while He is the creative force behind the universe, His world cannot become the place He wants it to be without our cooperation. When we acknowledge those who have made a contribution, we focus on the involvement of people in making the world a better place. They are what Quakers would describe as ‘patterns and examples’ for all of us. They are those who have followed the maxim ‘Let your life speak.’ And so hopefully, we are inspired to rinse out our coffee cup, pick up our garden fork (or whatever may be the tools we use to make our contribution) and get on with the task of making the world into the place of peace and fairness that it has the potential to be.

13 WESTERN DALES PRIMARY CARE NETWORK

Bentham, Lunesdale and Sedbergh GP Surgeries

NEW SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT We are now offering GP, nurse and Health Care Assistant appointments every Saturday morning. These will be held at one of the three surgeries within the Primary Care Network on a rotating basis and you can attend appointments at any one of the three surgeries. These are not drop-in surgeries, appointments must be booked in advance please contact your surgery for details or to book an appointment.

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Amazing Work by our Firefighters – Saving a Driver, Railway Embankment in Flames and even a Hot Tub on Fire! By Richard Blackwell ([email protected]) Watch Manager Bentham Station, Tel: 015242-64207 or 07769-952828

Bentham station attended 6 incidents during the month of June. We attended a large fire in Burton, an Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) in Melling, an HGV with overheating brakes, a railway embankment on fire at Stainforth, a road traffic incident near Long Preston and another near Westhouse. Of these incidents the 3 that stand out most were:

Firstly, the fire on the railway embankment at Stainforth. Earlier that day a steam train traveling along the Settle to Carlisle rail line was believed to have spat out some hot embers which ignited the dry vegetation at track side. Bentham was the first in attendance and found we required extra crew to safely tackle the fire. We worked alongside Network Rail who stopped the trains. When we work on railways, we must receive confirmation from Network Rail that the trains have been stopped and also place a member of staff in both directions further down the track with radios to look out for any trains which may have accidently passed a red light. This is necessary for greater incident control and to keep our fire fighters safe.

Secondly, the road traffic incident at Westhouse. A car and an HGV had collided whilst traveling in opposite directions. Upon our arrival we found the driver requiring medical attention. The Bentham crew provided first aid while the Kirkby Lonsdale crew started to work on prepping the car for a full roof removal. Both crews worked together brilliantly to extricate the casualty safely and efficiently from the vehicle and into the awaiting ambulance.

Finally, we attended a report of a hot tub fire in the Burton area. We could see the smoke from the golf club on our way over. When we arrived, it was confirmed to us by the homeowner that the fire had spread to nearby buildings and surrounding trees. I requested that 4 appliances attend due to the number of staff required and the size of the fire. Initially 2 fire fighters in breathing apparatus quickly started attacking the fire with our hose reel jets, whilst another 2 fire fighters located a nearby hydrant and ran out a larger type of hose called a 45mm Duraline (made here in Bentham I might add). We were soon joined by our colleagues from Hornby who put another 2 fire fighters in breathing apparatus with a 45mm jet from the top and ran a third 45mm jet to the lower part of the garden. Settle joined us shortly after and placed a lightweight portable pump into a nearby stream and started providing further water to the fire. As you can imagine the first 30 minutes of the incident was extremely busy but down to the efficiency and professionalism of the crew they were able to stop the fire from spreading into the property. After the fire was out, the crews had to

15 dismantle the remaining sections of burnt building to check for any hidden fire spread. At approximately 1am Skipton attended to relieve the remaining Bentham crew. We revisited the next morning to ensure there was no hidden hot spots.

Recruitment: We still need applications for daytime and weekend cover. I won't waffle on, but if you can give cover please come and see us. The crew are doing a fantastic job of keeping the appliance available as much as they can. This can only be maintained for so long, as the limited number of staff we have will need their breaks and holidays and during those times it will be increasingly difficult to ensure your local area has fire cover without waiting for a station further away.

Angus in Bentham Supplies our Duraline: This month I will cover some equipment mentioned in this month's article, Angus Duraline. As we've mentioned it, and as this is the Bentham News, it only seems fair to talk about the only piece of equipment on our fire engine that is physically made in Bentham. We carry two sizes of Duraline on our appliance, 45mm and 70mm. 45mm hose is great for providing large volumes of water onto a fire whilst still being manageable by fire fighters. A filled length of 45mm weighs 40kgs, still much heavier than the lighter hose reel jets. 70mm is a heavier hose typically used for delivering water between hydrants and pumps, a filled length of 70mm hose weighs in at a whopping 100kg. You ideally don't want to be moving one of these hoses around. If you consider an average fire engine in North Yorkshire carries 1,800 litres of water and carries 10 lengths of 70mm and 6 lengths of 45mm. By the time we have connected all the lengths of hose and start providing water from a fire engine we have already used 1,240 litres of water before we've started putting the actual fire out. A standard branch uses 900 litres of water per minute. So, if my maths is correct, we would be left with 37 seconds of water in the tank to attack the flames with. This is the reason our most used hose for fighting fires is our hose reel jet (the thinner black hose on a drum) this only uses 100 litres per minute. So, one hose reel can provide water at an incident for 18 minutes on a full tank of water, giving time for the crew to locate a fire hydrant. The photos are of our hoses going through their annual test on station earlier this month, including our little 10 -metre-long hoses kindly donated to us by Angus Fire when we started Young Fire Fighters at Bentham all those years ago.

Thank you for reading and please stay safe everyone.

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17 Tapas: Bryan’s Food Blog bringing Spanish summer to you A recent visit to a tapas restaurant reminded me how much I love this way of eating. A plethora of wonderful, fresh flavours designed for sharing with friends or family. For me, it’s the simplicity of the dishes offered. Just a few ingredients in each dish which complement each other perfectly. The variety comes with ordering about three dishes per person, although I was getting carried away until our host suggested we might have ordered enough. The three of us managed to scrape every plate clean but he was right, we were happy and replete. Tapas is something that you probably wouldn’t be bothered to do for two of you on a Wednesday teatime but for a gathering it can be enjoyable to make and exceptional to serve, bringing the Spanish summer to your table. Remember that each dish can be served as a single entity and can make a quick and easy teatime treat for your family. To give you a taste of Galicia, I will list some of the dishes we tried. I will start with one of my favourites, ‘Tortilla Espagnole’ or ‘Spanish Omelette’. Some people think that a ‘Spanish Omelette’ is a mixture of all sorts of vegetable ingredients but in its purest form it is just white onion, potatoes and eggs, fried gently in olive oil and left a little bit runny in the middle to facilitate the dipping of bread. Next up is ‘Gambas al Ajillo’ or ‘King Prawns in Oil’. So easy to do and with a good, rustic bread, unbeatable for flavour. It looks like you’re using a lot of olive oil, but I guarantee you will be mopping it all up and looking for more. ‘Pisto Manchego’ is a dish from La Mancha, a Spanish ratatouille. Diced onions, garlic, aubergine, courgette and tomatoes, simmered in olive oil, seasoned and with a pinch of sugar added. Make a well in the middle, pop a raw egg in onto the hot sauce and sprinkle grated cheese over the top, finish under the grill. You can be a purist and use Manchego cheese, but you probably know that I am a huge fan of mature Cheddar and that would make it a perfect treat for me. Serve with a nice, chopped salad and some crusty bread for a delicious meat-free meal. ‘Zamburinas’ is basically baby scallops (we call them queenies) lightly fried in butter and served with parsley and lemon. Seasoned well with sea salt and cracked black pepper, they are sensational. ‘Chorizo a la Sidra’ is Asturiano Chorizo in a Bramley apple and cider puree. What can I say? It's got a savoury bite and sweetness that combines so well my mouth is watering as I think about it. ‘Ensalada de Queso de Cabra’ is toasted goat’s cheese salad with walnuts, sultanas and cherry tomatoes with a honey and pomegranate dressing. This is the business, my absolute favourite with flavours that I cannot express with mere words. This is my death row, pre-execution, last meal, washed down with an Estrella Damm Galicia Speciale. If you ever find yourself in Cambridge or thereabouts, you cannot pass the opportunity to visit ‘Tu Casa’, an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant where all these meals and more can be savoured in a relaxed atmosphere with exceptional service. I’m going again on Monday, and I am totally hooked.

18 Bentham Taxis

Ian Whitaker Eight Seater

Tel: 015242 62462 Mob: 07768 571407

“If in doubt give Mr Whits a shout”

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By Lynda Graveson

Women’s Walks for Health – will recommence on Monday 6th September, meeting at Lairgill carpark at 9.20am on most Monday mornings of the year. The walks are chosen and led by one of our volunteer walk leaders. The walks are approximately 3 miles long with an aim to be back at Lairgill carpark by 12 noon and either start from the carpark on foot or lifts are shared by car to another starting place. There are many health benefits of walking both physical and for mental wellbeing. The group has as much fun talking as walking! For more details, telephone Pioneer Projects 015242-62672, email [email protected] or just come along to Lairgill on a Monday morning for a warm welcome and a cheery start to the week.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Bentham’s Blooming for their kind donation of a B & CE Armstrong’s voucher that has enabled us to fill our lovely new planters with flowers (see photo left top).

Working with children from SELFA’s Creative Youth Group we have created these beautiful handmade flowers to display in the Main Street (see photo left bottom).

Bentham Library – a reminder that the opening times are: Mon 2.30 - 5pm, Wed 10am - 2pm, Fri 2.30 - 4.30pm. Contact [email protected] or tel: 01609-534533

20 Messages The Importance of Gratitude A Goodbye By Timothy Fox Last month we were saying a big Pearl Woolerton would like to say a ‘Thank You’ at the Auction Mart for the “Goodbye” to everyone who has been a way Bentham people have worked together friend to her during her 16-year sojourn in in response to the pandemic. Bentham, especially those of ‘Churches Then at 4pm on 8th August at Bentham Together’, Jazz meetings, Mature Movers, Parish Church, the Revd Anne Russell will Luncheon Club, friends and neighbours. be holding her last service amongst us, and Although sorry to be leaving this beautiful we will be saying ‘Thank You’ to God for area and caring community, it is the right her ministry, her part in the life of the time for me to move into a supported community, her support for people in need housing complex in Leicestershire, nearer and at points of crisis in their lives and for to four of my five children. I hope to be encouraging others to support the anxious around from time to time visiting my and bereaved. daughter in Bentham. Wishing all that is good to everyone. Saying ‘Thank You’ is always important. Gratitude is one of the things that help to Baby and Toddler Group is keep a family or community together. Back! How grateful are we for this world we By Ruth Green live in? How often do we thank God for his ‘Stepping Stones’ Baby gifts in nature? If we are thankful for our and Toddler Group environment we will want to look after this reopened its doors precious gift entrusted to us for future at the Town Hall in High generations. And we will want to do what Bentham on Wednesday we can to put pressure on governments, 13th June, and welcomed businesses, and others to restore our back members old and new with a damaged Earth and to assist those most fun-filled morning. There was a real buzz of affected by the climate crisis and the effect excitement, and everyone enjoyed seeing it is having on our natural environment. friends again. A date for your diaries: On Wednesday With the Summer Term coming to an 6th October, Bentham will be welcoming 40 end, I hope to be able to run a couple of pilgrims, Buddhists, Christians and others, holiday sessions in August, so please watch walking from Westminster in London to out for details on the Town Hall notice Glasgow leading up to the international board and also on our Facebook page. climate conference in Glasgow in Hoping you all have a wonderful summer. November. The Methodists here have kindly agreed to offer the walkers floor space for the night and Bentham people and others in the area will be providing them with an evening meal. Further information and requests for help will be in the September Bentham News.

Bentham News now has 48 pages of colour in which we can print colour photographs by local people of local events. So don’t forget to send them in and let us know what your club, team, or group is doing! [email protected]

21 Railway Students Want to ‘Get Nature Back on Track’ By Rod Tickner ([email protected]) What do nine students part way through degrees at northern universities including York, Manchester and Leeds and studying subjects such as Business Management, English, Psychology, Environmental Science, Mathematics or Aerospace Engineering have in common? The nine are approaching the end of a year-long placement with Northern as ‘Year in Industry’ students. They have been located in various parts of the rail operator’s business but came together for a community project with the Leeds- Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (LMCRP), on the Bentham Line. On Friday 25th June 2021 the students physically met up for only the second time during their placement due to the pandemic restrictions of the past year. This was at the Heritage Centre at Carnforth Station, where they proudly presented the results of their collaborative endeavours. The students prepared nine station information panels under their chosen theme, ‘Get Nature Back on Track’, which also reflected their keen interest in important ‘green energy’ and sustainability ideas. Topics for the panels included climate change, waste management, water management, recycling, air pollution and renewable energy. In addition, a short animation has been created based around ‘Ed the Environmental Eagle’, a character who appears on all the panels. Welcoming this year’s students and three of the previous year’s students, as well as representatives from Northern, the Community Rail Network, local rail user groups and members of the LMCRP, to the exhibition, Gerald Townson then presented each of this year’s students with a certificate to acknowledge their work with the partnership and a poster copy of their final panel design. Local professional artist, Alastair Nicholson, who worked tirelessly with the students to create the illustrations and animation, commented, “it was a steep learning experience, as I had to tackle the digital systems for the artwork and develop new ways of working, but it was all worthwhile and I have been impressed by all of the students. I am very pleased and proud to have participated in this project and I hope the students feel the same.” The large ‘Get Nature Back on Track’ panels will shortly go on display at stations along the route between Leeds and Morecambe. The poster exhibition of all the panels will also appear at venues on or near the line over the coming months beginning at Carnforth Heritage Centre. Details of the project can also be found on the Bentham Line website: thebenthamline.co.uk/get nature back on track

Photo by Brian Haworth of students and guests at Carnforth Heritage Centre

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Bentham Police News Members of the team from your Safer Neighbourhood Team covering the Bentham, Ingleton and Settle area are PS1006 Paul Evans, PC188 Jane Carpenter, PC830 Barbara Parsons, PCSO5561 Jayne Grace, PCSO3737 Gary Grieves. We will be keeping you updated on recent crimes and incidents in Bentham and the surrounding area.

40 incidents were reported between 12th June and 9th July 2021.

These included a false alarm sounding, an absconder, civil dispute, domestic incidents, fraud involving mobile phone and national insurance, highway disruption, road related offences involving manner of driving and drink driving, missing persons found safe and well, a neighbour dispute, anti-social behaviour, a car rally on Mewith Lane and a sudden death.

Update: There have been no further reports and no new information received re: tools thefts and the anti-social behaviour at Wesley Play Park.

A-Z of Fraud: Action Fraud have categorised types of fraud into an alphabetical list which can be found at www.northyorkshire.police.uk

Protecting yourself from fraud: If you receive a request to provide personal or financial information, take a moment to reflect and step back from the situation. Even if they say they’re from the bank or other trusted organisation, you still need to take time to stop and think about what’s really going on. Deep down, you probably already know these basic rules on how to beat financial fraud – you just need to take a breath, stay calm and remember them.

1. Requests to move money: A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.

2. Clicking on links/files: Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.

3. Personal information: Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s fraudulent. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

4. Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic: Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust – criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you’ve been a victim of fraud. Criminals often use this to draw you into the conversation, to scare you into acting and revealing security details. Remember, criminals can also make any telephone number appear on your phone handset so even if you recognise it or it seems authentic, do not use it as verification that they are genuine.

5. Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot; they would never ask you to transfer

23 money into another account for fraud reasons. Remember to stop and take time to carefully consider your actions. A genuine bank or some other trusted organisation won’t rush you or mind waiting if you want time to think.

6. Listen to your instincts: If something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it. Criminals may lull you into a false sense of security when you are out and about or rely on your defences being down when you’re in the comfort of your own home. They may appear trustworthy, but they may not be who they claim to be.

7. Stay in control: Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It’s easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it’s okay to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it. If you’ve taken all these steps and still feel uncomfortable or unsure about what you’re being asked, never hesitate to contact your bank or financial service provider on a number you trust, such as the one listed on their website or on the back of your payment card.

Report fraud If you think you have been a victim of fraud, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 to report it to us. We are here to support you as well as offering help and advice to ensure you don’t become a victim again in the future. Every report of fraud also helps us to build up a picture of the different scams that are in operation which means we can safeguard more people from being scammed.

Contact Information: 1 Ring 999 in an emergency or to report a crime in progress

2 Ring 101 to report incidents or provide information

3 Ring Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous

4 E-mail SNACraven@northyorkshire .pnn.police.uk

5 E-mail [email protected]

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It’s Pizza Time! Q J C F A R A H Z W E Q E S T K R U M F H Z Z U J D A L G L I I E P B T P J O H A O U S P M H C L V I V C P F K D M O C E K O H C I T R A E I S O H V B E C R A L F Q L C J N O U L R T A L I P G W H N M C H E E S E E O C A A U B N C X Y S I I M A L A S Q K A M S K Z N M Y K I U P L T D K I T C Z O P L E S Z L R F E M S T Z A J X A O T P E P P E R O N I Y N M Z G Z F L N Y W R L P L V N B M P B I G P O G B A H R E H J P K E W R Q R T T T D K H G Z R D E A F K G Y I M O E S B X O C E V S P G F M F W E R G A G D L G G Q R N S E E Q E O E C S T A Y T O G C B O I B P H R O K A E M H I R G O N D R E P K P S L P H T A B N B G L C D I W B X C E K Q Q O H K A T E Z G I J G O Y L Q R C R B V P C N A T D P U C R W N E I U U Q O N E P A L A J O R F U O A I H D I D V Y M L F A O M Q C P S E N A F C W V ARTICHOKE MUSHROOM BASIL OREGANO BEEF PEPPERONI BLACK OLIVES PINEAPPLE CHEESE RED ONION CHICKEN RED PEPPER GARLIC SALAMI HAM POTATOES JALAPENO SPINACH MOZZARELLA TOMATO

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Events in August

Bentham Parish Church Settle Photographic Group 13th Every Saturday Annual Exhibition Coffee Morning at Pop up Pantry. You can see all the Sunday 8th photographs on our 4:00pm Rev. Anne’s last service. Followed website from 16th August by afternoon tea. www.settlephotos.org

Playing Fields Victoria Institute Every Wednesday Every Monday 7:00pm Grass Roots Singing. £5 per session. 11:00am- 2:00pm, Community Link Café, 07463133617. drop in for coffee, snacks, and chats. Every Wednesday 11:00am- 2:00pm, Community Link Café Lunch club. Bentham Golf Club Every Friday 11:00am- 2:00pm Age Concern Footpath Bentham Friday Lunch Club Tuesday 3rd Clapham Station, 4.5 miles Lairgill, 18:00, Kate Rowe 51402 Pioneer Projects Thursday 12th Thorns Gill, 9+ miles Lairgill, 9:30, Bryn and Sandra Looking Well 62416 Wednesday 4th August Sunday 22nd Delph Quarry, 7 miles, 10:30am to 12:30pm Lairgill, 9:30, George Sheridan 07905069990 The Gratitude Gallery: Photography sessions Saturday 28th Moor Divock, 8.5 miles, Women’s Walks for Health – will Lairgill, 8:30, Ed Badley 62502 recommence on Monday 6th September

Town Hall Bentham Community Library Town Hall Codes: BR Ballroom, LH Monday 2:30 - 5:00pm Lower Hall, WR Wenningdale Room Wednesday 10:00am – 2:00pm Every Wednesday Friday 2:30 – 4:20pm 10:00 - 12:00 Stepping Stones BR - watch out At the time of writing customers are still for details on the Town Hall notice board required to pre-book a browsing slot and also on our Facebook page. by tel: 01609 534533 or e-mailing [email protected]

26 Bentham Town Council – extra meeting on 21st June By Shirley Brown Present at this short extra meeting were Councillors Tim Stannard, Gareth Adams, Tony Burton, Robert Taylor and Marion Swales (chair), District Councillor Linda Brockbank, Town Clerk Christine Downey and 3 members of the public (representing Bentham Playing Field committee) and the BN reporter. Apologies were received from Councillors Bridgeman, Faraday-Williams, Handford, Hill, Marshall and Wills.

Wenning Avenue Playing Field: On behalf of the Playing Field Committee, Heather Knowles explained that the field is largely owned by Angus and leased to the town. This lease runs out on 2nd May 2029. The Playing Field Association has a small committee of 6 people and are struggling to see a future for the Playing Fields with the lease as it is at the moment. Craven District Council also owns a small area of the field. With an uncertain future it is extremely difficult to make long-term plans or to acquire funding for projects, and ethically spending thousands on the playing fields with a very short lease feels wrong. This field is extremely well-used, a hundred or so people were there enjoying the space and the facilities last weekend. The committee has plenty of ideas for developing the space further, such as a track for walking, running and cycling and a junior pump track, and replacing the condemned clubhouse, but without securing continuity of the lease, this wonderful asset to the town is at risk. Heather read out a letter dated 4th June 2021 from Paul Williams, CEO of Angus: “I have discussed this with the Board twice in the last 6 months…the Board, after some pressure, agreed to extend the lease by another couple of years. I advised Thomas (Marshall) of this about 2 months ago but have heard nothing back since….if Craven District Council and the Town Council were to write to me explaining what they are willing to spend, over what time period, and to do so how long the lease would need to be extended by, then I would willingly take it back to the Board and discuss.”

District Cllr Brockbank said CDC is keen to support any local initiatives and that CDC’s Jill Heseltine could provide access to legal representation regarding the lease and conditions that might be attached to ownership of the land. A survey on Open Space usage has been sent to the committee so they can provide evidence of the need for the open space and show that there is somebody willing to take it forward and also that the community not only wants but needs the Playing Field. The Clerk has made contact with Liz Cox, HR Manager at Angus Fire Ltd and information is now flowing between the Town Council and Angus. Ideas for the development of the Playing Field might fit very well in The Bentham Plan.

The councillors were extremely supportive of efforts to keep the Playing Field as a facility to be developed for the use of Bentham people, either by extending the lease or by investigating whether it could be bought and run by the town. They resolved to set up a meeting as soon as possible with all concerned: Town Council, Craven District Council, Playing Field Committee and Angus.

New Planning Applications: Councillors had no comment to make on any of the following: • Conversion of existing barn and shippon to a garage, games room, multigenerational accommodation as annexe to main house and/or short-term holiday let at Lane Foot Farm, Greystonegill Lane, High Bentham. • Application for variation of condition on original planning permission granted on 29th January 2021 at 34 Goodenber Road, High Bentham. • Outline application for a single, detached dwelling within the garden curtilage at 1 Pye Busk Close, High Bentham.

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Bentham’s July Town Council Meeting By Shirley Brown The Town Council meeting in the Town Hall on 5th July was attended by Cllrs Gareth Adams, Tony Burton, Diane Faraday-Williams, Thomas Marshall, Tim Stannard, Marion Swales (chair), Robert Taylor and Thomas Wills. Also in attendance were Craven District Councillor Stuart Handley, Public Safety Officer Craig Lyons, Town Clerk Christine Downey and the Bentham News reporter. Apologies were received from Cllrs Julie Bridgeman, Brian Handford and Howard Hill.

Before the main meeting, two members of the public attended for a presentation, ‘The value of Bentham Moving Forward developing a Community Led Plan, and the role the town council could play in supporting this’, given by Mark Hopley of Community First Yorkshire. Mark has already been working with a group of 8 or 9 Bentham charities who came together under the umbrella of Bentham Moving Forward as jointly they have been able to make more of a difference than if they had each been acting alone. In particular they have been able to secure funding, and Mark has expertise in this area which he would like to share more widely in the Bentham community. He was questioned particularly about how he might be able to help Bentham Playing Field Committee make progress in securing that area for future generations of Bentham people. The Cllrs mentioned the meeting, which is proposed between all concerned parties with Angus Fire, and emphasised that it would be helpful if this could happen in the near future and that Mark might also be involved.

County Councillor David Ireton was unable to attend the meeting but sent a report the main point of which was that a key challenge for North Yorkshire is the missing generations of young people who do not live and work in the region. It is estimated that if North Yorkshire had the same percentage of younger adults per head of population as nationally, there would be over 45,500 additional younger working age adults living in the county than there are today, and North Yorkshire would be £1.5 billion better off annually. A hard-hitting recommendation is therefore that affordable rural housing must become a reality rather than an aspiration, and this will require more houses in rural and remote areas rather than on the edges of market towns, and that this must be done without compromising the region’s beauty.

District Cllr Handley reminded the meeting that he and District Cllr Brockbank each have £1,000 to use on local projects, and that anyone interested in accessing this money should contact them.

28 New Planning Applications: The Cllrs had no comment on any of the 3 new planning applications. • Partial demolition of existing double garage and section of stone wall, erection of single storey 2-bedroom annexe for use as holiday accommodation and alterations to stone wall to create pedestrian access at Mewith House, Mewith Lane, Low Bentham, LA2 7DH. • Change of use to 2 dwellings and construction of replacement rear extension and other alterations at 6 Station Road, High Bentham. • Vary condition of approved planning permission on land at Duke Street, High Bentham.

Planning Decisions Granted: • New detached 3-bedroom, 2-storey dwelling on land north of Fern House, Burton Road, Low Bentham • Garage conversion to glazed sunroom at 2 The Park, Doctors Hill, Low Bentham • Single detached domestic family dwelling and detached garage at land off Springfield, High Bentham LA2 7LA • Single storey extension for breakfast room and 2 offices and basement tack room at Mill Dam Farm, Mewith Lane, LA2 7AX • First floor extension to side and rear of 10 Lakeber Avenue, High Bentham

Usage of the Town Hall: Cllrs were in full agreement that if Covid restrictions are removed as expected on 19th July, then coffee mornings and use of the stage area can all start up again.

Too Many Meetings! All the Cllrs and the Clerk are agreed that there are too many council meetings each month, but how to reorganise these to meet all legal requirements and not to exhaust the goodwill of all concerned? After much discussion it was agreed to attempt to streamline meetings by adding small sub-committee meetings onto the shorter full council meeting each month which just considers planning applications. The other full Town Council meeting would have a longer agenda. It is never easy to make changes, but Cllrs were keen to give this new way of working a try.

The Bentham Masterplan: Cllr Adams encouraged the Council to think big. He would like to resurrect the Station Road Plan which would build on the fact that the station is a valuable asset to the town and the land round it could be developed as a hub with a decent car park, electric charging points, maybe industrial units, a community building and much more. Now that is an exciting prospect!

Philip Harvey Playing Field: The gates to this play area are to get a sign saying ‘Please keep this area clear as access is required at all times’

Community Youth Building: Both Fisher Hopper and Richard Turner & Sons are to be asked to value this building.

Cllr Stannard mentioned that a massive pothole outside the Horse and Farrier at the entrance to Duke Street needed urgent attention, and Cllr Marshall agreed to sort it.

29 Four August Walks: and Celebrating the Life of Vicky Cooper By Kate Rowe I recently took part in a "Cross the Bay" walk for St. John's Hospice, from Arnside to Grange. After a very wet morning, the rain soon stopped, and it was a pleasant walk. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me. Whatever your reason for walking, be it for charity, pleasure, company, or for fitness, I hope you enjoy it, and will maybe join one of our walks? Please note the varying start times. The first August walk on Tuesday 3rd is with me (Tel: 51402), an evening walk meeting at Lairgill for 6pm to drive to Clapham Station. From there we head along the road to High Hazel Hall then across fields to Lower Hardacre. After crossing Skew Bridge, we go down to Clapham Wood Hall. Following Keasden Beck, Turnerford is reached, and the road takes us downhill back to the station, about 4.5 miles. The next day, Wednesday 4th, is a celebration of the life of our member Vicky Cooper, with a church service at St. John the Baptist, Low Bentham at 4pm, followed by an evening's celebration at Bank Head Coach House. Bryn and Sandra (Tel: 07445-537700 or 62416) are leading Thorns Gill, God's Bridge and Selside on Thursday 12th, 9.30am from Lairgill. To avoid walking alongside the busy B6255, the route is revised and will now be 9+ miles. At Ribblehead, we turn right up a stony track immediately before the rail bridge to park at the entrance to the Ribblehead Quarry/Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. (This is directly behind Ribblehead Station). We walk up through the nature reserve, skirting the quarry, to Colt Park, joining the footpath that curves down the drive, following the B6479 briefly before taking the path at Gauber towards Ribblehead House. We turn towards Thorns Gill and then pick up the Ribble Way to Nether Lodge and God’s Bridge. At High Birkwith we take a different path alongside Coppy Gill, into Selside, before following the B6479 for a short stretch again. Taking the footpath across Selside Shaw to Bent Hill Rigg and back into the nature reserve, we emerge at Colt Park House and follow the trail back down to the cars. On Sunday 22nd George (Tel: 07905-069990) takes us to Lancashire, leaving Lairgill at 9.30am. We park in the parking area OS 546 455 Delph Road (from Oakenclough), OL41 Forest of Bowland. We first walk by paths to avoid road walking, then cross the road. A path goes through Fell End Farm, past Bleasdale Tower to Brooks Barn. We then walk in a loop via Hazelhurst, Holme House, and Vicarage Farm (where at this point, we can visit Bleasdale circle ancient monument). After Bleasdale village and school we turn right and walk by paths via Brooks to Brooks Barn and the outward route. We then reverse this back to the car park - 7 miles. Ed (Tel: 62502) takes us to Moor Divock on Saturday 28th leaving at 8.30am. The walk begins at map reference 497215 on Moor Divock above the village of Helton near Lowther Park. It starts through the fields to the village, then down Milkeld Syke to cross the River Lowther to the hamlet of Whale where we turn north to walk parallel to the river until we cut off through Lowther Park to Low Gardens Bridge over the river. Here we turn southwards, climbing the steep river bluff and crossing fields to the pretty green village of Askham. After walking the length of the village, we come out onto the open moorland and make the gradual climb up Heughscar Hill which has a superb view of Ullswater and Helvellyn (weather permitting). From there the cars are reached by a very well-defined track over the open moor—8.5 miles.

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31 Sadness and Sunshine in the Fells By Helen Wilkinson It was with great sadness that we heard of the loss of Robert Whitfield. He will be greatly missed in our community and our sympathies are with his family. All the sunshine in June has meant that gardens are full and colourful, (that means a lot of ‘wildflowers’ in my garden); the honeysuckle and wild roses in the hedgerows are looking fantastic (see photo). We had one pair of blue tits nesting in box No 4 at the old school, and six occupied swift boxes in the village with more nests in the eaves of some houses. Paul Thistlethwaite’s nest box camera filmed two chicks hatching on July 3rd so they should be ready to fly in early August. Peter and Bronwen Osborne had another successful open garden at Clearbeck House. They have been part of the National Garden Scheme for 32 years and this year raised the fantastic sum of £2,810. Through refreshments and the sale of plants, £650 was also raised for the Church of the Good Shepherd. The school children organised a ‘Wear a Hat with Flowers’ fun day when they raised £100 for brain tumour research. They have had two sports afternoons, one for each Key Stage, and The Friends of Tatham Fells School organised a visit from an ice cream van at the end of the second afternoon. The final event of the year will be the leaver’s service and family picnic on the school field. The year six pupils will also be camping at school the night before the leaver’s service. Our Parish Profile has been completed and we are now discussing the next steps with Arch Deacon David Peakin towards finding a new vicar. Sadly, we are also mourning the loss of John Ryle, a member of Wray PCC, whose knowledge and experience were of great benefit to us in creating the detailed profile.

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LEARN TO DRIVE WITH SALLY MOORE Grade A instructor with 12 years experience. Patient , friendly and encouraging. Motorway lessons available. Help with Theory training . 07960381491 [email protected]

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34 Bentham Older People Together (BOPT) On behalf of the Friday Lunch Club and The Community Link Cafe

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 015242-63162

Facebook@BOPT2019

By Liz Ryan (development worker for Bentham Older People Together)

Dear fellow residents of Bentham

We are open!!!! During June and July, it has all been about getting active and getting back to normal. BOPT applied for a grant from North Yorkshire County Council to assist club members to become stronger and get more active. We have arranged for Sally Horn to visit each club every month to get us all moving and there’ll be other events in the months to come.

Low Bentham Community Link Café We have been running a lunch club every Wednesday since May 19th and we hope also to open on Mondays soon. We have been meeting in the main hall and catering has moved back to our in-house team.

We have had a few visitors to the Wednesday club during June and July. Here’s a picture of some of our ladies enjoying the armchair exercises which are always more fun to do in a group.

Phillip Allott who is North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner visited us in July. He came to listen to what people had to say and, in this photo, he is enjoying a cuppa with some of our gentlemen.

The Community Link Café is looking for a Logo for their publicity. If you can have a go send your design to the email address above.

Age Concern Bentham Friday Lunch Club This has been open every

Friday since 21st May at Bentham Golf Club. We have enjoyed quizzes and games, plus there is a regular monthly slot with Sally Horn (see photo right).

35 We also welcomed Rev. Anne Russell to our club at the beginning of July (see photo below) and she told us about all the things she has been involved with whilst in Bentham.

We are continuing our search for a new chairperson, so if you can lead a monthly meeting and spare an hour or two a week please get in touch. The role is supported by a co-ordinator and other volunteers.

See you all soon ☺☺

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37 Bentham Medical Practice News from a meeting on June 10th, 2021 By Danny Conroy ([email protected]) The next meeting is in September so please contact Danny if you want to get involved or find out more.

Covid-Vaccinations: Jonathan Scott reported that vaccinations are tailing off slightly and Morecambe Bay Trust reports that there have been 225,000 1st vaccinations and 165,000 2nd vaccinations and that invites have gone out to the 25–40-year-olds. At the RLI last week there were 7 people with Covid in hospital ward beds and this week there are 3. Only 1 now in intensive care and last week there were 2. There have been 3 discharges this week and 4 the previous week.

Helpline for Hospital Appointments: The Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust has put out a new helpline for hospital appointments. The new line is for current patients waiting for an appointment and they can ring the number if they want to discuss cancellations or seek reassurance on when they are going to be seen. The new number is 01539-716998, and you select option 2 or you can email [email protected]

Little information Yet on Changes Proposed to Lancashire and Morecambe Bay: Generally, the services will stay the same so Bentham practice will have patients with services from Lancashire and North Yorkshire. The ultimate goal is that all our health services will be provided by the same organisation that provides these services to the South Lakes area but that will not be happening for at least 12 months. Lorraine Crossley-Close confirmed that all the meetings she has had with the CCG and MBHT are definitely up in the air. Apparently, it appears to be exclusively a paper exercise at present.

Face-to-Face Contact with Nurses and Doctors: In the surgery all contact with nurses is now face-to-face and this is increasing with doctors as well.

Saturday appointments: The extended access service is now running with every 3rd Saturday held at Bentham. It is an expensive service to run so we need to fill as many of those appointments as we can, or we could lose it. We need to advertise this service and posters will be placed around the area and hopefully we can advertise in local newsletters.

Consultations with Pharmacists: Another service called the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service is just getting off the ground which will mean that the patient can call the practice and they are asked a number of questions and then it can be decided whether they need to see a doctor, or could speak to the community pharmacist instead.

Staff Changes: There have been some staff changes over the last few months with Janet Dobson (reception/admin) leaving and Leila and Louise starting. Two ST3s (final year before becoming a GP) have left and one or two more will start before August. We have also employed 2 more occasional locum doctors.

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attempted to throw them through a hole in Low Bentham and a board. This was just as noisy as each District WI throw was met with a cheer or a groan. This By Kathryn Brownsord game had two rounds as the teams swapped places for the next throw. The Our meeting in June was held at our Fells team also won this game. President’s home and 12 members attended. When the minutes had been read from our Linda thanked Sally for providing the last meeting, agreed and signed, members games and lifting everyone’s spirits with a were invited to have a walk around good laugh. The evening concluded with a Christine’s lovely garden. The weather delectable supper produced by committee couldn’t have been better, and it was so members. The August meeting will be in good to meet again and catch up after such Bronwen Osborne’s garden, with a bring a long break. We all enjoyed refreshments your own picnic. in the garden in the evening sun. Our next meeting, weather permitting, is going to be a walking treasure hunt through Low Bentham and we will meet at our President’s home to get the instruction clues. Soon we hope that we will be able to have our usual monthly meetings with interesting speakers. Tatham Fells By Mary Taylor Members met once again at the Old School after 16 months’ absence, although they were outside on the beautiful evening of Tuesday July 13th, sitting in a semicircle. Secretary Jenny Herd read a resumé of past events, and President Linda Kirkby, who had kept in touch with members through the dark days, told of plans for the next five meetings. Everyone signed a card for a member who is no longer able to attend meetings. Then fun and games began as Sally Hughes divided members into two rival teams of eight, Tatham and Fells. In the first game, one from each rival team had to put as many marbles as they could through the hole of an upturned plant pot, with a dinner fork, in one minute. This proved to be hilar- ious, with marbles shooting off to the ground as competitors were cheered on. When all had made the attempt, Sally counted up the score and announced the Fells team the winners. The next game was more strenuous as Tatham, with three red bean bags and Fells with black bean bags

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41 Monthly Vegan Lunch Club on Zoom By Karin Ridgers. Contact Ellie [email protected] to find out more, or to book your place and get the Zoom link and password, or call the VfL office on 0161-257-0887 V for Life is the world's only charity working on behalf of older vegans and vegetarians. The lunch club is on the 4th Tuesday every month at 1pm and is open to vegans, vegetarians, and meat reducers aged 65 and over. It offers attendees the chance to learn new dishes, get tips from an experienced vegan chef, and meet like-minded people from across the UK. Recipes take a different theme each month: 24th August - cooking with tofu ahead of national tofu day 1st September 28th September - brunch ideas such as pancakes and scrambled tofu 26th October – vegan bakes in line with the Great British Bake Off 23rd November - meat free potluck dinner 14th December - a vegan Christmas meal, brought forward due to Christmas!

Lune Valley Swimming Pool – Summer Holiday Swimming Lessons By Roger Carter We are offering children’s intensive swimming lessons for one week from Monday 16th August-Friday 20th August with Alex, Cathy and Georgia. The lessons will last for half an hour a day for 5 days. Whatever your ability there’s a class for you: non-swimmers, beginners and intermediate. One-to-Ones: £65: 1.45pm-2.15pm and 2.30pm-3pm Children 4+ group session: £30: 3.15pm-3.45pm Book now to avoid disappointment: email [email protected], or phone (01524) 805666.

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43  That you use the contactless hand The Cumbria Way sanitiser by the door when you Scarf Challenge arrive

update We will continue to use our current level of PPE, sanitise surfaces and use the By Marie Rooke fogging machines to clean the atmosphere. A big, big thank you to the wonderful Even if you are double jabbed, we will people of Bentham and beyond who have expect you to follow this guidance. You brought their creations to Sole to Soul. could still catch and transmit the virus To the end of June, your totals are: - which would put us and other patients at 165 hats risk and disrupt the clinics for everyone. 61 scarves Thank you all for your understanding and 2 pairs of mittens cooperation. 2 headbands 5 teddies 1 blanket 53 squares I’m still collecting. Several of the charities won’t be wanting hats and scarves until the weather turns cooler but I can store things here until then. So.... please carry on crafting!

Sole to Soul – Covid Policy Update By Marie Rooke At the time of writing, the government is proposing that the use of face masks will be optional from July 19th. However, in line with guidance from our professional and governing bodies, in order to protect our staff and our most vulnerable patients, we are continuing with our current levels of protection for everyone visiting Sole to Soul. This means that you will be required to wear a face covering when you come for treatment, although if you are unable to wear a mask, a visor is acceptable. The other policies we have in place and which will continue include: -

 A phone call reminder and Covid symptom check before your appointment  Staggered appointment times to minimise contact  Visits by appointment only  That you attend your appointment alone where possible  Temperature check on arrival

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45 What to look for in August By Sue Halsall I was recently in a friend’s garden, looking at a large plant that people were surprised to find was a greater burdock and everyone asked if it was burdock as in Dandelion and Burdock. Yes, it is! It usually grows on verges, woodland edges and wasteland, producing large, heart shaped downy leaves in its first year (right). Then the next year it sends up a tall flowering shoot branching with clusters of purple thistle-like flowers, much liked by small tortoiseshell and painted lady butterflies. Eventually, the flowers leave behind aseed head called a burr (hence its name) and each seed has a hook on it to attach itself to a passing animal’s fur so it can get dispersed (both below right). However, the burr can attach itself to your clothing or hair and your dog’s fur and they are hard to remove. Apparently, this happened to a Swiss inventor, so he looked at the burr under a microscope, noted the hooks and the result is Velcro! It produces a deep tap root, as does a dandelion and these roots were dug up and fermented in order to produce the fizzy drink. Comfrey (hairs left and plant below) is another tall plant also growing on verges and in damp areas and producing deep roots, but it is a perennial. Gardeners may grow it because bees love the flowers, and the leaves can be soaked in water to make comfrey tea (a plant fertiliser) or added to compost heaps. However, it can spread, and it is quite difficult to dig out. It is still used as a remedy for sprains, bruises and wounds. The leaves are covered in rough hairs that make it unpleasant to handle without gloves. August is a great time for eating outdoors and the chances are you will get pestered by wasps. Only queen wasps survive over winter, and they will lay eggs in a nest made of paper. These eggs hatch to produce workers that will feed new larvae in the nest with other insects and pollen and collect wood pulp to continue building the nest. By August though, there are no more larvae to feed, and these workers head out to find anything sweet to feed on, whether it is fallen fruit or your jam sandwich. The workers will die off when it gets colder in September or October, leaving the new queens to overwinter, so if you have a troublesome wasps’ nest, the problem will be over by autumn. Did you ever wonder, what is the point of wasps? They do actually pollinate many flowers and also control insect pests, but once one has stung you, it will produce a pheromone that will alert other wasps to come and join in with stinging. The sting is alkaline so if you have no antihistamine cream to put on, try vinegar to neutralise it. All my photos except the wasp nest which is John's (see back page).

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Bentham News is published by a voluntary editorial committee consisting of Shirley Brown, Bob Clark, Christine Conroy, Kathleen Kelly, Anne Preston, Jane Proctor, Pam Woof and Denise Henshaw - co-ordinator, who can be contacted on 07770-801591 c/o Daisy Hair and Beauty, 29 Main Street, Bentham LA2 7HQ. Emma Greenep works alongside Denise administering the advertising side of the paper and can be reached on [email protected] Every effort is made to ensure that information contained in the paper is correct; however, Bentham News is an open access paper and views and opinions expressed and adverts included are not necessarily endorsed by the editorial committee. The committee reserves the right to edit contributions. We are willing to withhold names on request, but names, addresses and telephone numbers must accompany all items for publication. Email to:- [email protected] or hand in to Daisy Hair and Beauty in the Main Street or use our website www.thebenthamnews.co.uk Copy deadline is 12th August for the September edition. Please note we cannot guarantee the inclusion of any articles after this date. We aim to acknowledge all emails, if you do not receive a reply to an email, contact us again, as it may not have been received.

47 Settle Photographic Group 13th Annual Exhibition By Gill Pinkerton Covid-19 is not going to stop Settle Photographic Group from holding its thirteenth Annual Exhibition of members’ images this year, but it will be online only. You can see all the photographs on our website from 16th August from the comfort of your own home. Go to www.settlephotos.org, press a link and you will be there. There is no theme as members choose their favourites from the past year. The result is a wonderfully eclectic mix. Enjoy over 60 photographs covering all sorts of subjects from wildlife, the countryside, trains and much more. Settle Photographic Group was formed in 2008, and now has well over 30 members drawn from Settle and surrounding villages. Meetings are held monthly throughout the year at Townhead Court in Settle with additional meetings during the winter months. Should it be impossible to meet face to face, meetings are held on Zoom instead. We have a wide-ranging programme of activities, including talks, demonstrations and regular photographic challenges which give the opportunity to discuss our work with other members. We also visit local places of interest to take photographs. New members and visitors are always welcome. Live Jazz Returns to Hornby By Sam Ashton I`m pleased to confirm that the Chris Coull Sextet will be here on Friday 6th August. Chris, leading on trumpet and flugel horn with original double bass player and drummer, Rob Steels and Jack Davies, plus Ed Kainyek, tenor sax; Andrzej Baranek, piano, and Joe Steels, guitar. Usual venue: the village institute, Main Street,(A683) Hornby, LA2 8JR. Tickets £15 on the door or ring 015242 22227. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm, music from 8pm and subject to Government Covid guidelines it is requested that face masks are worn when entering and leaving the institute. Come and listen to these great musicians; we’ll have an evening of exciting music.

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Hilary Wellgate saw this Glory (circular rainbow) over Burnmoor on 14th June. It was glorious! Wasp’s Nest below (see page 45) by John Vendy

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