Wasdale News Archive

Welcome to the new News section on the WasdaleWeb. I intend to use this section to report on activities news and events as and when they arise. If you have a Wasdale-related news story please email them to us on

severe weather warning for Cumbria predicting heavy rain and gusts of wind up to 60mph.

High winds have already caused trees to fall over in Ingleton and Clapham, blocking roads.

                                                              

29 November 2006: Police announce Christmas campaign

Police will be out in force during the Christmas and New Year party season to rigorously enforce the drink drive laws by targeting drivers they believe are under the influence of drink or drugs.

Operation Abolish 3 commences on December 1^st and will continue through to January 1^st.

It will also incorporate the Traffic Information Systems Police European Alcohol and Drug Enforcement Campaign that will run from the 18^th to 24^th December.

The campaign’s intention is to reinforce the message that driving under the influence of drink or drugs will not be tolerated and officers will be robust in dealing with defenders.

29 November 2006; Operation Christmas tree in place

Foresters at Grizedale have launched ‘Operation Christmas Tree’ to ensure that some of the regions landmarks and civic venues receive an extra touch of festive sparkle.

The Forestry Commission in the North West are carrying out the operation to fulfil orders in time for the seasonal celebration.
They will also be selling a range of more modestly sized trees at its visitor centres across the region and will give the best advice on the best tree to buy and how to care for it.
For more information on where to buy real Christmas trees visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland

29 November 2006: Deer poaching on the increase

Wildlife Groups across the region have joined forces with the Police to tackle a sharp rise in deer poaching.

The increase is thought to be driven by demand for Christmas Venison and the North West British Deer Campaign Group claims the situation is putting the areas Deer Population under increased pressure.
Despite Poachers facing fines of up to £5,000 if they are caught, carcases are being sold for a little as £150 each.

A special partnership between Cumbria County Council and Skelwith Parish Council and several local agencies teamed up, to commission renowned Furness Architectural Metal worker Chris Brammall to create a bridge to span the River Brathay at Skelwith, near Ambleside.

29 November 2006: LDNPA chief exec stands down

After 8 and a half years, Paul Tiplady has stood down as the Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority.

During his time in office, Mr Tiplady dealt with many difficult and varied issues and helped to put in place the measures needed to make the Authority fit for purpose in the 21^st century.
He said he believed it was now time, for a fresh face to take the Authority forward.
The Authority recognises the changed circumstances brought about by Mr Tiplady’s retirement and has advised Mr Steve Gallagher, that his management report commissioned by the Authority is no longer required.

29 November 2006: First fair-trade year

Cumbria County Council is celebrating its first anniversary of setting out to become a Fairtrade County with a new exhibition to be shown in libraries and other public buildings across the county.

Cumbria: Beacon of Fairtrade features panels highlighting the take-up of Fairtrade in Cumbria and explaining what Fairtrade is.
More information about Fairtrade in Cumbria can be found on www.cumbriafairtrade.org.uk – the newly launched website of Cumbria Fair Trade Network.
The network is also helping to build grassroots support for the Fairtrade cause in the county.

29 November 2006: Death by frying pan

A manuscript unearthed in Cumbria's archives has painted a vivid picture of murder, mayhem and misadventure in one 17th Century parish.

Deadly duels fought with frying pans, and drunken brawls waged with beer jugs claimed lives in the west county parish of Lamplugh between 1656 and 1663.

The record was uncovered by staff at the Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library, in Whitehaven.

It is being used to promote the national Archive Awareness Campaign.

The record also reveals how three women were drowned after being accused of being witches, and four people were scared to death by fairies.

Other peculiar deaths listed in the document include death by gluttony at a party and being attacked by the parson's bull.

But not all residents suffered such surprising ends - 57 residents died of traditional old age.

Anne Rowe, county archivist of the Cumbria Archive Service, said: "It's great to unearth a document like this in our collection and gives people a chance to discover a more quirky side to history.

"I'm not sure whether to attribute this list to our ancestors' superstitions or just their sense of humour!

"These were insecure social times and many folk in the 17th Century would have been scared of fairies with many a natural death being put down to the 'evil witchcraft' of a harmless old widow."

Throughout autumn there are hundreds of events talking place in archives across the UK to promote the nation's collections.

29 November 2006: New trails season announced

Following the success of the Lakeland Trails 2006 season, organisers are encouraging participants to sign up soon for the 2007 events.

Lakeland Trails 2007 event dates and locations include: 28/04/07 - Hawkshead; 03/06/07 - Garburn (Staveley to Windermere); 01/09/07 - Derwentwater (Keswick); 06/10/07 - Coniston.

The Lakeland Trails were recently awarded a grant by Cumbria Vision to help develop the events to an International standard. This will enable the events to be marketed in Europe, attracting more international visitors to the region.

Entries for the Lakeland Trails 2007 series opened a few weeks ago, and over 200 entries have already been received. The events are all expected to sell out again well ahead of schedule, and the organisers are encouraging people to enter well in advance to avoid disappointment.

All the Lakeland Trails follow a similar format - a "Challenge" for faster walkers and less competitive runners sets off first, then a "Nordic Walking Challenge" for the dedicated Nordic walker. The "Trail Race" for competitive runners sets off an hour or more later.

More information, including slide shows of the courses and online entry can be found on the website www.trailrunning.co.uk

29 November 2006 :Blood needed !

DESCENDANTS of the Border Reivers are being asked to donate blood samples to help an innovative new research project.
Newcastle University is calling on people with surnames like Armstrong, Fenwick, Burn or Robson to take part in the groundbreaking project, which aims to find out if people’s family surname can signals their genetic makeup.
Potential volunteers are being asked to attend the Northumberland and Border History Fair in Hexham on December 2 to donate blood.
The event will take place between 10am and 4pm at the Wentworth Leisure Centre.
Some of the early findings will be shown on a Channel 4 television show about the People of the British Isles project, which will be aired in the New Year.
For more information contact Dr Alix Groom on 0191 241 8837 or alix.groom@ncl.ac.uk.

23 November 2006 : Parish Boundaries discussed

It’s nearly five years since we started campaigning for Wasdale’s Parish Boundaries to be moved outwards so that the whole of the valley is included within the Parish.  At the moment Wasdale Head Hall Farm is in Eskdale Parish, which doesn’t make a lot of sense; and Easthwaite Farm and other properties south of the River Irt are in Irton-with-Santon Parish.  David Killick, our Parish Clerk, has been pestering the Powers That Be to make changes, and he has received a letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government saying “the likely date for the implementation of any order in this case is 1^st April 2008”!

22 November 2006: Worlds Biggest liar won by a Celebraty !

TV and radio star Sue Perkins has been named World's Biggest Liar in the annual fibbing championship.
Sue won the hundred-year-old contest in Wasdale after telling an unlikely tale of sheep in the valley 'breaking wind' and causing a hole in the ozone layer.
The judges - who included Copeland mayor Willis Metherell - unusually awarded the title to a woman. And a woman who lives outside the county.
But although there were one or two voices of dissent from the 200-strong crowd at The Bridge Inn, most applauded the choice recognising Sue had done her homework and kept true to the spirit of the competition.

21 November 2006 : CARRY on feeding the birds — that’s official.
Copeland Council has backed down over its threat to take people to court if they continued to feed the bird life on Whitehaven harbour.
A council spokesman said yesterday there would be no ban and that if harbour users wished to continue feeding birds they could do so without any risk of being fined.
The council had planned to introduce the ban under a new neighbourhood environment act designed to keep public places clean and tidy.

21 November 2006: Low Newton bypass road works change

Work on the £35.3m High and Low Newton bypass has entered a new phase, as work has began on a bridge to carry the new road over Cartmel Lane.

Work on the £35.3m High and Low Newton bypass has entered a new phase, as work has began on a bridge to carry the new road over Cartmel Lane.

Part of the new Cartmel Lane junction with the A590 at Low Newton is now complete and all traffic will use this during the new phase, which will last for six months.
The High and Low Newton bypass will take 90% of traffic out of the villages and restore them to their traditional Lakeland setting, reducing noise, dust and fumes.

20 November 2006 : Another MRT incident

Another walker has fallen from Striding Edge on Helvellyn.

The 25 year old Ukranian, who is a student at Lancaster University , is recovering in hospital after falling 200ft in the snow from the notorious ridge.
After being examined by a Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team doctor, he was taken to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle with a head injury.
Striding Edge is regarded as one of the Lake District ’s most hazardous ridges

20 November 2006: Cumbria votes for World Heritage site

Cumbria County Council has voted to back a bid to make the Lake District a World Heritage Site.

Members voted 42 to 25 in favour of pursuing a bid for the area to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If the bid is successful the Lake District will joining the Taj Mahal, Hadrian’s Wall and the Great Barrier Reef , as one of almost 800 World Heritage Sites.

The county council’s backing is very significant because it is the largest democratically elected body in the county – without its support any bid would certainly fail.

20 November 2006: Speed week a success and a local councillor breaks the record !

The youngest councillor on Cumbria County Council has entered the record books at the controls of a powerboat on Coniston Water.

40 year old Ted Walsh, who is a Conservative representative for Cartmel, achieved a new national and world record with an average speed of 138mph.
Mr Walsh is a leading official of the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Boat.

20 November 2006: New university plans

Plans are underway on the proposed development of the St Martin ’s College Ambleside Campus in preparation for the new university.

At a recent meeting, the Ambleside Campus Community Liason Group heard from the College’s estate consultants Aims Ltd, on the proposed developments.

Aims Ltd has been contracted to deliver a 10 year estates strategy for the University for Cumbria looking at how they can develop certain parts of Ambleside property as well as taking a view on the viability of other parts

10 November 2006 : Eskdale School Needs your help

WE NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE.

PLEASE WATCH ITV BORDER NEWS ON MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER AT 6PM AND RING AND VOTE FOR OUR PEOPLE’S MILLIONS BID.

THE NUMBER TO CALL WIL BE BROADCAST ON THAT BULLETIN AND WILL BE IN THE DAILY MIRROR NEWSPAPER THAT DAY AND ON THE PEOPLE’S MILLIONS WEBSITE.

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/peoplesmillions.

WE CANNOT WIN AND MAKE OUR SCHOOL BETTER FOR THE CHILDREN WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

PLEASE HELP US.

FOR MORE DETAILS RING; 019467 23259

10 November 2006 : Wasdale Head National Trust gets the power !

Great News for Campervanners! Electricity arrives at Wasdale.

Wasdale Campsite boasts new pitches with electric hook ups and lake views!

At the end of a hard day's slog on England's highest fells, trudging through angel white snow, descending into the remote and spectacular valley of Wasdale - a wonderful luxury awaits campervanners at the National Trust's Wasdale Campsite - electric hook ups!

The beautifully located site at the northern end of Wastwater, Cumbria can now offer six pitches with hard standing and electric hook up - four of which boast a stunning view of Wastwater. The pitches are suitable for campervans and small motorhomes . Unlike the 'tenting' pitches which are occupied on a first come, first served basis, the hard standings are now bookable in advance.

Wasdale Campsite is situated in a remote location and is ideal as a base for walking England's highest mountains. Large motorhomes are not recommended at Wasdale due to the nature of the narrow twisty lanes which have to be negotiated.

Campers and outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the friendly 'no frills' nature of the campsite which offers well-maintained facilities. The on-site shop, although small, sells a good selection of provisions including some mouth- watering locally produced meat from nearby Wasdale Hall Farm whilst the renowned Wasdale Head Inn is a short walk away for those who prefer some pub grub. It should be noted however that during the winter months, the shop is open during the weekends only.

Jo Haughton, Marketing Assistant at The National Trust explained 'In the past the site has accepted campervans without making special provision for them. By providing these new pitches, we are able to offer more choice to campervanners and improve the quality of their camping experience'

Wasdale Campsite is open all year round, so winter mountaineers may well appreciate the luxury of a pitch with electric hook up. To book one of these pitches, you can call the Campsite Warden on 019467 26220 or email  wasdale.campsite@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Wasdale Campsite operates a quiet site policy and there are restrictions on numbers. For more information, visit www.ntlakescampsites.org.uk

For more Information: Contact Jo Haughton, The National Trust, The Hollens, Grasmere, LA22 9QZ

Tel 015394 63831

Email jo.haughton@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.ntlakescampsites.org.uk

10 November 2006: Your thoughts required

Hi

Should Cumbria have one Council?

I wonder if you can help out with the latest survey for the Regenerate Cumbria website please, it’s to see what people think of the proposal to have a single council for Cumbria instead of the six different District Councils and the one County Council that we have now.  The survey is really short and can be accessed via the “Hot Issues & News” page of the Regenerate Cumbria website.  The link to the page is http://www.regeneratecumbria.co.uk/hot-issues.html

Also please feel free to use and forward the link onto your contacts and colleagues.  This is the first survey to tackle this potentially hot issue and by kicking this off now we can have the results gathered in time for people’s views to be published professionally and aired before the consultation deadlines kick-in.

There is also a survey for businesses on the website should you wish to share your thoughts on the kind of support you would like to see in place for Cumbria’s businesses.

Thanks for your help, your time is appreciated and any feedback that you want to give about the survey or the site itself will be gratefully received.

Best Regards

Tom Bell

09 November 2006: WasdaleWeb Ltd recovers from disaster and relaunches the WasdaleWeb

Well after a period of inactivity caused by a major systems crash and destruction of Data, we are finally back up to full steam and today can announce that not only have we crashed through the two million visitor mark, but we have today relaunched the Wasdaleweb site with further LakelandWeb sites to follow soon. Watch this space !

09 November 2006: Local DVD Company announces new titles

Made in Cumbria firm and member of the WasdaleWeb 214fells ltd have announced a further two DVD titles and 2 more CD-Roms to there rapidly expanding catalogue. Recently voted as best new website by the ATRAS association of web designers 214fells designs and sells DVDs online and in local shops

Stuck for a Christmas present then why not visit www.214fells.com

09 November 2006 :Learn how to stay safe in the fells

MOUNTAINEERS can learn how to stay safe in the hills this winter at a special talk by climbing experts.

The talk, to be given by experienced mountain guides Martin Moran and Mike Turner, is part of the British Mountaineering Council's winter essentials lecture series and takes place at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal on November 13.

The lecture aims to help walkers be aware of the skills needed to operate safely in winter conditions and covers topics such as clothing, navigation and avalanche awareness.

09 November 2006 : Footpaths upgraded

Four Footpaths have been upgraded to bridleways in the Lake District thanks to a partnership working between the National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority.

The routes, on National Trust land, are mainly in the south of the park with the exception of one near Buttermere and will give greater choice of routes to walkers, equestrians and cyclists.

Many of the routes will take people away from narrow roads used by vehicles as well as offering spectacular views of the Lakes District Fells.

A map detailing the new routes will soon be available at www.lake-district.gov.uk.

08 November 2006: LDNP Improves

The Lake District National Park Authority is improving and changing its management and public image at an almost unprecedented rate according to a new independent report.

18months after an initial report branded the LDNPA a poorly led organization with passive relationships, a team of local government experts, say that many of the previous areas of weakness have now become strengths- particularly in the area of vision for the National Park.

There was also no evidence of the previous lack of trust between members and senior management and the investigation team discovered an environment of ‘mutual respect and support.

08 November 2006: Railway Boost

Cumbria’s economy could receive a boost thanks to a disused railway line linking Tebay and Kirkby Lonsdale.

Plans to transform it into a 40 mile cycleway get financial backing then the staff at Sedbergh Tourisms Office believe people would flock from all over Europe to travel the scenic route. 

During the past decade the Wooden Spoon Great Lakeland Challenge has generated well over £1m, that is helping to make a huge difference to the lives of the disadvantaged children and young adults up and down the country.

08 November 2006: Wooden spoon announce dates

The 11^th Annual Great Lakeland Challenge take place in the Lake District on Friday May 18^th 2007 and the organisers are already on the lookout for people who are ready to tackle England ’s longest, steepest and highest outdoor charity event.If you and your friends, family or work colleagues want to join in the fun next may, then call the wooden spoon challenge office on 01889 582889 or visit the website www.woodenspoon.com

08 November 2006: Grizedale face lift announced

The Visitors Centre at Grizedale Forest Park is to get a £5million makeover.

Funded through UK and European grants, the work will see a revamped visitor’s centre and improved facilities for businesses based in the forest.
More than 200 jobs which the forest supports will be safeguarded, and eventually new jobs will be created.
The funding will improve the experience for the visitors to the forest and provide a legacy that local people can be proud of.

05 October 2007: More people need to get into the outdoors

Cumbria’s Countryside Access board has told DEFRA that more thought is needed to get more people into the great outdoors.

Cumbria County Council together with Cumbria Local Access Forum has responded to a consultation with DEFRA saying that issues such as rural transport and school trips to the outdoors have not been properly thought through.
The comments are in response to the governments draft ten year plan aimed at increasing the opportunities for under represented groups to participate in countryside access.
Being able to use accessible rural transport is vital to many of these groups reaching their countryside destination in the first place.

05 October 2007: 4x4 Bans come into force in the Lakes

New powers preventing motor vehicles using footpaths and bridleways across the Lake District National Park, have come into force.The regulations are particularly aimed at 4x4 off roaders and motorbikes using paths.
The council for national parks said the public should now be able to enjoy the ‘peace and quiet’ of parks.

05 October 2007: Wear Yellow and help the air ambulance

People in the South Lakes are being asked to wear yellow on Friday October 13th in support of the region’s air medical emergency service.

The North West Air Ambulance helicopter Katie, which helps with hundreds of accidents each year, is yellow.
The NWAA is encouraging people to dress in the colour and donate £1 for yellow balloon races being held at schools.
The need for donations for Air Ambulance’s was highlighted last week, when Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was in a serious crash at an airfield in Yorkshire and was airlifted to hospital.

05 October 2007: Marrtime festival saved by Stobart

WHITEHAVEN international Maritime Festival has been saved by a massive private investment from Eddie Stobart.
At a special announcement at Carlisle Airport at 11am the Festival’s board of directors said that the company had come to the rescue with an £80,000 funding package.
This together with the sponsorship already secured means that the 2007 Festival will go ahead.
Andrew Tinkler, chairman of WA Developments International, the parent company of Eddie Stobart, said: “The international Festival is a great event for Cumbria and we are very pleased to be able to help out financially.”
He added: “We do quite a lot for the community already. When you have businesses in Cumbria it’s good to give something back.
“I have been to the Festival before and know it’s always a great event and it would be a shame to lose it.
“Brian Watson, chairman of the Maritime Festival said the board of directors were “all terribly relieved” by today’s announcement.
He said that it had been definitely ‘touch and go’ and the future of the Maritime Festival had been in real doubt.
He said: “We were just financially short and it would have been very, very difficult to proceed. We could not have proceeded with an event that was not funded.”
Planning for the event which will take place on June 15, 16 and 17 next year (Fri-Sun) will now continue.
Andrew Lennie of Worldwide Events said the Maritime Festival is its flagship event “It is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK and I don’t think people realise the sheer size of the event compared to others in the UK.
“It will be bigger and better in every way with more people and more attractions.”
Mr Watson added: “The Maritime Festival Company has a big role to play in the Cumbrian tourist industry and we in turn recognise the value to that industry of WA Developments International’s proposal for Carlisle Airport.
“They have our full support for their plans and we hope that support will increase.”

05 October 2007: Marra the Dolphin injured

MARRA the dolphin has been injured by a boat propeller for the second time.
Experts are urging people to keep away from the animal before he suffers a fatal accident.
Volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called out to reports that Marra had been injured at the weekend.
Vet Vicky Temple, from the Millcroft surgery in Maryport, was called in to examine Marra on Saturday night and Jenny Watkins, Cumbria co-ordinator of the BDMLR, was involved in the examination. She said: “We examined Marra and found some cuts which were probably from a collision with a propeller.
“Vicky discussed the injuries with our specialist vet, James Barnett and decided to leave the wound to heal naturally.”
Marra, who was first spotted off Maryport last year, was already being monitored for an injury she received from a boat propeller during the summer, with the final examination carried out two weeks ago.
Vets found the wound was healing well and that no further treatment was required.
Ms Watkins and other members of BDMLR now fear that it is only a matter of time before Marra sustains a fatal injury due to the increasing contact she is making with humans.
She said: “We are concerned that when people interact with the dolphin she enjoys it so much she comes closer to people, boats and shallow water.
“By all means look at the dolphin and enjoy her but interaction puts her in danger. If she has another serious accident it could be a bad outcome.”
Marra can regularly be found hanging around local boats and recently spent some time following the Workington inshore lifeboat, but a recent close encounter

22 September 2006: Tallest Wind Turbines in Cumbria go up

Cumbria's tallest wind turbines are due to be erected today. They're at the Eastman factory in Siddick, near Workington.  The two turbines will stand more than a hundred metres high and will be twice the height of the existing turbines used at Siddick and Oldside windfarms. They'll supply about a third of the energy needs of the factory.

22 September 2006: FRED arrives in Cumbria

AT this year's FRED outdoor art festival in Cumbria, people will have the chance to see some really tasty art, go in search of the fairies and help some lost souvenirs make their way home.

The artists taking part in Europe's biggest outdoor art festival are making their final preparations for this year's event, which will take place in Cumbria from September 30 to October 15.
In total the festival will feature 35 projects at sites stretching from Carlisle in the north to Morecambe Bay in the south and from Whitehaven in the west to the Pennines in the east.
Artist Sally Barker will be exhibiting Roast Lamb Over Wastwater, recreating one of the most famous Lakeland scenes using Herdwick lamb sourced from the valley
The images will be seen during FRED on the back of Mountain Goat buses, which take tourists to see some of the highlights of the Lake District including Wastwater itself, England's deepest lake.
Artist and Festival director Steve Messam, from Kirkby Stephen-based arts organisation, Fold, is also taking part in this year's event.
Millions of people visit the Lake District every year, following signs in search of tourist attractions and other places of interest.
At Low Sizergh Barn Farm, Steve will be inviting people to go in search of the fairies. About half way along a two-mile walk visitors will come across a series of road signs and information boards marking a fairy nature reserve on the edge of the farm.
Other projects include a giant wild boar on the side of a fell, a huge field of fluorescent tubes and an installation made up of 686 toy windmills.
Full details of all the projects are available on the FRED website: www.fredsblog.com.

22 September 2006: Cumbrian History goes online

Cumbria Local History Federation founding chairman Jill Wishart, of Cumwhinton, highlighted developments, including their new website at www.cumbrialocalhistory.org.uk (link below)at their annual meeting.

Jill, who had been Chair for much of the time since the Federation's birth in 1992, noted the growth of the Federation to include over fifty local history and heritage societies representing thousands of individuals in Cumbria.

She recognised the enhanced publications and activities that had been achieved and were anticipated.

She also welcomed the election of new Chairman Richard Brockington. A keen and experienced local historian, he pledged the Federation would be led by the interests and needs of its members and would work with other organisations to promote local history and heritage studies in Cumbria.

22 September 2006: Emergency communications boost on Hardknott

LAKE District National Park planners have given the go ahead for more antennae to be mounted on a radio mast on Hardknott Pass, which will boost phone communications for emergency services in the area.

O2 applied to install two antennae on the existing radio mast in Birks Ridge Forest on Hardknott Pass.

The 11 metre high mast lies in a remote upland location on the lower slopes of Harter Fell just within the eastern edge of a plantation.

22 September 2006: Maritime festival future in doubt

NEXT Thursday is D-Day for the 2007 Whitehaven International Maritime Festival.
The organisers have decided that, unless fresh support is found urgently, the present risk of an £80,000 shortfall means they would have to make the catastrophic decision to cancel the festival.
Chief executive Gerard Richardson is dreading “potentially the saddest day of my life” in seven days’ time when his group of eight volunteer directors face pulling the plug on the event.
Despite pledges of £50,000 apiece from British Nuclear Group and Copeland Council, plus £25,000 from Cumbria County Council, the costs of running and underwriting a festival likely to attract a quarter of a million visitors mean there is still a potential £80,000 hole in the accounts.
An Extraordinary Board Meeting will be held next Thursday, September 28, at which any representations from past or future funders will be considered before a final decision is made.

22 September 206: Oops , car gets stuck at St. Bees

A COUPLE of water-skiers hadn’t allowed for the fast incoming tide that swamped their 4 x 4 vehicle on the sands at St Bees on Friday.
Though the seafront was packed with people enjoying the good weather only two or three men rolled up their trousers and waded in to try and help.
Eventually a farmer with a tractor was summoned and the ruined vehicle, towing a speedboat, was slowly hauled up the slipway to safety.
One onlooker said: “The car was swamped right up to the bonnet and the engine would have been ruined.
“They had probably took it out too far on to the sands. A big wave swamped the speedboat tipping its front end up.
“A Copeland environmental lady tried to help with her white van but the rope – which was one the lads had been using for waterskiing – just kept snapping, the load was too heavy.’’
It is thought the two water sportsmen were in their 20s and from the Allonby/Silloth area.
The incident occurred around 3pm and it was two hours later before the 4 x 4 and speedboat were dragged ashore.

22 September 2006: Ospreys leave Cumbria

The Five Ospreys that nest near Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve, have left Cumbria for their wintering grounds in Africa .

A pair of adult ospreys has nested in the Lake District every year since 2001, and this summer they raised three chicks for the first time.
This season has been another success by the Lake District Osprey Project Team- a partnership between the Forestry Commission and the RSBP, as more than 91,000 people have visited the osprey viewpoints near Keswick, while many more have followed the progress of the family online.
This years Osprey diary and images from the nest can be viewed at www.ospreywatch.co.uk

22 September 2006: WMRT hits out at three peakers

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has hit out at walkers ‘draining its resources’ after being called out 5 times last weekend to rescue groups attempting the Three Peaks Challenge.

Their criticisms have been backed by The Institute of Fundraising who say it is vital that people taking on mountain challenges for charity are fully prepared.
Walkers are compromising the teams ability to fully respond to serious incidents, said a spokesman for the team

08 September 2006: Wasdale Mountain Rescue draw national attention to the growing three peak event problems after 6 rescues in 3 days

Wasdale MRT had a hectic weekend last weekend (I should know I’m a member!), Over the course of Friday night, Saturday and Sunday we were called out 6 times. A mixture of Bad weather and unprepared groups meant that a steady stream of Mobile phone instigated call outs kept coming in.

Advice then remains the same, if you must do the challenge, do it over 3 days not 24 hours, prepare and train for the event, and learn to navigate in the worse conditions. Scafell Pike in the middle of the night is no place to learn to read a map and compass, and straying off the path can change a fun charity walk into a difficulty and potentially fatal nightmare.

Mountain rescue in the UK is a charity based volunteer institution and many of the people taking part in the 3 peak events don’t seem to realize this. Rather than relying on a grounding of good and practiced core mountaineering skills it is all to easy to pick up a mobile phone and ask for help when they find themselves in situations they could easily have avoided or got themselves out of with a little bit of preparation.

Over last weekend the 38 members of the Wasdale MRT didn’t manage a descent night’s sleep or leisurely weekend, climbing Scafell Pike 3 times each in the search for lost eventers. Of course Mountain rescue is offered willingly and freely, but it would help if the less prepared of the eventers thought about this charity before trying to raise money for another in this manner. It’s no good raising a thousand pounds for one good call if in doing so you have to mobilize the MRT which is also a charity funded organization. It costs us 15,000 just to stand still for one year, without replacing goods and equipment, if you factored all the costs involved in just one rescue the price would be in the thousands for each call out.

The weekend looks set to be a good one and we are all looking forward to a more relaxing time than last weeks.

08 September 2006: Griff Rhys Jones spends the week filming in Wasdale

Actor Griff Rhys Jones left the Wasdale Head Inn yesterday after spending the week filming for his new TV series. The famous actor has been spending time in the mountain areas of the UK, and enjoyed the delights of Scafell in Wasdale as well as being guided up the dangerous Broad Stand.

The actor was tracing the antics of Coleridge who is believed to have been the first person to use Broad Stand on Scafell as a descent route. Members of the Wasdale MRT along with other professional guides helped the actor ascend and then descend via an abseil.

The program is set to be released early next year.

August 31 2006: Mountain Rescue start a publicity campaign

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue association have launched a campaign today to make people aware of the organisations.

Highest number of Mountain Rescue Fatalities on record in the Lakes – How can we halt this trend?

The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA) has taken the unusual step of running a poster campaign throughout Cumbria to raise the public awareness of mountain rescue….what mountain rescue is and what it isn’t. 

• Do you know how many teams there are within Cumbria serving their communities?   
• Did you know that the 450 team members within those 12 teams covering the Lake District are all fully trained but unpaid volunteers?
• Did you know that it costs between £30,000 and £50,000 each year to cover the cost of running a single team?  Collecting boxes are your way of keeping the service going and improving it.
• Did you know that team members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and most have full time jobs?
• Did you know that we are all quite happy to be purely volunteers and on call?
• Did you know that this year 57% of all calls were made via mobile phones?  In many cases we struggle to get back to the informant as they move from their location or switch it off?

Even today, many people who walk the fells on a regular basis still believe that mountain rescue is a fully paid, full-time professional service funded by taxpayers.

In addition to the public’s limited understanding about what mountain rescue is and isn’t, or how they should call out a mountain rescue team, we are also concerned over the growing number of incidents and particularly fatalities.  The poster campaign is a response to this and also to concerns within the mountain rescue community over the numbers of agencies that are becoming more and more involved in mountain rescue.  This could be either as a support role i.e. Air Ambulance in preference to road ambulances; or the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) taking over co-ordination of rescues on the four public access lakes; or the Fire and Rescue Service with swift water rescue and cliff rescue on the horizon. 

With so many different organisations in the frame, the public can be forgiven for being confused as to who to call in the event of an off-road incident.  In addition to all this confusion there are the extra demands being made on funding with different groups trying to meet their own particular funding needs. 

How do we plan to increase public awareness and what will you see that is different?  There will be posters located in every single outdoor shop, outdoor centre, hotel and community centre throughout the region.  Also when you buy an item in a shop there could be a small credit sized card placed in the bag along with your purchase.  This card will advise you on exactly what to do in the event of needing the mountain rescue service.  This will hopefully lead to fewer delays in getting the correct emergency resource and equipment to you.  This is especially important in life threatening circumstances where the team needs to get to you within that golden hour.   If the team needs a helicopter then they will ensure you get the correct type of helicopter for the job.

The following accident statistics for 2005 in the Lake District have shown some worrying trends and LDSAMRA would like to reverse this trend.

Of the 395 incidents attended by the Lakes’ Teams in 2005, 19 fatalities were reported in mountain related activities, the highest figure on record. 10 were reported as 'collapsed' with medical problem, mainly heart related.  It is interesting to note that in only two cases did companions attempt CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). This must surely act as a wake-up call to hill users to learn basic life support; it is no use saying 'it will never happen to me'.  Major trauma claimed 6 victims. Two rock-climbing deaths resulted from leader falls, one caused by a large rock fall on a popular crag. Both of these incidents occurred within eight days! The other four deaths resulted from falls on steep, rocky ground while hill walking.  These occurred toward the end of the day, consistent with other accidents reported when people are becoming tired.  This must be taken as a sign to improve people awareness that fitness levels are important in safe movement on difficult ground.

If you would like to know more about this voluntary service provided to your community, then it is worth paying a visit to the regional website which has links to all your local teams www.ldsamra.org.uk/ .  There you find virtually anything you need to know about mountain rescue.  Thank you for your support in the past and hopefully, your continuing support for the future.

This publicity campaign is being supported by the Cumbria Tourist Board and HSBC in the Community. We are extremely grateful to HSBC who have fully supported the project as part of their commitment to supporting the community.

John Dempster MBE

Chairman LDSAMRA

YOU CANHELP SUPPORT WASDALE MRT BY CLICKING THE DONATION BUTTON TO THE RIGHT

August 31 2006: Book launched with a signing on the summit of Scafell Pike !

THE GREAT CAT EXPEDITION DEPARTS AGAIN WITH BOOK REPRINT.

ABOUT THE BOOK

With the increasing popularity of mountaineering novels we are proud to announce the forthcoming reprint of Scratch & Co. The Great Cat Expedition written by Molly Lefebure.

This unique and intriguing account of the first ascent of the H.K.P., the Highest Known Peak in the Kingdom of Catland, originally published in 1968 with illustrations by the well-known Lakeland guide book author and topographer, A. Wainwright, is seriously in the tradition of classic mountaineering stories and over the years since its first appearance it has built-up an enthusiastic readership amongst the mountaineering fraternity.

Mountaineering club members, dedicated fell walkers, Wainwright fans and Lakeland devotees of all ages and persuasions have followed the adventures of Scratch and his fellow climbing-cats, his high-altitude terrier sherpas, his twitchy low-level rabbit porters and his free spirited adversaries, the foxes, emerging from their borrans amongst the crags to waylay these expeditionary-offcomers. Such are the colourful and keenly observed characters, making this book witty and gripping reading; not to mention Manx Scoop and Whiskey Bylines, ace reporters for the Cat Times and Cat’s Courier and Manx Scoop’s fighting mad mongoose ever keen to sink his teeth into anything that vaguely resembled a snake.

When Molly asked her old pen-friend A. Wainwright to illustrate Scratch and Co. he was all enthusiasm until he met the mongoose, “The cats I can draw with my eyes shut. But a mongoose? I’ve never as much glimpsed one!” he said. Fortunately a stuffed mongoose was discovered in Kendal Museum, where he worked as Curator. When reporting the good news A.W. confirmed “I’ve spent a couple of days with the little chap and I think I’ve got him!”

The Great Cat Expedition was ready to start. Readers have been joining it ever since.

On sale from 2 September 2006

Scratch & Co. The Great Cat Expedition

- Molly Lefebure & A. Wainwright.

New Edition.

ISBN 09547213-1-4

Hardback - 160 pages.

17 line illustrations.

£11.99

-------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Molly Lefebure is author of books in various fields. Starting with her experiences as Medical Secretary to Keith Simpson, the famous Home Office Pathologist, she followed this with a biography of John George Haigh the acid bath murderer, after which came books on the Lake District, two more novels and writing for radio and television. She is also author of acclaimed biographical studies of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Thomas Hardy. She is at present finishing her third Coleridge study Private Lives of the Ancient Mariner.

-------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE LAUNCH

BRITAIN’S HIGHEST BOOK LAUNCH

Not just another book launch…..this one’s on top of a mountain!

No doubt considered as the most unlikely location for a book launch, the roof of England is, however, the obvious choice for this mountaineering novel. Scafell Pike (3210ft / 978m), better known in Scratch & Co. as the H.K.P., has been host to many strange ceremonies over the years. This event will add to the mountain’s list of credentials and will be a complete contrast to those booklovers used to launches in stuffy, overcrowded rooms. This will quickly become apparent as the walk from the car to the event will be a little further than usual, but the fact that complimentary red and white wine and a cheeseboard are on offer is a good enough reason for anyone to join in.

The event is set to be Britain’s highest ever book launch, so a fair level of fitness will be required to reach the summit. Clothing and footwear should also be suitable for the weather and terrain, so unfortunately the white stilettos and brown brogues must be left at home.

All are welcome, see you on top!

Copies will be available on the summit.

Scafell Pike Summit Cairn

9th September 2006

13.00hrs-15.00hrs

August 30 2006: The WasdaleWeb gets an RSS Feed.

RSS or (Really Simple Syndication) is a method of receiving constantly updated links to your chosen websites. Once you have set up a connection to a website you will receive a list of all the stories currently shown on a certain page or section of that site.

How can I receive RSS feeds?

There are several ways of receiving RSS feeds, but the technology is moving forwards and adapting very quickly. The main method is to download a program called a 'News Reader'. You can then set up this program to receive RSS information from whatever websites you wish that offer it, and browse headlines and story summaries that link through to the full story on the website.

There are several News Reader programs available for all platforms, many of which are free. See a list here.

Alternatively, some newer web browsers offer similar functionality already built-in which will detect whether the website you are viewing offers an RSS feed and will then let you create a constantly-updated list of links in your 'bookmarks' menu.

The Firefox browser (Windows, Mac OSX, Linux) will let you do this, and will alert you to an RSS-enabled page by displaying an icon in the bottom-right corner of the window . Apple's Safari browser (Mac OSX only) offers an even fuller service, and other browsers will probably follow

July 31 2006: Local History event

WASDALE FESTIVAL

of

LOCAL HISTORY

Saturday and Sunday

26 th/27th August 2006

10.30 a.m. - 4.30p.m.

in

Nether Wasdale Church and

Old School Room

Refreshments served all day

Saturday 26th August

2p.m. Walk with Jack Wakefield

7.3.0 p.m. Talk on ”The Tysons of Nether Wasdale" by Norma Hughes

WASDALE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

Wasdale Festival of Local History

The Local History Group is planning the first Wasdale Festival of Local History on Saturday and Sunday 26^th and 27^th August 2006 which will comprise an exhibition, and on the Saturday only a walk led by Jack Wakefield and a talk on the Tyson family by Norma Hughes.  Refreshments will be served on both days. The Festival will take place in St Michael and All Angels Church and the Old School Room in Nether Wasdale, see the programme below.

This is a Festival of History of both Wasdale Head and Nether Wasdale parishes.  The exhibition will include photographs, recordings, news cuttings, postcards, books and a small display of household items and farming or occupational tools. 

Help is needed from local people to provide interesting old photographs, documents, books and household/occupational items or tools.  If you have any of these which you are willing to loan us for the weekend please contact either Norma Hughes on 25366 or Joyce Hughes on 26076.  In addition we would welcome any help on the weekend to provide cakes, biscuits and/or serve refreshments to visitors for an hour or two on either day and to talk to the visitors about our interesting valley, offers please to Norma or Joyce. 

We do hope that you will spread the word about this festival so that we attract many visitors to the valley that weekend and please come along and support us yourself.  You may be surprised at what you learn about the history of our valley.

Programme:

Saturday and Sunday 26^th and 27^th August 2006

10.30 am to 4.30 pm

Exhibition of Photographs, news cuttings, postcards, books, etc.

at Nether Wasdale Church and Old School Room

Refreshments served in Old School Room

Saturday 26^th August

2 pm Walk with Jack Wakefield meet by the Maypole on Nether Wasdale Village Green

7.30 pm Talk on ‘The Tysons of Wasdale’ by Norma Hughes in the Old School Room

27 July 2006: GosforthWeb launcehd by LakelanWebs

The latest edition to the Lakelandwebs went live in testing today in the form of the GosfrothWeb. We have long had gosforth business as part of the WasdaleWeb as they work very well with visitors to the area, however, it has become time to give them their own site as well , which has now arrived.

to take a peak go to www.gosforthweb.co.uk

27 July 2006: National Trust Welcome the volunteers

This summer, the Lake District is getting ready to welcome hundreds of volunteers who will undertake various conservation tasks for the National Trust.

They offer a wide range of holidays aimed at individuals to become part of a team, where they will learn a variety of rural skills and get involved with various conservation projects around the county.
One of the trusts working base camps is High Wray in Ambleside, who are preparing to welcome the Youth Service, CSV Millenium Volunteers and environmental studies students.

27 July 2006: Learn to be a fool at Muncaster

Next month children in the area are being given the chance to take part in a fool school for junior jesters at Muncaster Castle .

Six places are on offer at the summer school which takes place on Saturday 26^th August.
Youngsters will be taught some of the tricks of the trade by Muncaster’s very own fool Maynard Flip Flap

25 July 2006: The Ospreys fly !

The three osprey chicks hatched this year in the famous nest near Bassenthwaite Lake have successfully taken their first flights.

The chicks, believed to be a female and two males, decided to take the plunge over the weekend. It’s the first time that three chicks have fledged from the nest.
The adult ospreys and their chicks have become a star tourist attraction in Cumbria , and tens of thousands of people have visited the two public viewing sites run by The Lake District Osprey Project.

24 July 2006: Red squirrels battle on

The battle to protect the county’s red squirrels from a contagious virus, is being won say wildlife experts.

More than 200 grey squirrels, who carry a virus harmless to them but deadly to their red counterparts, have been humanely destroyed in five years.
Rangers from the Lake District National Park say they are confident that the measures are having an effect.

24 July 2006: Authority warns to be carefull in heat wave

The North West Ambulance Service received 152 emergency calls on Tuesday compared to average calls of 101 last week.

The increase of emergency calls is said to be linked to the rise in temperature.
Cases of people reporting breathing difficulties, falls, excessive exposure to sunshine and unconsciousness all up.
The Ambulance Service highlights the need to be extra careful in the hot weather and to drink plenty of water, cover up and use a high factor sunscreen.

24 July 2006: Heat wave leads to risk of fires

The current heat wave spreading across the countryside poses serious fire risks to farmers.

The record heat makes heavy machinery, crops and personal safety at high risk of being in danger.
The public is also urged to take extra safety measures as the temperatures bring danger to grass, hedgerows and open countryside.
Rural insurer NFU Mutual is warning farmers of the cost linked to the loss of heavy machinery.
Farmers are being told to carry a couple of gallons of water to cool down engines in the soaring heat and to spray vulnerable crops with water to reduce the risk of fire.