February 2011

Various people came to join Borrowdale’s end of January’s meeting of the Parish Council. Keswick Police and this might be the last time they are called the “Keswick Police” with changes before long. The Police will be working out of Cockermouth and Wigton, with only what is called a front desk in Keswick. Sad, we have had the benefits of a Keswick Police Station for many years. A member of National Trust also came, change there also they are to be called Rangers now not Wardens. The council hoped they would be represented with some good news about the toilets in the valley being re-opened. There is great concern that most of the toilets in the valley are closed, will they be opened before the half term holiday? Maybe funding problems will be resolved soon. Closed toilets do not give a good impression when welcoming the many visitors to the valley and the valuable income they bring.

Local farmers also attended, pleased that a group of them have begun meeting with various agencies to discuss the state of the rivers their beds, banks and fields around. Called “Whole Valley Planning” set up to primarily to facilitate discussion of the way forward after the floods of November 2009. So much damage was done then to the land in the valley. A new wall has been built along the path between the stepping stones and New Bridge at Rosthwaite, but there is more work that needs to be agreed.

A proposal which will need funding is being looked at. It would be to improve the street lighting in Grange with more sympatric type lights and Victorian style street lamp brackets, more suited to the vernacular buildings.

The clearing of beech trees in the woods by the National Trust was raised; some people are for other against. A Rota for a Highway Steward in the valley has not been given by Allerdale for this year yet. However, should be have such snowy and icy weather again, agreement for some grit from Highways to be used to clear the bridges at Grange has been agreed. Maybe it won’t be needed this year again.

January 10

The Councilors all attended the meeting at the end of January and various topics were discussed. We welcomed Christina Smith from Bassenthwaite Reflections to tell us about the high phosphate levels in Bassenthwaite Lake and how their new project is to help change people’s use of detergents and washing up powder. Also the more frequent cleaning out of the valleys sewage plants. Phosphate levels are high and need reducing to help with water quality. The project is called “Love your Lakes”

Damage from the floods and icy weather is still being addressed and the valley needs to be repaired and tidied, fields, footpaths, bridges etc before we can expect the tourists, a major part of the economy to return to enjoy this beautiful Borrowdale Valley.

The Squirrels are being looked after by the various volunteers and the National Trust is proving a great deal of the nuts to feed them, through these winter days.

We are hoping that the bus problems up from Keswick and down in the mornings is resolved and that there will be space, together with the school children for anyone wishing to use it, so please do. The bus leaves Keswick at 7.45 and Seatoller at 8.12 and is not just for the school children as it goes down the valley. It is for the public as well. We are also hoping to have the timetables back at the bus stops by the Spring so that residents and visitors know what time a bus is expected.

We looked at all the things belonging to the council to establish what damage had been done by the awful weather and whether repairs were needed. The wall is to be mended at Middle Howe and maybe we can refurbish the flood markers which are quite tatty. We will certainly look into having more grit bins before next winter although we did ask Highways for them last summer. We will ask again! The Problems at Lucy’s Loo have been reported and I hope will be resolved.

We are still a Parish Council Member short so please if you are interested in local affairs come and join us. Our aim is to improve and make a difference in the Valley.

September 09

All the councilors were able to attend the late September Meeting. The Chairman also welcomed a local resident, to join the council, our NP Ranger and a Police Constable.

The PC reported that there had been a number of crimes during the last two months in the valley, unrelated but reported and therefore dealt with. Unusual for the Valley. Problems of parking in Grange remain but with no possibility of a car park there was no reason for discussion. Yellow lines at Gutherscale under Cat Bells have mainly prevented parking and congestion there. Some welcome local parking has been available near Cat Bells on busy days and this Council would support a small screened car park and asked the PC to let their feelings be known.

The new Chinese Bridge at the head of Derwent Water is open, although there are a few adjustments to finish. It has linked up with the new walkways all round the head of the lake, across this beautiful area be it often quite wet. This has prompted the NP to ask for this councils’ support in requesting, that Highways revamp the roadside footpath between Lodore Toilets to where the footpath for the Chinese bridge leaves the road. The footpath will never be wide enough for wheel chairs but with a cleaned surface and relayed curb it would be so much easier for those with limited mobility and pushing push chairs. The Clerk will write to Highways on request from NP.

It is planned that the footpath between Red Brow and Yew Crags Bridge is also cleared and revamped. This has been slowly disappearing for a number of years. Sadly, the riverside path from New Bridge at Rosthwaite and the Stepping Stones will not be repaired due to of lack of funds. However, a new bridge is being built at Seathwaite over the River. The path through the farm is closed whilst this work is done. Access for west side of the river is from Seathwaite Bridge or Stockley Bridge.

The audit has been returned and its conclusion for this year 2008/2009 advertised.

All three of the Cast Fingerposts in the valley are finished and we hope people will enjoy seeing them looking so smart. We had generous donations and grants from local business, Friends of the Lake District and Keswick Neighbourhood Forum. The Council is very grateful for such generous help.

If you need to catch trains and buses from Penrith after 1st November you may find it easier. The Derwent Seven have put pressure to get some of the bus times adjusted to help with ongoing travel. Do see the new timetables from 1st November.

The National Park arranged what is known as Parish Tours to which council is invited. Two Councilors had enjoyed the day very much seeing a variety of local projects and places and being able to have time to speak to the National Park Members and other councilors from the area.

May/June 09

Sadly no members of the public attended The Annual Parish Meeting of The Parish Council this year. The Chairman gave a report of the year with other reports, and the audit of accounts was agreed and signed. Tim Stephens has acted as internal auditor for us this year and was thanked by the council. Andrew Webb has stood down as Chairman and John Bennett takes over for the coming year. The council expressed thanks to Andrew and welcomed John.

We received planning applications for change of use of The Rosthwaite Shop back into accommodation for those living there, and the use of part of The Flock in Tea Room as shop. The Plans were looked at.

Councilors have been making an audit of all the modern street furniture for “Friends of the Lake District” in conjunction with the funding they are giving for the restoration of the Cumberland finger posts project. The fingerpost at Seatoller/Seathwaite is finished but the corner is untidy. Stonethwaite Lane stands proudly painted waiting for the fingers. They have not been returned yet. They were broken and needed to be recast. The Grange post has to be re-sited before it is painted.

The Chinese Bridge at the top end of Derwent Water is to be replaced with a new version. Slightly wider and with better hand rails. Still the same design, as that shape resists the water better during times of flood. A huge crane is to bring the new bridge I am told, so watch out for any excitement!

Pressure caused by the many events held in the valley was discussed once again. There seems to be no easy solution. The yellow lines at Gutherscale to prevent parking are successful so far, and has not caused added problems to Grange Village. The police are pleased and are patrolling the area this summer.

We are wondering if the Borrowdale Valley Road is high on the list of the “Top Dressing” program Highways has for resurfacing the roads because a number of the drains and ditches have had recent work done to help with the flooding problems. Highways have money to spend on roads so we hope Borrowdale will benefit.

January 2009

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of a new year and Dianne Howarth back onto the council after her absence due to work. The council is still in need of members. Please consider joining to help with speaking up for this rural community on various matters.

Cumbria Police have a policing pledge and are developing “Neighbourhood Policing” as our community officer PC Tim Hine explained about his work with us. Alan Ashburner is the other community policeman and they will try to attend meetings. Crime figures stay the same mostly in the valley but we should always be vigilant watching out for neighbours and visitors.

By the time you read this no doubt some decisions will have been made about all the parking under Catbells and at Gutherscale. If restrictions are enforced it could affect the parking problems further along this road towards Grange. As PC Tim Hine said, a car park in the area would really help.

The Council agreed at the December meeting to adopt the new Code of Conduct and Publication Scheme from 31st December 2008. Details, please see the Parish Notice Boards or Borrowdale web site. borrowdale.org.uk

We asked Stagecoach if it was possible for consideration to be given to concessionary fares for students in rural areas especially now they must stay at school until they are 18 years old. School journeys are paid for, but other travel is not and it is expensive.

Gritting the stretch of road between Four Lane Ends and the Borrowdale School at Stonethwaite has been a cause of great concern. It has not been done and however hard the Headmistress and Clerk have tried it does not seem possible that it will be done. Nothing has persuaded the authorities that child safety to and from school not very far off the Borrowdale Road should be a priority.

There will be no extra recycling facilities in the Borrowdale Valley for the present, for those who have seen the mauve bags now in Keswick. It will come to the Valley at some time.

A grit bin at Middle How has been requested, no doubt it will arrive mid summer!

Once again the clerk has asked that the fence is put back between Mary Mount and Kettlewell, and before the busy times. Visitors have already used the unfenced area for off road parking.

Restoration of the Cast Iron Finger Posts should go ahead this Spring. The Council have some funds and further funding has been applied for. If anyone or businesses would like to donate to the project it would be a great help. New casts have to be made for some of the three main finger posts and this is now very expensive. They have not been cleaned or painted for many years. They will certainly look so much better and even point the right way!

September 2008

The reality of the cuts to the early and late bus services up and down the Borrowdale Valley, caused standing room only at the Keswick Neighbourhood Forum Meeting held at Rosthwaite just two days prior to the regular bi-monthly Parish Council Meeting. The Chairman of the KNF meeting allowed everyone who wished to speak, before the KNF agenda was followed.

Parents and children raised the question of out of school activities, being able to have friends or spend time with friends away from the valley, and attending the Keswick Youth Club. Some people use the bus to go to and from work. These journeys do not amount to a bus load of people but are important to those who use them in this rural valley. The cost of fares was also raised. There are no concessions for children even in the holidays. They also have to pay full fare at the age of sixteen when they might be attending school for another two years. An hours work washing up by a young person in a hotel does not pay the bus fare into Keswick!

The KNF team are going to look into these problems, a meeting arranged, hopefully with some form of self help ideas.

Details of two schemes from the Town Hall, “Rural Wheels” for those who would benefit from this type of rural transport and the Keswick car sharing scheme.

At the Parish Council Meeting those not at the KNF were told of the problems raised at the KNF Meeting and it was highlighted once again how important it is to have an active Parish Council. Borrowdale does not have this, and once again ask that people come forward and get involved in this rural parish. Council heard with horror and sadness that the village shop is to close. Other villages having successfully turned theirs into thriving businesses, why can’t Borrowdale?

Discussions between CALC and LDNPA about comments on applications made by councils and how planners come to their decisions are taking place.

The Audit has been successfully completed for 2007/2008, and was brought before the meting. Anyone wishing to see The Accounts and Audit may make a request.

English Nature are dealing with the problem at Mary Mount where cutting has been done and the fence removed. Cars are using it for parking. A number of camper vans have been using the car parks and lay-bys for over night parking which is not allowed and needs stopping before it becomes a real problem. We still have Low Iron Work on the road by Barrow House. Traffic lights for the work appeared but the work never happened so the lights were removed. We will try again!

The really positive news is that The Parish Stewardship Scheme is working well and if you don’t see Steven Maxwell you can certainly see where he has been working and what a good job he is doing, removing the saplings, cleaning gutters, around drains, replacing fallen signs and reporting the larger jobs to Highways . The weeks he is working in this parish is really noticeable, and now the grass and verges are cut Borrowdale is looking a great deal tidier.

July / August 2008

The search for new people to join Borrowdale Parish Council continues. Diane Howarth a valued council member has had to resign recently because of work commitments. Everyone thanked her for all she had done whilst on the council. The parish council is of value and it is worth being involved with matters that concern this beautiful valley. Do let us know if you are interested in being a part of it.

Sergeant Gary Armstrong from Keswick Police Station attended the recent meeting. It was the first time people had had a chance to meet and speak to him so he was given a warm welcome and there was good discussion. We talked about policing the valley, mostly related to problems large numbers of visitors and their cars bring.

The police cannot solve the problems of cars parked in discriminately at Gutherscale and Grange because there are no proper enforceable traffic parking laws and issuing parking tickets only solves the problem for that day because next day different people are parking. Meetings about Gutherscale continue. Crime is not a problem, except if cars are left with valuable items on show. Please tell your visitors to hid anything of value when they leave their cars so they are not broken into.

The Police telephone number is now 0845 3300247

Sadly some of the little used bus services are to be cut in the autumn. The council cannot help as they have been under used and cannot be justified. Details of a scheme called “Rural Wheels” can be found at the Town Hall for those who would benefit from this type of rural transport and worth finding out about if you need transport. Another alternative is the recently started Keswick car sharing scheme, also detailed in town.

The Highway Stewardship Scheme has now started in Allerdale. Borrowdale will have Steward, Stephen Maxwell to work on the roads and lanes around the Parish for approximately five weeks a year. He will be able to carry out small repairs and cutting back jobs. Larger ones he will report to the Highways team and they will deal with those. Please continue to report problems related to roads to “The Highways Hotline”. They will let the Steward know so it can be dealt with.

May 2008

Although we have vacancies for councillors at present and one was away we were joined by the District and County councillor for the Parish Annual Meeting, AGM and Bi-monthly meetings last week also some members of the public. The Chairman welcomed everyone.

Formalities were carried out and then The Community Travel Plan was discussed at length. with a map of the parish to help pin point the areas of concern. Any measures to alleviate the problems of too much traffic in Borrowdale, difficulties of the Honister Rambler Bus getting past parked cars, danger to walkers and cyclists on the valley road. Overgrown paths, signs and missing footpaths for one reason or another.

If the drains and gutters and road edges were better maintained cyclists would be safer using the road. If cars were not parked indiscriminately. The footpaths kept clear of ever rotting leaves and repaired where necessary and a new stretch allowing the children to walk safely to school the “Community Travel Plan” would be achieved. These were the main points from the discussion.

Annual Accounts were shown to the members. Insurance is an ever greater cost even for the few things the council do own, bus shelters and notice boards.

The footpath under Catbells near Manesty will be up graded to a bridleway but will its appearance won't change. The new seat at Grange Bridge is super with a lovely piece of long seasoned wood on stone supports. We hope people will really enjoy sitting on it to delight in the view at Grange Bridge.

March 2008

With Easter behind us, and the schools having later holidays and visitors arriving each day the council had hoped that the “Low Iron Work” signs would have gone from the Borrowdale Road. Work did start but it was not carried out correctly so was aborted, the man hole covers and drains are still low and dangerous where it had be re-tarred in the autumn. There is talk of a new Highway Stewardship Scheme which we hope could resolve some of our minor highway problems, with work organised locally. We have requested that the southern end of the Borrowdale Valley be resurfaced.

We have more red squirrel feeder traps now, and we hope for a good breading season.

The Honister Rambler bus is back, and running round again from Keswick over Honister from Borrowdale or Buttermere for the next months. Notices have been put up on the twisty road bends under “Cat Bells” to try to prevent parking indiscriminately. Please advise your visitors not to add to problems there. The bus can’t get round!

The Post Office at Stonethwaite is to be retained, please try and make use of it, but the Mobile Library will not come to the valley any more.

Money matters were dealt with as it is the end of the year, and some planning applications. Planning applications can now all be looked at on the internet and any resident can comment on them by email. Those with these skills will find it easy.

The Parish Council has a vacancy so if you are interested please contact us, the Annual Parish Meeting is held at the end of May.

January 2008

Members of the Parish Council welcomed Andrew Webb back to the meeting after his accident some months ago, and asked him as Vice Chairman to Chair the meeting.

Vanessa Metcalfe has now resigned and for now has moved out of the valley. Her husband Gary also a council member will continue on the council as is permitted.

We do have a vacancy, so if you are interested please let me know.

Many of the usual subjects were discussed along with the recent planning applications that are put before the council.

It is quite appalling that having asked and asked Highways to raise the Iron Work that is now below the new road surface in the area of Great Wood and Barrow House, it is still not done. It should, and is normally done before the surface is put down. The situation is dangerous for all who use the road and February half term holiday is nearly here when there will be even more traffic. The dreadful weather has caused Highways many problems but the council felt very strongly that this work should have been carried out months ago. (Maybe it will be done before you read this.)

We are going to ask Highways whether we can be considered for resurfacing the south or top end of the valley. The surface is in an awful condition and this winters’ weather has made it even worse. No doubt it will be some time before money is available.

Highways have rodded and cleaned some of the drains along the road which has helped the problem of surface water.

There is a tin bin now where the recycling bins are in the Sca Fell Hotel car park. I am sure it will be well used adding to the recycling facilities in the area.

We hope the broken seat at Grange Bridge will be mended during the next few weeks ready for the main holiday season.

The red squirrels are still munching through the nuts provided in various places.

Please look out for the consultation documents about Adult Social Care in the Community and add your thoughts and comments to those of others. The Parish Council is looking at one sent to them.

November 2007

The Parish Council Meeting at the end of November began rather informally, because everyone wanted to know how one of our regular Parish Council members was. Five weeks before Andrew had been knocked off his bicycle in Keswick which had very badly hurt him. Now on the mend everyone wished him well and wanted best wishes passed on to him.

Sadly Vanessa and Gary Metcalfe have to leave the valley in the New Year, and so Vanessa is standing down as Chairman. Their children will still attend the school and so they hope not be away for long. They will be greatly missed, having worked so hard for the community and being so much apart of life in the Borrowdale Valley. Everyone wished them well, but not goodbye.

Talks continue with Keswick Town Council and Highways about the problems of traffic leaving the Borrowdale Valley. There is no easy answer and the busy times are becoming much of the time. The new road surface by Great Wood is welcomed but the man hole covers and drains have not been raised. We hope this work will be done soon as they are quite a danger.

We were asked to review polling places and districts but the Borrowdale Valley does not need changes. The School Catchment, and School Transport area we hope will be resolved and brought into line with The Parish Boundaries.

Borrowdale Parish Council has once again supported the Citizens Advice Bureau in Keswick, A place for advice that someone may need at sometime.

The Consultation Document for North Cumbria Primary Health Care Trust was discussed at length and the completed document with our thoughts will be sent. The Keswick Neighbourhood Forum meeting is also on this topic “Bring health care neared to home” This can only benefit such rural areas.

The Christmas Lights at The Borrowdale Institute are going to be checked and turned on again this year. This will be at 6pm on Friday 14th December 2007.

October 2007

At the recent meeting Councilors were sorry that the weather had been so bad the previous Sunday for the Borrowdale Show, many people work very hard to organise this annual get together. Well done to every one, organisers, all who came and took part, or just visited.

The Annual Audit had successfully been returned, and can be seen by any member of the Parish by arrangement with the Clerk. The new amendments to The Code of Conduct have also been adopted and are also available from the clerk or at the Keswick Library.

Borrowdale Valley has been well cut this year and looks tidy at present, although there are places that seem to have been missed. The Parish Council don’t have any say in how the contractors carry out the work, but do request cutting to be done of the roadside verges etc. to keep the valley tidy.

Two stretches of the Borrowdale Road are to be re-tarred shortly. These may cause long delays but Highways have decided that delays of ½ an hour are better than the road being closured.

Cars are still parking along the wall and lakeside between Ashness Lane End and Barrow House unless the police cones are there. A request has now been made for an earth bank to prevent parking. The plastic bollards are now long gone.

The broken seat at Grange Bridge that belongs to the Parish Council is to be replaced.

The catchment area for the Borrowdale School has a different boundary from that of the Parish so it is hoped they can be brought in line, which will resolve some recent problems in the future.

Residents and visitors to the Borrowdale Valley continue to have problems leaving the valley on busy days. This was again discussed by the council. In 2004 the council asked all the authorities for their constructive comments and help to resolve this ongoing problem and the position remains the same in 2007 for the Borrowdale Valley. Cars entering from the Lakeside, Central, Booths supermarket car parks all enter the same road before Tithebarn mini roundabout.
One suggestion - could the one-way short stretch of the Borrowdale road that leaves the town below the Church be reversed in the afternoon and manned by the police or traffic wardens. Just one of the Parish Councils ideas. Have the readers any others please?

July 2007

It had been reported on the news just before the meeting that plans for the proposed Unitary Authority for Cumbria had been scrapped. We welcomed our County Councillor Elizabeth Barraclough and asked her about this news but she knew no more than we had heard, but would keep the council informed.

The Parish Council has eight members once again with the co-option two new Councillors. Claire Bell from Middle Howe and Billy Bland from Mountain View Cottages. They were warmly welcomed by all the other councillors.

The Code of Conduct for Councillors has been revised and so this needed to be adopted by the Council and new forms filled in to reflect the fact. Copies of this can be obtained from the Parish Clerk. A notice will be placed on the parish notice boards.

The Library van is back on the road again, and there is now a mobile NatWest Bank van which park’s on the drive of the Scafell Hotel between 13.45 and 14.30 on Monday’s. Times and details can be found on the Parish website borrowdale.org.uk

Some residents have further recycling bins from Allerdale. They continue to address the problems of providing recycling to such rural areas.

Our Squirrel project continues to be well supported and will continue to be a long term commitment by those involved. The reds enjoy the nuts in the feeders and their presence shows where a grey may be, so they can be controlled. Greys cross the fells easily from one valley to another. Some valleys have considerable numbers which Borrowdale does not want.

The plans for a new teaching area at Borrowdale School have been approved and building work started. It should be ready for the new school year in September.

Since the meeting the Annual Audit has been signed and returned to the Parish Clerk. A pleasing moment to have had the audit accepted for 2006/2007. Notices of this will be placed on the notice boards in case members of the public would like to see the Audit.

We continue to speak to the Highways about verges, paths, greens etc in the valley. Some places have been cut but not everywhere, It needs a good standard throughout the valley.

May 2007

The Annual Parish Meeting, AGM and Bi-Monthly meetings were held at the Borrowdale Institute last week. Two members of the public were present, District and County Councillors and a local Police Constable.

The Police Constable reported no further vandalism in the valley but motorists parking causing obstruction along the valley was now a concern. Honister Pass and at Ashness Road End were the worst areas. After the new wall was built at Ashness Road End the road has been remarked with just enough room to park cars there, and these cause obstruction and should not be there. The Police are quite happy to receive reports of inappropriately parked cars in the Borrowdale Valley. Campers not on camping sites are a fire risk and more often than not they leave a mess. The forecast of a hot dry summer and fire breaking out is a great risk. The police are looking at their policy of moving campers off land were camping is not permitted.

The Chairman gave a report on the year, and thanked the councillors and clerk.

Mr Bill Jenkinson and Mr David Robinson had left the valley and were thanked for all their work over the years. No election was called and so all the members of the council were returned. Mrs Claire Bell was co-opted onto the Parish Council and everyone welcomed her. One vacancy remains , so if anyone is interested in joining, please contact a councillor. The Parish Council tries to help with local issues, discussion can be varied and interesting.

The annual accounts were presented and approved. The council would like to thank Mr Tim Stevens who has acted as our internal auditor this year. Risk Assessment Management was discussed by the meeting, needed from the clerk for the Audit Commission.

The Squirrel Project continues and people are enjoying seeing red squirrels again feeding in the valley. The council now has further funding for the feeder traps.

The Borrowdale Institute is being painted inside and out. The Council commented on how nice it looked, the inside is nearly finished.

The Council looked at plans for an extension to the Borrowdale School to provide a nursery teaching area, exciting for the future of the school.

Recycling was discussed especially as people taking plastic into Keswick had found the bins full. A case of going the wrong day, but it would be lovely to have more recycling facilities in the valley. Talks continue with Allerdale to provide more, but they are waiting for smaller type refuge vehicles to use on the narrow roads.

Various other issues were discussed at what was quite a lively and interesting meeting. Further details of valley life on our web site Borrowdale.org.uk.

March 2007

This week, Borrowdale School were performing their highly successful play at the Institute in Rosthwaite, so the Parish Council meeting was held at the school instead. It was nice to see both our District and County Councillors there, as their other duties in the parishes often coincide with our meeting, so it is not always possible for them to attend.

Concerns were raised about the toilets and telephone box in Rosthwaite being vandalised. Spray paint is an awful medium and as the toilets have not long been refurbished and painted, this is such an wasteful act. We should be showing visitors to the area how beautiful it is, that is why people come, which in turn creates jobs and brings money into the valley. The National Park is not obliged to keep the toilets open, neither is BT to keep the telephone box working. The toilets and phone are appreciated by both visitors and locals on occasions. Please don’t deface the precious assets the valley does have.

Highways Hotline are quite good at filling the holes in the valley road, but these are soon washed out. So, the council decided it was time to write to the Senior Highways Engineer to ask for the Valley Road to be completely resurfaced. It’s long overdue and there are so many lorries and visitors, the volume of traffic is quite frightening.

The footpath known as the Cumbria Way has recently been way marked by volunteers who are re-launching it as a long distance walk for people. Look out for the new signs in the valley!

Parish council members were given their nomination papers to fill in and sign. If you are interested in positively contributing to your local area, there are vacancies on the Council for this coming year. Please contact the Clerk before 3rd May 2007.

February 2007

Vanessa Metcalfe chaired the Meeting of the Borrowdale Parish Council last week.

The Council has secured some funding from the Keswick Neighbourhood Forum to provide further traps to catch grey squirrels in the valley. The project has been very successful and people are beginning to see the red squirrels around again which is very encouraging. The council would like to thank all those involved in monitoring the traps and filling the feeders each day and their continued commitment.

The street light in the narrows at Rosthwaite has at last been repaired having first been reported on 28th September 2006 with various reminders since!

Threats to Rural Post Offices are still being talked about so please support the one at Stonethwaite if at all possible.

Meetings away from the valley were talked about, A Rural Housing Trust one at Grasmere in March, the NHS Cumbria and Lancaster Primary Care Trusts meeting in Keswick and CALC’s Local Government White Paper and future local government arrangements for Cumbria in Penrith.

The Honister Rambler Bus Service will continue this summer as funding for it has been secured and the timetable available soon.. Sadly some of the other summer rural bus services have not been retained so Braithwaite, Whinlatter, Buttermere, Grange in Borrowdale and other places round this route have been lucky to still be enjoying this summer service.

The Parish Council now has it’s own website and it can be found at borrowdale.org.uk if people would like to see it. The local bus timetable can be found on it and the Honister one put on when it is available. The are minutes of previous meetings, agendas and other things of interest to the valley.

The council were very pleased that the chairman Vanessa Metcalfe had been invited to meet HRH Prince Charles when he visits Rosthwaite and hoped that the wonderful weather would continue for the visit.

On the afternoon of Monday 5th February, Mrs Vanessa Metcalfe (Parish Council Chair) was honoured to be asked to meet HRH Prince Charles on his visit to Rosthwaite.

His Royal Highness was in the Parish to visit the Kiln Orchard housing development, meet some of the tenants and discuss to the local housing problems affecting rural communites.

Several representatives of Home Housing were present and a brief presentation was given on the history of Kiln Orchard. Mrs Metcalfe told the Prince that the houses had made a very positive impact on the village and the valley community as a whole. Many of the families living in the development have young children who attend the local school and also have one or more members who work within the valley. She added that the council will continue to support local housing in the valley. This was particularly welcomed by Home Housing who stated that they currently have a waiting list of seven families for the Rosthwaite properties.

His Royal Highness was very interested in the local housing issue and asked some very pertinent questions particularly around “Right to Buy” and how objections to new developments were dealt with.

September 2006

Borrowdale Parish Council welcomed two people at their recent meeting on a very wet night, PC John Norman and Keswick Town Councillor Martin Jordan.

A few issues were raised with PC Norman, one being the number of people who cycle through the Pedestrian area of Keswick, and also the wrong way down the Borrowdale Road from the mini roundabout. Have the Police the power to stop these people?

This subject led onto the talk by Martin about the very colourful map of Keswick the Town Council have produced. This highlights the areas that could reasonable be used for house building in the town. It revealed extensive land, but keeping within the curtilage of the town footprint and away from the Lake shore which must be maintained as part of our heritage of this unique and beautiful landscape. Various questions were asked, most of which will be addressed by National Park Planners, Housing Developers and the Town Council in due time.

At last the valley verges have been cut and both drain clearing machines have been more than once up in the valley. We hope they will continue there visits so keeping the drains and gutters clean through the coming months. Reflector posts are now at Ashness Lane End where the new wall has been built after the floods. They have caused a mixed response but the Highways have acted and so the Parish Council wants to thank them for doing this.

We will ask Highways for a winter “tidy up” in the valley as we had been promised last winter to remove all the saplings growing out of the walls and paths by the road side.

A path has now been made by the National Park and their supporters between Grange Bridge and the car parks at Leathes Corner. This will mean that pedestrians don’t have to walk on this busy piece of road.

Our thanks to Mark Weir and Honister Quarries for mending the slate seat at Grange bus stop.

Billy Jenkinson is leaving Borrowdale Valley after living here all his life. He has been a Parish Councillor for very many years and been a wealth of local knowledge and information on many subjects relating to the business of meetings. The council and valley will miss him very much. Members wished him every happiness in his new home and thanked him for all his support and work over the years for the council and parish.

August 2006

A few cages were rattled after the Parish Council meeting because of the continued complaints about the roadside verges and paths. Promises continue to be broken relating to this work but maybe by the time you read this it will have been done.

There has been no further news about the Honister Rambler bus service being retained for next year although I have had a letter of support now from the Keswick Town Council.

Residents were wondering if the Refuge Collections were to be changed but when I enquired I was told not in the near future except in the Troutdale Valley where there was a problem of access for the large vehicle. Allerdale are hoping for funding for some smaller vehicles, which would make recycling of waste possible in the valley.

You may be aware that Digital TV is coming to the Border Region first, it is to be the pilot area. There will be more information as it becomes available to us. The council wondered if the operators were really acquainted with the Borrowdale Valley?

Keswick Neighbourhood Forum had a meeting to discuss the future of the Fire Service in Keswick. A report was given to the parish council meeting and it has been well reported in the other local newspapers.

Just out of our Parish but of interest is the area above Keskadale Farm. Brackenthwaite Common is to be fenced by the National Trust to help protect an area of rare upland wood habitat. The woodland is dominated by mature trees with no regeneration of replacements present in the under story because of sheep grazing.

Allerdale are looking for help with the preparation of the Register of Electors in the Borrowdale Valley. If you are interested please contact Sheila Brown telephone number 01900702561 at the Registration Office, Allerdale Borough Council. She will be pleased to hear from you.

January 2006

At the recent Bi- monthly meeting of the Borrowdale Parish Council tributes were paid to Mr. Ken Robinson who had died last month. He had been a Parish Councillor for almost fifty years and was a valued and respected member of the council.

A variety of topics were discussed, high on the list of priorities is the preservation of the habitat of the Red Squirrel in the Valley and the control of the Grey squirrels. There has been National Press coverage lately, and The Forestry Commission are keen to encourage the Reds, not just in the refuges they have set aside for them as we have nearby in Whinlatter Forest. A Councillor’s letter to the local press has resulted in groups of people coming forward to act as monitors of traps to catch the grey squirrels in Borrowdale. We are having the traps made at present and we hope to have them in Johnny‘s Wood, Troutdale and Great Wood before long.

The National Trust and Park have cut back trees off the Borrowdale Road which is a great improvement, and our thanks to them. Talks have been held with Highways as no grass was cut in the Valley last season, (because contractors let Highways down,) about having a winter tidy up of all the verges, paths and roadside walls. We hope it will happen at the end of February.

United Utilities have cleaned the sewage pipes out at Rosthwaite, and rain since has not caused further sewage spill. If it does happen please let U.U. know.

The Christmas Lights at Rosthwaite were enjoyed by every one as well as the many visitors over Christmas and New Year. They were kindly provided by PowerGen whose idea it was to light up the wettest place in England!