This page is for anyone with something to say about the community or with news items. You can reply to a post within that thread or start a new thread by filling in the “Leave a reply” box right at the bottom of the Message Board page (use End key). You can also post comments on other pages (eg the Community Plan). The reply post form has a tick-box for those who want to get replies by email.
The way the system works is that, once you have posted a comment, the administrator is notified by email and the comment has to be approved before it appears on the message board, so there will always be a short delay before you can see what you’ve posted. If you’ve already had a post accepted, then new posts from you should appear straightaway.
Messages will be available for about a year. Earlier messages are archived. This can be obtained from the Administrator.
The Melbreak Communities 
Melbreak Communities Local Events Diary
This list is drawn from The Link and mostly just covers the next month’s events. We would like to extend this coverage into the future, up to about a year in advance. This should help with scheduling and avoid the clash of events on the same day. Can I encourage anyone who wants to add, delete or amend an event to email me at melbreakcommunities@gmail.com. The minimum details needed are: Name of event, date, time. But feel free to add other information, location, attachments etc as they become available. Groups and societies are especially asked to let me have their annual programme if it is available.
Thanks
Richard
The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick 2024 (Calling everyone in the Melbreak Communities parishes to come and help Friends of the Lake District with a LITTER PICK)
Litter not only spoils how our beautiful landscapes look, it also creates toxins and pollutants that are harmful to the land and the wildlife and livestock that live here.
Come and help us make Lorton a more beautiful and safer place for us and our wildlife to live!
When: Saturday 23rd March 2 – 4pm
Where: Gather outside Lorton School
What to wear: Old clothes and gloves. High Vis jacket if you have one. Bring a friend!
Pickers and high vis provided.
Cakes and tea afterwards!
Email Deb on beech.lane35@yahoo.co.uk to register by Wednesday 20th March
Sorry, no children as we will be on roads around Lorton
Hello. I’m Angela from Sustainable Keswick and would like to invite Melbreak Communities to join us at the Keswick Alhambra on Friday 23rd February for a theatrical/cinematic event about species extinction. The details can be found on the Alhambra website. We also want to tell positive stories of local initiatives to address species loss to inspire people to get involved so if you’re willing to say a few words about what you do that would be great. Please let me know if you’re planning on coming on 07818531695. Many thanks, Angela
Here is the full information on how to book for the Ceilidh being held at Loweswater Village Hall Saturday 24th February 7.00pm -10.00pm. Apologies that booking information is missing from the advert in The Link this month. Please book in advance with Lyn Furniss on 07970218239 or alloyslyn@btinternet.com Ticket £6 and Sausage Bap in the interval £4. Tea, coffee, soft drink provided but bring your own booze. Get your dancing shoes on for a great evening out!
We have a large Bosch chest freezer for sale. It’s in excellent working order – please let me know if you would like to come and have a look (I can also send photos). It is 114cm long, 85cm high and 65cm deep. £50 – buyer would need to collect (near High Lorton). Feel free to contact me if you are interested – Gill Locking 07736 659313
The 2023 Christmas season is fast approaching and we would like to welcome you to join us on a Carol Singing Evening in the Loweswater Valley on Monday the 18th December.
Just one event this year, meeting at Keith and Gill McNeil’s house at Littlethwaite at the slightly earlier time of 5.30pm, then driving up the valley to Thackthwaite, Oak Bank, Scale Hill, the Kirkstile and ending up with an invitation from Karen and Peter to join them at the Village Hall around 8pm.
If you can’t join us for the whole evening, or we are not passing your door, then you would be most welcome to meet up with us on the way around, or at the Village Hall at the end, on what we hope will be very sociable occasion.
Song sheets will be provided, please bring your best singing voices. A door to door collection in aid of NSPCC will be made as usual.
Unfortunately, the article on energy that I wrote for The Link in October has some missing info in the chart so I am attaching a link on the LCP page to a PDF version of the piece here – https://melbreakcommunities.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/2023-link-energy-v3.pdf
Before they go in the glass recycling,does anyone have any use for a large quantity of glass jars ( 500 ml mostly) useful for pickles/ etc, too big for marmalade/jam unless you make very large quantities !
Thank you to all who made a donation at the funeral of Paul Eurich. A total of £201.83 was raised for Cancer Research UK.
Day of Prayer at the Poiema Community & Retreat House
The Poiema Community & Retreat House is opening its garden and chapel for a day of personal prayer and reflection at Loweswater Vicarage on Saturday, 27th May. You’re welcome to come at any time between 10am-5pm and to use the Garden, outdoor Prayer Labyrinth, and Prayer Stations in the chapel.
For further information, including important info about car parking, please visit our website at https://www.poiema.community/
https://melbreakcommunities.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/doc1.docx
In Lorton May 6th White Ash-combining our delight at the coronation, our distress at the situation in Ukraine and our love of herdwicks.
Ann and Roger Peck
Thanks
Ann Peck
GOLDEN MUSIC
Hands-on music workshops for the elderly in residential homes
How do I put a photo in the Leave a Reply section..just thought some nice photos of Coronation Lorton decorations would be nice.
Hi Ann, sorry you can’t do this. Send the pictures to me (richard_easton@hotmail.com) and I’ll mount them somewhere – but cannot do this until next weekend.
Richard
Paul Eurich, of Low Lorton, sadly passed away on 24th April. Many will remember him and his wife Jean as having a shop in the village many years ago. Funeral arrangements, once confirmed, will be posted in the village shop and here, as well as being announced in our churches.
End of January 2023 update from the Lorton Support Group for Ukrainian Refugees:
Claire Griffel, the author of a beautiful book about Buttermere valley has kindly donated copies of her book to our group. The book titled: ‘Buttermere Return’ was published in 2021 for a price of £20 and is now available for a donation (£5 or £10 or more?). Please contact Hanneke van Schelven at: hvanschelven@icloud.com.
This is the connection between the author and our group: Claire’s father came to the UK as a refugee in 1940 and found solace in Buttermere valley. Claire became later part of valley life as a child and adult. She told us: ‘My father would have been so pleased to know the proceeds of this book will go to your cause!’
The book has photos, letters, artefacts, old postcards, articles, stories, audio transcripts and a little creative writing and art. After reading the book, Buttermere will certainly look different on your next walk around it.
Hanneke van Schelven
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Low Lorton
We are hosting a locals night on the 1st February. We would love to see as many of you as possible!
We will be serving a reduced menu, in the hopes we can fit as many in as possible.
Bookings are advisable.
We are hoping for a 7.00pm arrival with food served at 7.30pm followed by a quiz at 8.30 pm
Not necessary to eat if you would prefer to just come along for the quiz?!?!
If you need any more information please give us a Call.
0190085199 or pop in to see us!
An Update from
the Lorton Support Group for Ukrainian Refugees.
Since our last update in the July/August 2022 issue of ‘The Link’ regarding the support for Ukrainian refugees in Lorton, one family in Lorton Vale has very generously opened its house to an Ukrainian grandmother and her 16 year old grandson. I think I can safely say we are all in awe of this family!
The grandson and grandmother arrived at the end of November 2022. The grandson has started to attend Cockermouth High School and tells us: ‘School is getting a bit better every day’. He has also visited his Ukrainian girlfriend in Bournemouth over the Christmas period, using National Express Coach.
The grandmother has just started to join activities in the community, such as helping out with the toddler group at Lorton Primary School. She is right at the beginning of speaking English.
The Lorton Support Group, with about 10 residents of Lorton Vale, are trying to support the host family and guests in a variety of ways, such as providing the grandson with Wellington Boots, a bike, helmet and gloves, as well as providing art material to the grandmother and taking her to an art class. In addition a local resident is taking her for walks.
On 9th March 2022 lots of you offered time, practical support and/ or different skills. Please let me know if you are still able and willing to support with the following:
– Transport to ‘The English Cafe’ in Workington, (Thursday
morning, 9:30am) where the grandmother can meet up with
other Ukrainian refugees
– Does anyone work in a charity shop and would they be willing to
take grandmother to help out?
– Befriending/English practice. Because the grandmother has little
English, a joint activity is probably best.
– Is anybody able to speak Russian in the valley? This could be a
great support, especially for the grandmother.
– Accommodation for when the host family have their own family
visiting
– Any fishing related activities and/or equipment for the grandson
The Lorton Support Group has collected money to buy a ‘Welcome’ present for both grandmother and grandson. But then it occurred to us that more neighbours in Lorton Vale might like to contribute, so it would be a ’Welcome’ present from Lorton Vale. There is, however, no expectation.
If you would like to contribute to the present, please could you drop your contribution (up to £10?) at our house: Hobcarton, next to Low Lorton Bridge. If we are not in, there is a letterbox at the side of the house, opposite the garage. Please write your name on the envelope. Alternatively one of us could call in at your house and collect. Thank you!
Vince Mercer
Hanneke van Schelven (hvanschelven@icloud.com)
In a wicker basket on the left hand step to Lorton Village Shop there was an exquisite flower yesterday. I am amazed that my mobile has captured the fine detail of the flower. Does anyone know its name. I have tried to attach a photo here but in vain. Where do I find the command ‘Attach photo’!?
Lorton Working Group for Refugee Support are holding an open meeting at Yew Tree Village Hall on Sat 9th April at 12.30 pm to discuss the potential for a Lorton Community response to the current Ukrainian refugee crisis. (straight after the morning coffee and cakes event)
Greetings
I would very much like to join you on 9 April.
My Father was a refugee to this country and found solace in Buttermere valley. I later became part of valley life as a child and adult.
Meanwhile I work with Cumbria Unity Festival, South Lakes Equality and Diversity Partnership and the Cumbria Race Equity Network. I recently started to liaise with all the Cumbrian groups working with people seeking refuge.
Hi Claire, sorry for the late response. I very much look forward to talking with you on 9th April at Yew Tree Hall.Hanneke
Excellent. Thank you
Best wishes Claire Griffel
Greetings
Unfortunately I now have been asked to work on 9 April.
I think it would be a good idea if we had a quick call instead before your meeting then we can see if there are any ideas that could be shared at the meeting.
My number is 07927720497.
If you prefer I can send you a zoom link.
My email is clairegriff@hotmail.co.uk
I am flexible with time all day so far on Thursday 7 April or in the afternoon on Friday 8 April.
Very best wishes Claire Griffel
For those who haven’t seen it yet, the price of heating oil has risen out of all proportion to other oils in the last couple of weeks, tripling to above 150ppl. There is likely to be a significant risk of theft from oil tanks while this situation continues.
Good evening, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has placed a bid on something in the Friends of Lorton School online auction. All 32 items in the auction have now received at least one bid and we have over £1,300 in online bids alone. We’ll be closing online bids at 6pm tomorrow so if you’ve seen something you like the look of make sure you place your bid before then. Or if you’ve already placed a bid you might like to check to make sure you haven’t been outbid!
Tickets are still available for the live auction on Saturday evening in Yew Tree Hall, we’d love to see some of you there. Tickets cost £7.50 including a glass of fizz and free nibbles, there’s no charge for under 18s.
We’ve got one of the auctioneers from Mitchell’s running the auction for us so we’ll be in good hands. We’re also running a cash bar on the night and the Kirkstile Inn have very generously donated a barrel of Loweswater Gold so we hope some of you can join us for a drink or two, even if you don’t want to bid on anything.
Hope to see you there.
https://www.fols.co.uk/
Andrea & Pete Ward (2 Rose Cottage) will be giving a presentation to the local community about their ideas for a Centre for Spirituality based in Loweswater Vicarage on Sunday, 13th March.
The presentation will take place at St Cuthbert’s Church, Lorton, following the 10.30am Holy Communion service. There’ll be a break after the service, so please join us for 11.45am if you’re not coming along to the service. Everyone is very welcome!
For more information contact Andrea at revandreaward@gmail.com
An author talk at Cockermouth library
Market day Friday 18 March at 2 pm
Claire Griffel introduces her book
Buttermere return
There will also be plenty of interesting items of local interest to look at including her collection of old postcards.
Special Guest
High Sheriff of Cumbria David Beeby
Tickets £1 to include refreshments
To book please contact Cockermouth Library direct or call 01900 822634
Hi all,
Online bids for the Friends of Lorton School Sparkling Charity Auction are now open! You can see all 31 items and place a bid on the attached link.
We really hope some of you can join us for the live auction at Yew Tree Hall on 12th March, I know some of you have already bought tickets.
We have one of the Mitchell’s Auctioneers running the auction for us, doors open at 7pm and the auction will get underway around 7:30 with a couple of intervals. There’ll be a cash bar and the lovely people at the Kirkstile Inn have donated a barrel of beer so hopefully people will arrive thirsty!
Tickets cost £7.50 (no charge for under 18s) including a glass of fizz and free nibbles. You can buy tickets on the attached link.
Hope to see you there!
Jill
https://www.fols.co.uk/
Ukraine Refugee Crisis. The Polish Shop on Stenhouse St, Maryport is collecting items for Ukrainian refugees – e.g.clothes especially for older people, women and children, baby items, toys, dried food goods, toiletries/hygiene etc. Drop off at the shop. Family members are sorting the items and sending over in returning Polish lorries.
Latest update The Lakes Centre shop in Cockermouth are a drop off place for The Polish Shop donations…. they don’t want clothes ( have too many at the mo ) but they need all baby items – nappies / milk / bottles / wet wipes etc plus First aid kits / torches
Darn it – I was only thinking this morning that I should get rid of some clothes! I’ll have to buy some nappies instead
Just to let you all know this collection point is now closed as they received too much stuff!
Good evening, the Friends of Lorton School are looking forward to holding their annual 10k race next month. It’s the 10th year of the race and the first time in 3 years we’ve been able to hold it due to COVID.
This year, to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and give our fundraising a much needed boost, we’re also holding a Sparkling Charity Auction on the evening of the race, Saturday 12th March, in Yew Tree Hall. Tickets are £7.50 which includes a glass of fizz and free nibbles. We’ve had some amazing prizes donated by local businesses including lunch for 2 at Michelin star restaurant The Cottage in the Wood, a 1 night stay B&B for 2 at The Pheasant, Bassenthwaite, a £100 voucher to use on a cottage break with holidaycottages.co.uk, Afternoon Tea for 2 at The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden, a family ticket for Alnwick Gardens and a game of golf on their Adventure Golf Course, and tickets for Keswick Mountain Festival.
You can see all Auction items and where to buy tickets on the link below. Please note we are adding new auction items all the time so please keep checking back to see an updated list. We really hope members of the local community will join us for an entertaining evening. We’re hoping one of the auctioneers from Mitchell’s will run our auction for us, and we’re on the lookout for local musicians who might like to perform before the Auction kicks off and during the intervals. There’ll be a cash bar on the night too. If anyone would like to bid on anything in the Auction but can’t make it on the night we’ll be taking online bids the week before the live Auction. If anyone would like any more info please feel free to get in touch. Hopefully see lots of you there on 12th March.
Best wishes,
Jill
http://www.fols.co.uk
Hi everyone, Hope this is OK?
I moved to the valley at the start of the first lockdown and then moved to the outskirts of High Lorton in March 2021. I would love to get to know some people and wonder what is on during the evenings or weekends? – I work full time so could only go to things then. Also, is there a book club that runs in the evenings? If there is one that is open to new people joining it would be great if someone could let me know, if not I am very happy to set one up if anyone would be interested?
I’m an all year round lake swimmer too btw so always happy too swim with anyone. Thanks in advance, Cherry
Dear Cherry,
I am Chair of the Melbreak Communities group. Have a look at our website and see what we are up to. Lorton is a busy place with all sorts of things going on. If you send me an email glenis@borderhydro.co.uk I can send you some emails for people involved with the swimming and other things…welcome to Lorton.
Unfortunately due to the worsening Covid situation the Crib Service and Christingle at Lorton Church on 24th December at 5p.m has been cancelled.
For anyone who hasn’t pre-ordered I have just 18 Lorton Vale calendars and 12 packs of Christmas cards left. If you’d like any then please call me on 07885 360353.