WagtailSeptember 2016 • The parish magazineof Whittington, Arkholme and Gressingham

Tuesday 6 September 1.30pmCome and Sing Hornby Institute

also Tuesday 20 September 1.30pm & 7pmNew and thriving with about 20 people at

each session – newcomers welcome,afternoons and/or evenings, eachsession two hours – £4 – Pat 21449

Wednesday 7 SeptemberWhittington Coffee Morning

10.30am-12noon Whittington Village Hallalso Wednesday 21 September

Monday 12 SeptemberWomen’s Institute

7.30pm Arkholme Village HallTricia Berry – “Cooking withChristmas in mind” – visitors welcome

Thursday 15 September 7.30pmFlower Club Hornby Institute £4

Saturday 1 October10.30am-12.30pmCoffee Morning

Arkholme Village HallDonations for cake stall appreciatedPrize for best decorated cake · Raffle

Mary 21115 or Carole 22202

Sunday 2 OctoberHarvest Festivals

for Arkholme and GressinghamArkholme 11am · Gressingham 6.30pmeach followed by bring-and-share meal

Wednesday 5 October 1pmLunch Club

reopens for senior members of thethree parishes – a three course lunchfollowed by tea or coffee for £6 per

person, monthly from October to May.Usually the second Wednesday of themonth, but a week early this October.New members are always welcome.

Please call Carole Webb 22202 orDoreen Airey 22023 by the Monday to

let us know you are coming

Saturday 15 OctoberAnnual Charity Dinner

Arkholme Village HallLast year raised £3,000

for North West AirAmbulance, this year

raising money for Galloway’s Societyfor the Blind. Reserve the date,

more details next month.

Friday 23 September Sunday 25 September·

Whittington Harvest Festivaland Saint Michael the Archangel Patronal Festival weekend

Harvest Supper7.30pm Friday 23 September

Whittington Village Hall

Harvest Festival Service10.30am Sunday 25 September

Whittington Parish Church

After the Carol Service, these are the two biggest events ofthe year – join us for both, at the combined Harvest and

Patronal Festival weekend

more Whittington news on the back cover...

This edition sponsored by

Lancaster 01524 598300Morecambe 01524 416315

DirectoryArkholme Post Office Arkholme Village Hall Mondays and Thursdays 2pm to 4pmWhittington Post Office Whittington Village Hall Thursdays 1.30pm to 3.30pmArkholme and Whittington Parish Council Clerk Gillian Hodgson 218146 Meadoway Arkholme LA6 1AT arkholmebrownies@hotmail.comArkholme School Headteacher Joy Ingram www.arkholme.lancs.sch.uk 21418 Arkholme Village Hall www.arkholme-village-hall.co.uk 07716 122940 Committee usually meets second Thursday of each month (email or phone to check) – all welcomeBook Club May Levick 21669 Bowling Club Arkholme Monday evenings David Smith 03330 119 303Drama Group Neil Read 21339 realneed@hotmail.com Lunch Club Carole Webb 22202 or Doreen Airey 22023 for retired residents of the three villages – usually on the second Wednesday of the month from October to MayMethodist minister Peter Brown 01524 771230 Playgroup/Toddlers Danielle Barker wagtailplaygroupandtoddlers@gmail.com 21921 Police PC3573 Rob Barnsley carnforthnpt@lancashire.pnn.police.uk telephone 101Whittington Village Hall Karan Metcalfe 71287Coffee Mornings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 10.30am to 12noonWomen’s Institute Janice McIlveen 21693Vicar Revd Michael Hampson vicar@these4parishes.co.uk 21712Local churches and community groups can be listed here for freePlease send additions, updates and corrections to editor@wagtail.org.uk

Classified adsWe hope you find these listings helpfulArchitectural Services Chris Potts BSc MRICS – full architectural design services,alterations, extensions and planning advice 015242 73228 info@cnpassociates.co.ukBay Horse Hotel Arkholme open daily – lunchtime 12noon-3pm and evening 6pm-11pm. Open all day (12noon-11pm) Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Food served all day – last food orders 9pm. (Closed all day Monday, and Tuesday lunchtime). LA6 1AS. (015242) 21425. Rooms available. www.thebayhorsearkholme.co.ukBoarding Kennels and cattery at Docker Park Farm, home from home for your dogs and cats enquiries@dockerparkfarm.co.uk 21331 www.docker-park-kennels.co.uk Boarding Kennels and dog day-care Aughton Road, Gressingham LA2 8LShelen.burrow@hotmail.com 07766 446272 www.aughtonroadkennels.co.ukLune Valley Physiotherapy Leah Dalby MCSP HCPC Maximise potential after surgery, accidents, illness including cancer – leahthephysio@gmail.com Melling 07934 785797Painting and Decorating A Holloway (Decorators) Interior and exterior Established over 25 years tonyholloway@hms.me.uk 01524 771880Physiotherapy Marie Colyer MCSP HCPC Bentham 62216 www.benthamphysio.co.ukPlumbing Darren Jones General plumbing, bathrooms, renewable energy systems, no job too small. 1 Crosslands Whittington jonesplumb@me.com 07738 379328Solicitors JWK Solicitors “For when things don’t go your way – there’s always JWK.” For all your legal requirements in England & Wales and Scotland: Commercial Property,Wills, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Aviation, Employment, Personal Injury, Family, Conveyancing. Lancaster, Morecambe and Glasgow. Incorporating Jobling & Knape and Whiteside & Knowles. Lancaster 01524 598300 Morecambe 01524 416315 www. jwksolicitors.co.uk.You can advertise here from just £2 per line – see wagtail.org.uk for details

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WagtailWelcome to the September edition.All local churches and community groups are welcome to send in news of their activities to Wagtail – reports of recent events (with photographs if available) as well asannouncements of what’s coming up. Other local news is also welcome.The next edition is the October edition. The deadline for items for inclusion is 19 August. Please submit all items to editor@wagtail.org.ukWagtail is also available online at www.wagtail.org.ukMany thanks as always to all our contributors and distributors.

Michael Hampson

Charity challenges on 11 SeptemberJonathon Pearson will be doing the Great North Run – thirteen miles by wheelchair, ‘assisted by’ mum and dad Mary-Jo and Andrew, who might be doing quite a lot of the work, after several months of training.Unique Kidz is a local charity established in 2009 providing specialist services for disabled children and their families.www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AndrewandMary-JoPearson

Robert Webb is abseiling down the Ashton Memorial on the sameday at 2.30pm. You can come to cheer him on and stay forafternoon tea – please let Carole know on 22202.CancerCare provides support for patients and families in NorthLancashire and South Lakeland. Robert has been a trustee for 25years, and chairman for the last 7 years. This is Robert’s grandfarewell before retiring in October. His last abseil was in 1967...www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-webb14

B4RN – watch those fibres!Congratulations to the Whittington volunteers, who have now completed their project to get the B4RN connection all round their village through two years of hard work and community involvement.Arkholme has also got the fibre everywhere, so now is the time for everyone to draw a little map of where the duct enters their property, and leave it in a ‘safe place’. People move away and new families move in, and they need to know where it is so they don’t dig it up. We have had a couple of instances lately where the duct has been cut in gardens. The duct can be mended, and the fibre re-blown, but it is much better not to cut it in the first place. A simple diagram will do, and it can be left with the deedsof the property. B4RN keeps records of all the main cores in the fields, and so do the farmers and landowners, but sometimes the actual location of the customer ducts havenot been reported back to us. If you would like us to hold your record please send it to our wayleave manager, b.ashworth@b4rn.org.uk – or just keep it yourself for if you sell your house, and make sure the next person knows where it is. Many thanks!B4RN is the local community-owned volunteer-led fibre-optic broadband network supplying hyper-fast broadband to homes and businesses throughout the valley and beyond – 01524 555887 www.b4rn.org.uk

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NoticesCongratulations to Jessica Dawson of Manor Farm, Whittington, on gaining a BVSc Degree in Veterinary Science from Liverpool University and on becoming a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Good Luck with your new job at Ribble Vets in Penwortham. “We (and she) would like to thank all the local Vet Practices, Farmers and other livestock producers who have supported Jessica over the last five years with work placements and advice” – Alison & Alex Dawson

Marian Fairclough writes: On Friday 14 May 1982, Ronnie and I moved from Bolton to Arkholme. We were happy here right from the start. We enjoyed the peace and the kindness and friendliness of those who lived here. Now it is time for me to move on, soon 17 August I am going back to Bolton. Before I go, I must say “thank you” for all the help and support I have received from the members of the Church, the W.I., the Sewing class, and the Lunch Club. Individual thanks must go to my neighbours, Bob and Val Baker, Robin and Janice McIlveen, Jean Fairhurst and most of all, Harry and Mary, Robert and Stephen Burns, and John Haston, for being there for me after Ronnie died, and more recently while I have had trouble with my eyes. I am not breaking my ties with Arkholme completely – Ronnie is in the Churchyard. I pray for God’s blessing on you all.

Flu Clinics for 2016 for the patients of the Lunesdale Surgery, Kirkby Lonsdale (including West View Surgery, Hornby) run from 9.30am to 12noon on the following dates, no appointment necessary: Tuesday 27 September (Kirkby Lonsdale Institute), Friday 7 October (Hornby Institute), Tuesday 11 October (Kirkby Lonsdale Institute). If you were born before 1 April 1952, or fall into any of the ‘at risk’ groups, please makea note of the dates/times/locations, as individual letters will not be sent to patients. Healthy people under 65 years old do not need to be vaccinated.

The BBC Good Food Show is at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 25 November, with celebrity chefs, demonstrations, book signings, Christmas ideas and more. A coach has been organised by Hornby Lunesdale Probus Club. £36 includes travel, admission to theshow, and either Paul Hollywood at 12noon or Nadia Hussein at 1pm. Leaving Hornby at 8am, returning 5pm. Roger Carter 22283 or Tony Ewens 21505.

Carnforth and Lunesdale Divorce Care has an open evening 7.30pm to 9.15pm on Monday 5 September, at Carnforth Free Methodist Church Hall, Hunter Street (the side street by the Coop) – for people struggling with the pain of separation, divorce, or family breakdown. Now in its tenth year in Carnforth, there is also a children's support group (next session starts in the new year). No charge, donations welcome.divorcecare.org / dc4k.org / cfmc.org.uk / Search online for “Carnforth Divorce care promo” for video by local members / Sue Ellershaw 01524 730642

The local organisers of Christian Aid Week send thanks to everyone who assisted and donated. £373.43 was collected in Arkholme, £373.18 in Whittington (yes, there’s just 25p in it...), and £93.50 was collected in Newton. Christian Aid supports the work oflocal development organisations throughout the world. Thanks from Louise Jones, Phyllis and John Pinch, Gordon and Korin.

Village Hall Draws. Arkholme: July £20 Mr and Mrs N Turner, £10 Mr and Mrs Clark,£10 Mrs Mackereth £10 Mr Holder, £10 Mr C Hall, £10 Mr and Mrs E McClements; August £20 Mr J Matthews, £10 Mr S Close, £10 Mr B Shepherd, £10 Mr and Mrs C May,£10 Mr and Mrs Bowker, £10 Mr and Mrs D Barton; September £20 Mr and Mrs H Ball, £10 Mr and Mrs Sapsford, £10 Mr and Mrs T Hayton, £10 P Benson, £10 Mr and Mrs Duxburn, £10 Mr and Mrs Collingwood; Whittington July £20 Lady Kimber, £10 Caroline Raistrick, £5 D MacDonald; August £20 Tony Metcalfe, £10 P Gibson, £5 Tilly Mackereth.

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Our Father in heavenHeaven means air or sky

Jesus uses the same word for‘the sky is red’ and ‘the birds of the air’

It’s similar to a wordfor covering or embracing

Our Father in heaven isour sustainer in the skiesour protector and upholder

in the very air that we breathe

It has nothing to do with art(sorry, artists!)

It’s ‘art’ as in ‘thou art’,old English for ‘you are’

Join us any Sundaywe use The Lord’s Prayer in every service

Next month: ‘hallowed be thy name’

The word for Father can just mean Parentand that doesn’t make us infants

– even adults have parentsIt’s similar to words meaning nourisher,

sustainer, protector and upholder

Our Father, who art in heaven:hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive thosewho trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil;for thine is the kingdom,the power, and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen.

SUNDAY SERVICES in SEPTEMBERJoin us any Sunday

Whittington Arkholme Gressingham4 September - 9.30am 6.30pm

11 September 9.30am 9.30am 8am18 September 9.30am 9.30am -25 September United Benefice Service, Whittington 10.30am

Plus: Hornby10.45am Parish Communion every Sunday

except 25 September, United Benefice Service 10.30am in Whittington8am Holy Communion on 4 and 18 September

Vicar: Revd Michael Hampsonvicar@these4parishes.co.uk ‧ 015242 21712

Weekly bulletin online: www.these4parishes.co.uk

The United Benefice of Hornby with Claughton andWhittington with Arkholme and Gressingham

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The weather in ArkholmeRobin McIlveen

June JulyRain days 20 out of 30 21 out of 31

Decidedly Wet Days (5mm+) 10 of those 20 8 of those 21Extremely Wet Days (25mm+) none none

Wettest Day 14th-15th 22.8mm 26th-27th 21.7mmMonthly total 146.2mm (5.8”) 121mm (4.8”)

After dry May, June was very wet, with half of the twenty Rain Days qualifying as Decidedly Wet Days (5mm or more) and altogether accounting for 91% of the month’s rainfall. But since the other ten Rain Days managed only 13mm altogether, and there were ten completely dry days, the month did not feel nearly as wet as its large total rainfall might suggest. In the ten dry days, and the ten only slightly wet days, the sun and the wind dried out the soil and vegetation much more than if the same rainfalls had occurred in January. Afternoon temperatures were high for the first ten days, and then fell back to the 17s and 18s °C (lower mid 60s °F) which are typical for our maritime summers. The last week of June was a little cooler under the persistent rains.

July was nearly as wet as June. Again a large proportion (80%) of the rain fell in the eight Decidedly Wet Days, with the thirteen slightly wet days accumulating only 22mm altogether. This and the ten completely dry days again avoided the feeling of washout which we sense when such monthly totals are spread more equally across the Rain Days. Afternoon temperatures were very ordinary, until a warm air mass persisted for about a week centred on July 22/23, just as schools were breaking up.

We had some thunder in that warm period in latish July. Big summer shower cloudsseparate electric charges on the myriads of rising cloud droplets and crystals (positivelycharged) and the much smaller numbers of falling particles of snow, hail and rain (negatively charged). As gravity drives this separation of charge, enormous voltages arebuilt up, which produce gigantic electric sparks when the electrical insulation of the air fails. These lightning flashes can be several kilometres long and can jump between upper and lower parts of the thunder cloud, or between lower parts and the ground or sea. In the fraction of a second each lightning flash lasts, the air in the flash expands explosively and sends out a shock wave which we hear as thunder.

Suppose a vertical flash of lightning strikes the ground 330 metres away from you. You’ll see it straight away, but will not hear the thunder for a full second (the speed of sound in air being 330 metres per second). If the flash is 3.3 kilometres tall, the shock from the top will come through about 10 secondsl later, give or take a little Pythagoras, and so what you hear is a fading peal of thunder, lasting for 10 seconds, and booming loud and soft because the lightning flash is jagged rather than straight.

If peals are starting within 3 seconds of the flash you should take cover, but not under a tree or a hand held umbrella, because the next flash might earth through or near you, with probably fatal results. Inside a closed car is ideal. Sheep and cattle huddle under trees and pay a heavy price.

Robin McIlveen

The year 2016 so far (to the end of July):Of the 213 days in the period, 76 have been dry, and 137 rain days have produced 732mm (28.8”) of rain. Of the 137 rain days, 55 have qualified as Decidedly Wet Days, and of these 55 Decidedly Wet Days, only one has qualified as an Extremely Wet Day.

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Arkholme and District WIIce Houses in Cumbria and the Lune Valley was the title ofMr R David’s interesting and informative talk at July’s meeting. Fifteenmembers and one guest learned about how these underground structureswere stocked during the winter months with ice from local ponds and rivers, and became status symbols of the wealthy in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentiethcenturies. The super-wealthy bought imported ice from the USA and later from Norway.The ice was used throughout the year to keep perishable food in ice boxes in the kitchens of grand houses. Mr David’s interest in the subject began when, as a teacher at a local boys’ school, he sought a topic for an after-school club. He and the boys pursued the subject, discovering thirty-eight ice houses in the area, and culminating in the restoration and testing of Levens Hall Ice House. Quite a feat. If anybody knows of an ice house in the area, Mr David would like to hear about it. Please inform a WI member and we will pass on your information. The business meeting followed. Four members were wished Happy Birthday for July and August. We were reminded to bring items for the Women’s Rescue Centre to the October meeting. The Lancashire Federation has organised a walk and visit to the Howarth Art Gallery in Accrington, a talk on DNA profiling, and a visit to Denman College. The Blood Donation Centre has contacted us regarding donating blood: existing donors, even if over 70, can still give blood. Our group’s visit to the Silverdale Art Trail and lunch was greatly enjoyed, and the next visit will be to the Bowes Museum on 24 August. September’s trip will be to Lowther. During social time, we had refreshments, did a quiz, and made suggestions for further quizzes next year. Our next meeting will be on Monday 12 September in Arkholme Village Hall. The speaker will be Tricia Berry and her subject is Cooking with Christmas in Mind. As always, visitors will be very welcome.

Gerald writes...Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Allan Airey of Gressingham who at the time of writing is in hospital in Lancaster. Allan a keen bell ringer has been ringing church bells up and down the Lune Valley for almost forty years. Hurry up back, Allan – Sundaymorning is not the same without the sound of the bells.Dennis Westmorland is back playing his very own Lakeland style of music for dancingin Whittington Village Hall on Saturday 3 September at 8pm in aid of Lupton Church. The entertainment is first class even if you don’t dance.The positioning of the road signs warning of the traffic lights at Sellet Mill leave a lot to be desired. Three of them are placed on the apex of a corner in the road and are causing more of a hazard than the actual road works. Do the people who position themnot realise the danger they are causing motorists?You hardly realise it is the school holidays – there are no children around. Have they lost the ability to play? When we were their age we were helping in the hay field, playing cricket, swimming in the river, going for walks and exploring the countryside. It was a wonderful time – not much money, we never went away on holiday, but at least we were never bored and could always find ways of enjoying the summer break.

Gerald Hodgson

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Whittington church roof workThe scaffolding was up atWhittington church over thesummer, installing newgutters and downpipes.While we had the rare highaccess, we also checked overthe roof itself, cleaned thehigh windows, re-painted theclock-face and re-gilded theclock numerals.The works werecommissioned in response tothe church’s regulararchitectural inspection,which takes place every five years. Other work maintaining this historic building takes place throughout the year every year.This set of works has cost just over £9,000 including the scaffolding – and all of this is raised locally. Please do make a contribution. You can put a cheque through the door atPearson House (opposite the church) payable to Whittington PCC, or you can make a one-off or regular donation through your own online banking to the Whittington PCC account 01-04-81 83241760. If you include your name and address we can contact you about Gift Aid, which boosts the value of your donation by 25%.

This edition of Wagtail sponsored by JWK Solicitors of Lancaster. For ads and sponsorship information see www.wagtail.org.uk

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