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Helen / Richard.
Please contact Ann Hayton, now at Corn How. Her number may be 850606 provided she carried it over when she moved.
Thanks. The number is no longer valid but I will go and have a look for her
The correct no is 85606 and is still correct for Ann.
Yes you’re right. I must have miss typed it when I tried it first time
Grey Squirrel Sighting
Somebody let me know that they had seen a grey squirrel by Red Howe (Loweswater side of Thackthwaite). Does anybody have a trap available and know how to use it?
Thanks Helen & Richard
Try contacting Fran Foster, the North Lakes Red Squirrel Ranger.
Her email address is: grey control@hotmail.co.uk
I am sure she will be able to help.
Good hunting!
Christine Pledger
I have just been through two weeks of hell with Demon, with speeds of 0.1-0.2Mbps down from and average of 3.5. I can now recognize regional Indian accents with ease, and after threatening dire consequences, Demon finally got their act together chased a fault down in their system and called in BT to check their equipment. (They are VERY reluctant to do this, because if the fault is found to be in YOUR equipment, then BT charge the ISP for a call out).
We are 2km from Lorton exchange and now get 4-6.5 Mps which is even better than before.
Hi Helen and Richard,
What part of the valley are you and how far from Cockermouth and / or Lorton exchange ?
Hi
We are the Loweswater side of Thackthwaite
H&R
BT Broadband speed problems.
Hi All,
It seems that after a BT on-line re-programming of my phone/broadband line (and four days settling down period) the speed tonight is within the bounds of reasonableness @ 1.45 mbps. It needed a lot of persuading and phone calls but tonight we can actually view photos and stream the odd mountain sports video at a sensible speed. They say I should be receiving between 1 and 2 mbps max. I’m sure I was receiving faster speeds than that a month ago.
Has everyone else improved and if you are getting faster broadband than me can you let me know. Does anyone know about any changes at the exchange that may explain the blip.
India doesn’t know or isn’t saying.
Cheers
Roger
Hi. At 3pm mine was at 0.56 and then it suddenly started to climb back up again. Now it is at 3.98. I hope it it’s fixed for good. It did the same thing last weekend!
Helen & Richard
Hi Roger
I have been doing a few speed test this morning and have a download speed of 4.27!! The highest I have ever achieved in the past is about 3.5. I hope that this means BT have sorted the problem
Helen & Richard
Hi Emma,
After hours (literally) trying to contact and then eventually speaking to India I finally came off the phone last night at midnight with the promise that my line speed out of the exchanged had been re-synchronised with the performance of my extended phone line down to Oak Cottage (close to the Kirkstile).
Speeds before last night were down to 0.16 download / 0.35 upload and an error rate (ping) of 48.88 (not good). Today it is hardly any better, reaching 0.6 early evening and 0.33 at 6.35pm when lots of foljk were potentially on-line after work.
I have been using the official speed test : http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/
[answer yes to the red question and press BEGIN but don't have anything else running or using the 'net]
Interested to hear how others are getting on. I’ll be speaking to India again tonight no doubt.
HI
Same with us. The download speed in down to 0.2 again. It took a couple of minutes to load the community page so that I could reply. If you do complete the speed test, run the further diagnostics and then reconfigure your router to perform the ‘test 3′ then your ISP should be able to access this info.
Helen & Richard
Performance is just all over the place. Ours was down to .3mbps (not OK) yesterday and is today up to 1.3mbps (just OK).
I am using the BT speedtest. On running the diagnostic test now it is disturbing to be told that “For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 0.4 Mbps-2 Mbps”, especially when last week the same message indicated an acceptable range between .2 and 1mbps! Just what exactly is BT contracted to? Not a lot I suspect.
In communicating with India I find it slightly less frustrating to use the on-line chat service than voice.
Good luck
Richard
An afterthought: anyone testing speeds might consider http://www.speedtest.net and pingtest. The former will store your results if you sign up, and it can be a good set of information for your provider if you need to convince them of a problem. Always do the test at the test socket, (main incoming socket with front taken out) and with an ethernet cable, so that they can’t blame WiFi or telephone extensions for a week or so before taking you seriously.
Les / Richard (take two)
Isn’t technology wonderful …. I’ve just received a brand new Home Hub 3 modem and my broadband speed is back up to 1.9 Kbps …. brilliant … this is BEFORE I even unwrap it from the cardboard box ! I wonder what speeds I will get when I connect it into the system.
Do you think something is going on at the exchange that they are not telling us about ?
Hi All
Broadband speeds improved over the weekend but now seem to be down to sub mega bit levels again. I don’t know if other people are suffering the same problem?
Richard & Helen
Thanks for your note Roger, it gave me renewed hope. Although I have just now (Saturday morning) done a speedtest and achieved 1.5 Mbps. That’ll do for me. I hope they don’t do that again!
Les, good to hear you’re following the valley’s broadband fortunes.
Richard
Hi Richard / Les,
I too have had our broadband speed drop from 2 mbps (or whatever the currency is) to 0.2 mbps and big web pages, streaming and multiple photo downloads are currently impossible.
After several phone calls to India, I have pursuaded them to give me a new router (which should arrive tomorrow).
As it happens Keswick got super-fast broadband over Christmas which messed up work’s computer link till they upgraded their server. My guess is that they’ve upgraded Cockermouth in some way and my 7 yr old router can’t cope with the new, fast signal.
Let’s hope the new piece of kit tomorrow will do the trick. I’ll let you know how I get on with that.
Cheers
Roger
For the last week or so our internet has been on go-slow. Although we can access websites and email (eventually), streaming TV, radio and music just no longer works. We are in Loweswater and have had no problem in the past with downloading this capacity. BT say this is our problem and they may be right, but I have spoken to another user in the valley experiencing the same symptoms. Is there anyone else out there suffering?
On a related matter I notice that the project that should be delivering super-fast broadband to the valley over the next couple of years, “Connecting Cumbria” has a number of regional coordinators (“hub co-ordinators”) and our nearest are Cockermouth and Ennerdale. I wonder if we don’t deserve our own? I have raised the issue with them via email (reply due within 10 days). If there is no valley volunteer and it is deemed one is a good idea I would be happy to be it. Any ideas of what community support should be secured beyond this message board?
Cheers
Richard
Richard,
As I do the website, I volunteered to be the Loweswater Broadband Champion who works under the local Hub Co-Ordinator (who lives in Greysouthen). I attended a recent meeting about Co-operative broadband schemes (eg at Alston) and found that quite a few other Cumbrian locations get less than I Mb per second. Usually, I got about 2 Mbs, but recently, for unknown reasons, I am getting 3-4 Mbs (3.8 now) so no probs here at the moment. I am therefore rather doubtful whether we will be a priority area under the Connecting Cumbria programme – we should be hearing about this from BT (the contractor) soon.
Hi Richard
Well that would explain why I have been shouting at my computer recently for its seeming inability to complete the most basic of tasks (when using the internet). We are in Loweswater too. When we moved here (about a year ago) our internet provider warned us that the connection would be slow, but we were very happy that it has always been at least 1mbps.
I have just checked our connection speed (using cnet’s broadband speed test) and it has come out as 2 – 3 mbps! Guess I shouldn’t be complaining too much. I am now thinking it must be my computer.
Emma
Hi All,
We had the same problem last week. When speaking to my ISP they advised doing a speed check though http://speedtest.btwholesale.com/ . It is also worth checking your router to see your downstream and upstream connection speeds. In my case during the drop in speed test results these downstream and upstream speeds did not alter from their normal values (4800Kb down and 448Kb up). I was getting downstream speed tests of 0.06Mb when the problem was worst. It went back up to its normal value 3Mb but has now dropped back to 2Mb. I have tried more than one router and micro filter and this makes no difference. There does not seem to be a problem with our equipment or telephone lines.
As a lot of us seem to be having the same problem I assume the issue is on the BT side of the exchange rather than between our homes and the exchange. I hope they solve the problem soon. The more of us that complain to our ISPs the more likely it is that they may do something about it.
We live in hope, Helen & Richard
Message from Hannah Bradley, C3A
Castlegate & Derwent House Surgeries are seeking people to join their Patient Participation Groups. They are looking for people of any age, gender or background to attend monthly meetings to discuss how they can improve the services they offer their patients. For more information please contact:
Jo MacDonald on 01900 324123 or e-mail:
CastlegatePatients@ncumbria.nhs.uk
DerwentHousePatients@ncumbria.nhs.uk
RUN OUT OF CASH ?
Use any of the following cards at the Lorton Post Office, on Tuesday afternoons ( 1.30 – 4.30)
Free cash withdrawals.
Lloyds TSB, Clydesdale, Barclays, Santander,Smile/Co-op, Bank of Ireland,NatWest, Nationwide. And shortly, HSBC and First Direct.
Hi All,
Honister was offering a “Locals Week” last week so we went along to try out their latest activities and find our what makes them tick.
Our two part report with photos can be found @
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/130312_Honister_Via_Ferrata.htm
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/130315_Honister%20Discovery.htm
Cheers
Roger and Ann
Hi everyone, just a reminder,
at Lorton Parish Council Meeting on Wed 6th March, 7.30 at the Yew Tree Hall, a representstive from Cumbria Police will be attending to outline Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. Please come along,and participate in the community discussions.
Chris Poate
Hi Ian,
Is there any clarity yet about full access for emergency services ?
Armaside and Lorton to Buttermere Road Closures
Re-surfacing work and road closures at Armaside and on Lorton to Buttermere Road is due to start on the 18th of Feb 2013 (see map). The work at Armaside is expected to last up to 5 days with the work on the three stretches of the Lorton to Buttermere Road 10 days with only one section closed at any one time. The work is likely to cause some disruption and increased response times for emergency services.
Ennerdale Protest Walk – Saturday 26th January 11.30am
The community in Ennerdale have just held a poll which revealed 94% opposition (on a 72% turnout) to Ennerdale being considered as a host site for the UK’s nuclear waste. However the decision rests not with the community, but just 7 members of Copeland BC executive and 10 members of Cumbria CC Cabinet.
To demonstrate the strength of opposition, Ennerdale residents have organised a protest walk along the lake on Saturday 26th January. 11.30am arrival for a midday start at Bowness Knott Carpark. The walk is a family-friendly 1.5 miles each way to the River Liza Delta, likely site of the drilling HQ and office compound if this goes ahead.
The event will be covered by international, national and local media, by those who are as shocked as we are that they could even consider a scheme like this within Britain’s premier national park. 75% of the area under consideration is within the Lake District and the Ennerdale granite is believed to be the favourite host rock. Weather permitting, aerial footage of the protest will be taken
Full details http://www.noend.org.uk
Join us on a walk on a fine day in the Lakes … it can’t be beaten.
Last Thursday the forecasts hinted at cloud in the valleys and clear above, but our valley dawned clear from top to bottom. If we were going to get some interesting cloud effects, Catbells in the next valley may be a good place to see them but if not, then at least we would get
good views over Derwent Water in the welcome sunshine.
As it was beautifully clear we decided to drive the long way round, up the
Buttermere Valley and over to Catbells, instead of the more direct Whinlatter
Pass route. Would we be lucky ?
See the full story and picture report @
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/130110_Catbells_Inversion.htm
Hope you can join us …
Cheers
Roger
New Challenges for a New Year
If your new year’s resolution was to get outdoors more and help out a charity, we have new volunteer opportunities you might like. We’re taking a pop-up visitor information tent to locations in the Buttermere and Borrowdale valleys in order to collect visitor feedback. If you like finding out what makes people tick, and the idea of spending time outdoors appeals to you, you could give some time flexibly over the twelve months to meet and greet visitors, answer their questions and find out from them what they’re looking for from their day out in the valley.
There are four roles on offer – which one sounds most appealing to you?
Pop-up coordinator – making sure the pop-up is in the right place at the right time with the right people, gathering the right information.
Pop-up researcher – talking to visitors at the pop-up, informal visitor research, gathering and recording information – you won’t be selling memberships and you won’t have a clip-board!
Pop-up number-cruncher – behind the scenes, collating the data gathered by the researchers and pulling the information into quarterly reports
Pop-up story curator – listening to the stories of visitors, taking photos of them, and curating a virtual gallery of stories and memories using social media
For more information, visit http://www.ntnorthlakes.blogspot.co.uk telephone 017687 74649 or email northlakes@nationaltrust.org.uk
Many thanks – Jessie Binns, Visitor Experience Officer, National Trust North Lakes
The Melbreak Communities’ monthly ‘Coffee and Cake’ event will be held this Saturday, 12th January, at LOWESWATER VILLAGE HALL from 10.30am-12 noon. We look forward to seeing lots of Loweswater residents – and if you live elsewhere in the Valley, why not plan a local walk, fortified by some of Cheryl Aitken’s delicious home made cake?!
Ennerdale is now believed to be the favourite site for burial of the UK’s nuclear waste. There is a brief video about the proposal, see either this link here or watch it at the bottom of the Nuclear Waste Disposal page here.
There is a meeting on Friday 11th January at Queen’s Hall, Keswick School starting at 7pm to discuss the impact on the Lake District of this plan going ahead. The director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority responsible for the planned repository has been invited to take part in the discussion, as has the geologist employed by the MRWS partnership who identified Ennerdale as potentially suitable.
Local Photos …
Loweswater has had a very damp summer as we all know but just of late we have at last had some different weather. Just a few photos to remind us of the nice days of Autumn and Winter. Just click on the links below:
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/121027_Autumn_in_Loweswater.htm
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/121201_Haystacks_with_the_Family.htm
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/121202_Frosty_Crummock_walk.htm
Hope they will cheer up any who are less keen on the weather today !
Cheers
Roger
CHRISTMAS CEILIDH Saturday 22nd December 7PM at Loweswater Village Hall – Just a reminder to ring me (85609) to reserve your tickets soon so that I can order the meals, further details see flyer attached here. It will be a fun night.
Jan Collins-Webb, Age UK Volunteer.
Message from Frank and Chris Judd
We thought we should alert you to the fact that a new proposal for a zip wire at Honister has been lodged. Further information is available at the Friends of the Lake District website here. You can read the letter that we wrote to the LDNPA here.
We have supported FoLD for 12 years and Oxfam for 40,but are against you on this. We have climbed all over this area for 45 years and feel that Honister Crag is uniquely suited to the Via Ferrata and Zip Wire. How can it ” create an unacceptable precedent” ? No one would consider a Zip Wire from Eagle Crag,Scafell Crag,Pillar Rock or Napes Needle,but Honister Crag is unique as an example of our industrial and cultural heritage.Indeed the Crag has been fitted with “Zip Wires” for most of the past 300 years.
Jim Birkett and Bill Peascod the two greatest climbers the Lake District ever produced,if they were alive today, would be writing this letter instead of me! This kind of safe little adventure is quite likely to stimulate youngsters to start climbing. We need to “increase the Adventure Capital of the National Park”. The Vanoise and Paradiso National Parks in France and Italy have been doing this for decades to good effect. It is in line with section 61 of the 1995 act and should be approved
Hi all,
In the past we have been supporters of FoLD too, but we could not agree with their previous negative attitude towards the via ferratas and (like Bev) their current opposition to the new zip wire application.
The work Mark did in re-opening the mine, which includes an active and very important tourism side, has vastly improved the prospects of so many working at Honister, their families and friends and has improved the environment around the mines to the point that it is a delight to visit. We feel it has really benefited the reputation of the National Park and in no way detracts from the beauty of the fells we love to walk.
To us, the two via ferratas, including the new rope bridge, are so well hidden on the face of the working cliffs that I feel the zip wire would blend in the same way and would not be a problem. The new application does away with the fan break, starts lower down the fell side and splits the run into two to allow youngsters to ride the lower section, all good ideas.
To all those who wish to express their opinion in writing to the planning authority, I urge you to visit the mine site, see the happy faces of the visitors, the piles of slates ready to send, the produce on sale in the shop and think how we can help these people continue to bring life to the area for the next ten years and more.
For fuller information while you think about it :-
http://www.honister.com/please_support_our_new_zip_application.asp
The page has details of how to send your comments to the Planning Board. I understand that they would appreciate a quick response to this application.
Just heard Chris Bonington on R4 lamenting the loss of the zip wire. He has resigned from FoLD, me too, £24 better off now! Frank will be pleased. This will come back,”nil illegitimum carborundum”
The Ennerdale Valley has recently been identified as one of three potentially suitable sites for the underground storage of the UK’s highest level nuclear waste. There will be a public meeting at Maryport Wave Centre, Wednesday 21st November 7pm, where Professor David Smythe and Professor Stuart Haszeldine will be speaking. Free entry and parking.
Professor David Smythe has just completed a new piece of work examining how the Ennerdale granite would be investigated during stage 5 of the MRWS process. The link to the presentation is here: http://www.davidsmythe.org/nuclear/ennerdale%2031oct12.pdf This will be one of the subjects of the talk on 21st November. There will be plenty of opportunity to question the speakers.
There is also a talk on Thursday 22nd November 7pm, at Solway Community College, Silloth. Discussion there will focus on the plans for the Solway Plain. In the interest of balance, the MRWS employed geologist, Dr Jeremy Dearlove has also been invited to present his evidence for the suitability of the Solway Plain.
The Environment Agency’s (EA) Autumn Flood Action Campaign began on Monday 15th October, and will run for four weeks. This campaign is to raise awareness of local flood risks and to encourage people to find out if they are at risk and what actions they can take to protect themselves, their families and property.
Details of the campaign and what is happening:
Week 1 Damage & Safety – EA will be promoting the need for people to check their flood risk. You can do this easily at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Week 2 Risk and Warnings – EA will be promoting the need for people to understand their flood risk and sign up to Floodline Warnings Direct to receive free early flood warnings. To register for flood warnings ring the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Week 3 Resistance and Resilience – EA will be encouraging people to make preparations to prepare themselves against the impacts of flooding and will be providing information on how individuals can complete personal flood plans as well as measures that can be taken to protect properties through the use of flood products. As part of this week EA will also be sending out mailings to communities that are potentially at risk from Flash Flooding.
Week 4 Community – EA will be encouraging communities to get involved in the work it is doing to ensure communities are aware and prepared. They will provide help and advice on developing flood plans and forming flood groups. More information can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Parish councils may wish to consider sending a letter to the (7) Executive Members of Allerdale Borough Council and (10) Cabinet of Cumbria County Council, since these are the select groups who get to vote on whether this process moves a large step closer on 11th October. Even those councils who have already expressed an interest to withdraw could decide that it is worth emphasising their position. If they do that then please copy the letter to the local media.
Above Derwent Parish Council have just sent the following:
“Dear Councillor
Above Derwent Parish Council urges you to vote against moving to stage 4 of the search for an underground repository to store radioactive waste in our county because:
1. There is no mandate from the people of Cumbria.
•Inappropriate weight has been given to the MORI poll results, which are unclear and can be interpreted in other, less favourable, ways. The MORI poll forms only one small part of the gathering of public opinion.
•The “real” public voice given so freely within the ‘Public consultation response forms’ has not been given proper weight or evaluation.
•Parish Councils, who speak on behalf of many thousands of Cumbrians, are overwhelmingly against proceeding to stage 4.
· To commit to such a massive programme you should be absolutely sure of a clear majority of local support. There is no compelling public support.
2. If the council says “yes” now, there will be no opportunity to reverse that decision in the future. The “Right to Withdraw” is couched with so many caveats as to make it meaningless. To proceed now is to commit Cumbria forever.
3. EU and British law requires that Strategic Environmental Assessment is undertaken before proceeding with this type of facility. There has been no SEA. To proceed to Stage 4 without one would put the Council, and Council Tax payers, at risk of an expensive legal challenge.”
For those who are interested, Professor David Smythe discussed the Ennerdale granite as a potential host rock, during his talk in Calder Bridge. The slides from that talk are here:
http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/homes/rsh/Copeland_Deep_repository_Smythe_7sep12_V1.pdf
Discussion of the Ennerdale granite begins on page 39. Here are some brief notes I made from David’s talk to be read together with the slides:
Page 41: Looking east up the Ennerdale valley, the orange area shows the location of the Ennerdale granite and the yellow arrow indicates where the industrial drilling complex would probably be placed.
Page 42: A map showing the approximate area of the industrial complex and the new 8-10 metre wide road required (marked in yellow) to access the industrial site. The current small road to the west which ends under Bowness Knott would have to be substantially widened back to the A5086 to allow access to a large number of HGVs (in the region of 100 per day). The red dashed lines represent new roads into the minor valleys required to access further drilling sites. These would have to be substantial enough to transport large rigs capable of drilling a kilometre through the granite.
Page 43: The Ennerdale granite reaches the shore of Buttermere.
Page 44: A second possibility would be to access the granite from Buttermere, and to take over the flat area between Buttermere and Crummock Water as the drilling complex. This advantage here is they could use existing roads, although much widening would be required to the existing road from Buttermere to Lorton and on to the A66. The granite at its northern end is thinner so this option is considered much less likely than drilling from within Ennerdale.
Page 45: The mountains create a very high hydraulic gradient (high pressure driving water underground) which would threaten the integrity of the repository. The access is extremely difficult and would require substantial roads and a drilling complex within the park. The internal structure of the granite is very complicated and interleaved with other rock types. The granite acts as a minor aquifer (a rock body with sufficient water flow to be used as a water supply) . All of these factors should rule out the Ennerdale granite from consideration, but the momentum in the process to build this repository may be too great.
Hi All,
The first Sunday in September is now the accepted date for the Loweswater Show.
Whether you be a farmer, a local tradesman, a child, a pensioner or a visitor to
the area do come with us and enjoy “The Show” and through our photos and
sound archive.
To see my record of the ” Loweswater Show ” click ….
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/120902_Loweswater_Show_2012.htm
Cheers
Roger and Ann
Thank you to those who made it along to the meeting last night. There was an audience of around 170. ITV Border News was there and should have some coverage on tonight’s programmes. The link to the slides is here http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/homes/rsh/Allerdale_and_Copeland.html . There should also be coverage in next week’s Keswick Reminder and Times and Star.
A shortage of time meant that the meeting focussed on the Northern Allerdale site close to Silloth, without going into detail on the Ennerdale site. That will be covered this evening at the talk in Calder Bridge. On the above web page, that talk is listed under ‘sites in the Copeland district’, even though the Ennerdale granite straddles the Allerdale/Copeland boundary.
Earlier this week Silloth Town Council who were undecided on the matter passed the following resolution unanimously:
SILLOTH TOWN COUNCIL REQUEST ALLERDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL EXECUTIVE AND CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL CABINET TO WITHDRAW THEIR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN SITING A NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY IN ALLERDALE AT THEIR SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE 11 OCTOBER 2012.
WE HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL AT FUTURE STAGES IN THE PROCESS.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE GEOLOGY OF THE SOLWAY PLAIN IS NOT SUITABLE FOR SUCH AN UNDERTAKING.
IT APPEARS TO US THAT THERE IS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR OUR POSITION IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND IN OTHER PARISHES ON THE PLAIN AS WELL AS IN THE SOLWAY COAST AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY.
PLEASE DO NOT EXPOSE OUR PEOPLE TO FURTHER RISK AND WORRY BY CONTINUING.
Possible change of route C2C
Results of traffic survey carried out over 8 days including the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend.
1. Hopebeck Road
Total 173 over the 8 days of which 27 were cyclists or motorcyclists.
85% of the motor vehicles were travelling at 29mph or less.
2. Thackthwaite Road
Total 800 over the 8 days of which 400 were cyclists or motorcyclists.
85% of the motor vehicles were travelling at 25mph or less.
3. Main Valley Road
Total 4500 over the 8 days of which 400 were cyclists or motorcyclists.
85% of the motor vehicles were travelling at 34mph or less.
Of the motor vehicles,125 were trucks and 6 were multi-axle heavy trucks.
The Ennerdale granite (see map here) is now being seriously considered as one of three sites for burying the UK’s high and intermediate level nuclear waste. The scale of the project would involve up to 25 square kilometres being excavated, much of it under the Ennerdale valley, but the granite also extends into the Buttermere valley so some drilling may take place from ‘our’ side. Even the exploratory phase, long before a decision is made, could involve a large scale drilling operation from the Buttermere valley, since the Ennerdale granite runs as far north as the shore of Buttermere and close to Crummock Water.
This granite intrusion has been shown to be highly fractured and faulted, which is to be expected, since it pre-dates the continental collision of Europe with North America. This should exclude it from consideration since some of the fractures and faults will act as conduits for fluid flow. As a rock body it cannot therefore be relied upon to isolate the nuclear waste from the surface while the process of radioactive decay does its job.
Should the project go ahead, around 15 million cubic metres of spoil would be brought to the surface, much of it granite which has a commercial value. In the absence of a suitable rail line, it is estimated that 100 HGVs per day would be used to carry this granite away from the Ennerdale valley to be sold. This could go on for decades. So much for Wild Ennerdale.
On Thursday 6th September, two of the senior independent scientists who are the main opposition to the project will be in Cockermouth. They will be joined by one of the professors who was involved in creating the MRWS partnership process for the government and who now feels that this process is being abused. The speakers will be:
David Smythe, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics, Glasgow University
Stuart Haszeldine OBE, Professor of Geology, Edinburgh University
Andy Blowers OBE, Professor of Social Sciences (OU) and a former government advisor on nuclear waste
The meeting will be open to the public. It begins at 7pm, Thursday 6th September at Cockermouth Eco Centre, part of Cockermouth School.
Leslie and I have recently enjoyed a very enjoyable walk around Ennerdale Lake, the Sun was out with clear blue skies and our ten month old puppy ‘Briony’ had such fun dashing about in the lakeside ferns! This was followed by a delicious meal at the recently acquired and refurbished Shepherds Arms hotel. Keith Milburn, New tenant and Manager, along with his staff prepared a very tasty meal served in a very comfortable bar/lounge with a good selection of local beers. We are indeed very fortunate to have such a good eating establishment in the heart of Ennerdale. We would certainly recommend it to all our friends in the Valley.
Message relayed from Ann Peck: ‘All the bells’
‘On Friday morning communities across the country will gather together to gather to celebrate ‘All the Bells’ by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed. Anyone can take part by ringing any kind of bell from tower bells, hand bells, bicycle and doorbells. The event will also be broadcast live by the BBC (Eurosport).
Celebrate the Opening Day of The Olympic Games.
Ring bells for 3 minutes from 8.12am on Friday morning.
Meet at 8am on Lorton Pound, at least 12 bells provided.
By all means bring your own! Just fall out of bed and come along!
Thank you to all who came to the ‘All the Bells’ event despite the early morning light drizzle of the otherwise gloriously sunny day. Over 40 people attended and plenty of bells rang out for the 3 minutes. The Times and Star’s James came and we look forward to seeing the article in next Friday’s edition. Any photos taken please e-mail them to me, but, in the meantime, here’a photo of the bells I used.
Thanks, Ann Peck
Hi everybody! Just to let you know I starting a friendship group for people aged over 50 at 1pm in Yew Tree Hall on Friday. Due to the fact I was off last week posters/flyers did not get put up around the area. I have contacted current clients to invite them along, but I would like to open this invitation to all older people in the Melbreak Communities. We will be having coffee and a chat and may even play cards, dominoes or scrabble, and of course be eating plenty of cake!! So please help me spread the word as I would like this to be a regular group on the last Friday of each month to encourage people to get out and about and socialise in their local community. Hannah.
Do let us know when the next friendship group is. Is there any chance of having it at The Tennis Club (especially possible during the school holiday?) so that anyone unable to use the stairs can come.
The Loweswater Ladies have a social group within the valley and like the Farmers Group recently, they’ve organised a day out. The plan was to visit Grasmere and to listen to Taffy Thomas, the Storyteller Laureate who is resident there.
Full report and pictures at:
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/120613_Loweswater_Ladies_day_out.htm
Hope you can join them on their day out last week.
R.
Kirkgate Centre planning application
Kirkgate Arts has a planning application to extend and refurbish the Centre. Details can be seen on the Allerdale Planning website against reference 2/2012/0127.
Many of us in the valley think the Centre is a great asset to the wider community, not only residents of Cockermouth. The work will improve facilities and enhance the Centre as a community facility. Kirkgate Arts are seeking support for the application and encourage people to contact the planners. We support the plans and suggest people in the valley who have not seen the details try and have a look and send a comment.
Chris and Derek Poate
Yew Tree View
High Lorton
Hi all.
My name is Emma Andrews and I and my partner John have recently moved into Kirkhead, Loweswater. I would like to echo what Helen said: what a great website. Fantastic to see so much going on and to be able to find out about events and activities so easily. Thank you. I hope to meet many of you in due course.
Emma.
Thanks for your comments, hope to see you and John around the valley.
We have been asked to circulate this message from Age UK West Cumbria:
FREE INTERNET TRAINING: How to Save Money On-line
Due to the popularity of this course we will be running it again in on Thursday afternoons from 1pm in the Kirkgate Centre, beginning on 21st June. Places are limited so book now!
The course will consist of 5 sessions (2 hours each):
Buying second-hand goods online
Price-comparison sites
Switching utility suppliers
Online banking and financial advice
Internet security
Previous use of the internet will be an advantage, but not a necessity.
For more information or to book ring:
Hannah or Nicola at the
Centre for the 3rd Age,
Cottage Hospital,
Cockermouth.
01900 828393 or the
Age UK West Cumbria
Helpline 08443 843 843
cockermouth@ageukwestcumbria.org.uk
I have sent a reply direct to betterhighways about this but will reproduce it below:
thank you for providing a Forum to discuss the issues relating to the Sea to Sea cycle route – Lorton to Loweswater (or rather Loweswater to Lorton as this is the most used direction).
I have lived at the property known as Rosewell on the original Thackthwaite lane route for some time, and have long term, direct experience of the situation.
My observations:
Typically the Thackthwaite Lane route is unfit for the purpose of directing the cycle route traffic down. Winter usage is minimal or non-existent and seems to largely occur without incident. Summer usage is sporadic, concentrated around the usual activity times of bank holidays, week ends etc (as I hope your survey will demonstrate). On these occasions bicycle users are by far the most numerous users of the route. Some are courteous, and observe the usual, common sense recommendations as per the highway code etc. However the majority do not. I am a keen cyclist myself and perhaps have a vested interest to preserve the rights, image etc of the cycling fraternity, but my opinion is that the majority of the users abandon normal behaviour when using, particularly, this route. It is as if they believe it to be a closed road, with no other vehicular users. They tend to ride two or more abreast and at high speed – the route is mainly one that looses height along its length and there is ample opportunity for cycle users to freewheel, achieving speeds much higher than is safe. Indeed they mainly use higher speeds than the typical car. Minor incidents are very regular, near misses and impacts are guaranteed at the weekend. Indeed a lady was hospitalised after an incident with a Landover outside our house, three cyclists hit the front of a builders delivery wagon, as pedestrians using the route with a disabled person we have also had to take vigorous evasive action. The list of incidents is endless. I am very sure indeed that in time we will have our first death on this route.
As ever the main cause is human error – cyclists not identifying the risks and not using common sense. However the basic nature of the route is unsuitable given its poor sightlines, narrow nature (narrower in summer due to hedgerow growth), its topographical aspect (down hill) and the predominance of agricultural vehicles using it during the summer.
I hope you take all these factors into consideration during your study and confirm that a revision of the route to the ‘diversion route’ should be permanent. You may just be in time to save a life.
Melbreak Communities administrator, please feel free to use this reply to the “better highways” on the website if you feel it would be of use.
best regards
Robert Webb
While I agree with the general criticism of the reckless cyclists who think they own the road and the point that the blind steep bend past Rosewell is the most risky section along the Thackthwaite route I think we need to consider the available options carefully and choose the least worst one! Probably the most hazardous bit of the route in our area is down from Fangs Brow,I’ve no idea how to improve this. The choice of the main valley road instead of the Thackthwaite road would expose the cyclists to 10 times more vehicles going at 30mph instead of 20mph and the mix of drivers would be mainly tourists and delivery drivers on a schedule rather than local residents or local people alert to the probability of meeting a flock of cyclists coming along the next section of the Thackthwaite road.The Hopebeck road is a half baked idea still leaving the cyclists with the steep downhill bend past the vicarage and Rose Cottage,the steep climb up to Scale Hill where some cyclists, in the wrong gear or unfit would wobble to a halt and dismount half way up the hill presenting a hazard to cars travelling in both directions and the narrow section past Joe Millburn’s house. If they take the Hopebeck route as described in the 23 July letter from Steph Metcalfe they climb steeply to Hopebeck,go past Walter Head’s house and lose the height again coming into Lorton.If they have a map they will choose to go up the gated road past Christine England’s house and rejoin the official route above Scales. If we are lucky they will shut the gates and no sheep will stray! They will bypass Lorton shop and the Wheatsheaf pub altogether.Is this what we want,I don’t think so. On the existing route the support vans can wait safely east of Lorton bridge and the cyclists can take a break before the hill up to Whinlatter without inconveniencing anyone. The C2C is a bit like the Cocker,it flows down the valley whether we like it or not,we don’t want it right on our doorstep particularly in full flow. Twelve years at Low Mill have taught me to live with the Cocker and the cyclists! Also remember the perfect view up the valley from Foulsyke. The least worst option is the Thackthwaite road,leave the C2C where it has always been.
Loweswater Parish Council has asked Cumbria County Council to carry out a feasibility study to ascertain whether the C2C cycle route should be altered. The Council has written to local people about this and you can read the letter here. Views are needed in writing before 15 July 2012.
Hoping that this fine weather continues …. a leaflet, ‘Looking After Yourself and others During Hot Weather’, published by the Department of Health, can be accessed via http://www.orderline.dh.gov.uk, quote 301454/Heatwave or telephone the Department of Health Publications Orderline: 0300 123 1002.
Just to let everyone know that, at a local meeting held on 8 May 2012, the Loweswater Care Project became the Loweswater Care Partnership with a constitution, an initial membership of 22 people and 7 Trustees to form the Executive Committee. See web page for more info.
The term ‘localism’ is frequently mentioned in the press and on TV. The Localism Act 2011 brought important new rights to local communities and these were the subject of a conference in Cumbria last month. Here is a link to some notes from the event.
Come and enjoy real coffee and delicious cake (home made by Cheryl Aitken) at the Yew Tree Hall on Saturday (14th April). 10.30-12 noon. We’re also having a Melbreak Communities open meeting at 11.30am and would be very pleased to see you!
There’s yet another planning application in for a wind turbine in the Berrier Hill region near Penruddock. To me this would appear to be a cynical attempt to circumvent the protective efforts of current legislation, would be contrary to the recent Berrier Hill rejection legeslation, would spoil the local environment and be a dangerous distraction for drivers on the A66. It is proposed to be sited immediately behind the Sportsman Pub on the main road to Penrith.
If you wish further details and hopefully add your comments, please click on:
http://eforms.eden.gov.uk/fastweb/detail.asp?AltRef=12/0200
Cockermouth Centre for the Third Age has just published its April newsletter, which includes information about a wide range of local events and activities.
EVERYONE !!! Are you aware that the Dial-a Ride transport scheme that covers Lorton and Loweswater is ending on the 28th of April.
A meeting has been organised for WEDNESDAY 28th March, at 6.00 pm, at The Yew Tree Hall, Lorton, to discuss transport issues and alternatives. Gina Borley, the Locality Transport Officer is coming to the meeting to hear YOUR Views.
Please make every effort to attend.
In Loweswater there are regular meetings during the winter months of the Loweswater Discussion Group, known locally as the ” Loweswater Farmers “. The Group is the oldest established Cumbrian village group of its type as it started in 1942, seventy years ago this year.
The initial topics of discussion were related to the “Dig for Victory” campaign and subsequently how to develop and improve farming in the area. Nowadays topics still concentrate on farming matters but have broadened slightly to reflect the more diverse nature of the group.
March 5th was the last meeting of the Winter 2011 / 2012 season and a good time to celebrate the anniversary. I was able to get along and take a few photos to mark the occasion, and along with them I include a few of the older pictures and news cuttings from 20 years ago … the 50th Anniversary of the Group
Pictures can be found @
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/120305_Loweswater_Farmers_70.htm
Cheers
Roger
Why not introduce a little humour following St Ptrick’s Day …
A Guinness advert but topical to the valley nevertheless.
Click on this link :- http://youtu.be/y07at1bU89Q
Cheers
Roger Hiley
Buttermere Parish Council have voted to ask Allerdale to withdraw from the MRWS (nuclear waste) consultation process and not to enter stage 4 of the process. The vote, held at a special meeting this evening at Buttermere Village Hall was unanimous.
You can read a short article about The Melbreak Communities in the ACT Spring 2012 Gazette here. You can also see the latest Newsletter from C3A via a link on this page.
At the end of last year many of you in the valley kindly purchased our 2012 Loweswatercam Calendar. As promised, £1 from every one sold was donated to local mountain rescue whch, along with a few “here’s a little extra” amounted to a grand total of £277.
Tuesday evening this week found Ann and myself down at Cockermouth base with cheque in hand : http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/2012_Calendar_success.htm
~ A BIG THANK YOU ~ to all those that helped us reach the target. Here’s to next year !
Roger and Ann
Hello,
I have just moved into Latterhead Farmhouse and been made to feel very welcome by my immediate neighbours.I am very impressed by the website and how much is happening in the area. In the past I have enjoyed being part of a monthly book group .Is there anything happening in the valley or does someone know of a group nearby?Sometimes these groups are just friends and therefore its tricky so I would appreciate an answer from a local “who knows”.Perhaps I could help set up a new one if the interest was there.
Kind Regards Helen
Hi Helen,
Welcome to the valley. I don’t know of a valley book club or group but others may …
If you are looking for reading suggestions try the new Joanna Trollop book ‘The Soldier’s Wife’. Ann has read it and it is a novel based on a very up to date theme of the life of a modern army wife. It featured on Woman’s Hour recently and is now sitting on my end of the bookshelf.
On a slightly negative note, The Purple House by Steven Freeman hints at a history of the Old Purple House at Rigg Beck in the Newlands Valley but ends up being a rather over personal, self indulgent autobiography of his time (circa 2000) lodging in the old place. Not for the prudish should we say. His other book ‘Black Sail’ outlines a summer at the distant and iconic youth hostel in the remote Ennerdale Valley. An alltogether nicer book but again, overly personal in places.
I’d read more but my other hobby seems to be taking much of my time !
It is (or even they are) out there so I am told, but rather secretive as no-one has offered to expand on the Book Club section under Activities, Clubs.
Info on two new C3A clubs from Hannah Bradley, Centre for the Third Age, Cottage Hospital, Cockermouth. Tel: 01900 828393.
The Kingfisher Club – A new social group for men meets every Friday 1pm in the Kingfisher, Crown Street, Cockermouth. Join us for lunch, pool, cards, dominoes, or just a crack.
Pie of the Day just £6 Cumberland Sausage only £5.50
Starting 24th February 2012 – first meeting free lunch & transport
Day Trippers Club
Wednesday 14th March 2012 – The Beacon, Whitehaven.
Tuesday 20th March 2012 – The Senhouse Roman Museum, Maryport.
Tuesday 27th March 2012 – Haig Mining Museum, Whitehaven.
Entry, lunch & transport only £3.50. In return the museums will be asking us to complete a questionnaire so they can find out how to increase their appeal to older people. Minibuses will pick people up from the United Reformed Church, Main Street, Cockermouth, at 12pm.
The Vale of Lorton Community First Responders has 4 very robust metal boxes, each fitted with a combination lock, which we no longer require for housing our various sets of equipment. Three of them measure 83 cm wide, 54 cm deep and 70-90 cm high (sloping roof) with a single door and one is 90 cm wide, 35 cm deep and 70-90 cm high with double doors. The price per box is £120 as in the condition seen. All monies received would go towards CFR funds. If you are interested in 1 or more of these boxes, please contact Leslie Webb, Team Leader on 01900 85609 or by email here.
Message from Sarah Fletcher
Police Community Support Officer – PCSO 5215
Cockermouth Police Station
Heating oil has been stolen from a tank in Bassenthwaite between 1st – 6th February.
Please be vigilant and keep an eye on your heating oil. Please check your oil levels regularly and aim to secure the tanks or protect them as best as possible. If you see any vehicles (if possible try to include vehicle registrations), persons (descriptions, clothing) or anything suspicious please contact the Police on the non emergency number 101 or 999 for emergencies. You can also report anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or by email http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org
For those with an interest in the siting of the UK’s underground nuclear waste dump, I would like to draw their attention to page 93 (paragraph e) of the Public consultation document. The gist of this seems to be that despite all the talk of voluntarism, if we as a community choose to withdraw our area from the process during step 3 (our current position), the partnership can reverse that withdrawal at will. The same issue arises on page 94 (paragraph i) if we choose to withdraw during step 4.
In other words, we can voluntarily withdraw from the process, only to find ourselves back in against our will. This right of withdrawal looks a little hollow….
West Cumbria Managing Radio Active Waste Safely.
Consultation underway.
Check for the information pack : http://www.westcumbriamrws.org
Community Drop in Events : Friday 10th Feb Cockermouth Kirkgate Center 1 – 7.
What are your views ?
Submissions on the consolation document by March 23rd.
Hi ,
Thanks to the organisers for a great Show this year. Weren’t we all lucky with the weather !
After a few days delay, we have put together a few of our photos and thoughts for you to enjoy :-
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/110904_Loweswater_Show_2011.htm
Hope you like them.
Cheers,
Roger and Ann
Email: hiley105@btinternet.com
Web Site: http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk
where our new 2012 Calendar is now on sale.
A prayer tree is now located at the back of St. Bartholomew, Loweswater, with the following message:
PRAYER TREE
Prayer is always personal. But it is also about community – drawing individuals closer together as they draw closer to God. The prayer tree allows for the personal prayers of each person in church to be gathered and offered as one. As the power of prayer is strong, it is also a way to support each other in the valley by prayer and fellowship.
‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.’ (John 15:5).
As we remain in God’s love we are given the strength to love others. As we love others through our gifts, actions and prayers, God brings us to life. By placing a prayer on the tree, the tree will come to “life” representing the church in the valley as we unite in prayer.
Jan Collins-Webb
Church Warden
Lorton and the Domesday project
I wonder if people have noticed that the BBC have recently done a follow-up to the 1985 Domesday project to record information from villages around the country. The update includes a short interview with Judith Ben and Elly Rowland and can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-13467810
In addition, some of the 1985 Domesday sites, including Low and High Lorton, and Cockermouth, are now accessible on the internet (a bit clumsy to navigate, but the information is there). See this link for High Lorton. To see Low Lorton click on the ‘West’ button by the map. To see Cockermouth, click on the ‘North’.:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-316000-525000
Hi,
A few pictures of the village today when I had my first opportunity to get over and see the newly opened bridge … just a day late. ( It seems I missed both openings, official and unofficial ! )
http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/110125_Lorton_&_Bridge.htm
Thanks to Les for the pictures I was unable to take.
Cheers
Roger
The Melbreak Communities have gone from strength to strength. Well done to all concerned in bringing things to where they are now. The website is another real milestone and we are proud to be a supporter and funder.
Keep up the good work.
Clive Wickham
Community Enbler
Lake District National Park Authority