48 Bentham’s Brilliant Beacon Isabel Marshall took this dramatic photo from Burnmoor as Bentham’s brilliant beacon shone out across the moor close to The Great Stone to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on 21st April. Fittingly two Bentham 90 year olds, Ethel Wrathall and Bernard Williams, did the deed and lit the beacon, which was witnessed by a small crowd of local people. The Beacon, also known as ‘The Wee Flamy Thing’ was made by another Benthamer, Peter Hird, see photo on page 46. We are including this photo on our front page in ‘flaming June’ because the British monarch has two birthdays, her actual birthday and an official birthday, and this year it’s on Saturday 11th June. Ever since 1748, during the reign of King George II, the reigning monarch has had an official birthday on a Saturday in June, in the hope that our unreliable weather will be kind and allow the royal family to hold a grand birthday parade (Trooping The Colour) and to gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a military flypast. All photographs taken by members of the Helen Howard School of Theatre Dance and crew 2 47 We performed a Bollywood inspired Dancing At The Royal routine to a song called Salaam Bombay from the musical Bombay Dreams. We had 52 Albert Hall dancers ranging in age from 10 to 18 years all By Helen Howard taking part in the same dance. There were On Easter Sunday, a lots of nerves mingled with the excitement Bibby’s coach left and I am very proud to say that our dancers Bentham to travel to really shone on the stage. We had lots of London. On board lovely comments from the production were 54 dancers and company, other teachers and dancers, as well family members as members of the audience. It really had from the Helen Howard School of been a magical day for everyone involved. Theatre Dance. The reason for their trip was The party atmosphere carried on at the hotel to once again perform at the Royal Albert into the early hours of the morning and there Hall. After a good journey we settled into our was still lots of excitement on the coach on hotel and had time to relax and either have a the way home. I even overheard some swim, apply henna in readiness for the show parents and students planning our next trip! or just generally chill out. The next morning As a teacher I can’t begin to say how do just that by showcasing some of the we were up bright and early, with some of proud I am of all our dancers. During Bentham Countryside very best crafts, produce and entertainment the dancers getting up at 5.30am to curl hair rehearsals they worked so hard, they in the area. and apply make-up. However thanks to organised events to raise money to pay for Festival Storm Katy, which had hit during the night So come rain or shine, on Saturday June their costumes and all the time they looked By Jessica Marsh and was still in full flow, there was a good 25th from 12pm, there will be a feast of after and helped each other - they really are chance that everyone’s hair would be ruined As some of the Bentham News readers may delights on offer in the grounds of the pri- like one big, happy family and I feel very – until we had the idea (much to the horror already know, this year the Friends of Ben- mary school. There will be over 20 stalls privileged to be part of it. More photos over………... and embarrassment of our dancers) to tham School (FoBS) fundraising group are including Country Harvest who are sup- borrow a load of shower caps from the hotel! planning to host the first “Bentham Coun- plying the meat for the BBQ. Old School On arrival at the Royal Albert Hall we met tryside Festival". Following discussion with Brewery will be supplying some appropri- up with the rest of our dancers and were both school staff and children the ambi- ately named local brews for the bar and shown to our changing area. The day then tious fundraising target has been set for an there will be live music from Back from outdoor shelter that can be used for both consisted of a talk from the production Beyond, Alfresco, T-bone and Tother Lot. company, then all the schools involved had outside lessons and play. So with sights set On the day there will also be a variety of high the FoBS team needed to come up the chance to rehearse their routine once and craft and food stalls, traditional games, a finally the entire cast learnt two routines to with something big to set the total alight. bouncy castle and much, much more…….. The "Countryside Festival" is intended to close each act. Seeing 1,400 children singing and dancing together in the Royal Albert Hall is really something amazing. For Professional, Effective, Chartered Physiotherapy, including sports injuries, backs, necks and acupuncture. AXA, AVIVA, BUPA authorised clinic established 1998 Phone 015242 62216 www.benthamphysio.co.uk Photo of David Faraday, left, rebuilding the wall opposite the auction mart which was knocked down in a road accident in January. 46 3 bus to head into Wales for the last of the National 3 Peaks 24 Hour peaks, Snowdon (1085m). Fingers crossed we will be arriving back to the bus within Challenge 24 hours from starting, having completed a By Jennie Moor walking distance of 26 miles and been driv- On Saturday 11th June a team from en 462 miles between the 3 peaks, phew, I’m J W Garnett Electrical Ltd in Settle, pictured feeling tired just writing about it! below, will be setting off on the long drive Why are we putting ourselves through up to Scotland to the starting point of our this I hear you ask? Brain Tumour Research National Three Peaks 24 hour challenge. is woefully under-funded in the UK. De- Our team is made up of members of staff, spite more people under 40 dying of a brain family members and friends of J W Garnett tumour than any other cancer, and brain Electrical, and we are raising money in aid tumours being the biggest cancer killer of of Brain Tumour Research in memory of UK children, Brain Tumour Research Andrew Metcalfe from Fowgill, High Ben- receives less than 1% of national cancer re- tham, who died tragically at the age of 32. search funding in the UK. This is where you He would have been 40 years old this year. come in. No I’m not asking you to climb a We will be starting our ascent of Ben mountain with us, I’m asking for anyone Nevis (1,344m) on the Saturday afternoon who is able to donate to help us beat these and are hoping to finish by 10pm. After horrible statistics, every little helps. To The Wee Flamy Thing And Its Creator hopping on our bus and making some donate please go to www.justgiving.com/ Peter Hird standing next to the Bentham Beacon ‘the wee flamy thing’ before it was set makeshift beds we will be driven down to teamjwg or text TJWG50 and an amount alight. He made it to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. the Lake District to start our second peak, (£1,2,3,4,5,or £10) to 70070, for example text Photo by Carol Collins Scafell Pike (978m) in the early hours of TJWG50 £2 to 70070. Sunday morning. A brisk walk up and down (we hope!) and it will be back on the 4 45 Lewis and Lloyd Smith . Last training session in South Africa. See letter page 19. 44 5 The PuncThe Punch Bowlh Bo Low Bentham Real Fire Real Food Real Ale Dishes made from fresh produce, locally sourced Dogs & Muddy Boots welcome Open all day from noon Tues –Sun Food served Tues-Sat 12-2 & 6-8.30 Sunday -Traditional Roasts & full menu served all day to 8.30pm Booking not essential but advisable at peak holiday times Tel 015242 61344 VintFest By Isabel Marshall Bentham Golf Club's VintFest has been hailed a success attracting around 500 people over the Bank Holiday. www.thepunchbowlbentham.co.uk The vintage spectacular kicked off on Saturday with a vintage fair and the fa- mous Mr Phoebus Penny Farthing Experience, with children and adults alike stepping back to the 1920s. The day was brought to a close with music from The Swing Commanders, who performed a mix of 1940s classics, boogie-woogie, western swing, 50s jump jazz and more! Sunday's drizzle did not deter enthusi- asts, with vintage vehicles arriving in style and music from jazz, swing, Latin and blues band Quay Change whilst guests sample the extremely popular gin from Manchester’s Zymurgorium distillery. Monday saw golfers enjoying a vintage dress scramble, with Mr Duxbury’s (Duxbury’s Discounts) team taking the victory. The golf club's rebranded 1922 Bar and Kitchen offered retro food, with the menu featuring classics such as spam fritters and chicken in a basket. The wheels are already in motion to hold another in 2017, with a few tweaks and new features. Pictures by Jon Brook of Bentham Imaging show Mr Phoebus above and top left, Travis Taylor winning a certificate for the Penny Farthing Experience. Michelle Hodgson, top right, of Studio 42 at her vintage stand.and fun photo booth below.