There were few apologies at the February meeting presided over by Anne Petyt, who welcomed everyone.  She highlighted the main Federation events and stressed that we must try to follow up W. I. Resolutions that have been passed.
  On the recycling front we hear that plastic waste can now be taken to the Kendal collection point, but we must press for one here.  Peggy Ingham reported that Curry's and Dixons accept used batteries for disposal.
  Anne said that the 'Campaigning for Sustainable Communities' meeting had been interesting and worthwhile, the main issue being the desire to present a private member's bill for local people to say what we need in our area.  Tim Farron is in favour of this, but it will depend if there is a chance to do it.  Anne had also been on the march to save our local hospital services.
  Brenda Rycroft very nobly agreed to help make Sedbergh Festival banners providing she had the materials well in advance.
  For the W. I. Needlework Archives the National Federation want a record of needlework done by W. I. Members which is still in our possession or that has been given to other bodies.  It was surprising how much we were able to list!  Members were again encouraged to support the Spring Show by entering as many classes as possible.
  After the business meeting we had the pleasure of a demonstration and talk on 'Feltmaking' by Lesley Hennedy who had brought a display of pieces of her work - pictures, bags, scarves etc., which are all in vogue at present.  Lesley formed striking backgrounds in felt (made mainly from merino wool with the addition of other fibres) and superimposed detail with machine embroidery which was most effective.
  Christine Sheppey thanked Lesley and said she intended 'to have a go!'
  Brenda Rycroft won the competition for 'A Small Handmade Article' and Pat Ramdsden won the raffle.
  On March 8th at 7.30 pm in the People's Hall Committee Room we shall hear about 'Fishing in Morecambe Bay'.  Please feel welcome to come along if you are interested.                                                                                                                                                                                               M. F.

  Sedbergh seems to have been quiet recently; perhaps because of the time of year.  Conversations made and overheard have been few and far between.  Just a few topics feature.
  There seems to be quite a bit of interest in the biennial Music Festival to be held in June.  The planning is well advanced and folk seem to be keen to be involved.  On the other hand I have seen plenty of adverts for the Spar Wars Panto but I haven't heard any mention of it or enthusiasm for it which seems a shame to me.  Many people have put in a lot of hard work over the winter preparing and practicing and they deserve our support.
  Green wheelie bins have been a subject of discussion.  It seems there isn't much use made of them at this time of year and the collection vehicle has had few to pick up recently with the result that it speeds around town doing little more than use fuel and create pollution which are hardly green credentials.  The question raised seems to be whether it would be more
environmentally friendly not to collect green bins in the winter.
  The one subject I have heard most in conversations over the last month has been a subject I have aired here many times and I had resolved not to mention it again this month but since it is a local talking point it seems it really is an issue which must be addressed, and that is dog poo on our pavements and footpaths.  Folk think it is on the increase and I have heard the comment that dog owners who don't scoop the poop are irresponsible and not fit to have dogs.  Now that might be laying it on a bit heavily but certainly I'm pleased to know that I'm not the only person who finds the situation offensive.  It certainly isn't environmentally friendly.  Let's keep Sedbergh clean.
  Snowdrops and crocus are in bloom, catkins are hanging and signs are that spring is on its way, so I'm looking forward to a good summer, a lively Sedbergh, and clean streets. Best wishes.                                                                                                                                                              N Hastle

'A Year at Killington Hall' with Mrs Judith Robinson
  Judith is a member of the Society and a large audience turned out for her presentation of 'The 1876 Diary of Agnes Ann Kendal' which is the title of a book she has recently published.
  Agnes Ann was the 8^th and youngest child of Robert and Elizabeth Kendal (nee Fawcett).
  Robert was a tenant farmer at Killington Hall which is where Ann lived along with her unmarried older sister Sarah and brother John.
  The diary gives a quite fascinating insight into life in Victorian England through the eyes of a 19 year old farmers daughter.
  Judith was congratulated for bringing the diary to life in such a compelling way with old and new photographs interspersed with voice-overs reading extracts from the diary. What would Agnes have thought if she had known her most private diary had been made so public 130 years later?
  Today we regard Killington Hall as somewhat isolated. In 1876 we hear of a constant stream of social visitors and frequent outings to Kendal, Orton, Sedbergh and occasionally to Cautley. The 'Red Lion Inn' was only across the yard but the family were tee-total.
  The diary reveals Agnes to be a committed Christian and although the Anglican Church was only yards away it was to the Vale of Lune Chapel, then non-conformist and now known as St Gregory's, that Agnes went to worship and teach at Sunday School. Making 2 trips on Sunday would have meant walking about 16 miles.
  She rather surprisingly made no reference to shopping of having any money other than pocket money.
  She enjoyed baking and there are references to sewing, dress-making, mangling, cleaning and churning butter.  She only seemed to help on the farm with milking cows and bringing in the hay; 116 carts and 47 sleds in 1876.
  The highlight of the year was the visit to Orton Pot Fair in June where the previous year she had met her future husband Jim Wharton and to whom she was secretly betrothed.
  Her courtship and Jim's visits delightfully enlighten her days. Jim would often catch the train to Tebay from Sedbergh, even hitch a lift on a goods train and frequently walk the 13 miles back home.
  It was 5 years later on February 9th. the day before her 25^th birthday, that they were married. Sadly they did not live happily ever after. On Dec. 5^th she gave birth to a son but 3 days later she was dead as was her son 10 days later.
  Jim remarried, moved to Kendal and had 9 children. No photos were kept of Agnes and there is no gravestone for her and her son in Orton Churchyard.
  Happily the diary survives and having been handed down through Jim's family to Judith's aunt and now the book is a fitting memorial.
  Judith was warmly thanked for sharing this in such a delightful way. 

  Kirkby Lonsdale Embroiderers meet on the second Thursday in the month from 2 to 4pm at Cowan Bridge Village Hall.  We have a varied programme of talks and 'hands on' activities with a textiles focus.
  We began the New Year with a fascinating talk on 'Ruskin Lace' by the leading exponent and teacher of this technique, Elizabeth Prickett.  She gave us the history of the revival of the linen industry in the Lake District by John Ruskin, and the introduction of lace making there.  Her talk was amusing, as well as informative, and the samples of work she brought were an inspiration.
  Another inspirational teacher is Anne Burrow and we were lucky enough to have a workshop run by her at the end of January, which involved preparing and decorating bands of fabric, which were then woven together and further embellished.  The finished pieces of "new" fabric were then made into bags, purses, cushions etc.
  On February 9th we were again looking to the crafts of the past as Eileen Scholes entertained us with a talk about the history of rag rug making, which many will remember fondly from their childhoods.  She is a great enthusiast of this craft and has produced some very eye catching designs in both hooked and 'prodded' mats.  She demonstrated both techniques and explained when each would be used.  She also showed us how this is a very useful technique for recycling, as all the wool used in her rugs is second hand, mainly obtained from jumble sales. 
  On 9th March we are very privileged to have a speaker of national renown - Daphne Ashby - who is most famous for her best selling book (well best selling amongst embroiderers!)  'Colour through Gold'.  She has had a long career as an embroiderer and teacher, producing a range of different techniques in her finished pieces, which have been widely exhibited.
  The speaker at our April meeting, June Corner, has chosen an intriguing subject 'Naughty but Nice - Knickers!' and we are looking forward to an entertaining afternoon.  If you would like to join us for this or any of our other meetings, we would make you very welcome.

  The Committee of Management will meet shortly to consider applications for grants for educational tuition and/or educational facilities from girls resident in the parishes of SEDBERGH, GARSDALE and DENT.  The Scheme of Management for the Girls' Fund quotes the following principles of application:
1 The income of the Fund shall be applied by the Committee for the benefit of beneficiaries, in one or more of the following ways:

1. The award of Scholarships, Bursaries or Maintenance Allowance tenable at any School, University or other place of learning approved by the committee;
   

  A number of members attended the southern district AGM at the Castle Green Hotel in January. Valerie proposed Yvonne as competitions secretary it was seconded by Emma. Sedbergh came back with the trophy for most improved club which is a great achievement to all members who should be proud, well done.
  In January we went to I'anson Feed Mills at Masham. 18 of us travelled the distance and had an enjoyable evening. Those of us who didn't know much about how animal feed was made learnt an awful lot!! Nell and her colleagues were most hospitable and even took us to the pub afterwards for sandwiches and chips!.
  The visit from the Taxidermist had to be postponed.
  The blind fold drop took place with over 25 members turning up to trek the countryside in the moonlight. Groups of 5 were set off 2.5 miles up Dent, Garsdale, Cautley and Howgill to make it back safely to the Peoples Hall without being caught on the way by Craig and Stuart. All made it back safe and sound. Adams group soon got spotted and Valerie got caught perched on top of a wall!
  By the time you read this we will have hosted Indoor sports at Sedbergh School and the Southern District pantomimes will have taken place at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal.
  Coming up in March the first pre-field day meeting of the year will take place on the 1st, we've got the finals of the pantomimes on the 4/5th at Theatre by the Lake. On the 8th we will be visiting Thornton's Chocolate Shop in Kendal, leaving the bottom car park at 6.30pm, cost £10.00 pp, and the mini AF Challenge on the 22nd.
  Things are getting busy now on the run up to pre-field day and of course our annual field day which takes place on Saturday 20th May at Plumpton Cottage Farm, Ulverston. Anyone is welcome to come along to this event, there's plenty to see from flower arranging and cookery demonstrations to limbo dancing and mini digger handling - a laugh is guaranteed!
  Tug of war training for both male and female teams will be starting on Monday evenings as soon as the clocks change.
  It's never too late to join, (unless your over 26!) for more information please contact our dedicated secretary Valerie Capstick on 21032.