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DECEMBER WEATHER
December weather: The month started with temperatures a bit more seasonal though on only 3 days did the maximum stay in the 30sF. The maximum temperature recorded was 49.3F on the 28th of the month and the minimum of 17.8F the next day. This coincided with a covering of snow. Pressure was more variable than in most months with the first few days in the 28 inches of mercury and five days when it went up into the 30 inches of mercury. As expected with these changes the wind speeds recorded were also variable ranging from no wind recorded to a maximum of 19.5mph. Again on only 4 days was the wind not from the north west. Rainfall was low for December with only 2.01 inches recorded. A few days had some snow between Christmas and the New Year.
The mini daffodils flowered towards the end of the month and the winter jasmine, which has been in flower since October, has just about finished. There were still one or two nights when slugs, the smaller types, were around at night. The ordinary daffodils are poking through the leaves in the borders as are the snowdrops in the grass. The long tailed tits continue to drop in literally. I managed to photograph 10 at once on the peanut feeder! A rare sight in our garden was a splendid pair of bullfinches. These were only the second pair I have seen in the last 10 years.
DENTDALE METHODIST CHAPEL
Our Carol service in December led by Mrs Susan Raw was really lovely with various folks taking part and followed by a hand-around tea our friends from the chapel at Dent Foot joined us we are always pleased to see them along with anyone else who wants to come.
Every week we have a service at 2pm except if we go elsewhere, details available on the Circuit Plan available in the porch. On Jan 8th we joined all the circuit congregations at Sedbergh for the annual Covenant Service where we think about our calling as the people of God and renew our promises to Him, a lovely service with both the choir and Worship group to lead the singing, at one point very lively which is how I like it, not to say I don't enjoy the older hymns as well but the modem worship songs are a breath of fresh air. This was followed by a Jacobs Join tea and the chance to chat with friends seldom seen.
We are involved with the family event," Jacobs Ladder", the Pray and Share and hopefully soon a monthly Bible Study in the dale.
Our weekly printed notices invite our participation in local events and ones further away, they suggest people to pray for and if you would appreciate knowing people are praying for you there is a prayer request board in the chapel or do give us a call. S E Woof 25212
POLICE REPORT
Nothing to report this month apart from problems evolving from an incident at the People's Hall which has resulted in the articles this month regarding the new Licensing Laws. D J W
GALA GROUP CHILDREN'S PARTY
Around 135 Sedbergh Primary School children enjoyed an afternoon of fun, games and party food at the annual children's party held on Saturday 14th January at People's Hall which was financed by Gala Group funds.
The entertainer Harvey Rush, who has many years experience of such events, kept the children occupied both physically and mentally with a non-stop medley of games, dancing and conjuring tricks, one of which provided particular amusement to the children as they saw Mrs Bannister sitting uneasily under an inverted tumbler of water.
During an interlude in the activities the children were given a party tea provided by the Gala Group Committee and each child received a balloon and bag of goodies and fruit at the end of the proceedings.
The Gala Group are very grateful for the support of adult helpers and wish to say a special thank you to the younger helpers: Gala Queen Rosie Wood, Rose and Bill Longlands, Stephanie Moore, together with a group of Sedbergh School students. The contribution of these helpers, both with the entertainment and with serving the teas, made the task of looking after so many children that much easier and helped to ensure a successful and enjoyable occasion.
The next major event is the Gala on Saturday, 20th May and preparations are well under way. RK
CAROL SINGING IN DENTDALE
A special thanks to those who joined the Carol Singers in Cowgill, Gawthrop and Dent in the week before Christmas and to all those who gave so generously too. An excellent total of £343.33 was raised that has been shared between The Children's Society and The National Children's Homes. Our thanks also go to Mrs & Mrs Pilgrim, Mr & Mrs Mason and Mr & Mrs Fothergill who so kindly provided refreshments for the singers and others who provided nibbles en route. Thank you to all again for your support. Neville Allen
THE COMMUNITY OF SEDBERGH'S VILLAGE HALL
In the 50's the Peoples Hall was born and created by the Dawson's - it was started and created so the people of Sedbergh had a venue for whoever wished to use it for any occasion, be it an old time dance, meeting place for committee's or any event for any number of persons or people.
Up until 2005 the Hall has never been licensed for the sale of alcohol. It was decided it should be on the grounds that if it wasn't licensed only 12 events for the whole year could be held where alcohol was supplied. As the committee knew that most events where alcohol was supplied were events where the money raised goes to charities (mainly local ones) they decided it would be best to license the People's Hall. As a result of the Committee thinking of local people and their needs this was implemented.
In November 2005 we all know the new licensing laws for the supply of alcohol came into effect for licensed premises - i.e. the Bull Hotel, the Red Lion, the Dalesman Country Inn, the Sports and Social Club and low and behold, yes, the People's Hall.
What the Police and the Council are trying to 'clamp down' on since these new laws have arisen are:-
Under age drinking
Anti-social behaviour
Drugs
Now then, lets be totally honest with ourselves community - all of these happen in the world we live in today - no one can deny it - not the committee of the Peoples Hall or anyone - now then as far as under-age drinking goes - the committee (and I'm sure the community as a whole) is aware this happens. Some families deem it less of an issue than others, some think it's wrong and teach their kids this, some don't. Let's associate this subject to events held at the People's Hall. In fact in a way if under-age drinking happened at events held at the Hall it may be not a bad opinion to think 'Well it happens once a month, we know it happens, we know where they are and what they're doing and they aren't on our streets doing it'. However the last disco before Christmas the Police were called to an event and two youths (aged 16) from Kendal, not Sedbergh, were caught intoxicated. Now we have a problem, a big problem from the authorities point of view. Times are changing regarding alcohol - we have to respect that and change accordingly and people that hire the hall have to do this also. The Committee - by the way who are all volunteers and work on behalf of anyone that wishes to hire the Hall, and they do it free of charge - got told to change the way it is run and the way alcohol is sold at these events or be closed.
You tell me Sedbergh - what is it you want? The People's Hall is bigger than one man who just drops his tools at the first glimpse of change, or being told he has to change. People who want to raise money for local charities and organisations have never been more welcome to do so, I mean £50 for hire, come on, it's for nothing. Especially when you can make over £500 profit in one night. Sometimes double that. All the Committee asks is that you adhere to what the Police and Council have told them they must implement. To carry on providing a service for YOU, the Community, to raise money for local people, organisations and charities. Just for the record, the Ladies Night was only cancelled at the People's Hall because the correct license was not purchased by its organiser, so by LAW this could not go on.
SECOND CALL FOR THE SPRING SHOW 2006!
Calling all Mums, Dads, Grans, Grandads!! Now nobody knows better than you that your little (or not so little) one is the brightest and best in the whole world. So now is the time to make sure that the rest of us realise it too. Make sure that they enter the Spring Show and walk away with the prizes, or even better that they learn that the really important thing is to take part. Everybody can enjoy being part of the April Fools fancy dress parade and make it a really special occasion for Sedbergh. There are classes for everybody.
Dig out your photos and crafts!
Make those scones and cakes!
Enter that jar of jam or chutney!
Have fun creating a garden on a plate!
LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE SCHEDULE AND FIND SOMETHING YOU CAN ENTER
Sedbergh Spring Show Committee
SEDBERGH TOWN BAND
Carols at the Stores
Booth's, Asda and Morrisons's willingly consented to our requests to play a selection of carols in their Kendal stores in the course of the run-up to Christmas.
On each occasion some dozen or so players, covering the four parts of the music involved, assembled at the respective venues and played for two hours.
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December between 11.00 and 1.30 pm saw the band at Booth's. On Monday 19th between 5.30 and 7.30 pm the customers of Asda were entertained whilst on Thursday 22nd at the same time Morrison's hosted the players.
Preparations to ensure a smooth running of the engagements started early with Tony Crofts admirably organising the personnel involved in each performance ensuring a balance within the sections. A selection of thirty plus carols were rehearsed prior to the events which ensured that a two hour programme could be played without repetition if required. In the event the more popular and familiar carols were repeated and it was pleasing to note that nine of the top ten carols according to a recent Daily Telegraph survey featured in our selection.
Playing at the stores was a great success, enjoyed by the band, store staff and shoppers alike. Most complimentary comments were heard on all sides and numerous customers approached member of the band to express their appreciation. Only one adverse remark was recorded: a lady on exiting one of the stores was heard to declare that 'we could do without that lot' (meaning the band). Perhaps we struck a discordant note with her idea of what should constitute the Christmas festivities.
One piece of drama was provided by a gentleman who having loaded his trolley to the gunnels with all manner of Christmas goods, including numerous bottles of brandy and whisky, was tackled by a member of staff who had observed that he'd neglected to pay for his goods. Abandoning his trolley by the band he took to his heels pursued by the vigilant staff member who, in spite of stirling efforts was ultimately unsuccessful in his chase.
We extend our thanks to the management of the stores for allowing us to play and for extending such a warm welcome. A great thanks goes also to those noble member and supporters of the band who undertook the invaluable task of holding the collecting tins - done with invariable charm and success.
HISTORY SOCIETY
Slate Quarries and Quarrymen in the South Eastern Lake District: Dr Rob David
At their last autumn meeting members spent a most interesting evening learning about quarrying activity in the Lake District. Dr David focused on our nearest Slate Quarries in Troutbeck, Kentmere and Long Sleddale which produced either the better quality green slate from Borrowdale volcanic rocks or inferior bluish slate of Silurian origin.
In the late 1850's 120-150 workers were employed in Westmorland producing about 2000 tons per annum at a rate of 19 tons per worker.
By 1896 Welsh quarries dominated the industry, attracting more capital investment and producing 80 of the total output compared with the Lake District's 4.4, putting it 4th in rank behind Wales, Scotland and Cornwall.
Slate competed with tiles and thatch as a roofing material and was also used for building construction, walling and paving.
Most quarries in our region were relatively small and usually fell in and out of use. Dr David explained how census data on quarrymen was hard to come by as many of them had other seasonal occupations such as in farming or transferring the slate on carts to the transport networks. Locally extracted slate was usually used within about 15 miles.
There were 3 main categories of worker: rock hands who drilled and extracted the slate; rievers, who split it into thin sheets, or dressers. The latter were itinerant workers and were important to the success of the company in producing the finished article.
Until the coming of the railways most slate was moved by local shipping from small ports or on the canals. Slate barges even travelled up and down Coniston Water and Windermere. Dr David illustrated several quarries with excellent slides.
Quarries still form an important part of our former industrial landscape and after this lecture our members will be enthused to resume their survey of local quarries in Sedbergh and district in 2006. Tony Hannam
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