In March a few of us went along to the final of the Ballroom Dancing competition held at the George Hotel in Penrith.  A great evening was had with Grayrigg coming first and going through to the northern area finals in the Isle of Man.
  Yvonne Capstick and Emma Middleton celebrated their twenty-something birthdays with a themed night out in Kendal.  Other young farmers joined us and the theme was 'Emergency Services' hence the increase of policemen/women, nurses, doctors, firemen and life guards around the town that night.  A great night to remember was had by all!
  At the end of March we paid a visit to the Fire Station in Sedbergh courtesy of our very own Fire-fighter chairperson, Jayne Moorhouse.  James Brownrigg and Alan Irving from Procter Memorial also joined us.  They visit us once a year to have a look through our records and score us on the running of the club.  An award to the best club is given on Field Day.
  Since last month tug of war training has started on Monday evenings at Ingleton for both male and female teams.  Last year our females came second - so keep it up guys!!
  On the 12th April all the pre-Field Day work was handed in for judging, the entries included a painted pint glass, decorated toilet seat and a bat box to name but a few!  We are now waiting patiently for the results which will be given on Field Day.
  As advised last month, our Annual Field Day this year takes place on the 20th May near Ulverston where members willingly (well, not always!) take part in activities such as flower arranging, cooking, singing, mini-digger handling and limbo dancing as well as the Grand Finale.  Anyone is welcome to come along and watch all going on, its good fun.  In the evening the members can breathe a sigh of relief that they've once again done their best for another year and celebrate with a live band and beverage.
  We must also mention that it's not just the members that get involved in preparations for and on Field Day but also past members, neighbours, mums and dads and anyone else we manage to rope in to lend a hand, for which we are most grateful.
  If you require any information with regards to the Field Day or Young Farmers itself, please call Valerie on 21032.

The Story So Far…….
  As reported in the March edition of Lookaround, Young Kidz has been set up to raise monies for local Clubs, Society's and Charities in the town and will benefit our children, from baby's right through to 18.
  After our brilliant start with the Bingo Night we didn't do quite as well with the Casino Night raising just £160 but we know where we went wrong and the next one will be bigger and better!  A big thank you goes to the guys who ran the tables for us, Tom Moffat, Trevor Wearing, Dave Wearing & John Siemaszko.  We had a Roulette Wheel, Poker Table and 2 Black Jack Tables.  With a weekend for 2 in Edinburgh as the prize for the person with the most chips at the end of the night, competition among the "punters" was fierce yet light hearted and an excellent night was had by all.  First Prize went to John Goad, 2^nd to Janet Bowman and 3^rd to Jacky Baines.  A big thank you to The Bull, Dave Wearing and Bay Scaffolding for donating prizes and to all the Bull for letting us host our evening.
  A raffle on St Patrick's Night raised £55.  1^st Prize of a Meat voucher for Steadman's Butchers was won by Mr Graham; 2^nd Prize of a Booze Hamper was won by Sally Brooks & 3^rd prize of a large teddy and cosmetics was won by Peter Carty.  Thank you to all those that bought tickets on the night
  Next was the Race Night, "A Night at the Dogs", There were 10 races each sponsored by a local business (thank you to you all!). Each dog was "sold" before the night and the winning owner received a bottle of wine or Easter Egg (depending on age!!). The night including proceeds from a raffle raised £290.  Thank you to Steve & Allison for letting us host the night at the Bull Hotel and Deano and the rest of the staff for helping out on the night.
  We cannot thank all local Businesses and individuals enough for all their support thus far by either donating prizes, attending the events, buying raffle tickets or helping out.  Remember this is for Your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews please continue to support us at our future events. THANK YOU!!!
Who are you supporting?
  Sedbergh Playgroup, Zebras Toddler Group, Howgill Toddlers, Sedbergh Swimming Club, Sedbergh Badminton Club, Air Ambulance, Sedbergh Parents Support, Sedbergh Junior Football, Sedbergh Youth Group.
  If there is a Group, Society or Charity that you think would like to benefit from the 2007 yearly fund raising and they have time to help organize fundraising events during the year the deadline for applications is December 31^st 2006.  Please contact the Secretary, Jacky Baines on 015396 21287 for further information.
Future Events:
Sunday May 28^th Truck Pull - Kirkby Stephen to Sedbergh followed by a Fun Day at the Bull Hotel.
Saturday August 5^th - Robbie Williams Tribute Band, Peoples Hall

GREEN MARQUEE
  Don't forget to come to the Green Marquee on Gala day and explore the often fascinating world of environmental and sustainable living. Even the government have acknowledged that drastic steps need to be taken on a personal, community and political level to reverse the damage that human beings have done to this planet so please let this be a step you take towards finding out how you can play a part for your own sake and those of your children and grand children.
POLITICAL ISSUES AND PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS (PI) CLUB
  The next meeting will be Friday 5^th May - 7p.m. at the Community Office. We will be discussing the concept of choice and whether there really is one under New Labour?
  Cost is a £1 donation to the Community Office per meeting. For further details please ring Deyna on 21556.
AGE CONCERN / HOMEOPATHY / SLCVS
  Don't forget about these clinics on Wednesday mornings - if they don't get used we will lose them so please call in with any concerns!
AGE CONCERN LUNCH CLUB
  Age Concern are have now organised a lunch club for over 55's, beginning on June 5^th at the Bull Hotel. This is a great opportunity to get out and meet other people. It will cost £6.50 for a two course meal with tea and coffee, so do call in for a form to register your interest.
CAR PARKS
  Still no news on when the Parish Council are likely to take over the running of the car park. Please stay loyal to local shops while it is in transition. Any concerns about the parking situation, please ring SLDC on 01539 733333 to ask for clarification on the matter.
ALLOTMENTS
  Sedbergh School are doing their best to assist us in the provision of allotments and things are moving forward. As soon as I have any definite news, I will let people know.
OPENING HOURS
  From the end of May we will be opening again on Friday afternoons until 4p.m.
BOOK VOLUNTEER / ENTREPRENEUR
  We have loads of books to sell now and we will be doing some book fairs this summer as well as having a stall some Saturdays outside the TIC. Would anyone like to volunteer to run this book stall on a regular basis? Or perhaps an enterprising teenager can make us a proposition whereby you take a percentage for each book sold? Call in to discuss.

  My name is Jenny Lamb and I am hoping to be this year's Sedbergh Gala Queen. I live at Crosedale Beck Farmhouse between Howgill and Sedbergh. I'm fourteen years old and in my fourth year at Settlebeck High School. Although I only moved here five years ago my family is strongly connected with Sedbergh. My Great-great grandfather, Alfred Braithwaite, moved to Sedbergh from Kendal in 1899 and lived at number five, Settlebeck cottages just beside the school. He founded 'Braithwaite's Coaches' and, I am told, was quite a character. My grandmother, Betty Braithwaite, was born, raised and married in Sedbergh and my mother was christened here.
  At school I am studying French, History, Drama, Catering and Music along with the compulsory subjects; Maths, English, Science and Business and Communication. My main interests are drama, singing and spending time with friends and family. I have been in various plays and concerts since the age of six including performances with the Rose Theatre Group, Spellbound Theatre and Stuart Manger's "The Bench". I was also involved in the Sedbergh-Zrece twinning programme as I was twinned with Ines Cvelfer, a Slovenian girl of my age. In the future I am hoping to continue in the performing arts, or pursue a career in psychology.
  I am eager to take up the responsibility of Gala Queen because I enjoy being involved in the community and I believe that life is full of opportunities and I am enthusiastic to make the most of everything. I am a hard-working and friendly person and I would enjoy supporting local events. When we first moved here, I was impressed by the role of Gala Queen as it was something I had not seen before. I had heard stories of my great grandfather, George Braithwaite, taking my mum with him as he judged the Gala floats when he was on the council. I would really like to be part of that Gala.

  The month of May currently includes two bank holidays, and in past times, another day was set aside to celebrate the restoration of King Charles II. Pepys' Diary of 1st June 1660 records that 'Parliament had ordered the 29th of May, the King's birthday, to be kept for ever as a day of thanksgiving for our redemption from tyranny, and the King's return to his government.'
  In 1651, the King had supposedly avoided capture after the Battle of Worcester by hiding in an oak tree. This gave rise to the custom for the 'common people' in many parts of the North, and especially children, to wear oak leaves in their hats. And woe betide anyone who failed to comply, as they were apparently chased and beaten by boys wielding bunches of stinging nettles, while the following verse was recited: 'Royal oak day, t' twenty-ninth o' May. If ya deean't give us a hallida', we'll all run away.'
  Another May saying, apart from the well-known one about 'not castin' a clout till May be out' is: 'Ya moan't wesh blankets i' May, Or else ya'll wesh yer soul away.' Little chance of that happening nowadays, I would think, with the widespread use of duvets!