Sedbergh Family Festive Evening and Late Night Opening, Wednesday 13^th December
  The Annual Sedbergh Family Festive Evening, organised by Sedbergh & District Chamber of Trade, will take place on Main Street on Wednesday 13^th December this year.  This is one week later than usual, because Main Street is due to be dug up for gas mains replacement for about 5 weeks from the beginning of November.  If this work were to be still in progress at the time of Late Night Opening, then it could severely affect the event. Consequently, the Committee decided that it would be best to defer Late Night Opening to the following week, in the hope that the contractors' work will be complete by then and we can re-claim Main Street for Sedbergh's Christmas celebrations. We all sincerely hope that the contractors will adhere to the agreed timetable!
  As in the last two years, the event this year will include the official switching-on of Christmas lights on Main Street by a guest celebrity at 6.30 pm, when Santa will pass though Sedbergh on his motorised sleigh-mobile, en-route to his grotto in the Bull Hotel car park.
  A high point of the evening for children is the opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto. To help avoid the need for parents and children to stand in a long queue in The Bull car park waiting for their turn to see Santa, we will be repeating the scheme that was introduced last year. Numbered tickets to see Santa will be on sale (at a token price of £1 per child) from the beginning of December at the Tourist Information Office. They will be available also at the grotto on the night. Santa will then be pleased to see children in the numerical order of their tickets and the current ticket number will be displayed conspicuously outside the grotto (and hopefully relayed to a board on Main Street!), so that only minimal queuing will be necessary. This will give parents and children more time to enjoy the seasonal events and musical entertainment on Main Street. All children will receive a small gift from Santa.
  As in previous years, shops on Main Street and adjacent streets will remain open throughout the evening to sell their usual goods and to offer seasonal hospitality to their customers.  This year's community competition will be a "Find-the-Christmas word" challenge with a super prize. There will also be the usual Grand Raffle with generous prizes provided by Sedbergh traders. Nearby local traders will have stalls on Main Street to sell seasonal goods.
  With mulled wine, roast chestnuts and other seasonal fare available in abundance, this promises to be a great evening for all and we hope that all the good folk of Sedbergh and surrounding areas will come and join in the fun and festivities.
  The Family Festive evening/Late Night Opening on Wednesday 13^th December will be preceded by the Town Band Christmas Concert on Friday 8^th December in the People's Hall (with more mulled wine and mince pies!). Together with the switching-on of Christmas lights on Main Street, these events will provide a fine start to the Christmas season in Sedbergh. Please mark the dates on your calendar or in your diary and look out for further information in the December issue of Lookaround. Ernie Hailwood

  I imagine few of us were surprised that the Health Trust has decided to press on with its service reductions at Westmorland General Hospital.  The so-called consultation documents were obviously written with one outcome in mind.  I heard the whole process in South Cumbria described on national radio as a text book example of a bogus consultation exercise and I doubt if they are many who would disagree.  The misuse of statistics - 42 minutes response time etc brought particular discredit on the Health Trust.  At the moment national government is standing firm, they are adamant there will be no new money.  However I have a feeling that the financial targets might well be relaxed a little as time goes on.  In the meantime we must continue to press for full use to be made of all the facilities at Westmorland General.
  One important function of South Lakeland is Licensing and I was pleased to become a member of the committee for the first time this year.  When I wasn't on it I found it difficult to give full advice to those seeking licences.  I have long thought that full licensing training should be offered to all councillors.  Last year, because of the new Licensing Act there were meetings day after day hearing the contested applications for licenses to sell alcohol.  However, that work is more or less complete now.  You might be interested to know that there are 881 licensed premises in South Lakeland and 1,041 people who hold personal licences.  This year most of our time has been taken up with issues concerning taxis.  There are 190 licensed hackney carriages in the district and 39 private hire vehicles.  Next year the work is likely to change again as the new Gambling Act is implemented.
  As councillors we are regularly consulted on all sorts of proposals.  Usually we can see the idea behind the proposal even if we don't agree with it.  However this month many of us have been asked what we would think about removing the cattle grids from Junction 37 of the M6.  I am at a complete loss to understand how anyone could think this was a good idea, in deed I think it is little short of madness.  Sheep do get on the A684 once in a while and the cattle grids are doing a heck of a good job keeping them off the motorway.  They also slow down the traffic coming off the motorway and that is a good thing as well.
  On a more positive note work on our South Lakes housing stock is well under way now.  The programme really is good news for Sedbergh.  It is part of the Decent Homes Standard and will see £20,000,000 invested in housing in the district by 2010.  However, I know there are several tenants who have had difficulties as the work has been proceeding.  Please let me know if you have any specific problems, there is no excuse for some of the things I have heard about.
  I agree totally with everyone about the enormous sign which has been erected on the end of Maryfell, particularly with those who have to live under its shadow.  I have raised it with our National Park planning officers.  However, because of the temporary nature of the sign there isn't a lot which can be done about it at present.  That might change.
  This week is Local Democracy Week.  Joe Nicholson, Robin Brown and I were delighted to meet with pupils at Settlebeck.  I'm not sure how much they learnt, I know we learnt quite a lot.  I understand that those who attended Full Council the day before found it interesting - probably more than some of the council members did.  While Full Council is important I prefer the more focussed work of the committees and working groups.  That is the place where you are more likely to make a difference.
  In the course of the next few months everyone will be sent yet another Housing Needs Survey.  As yet the details are still being worked out.  PLEASE do take the trouble to fill it in even if you are not in housing need yourselves.  Unlike some other surveys this one really is important.  The better the response rate the more it will count.  You might wonder why South Lakeland has to do a survey into the obvious, of course there is housing need.  I would agree but unfortunately national law requires the survey before the National Park can grant permissions for Local Needs Affordable Housing.  So, PLEASE, fill it in.
  On National Park we have been doing the preparatory work for next year's budget.  Now I am "Member Champion for Finance and Democratic Core" I am much more involved than in previous years.  I think this new way of working is really exciting and will bring real benefits to the area.
  Thanks to everyone who turned up to my History Society talk in Dent Memorial Hall about the corn mills in Dentdale.    Kevin Lancaster

Ecumenical Fun for Families
  The sun shone for the start of our new season of Jacob's Ladder on 10^th September. Fifteen children came along with their bikes for a Cycle Rally on Dent School playing fields. A quick check showed that almost all of the bikes needed some maintenance. We learned how to mend a puncture, put air in the tyres, and put a chain back on if it comes off. After refreshments, we had relays and prizes were awarded for the bike in best condition, the safest bike and rider, and the most willing participant.
  The sun kept shining in October for our Music Workshop on the 8^th in Dent Memorial Hall. Everyone brought an instrument: keyboards, violin, flute, French horn, cornet, trumpet, bongos, didgeridoo, and a full drum kit. We also had tambourines, xylophones and maracas. The Gospel Choir had sung in Sedbergh the night before so we decided to sing some gospel songs. Then everyone had a go at trying different instruments. Our visitor from Sedbergh Town Band helped. While we had refreshments everyone had a go at completing a music quiz for a prize.
  Jacob's Ladder, Dent School, and Crazy Club are joining forces with the Methodist and Anglican churches in Dentdale to support this year's Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. We will hold a Shoebox Party in the Memorial Hall immediately after school on Tuesday 7^th November. Parents, brothers and sisters, church members, and anyone who is interested is welcome to come. There will be music, refreshments, videos and games, while everyone helps to wrap the shoeboxes and fill them with gifts.
  This is how people can help:

• Send items to school or church to include in shoeboxes
  
• Contribute wrapping paper, sellotape, large elastic bands
  
• Contribute refreshments for the party
  
• Come to the party and help!
  
• Fill a shoebox and send it to school before 7^th November
  

In The Sedbergh Area
  The lack of affordable housing is a major issue affecting local people's ability to continue to work and live in the Sedbergh area. South Lakeland District Council has asked Cumbria Rural Housing Trust to undertake an independent survey of housing needs of the people of Sedbergh and neighbouring parishes, particularly young families and the elderly. The information gathered by this survey will be used by Parish Councils together with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and South Lakeland District Council to find solutions to the problem of affordable housing in the area.
  A recent sample survey was undertaken by South Lakeland District Council, but the information received was only sufficient to provide an overview of housing need across the district as a whole. It was not detailed enough to inform planning at the local level, nor to satisfy the requirements of the Housing Corporation which provides funding for affordable housing.
  Cumbria Rural Housing Trust will be sending out survey forms to all the households in the Sedbergh area in early 2007. Sedbergh Parish Council wishes to emphasise how important it is that all households in the area complete and return the survey form, whether or not you have a need for affordable housing. The more completed survey forms returned, the better the overall information to base plans for affordable housing.

  After many years at the now unavailable Masonic Hall, the Sedbergh Art Society had to find a new venue for its 2006 Summer Exhibition.  At one time it looked as though it would not take place, suitable buildings being quite scarce in Sedbergh, especially at a price we could afford, but after much searching a new site was eventually found.  Here a great debt of gratitude must go to our past chairperson, Dr. Ann Lendrum, who tirelessly searched for and finally secured the Sedbergh School Chaplaincy after negotiations with Mr. Hirst the Headmaster.  Situated next to the Health Centre, the School Chaplaincy is much more central than the Masonic Hall, but would the interior prove suitable for hanging pictures?  Only time would tell!
  In fact the bright, airey, newly decorated interior, proved the ideal space for an art exhibition and, with many Art Society members and friends helping, the erection of screens and the hanging of pictures was accomplished in no time at all.
  The preview, held on a Wednesday evening on the 23rd August, was very well attended and thanks to Mr. Hirst, for letting us use the Chaplaincy, were expressed by Mr. Ron Gerrard our new Chairperson.
  But was the exhibition a success?
  Well, one or two people voiced their opinion that the standard was not as high as in previous years and that it was a shame that some experienced local artists had not exhibited work.  True, there were fewer pictures than in previous years for one reason or another, but the majority of people felt that it was a great success.  The facts are: that we had more visitors, many commenting that it was one of the best exhibitions they had visited, that we sold almost twice as many pictures as last year and it was the best year in terms of sales, for several years.
  Obviously, if we are to continue to have an exhibition we need to pay for premises, etc., and the commission from the sale of paintings enables us to do this.  With the excellent returns from this years exhibition we now look safe for the forthcoming years.
  To put on an art exhibition we need helpers to erect screens and hang pictures.  We need the public to support it by visiting it, but most of all we need artists who are prepared to support our exhibition with pieces of work.
  So, if anyone interested in art would like to join Sedbergh Art Society please give Margaret Copestake (21842) or Carol Nelson (20034) a ring for details.
David Tomlinson,  Exhibition Secretary

  The AGM will be held this year on Thursday 9th November at 7.15 pm in the White Hart Club. All members welcome.

  Our Carers Support Group now meets at Thorns Hall on the first Tue of every month, except Jan, from 2pm. Details from 01539742602.

Sponsored Fancy dress Pram Race success: Driving licences for Pram operators?
  On Sunday, 15th October, Thomas Bateman, (footballer aged 10), his sister, Angela (wizard aged 9) and brother Norman, (devil aged 5) aided by their mum, Pauline Bateman (witch - age a secret) took part in the Charity Pram Push from Selside School to Grayrigg. Great fun was had on this glorious day as 12 prams were navigated (not without collisions!) by mums and their children at great speed along the country lanes. Pauline and her children made £112.50 for St. John's Hospice, Lancaster and thank all those who sponsored them.

  Whilst eating out at the local hospital might not appeal to all there are many plus points inc a good selection, its hot, served with a smile and not expensive.
  If you love the olde-worldly atmospheric in which to partake of Tea and Cake you might not like the new modern Cafe at Sizergh Castle, if however you love a moist Chocolate Cake give it a go, good selection and views of the autumn trees.
  Country Harvest nr Ingleton is great if you have some money to spend, there are many things to tempt you and then Toasties, Jackets and Tasties in the Cafe.  E.N.JOY

  On November 11th, I am holding a coffee morning and sale at the URC rooms.  Would you like a stall?  Please call me for a chat.  Susan Taylor on 015396-25561.

  Howgill Church would like to say a big thank you to all who sponsored their walk.  £559 was raised.
  The weather was lovely and scenery was enjoyed by all.  Thank you also to all the walkers.  Robyn and Charlotte did especially well.
  Howgill PCC wishes to thank everyone who supported the Harvest Festival and Sale.  Also James Postlethwaite for entertaining us with his auctioneer skills.  £145.03 was made.  Thank you.