The CRAIG CHARLES Funk & Soul Show

BBC 6 Music Funk & Soul Show DJ Craig Charles has packed up his ‘Trunk of Funk’ and is heading to The Nines Barrow, playing the planets funkiest tunes.

You can book a cottage holiday for this event

BBC 6 Funk and Soul Event

Famed actor and presenter Craig Charles join us on stage for a night overflowing with Northern Soul Stompers, rare Disco treats, R&B shakers and heavy Funk for all those looking to get down on the dance floor.

Having been broadcasting live every Saturday night on the BBC 6 Music for over 10 years, Craig Charles has garnered global support and recognition as one of the UK’s foremost Funk and Soul commentators and promoters of new music, whilst still championing classic golden age Funk artists of the 60s and 70s.

Also playing on the night will be:

Dave ‘Mister Monster’ Crossley

Monster Monster’s main man will be bringing a special set with an extra funky twist, mixing up, Hip-Hop/Breaks/Ghetto-Funk & owt else with a funky-soul

La Funkineers

Robin Walker (Fallback Productions)

Kendal Calling resident DJ / One half of ‘Sauced Club Night Kendal’

who will all be tearing off the roof ‘til 3am.

TICKETS

Available from: http://www.thenines.co.uk/whats-on/CraigCharles

Bar Five 01229821301

www.ticketline.co.uk

TV star votes Penrith high street best in Britain

By Victoria Brenan

        Penrith has been praised as having the best high street by Great British Bake-Off host Mel Giedroyc.

Mel Giedroyc

She said she had been visiting the town “since the year dot” after her mum grew up in the northern Lake District.

As part of a campaign launched by the Daily Telegraph – Reinventing the High Street – Mel sung the praises of Penrith and said it had her favourite high street.

“My attachment to Penrith’s high street is part nostalgia,” she said. “My mum grew up in the northern Lakes and so I’ve been going to Penrith every summer since the year dot.

“Now, when I go back with my own children, I love the fact that Arnisons, the department store with more than a hint of Grace Brothers, is still there on Middlegate, and Grahams, the deli in Market Square, continues to serve you everything over the counter. But my reasons are not all sepia-tinted.”

She said Penrith had a tourist trade because of its proximity to the Lake District but was no “chocolate-boxey high street.”

“The red stone suggests something more practical and it retains a strong sense of its own identity that enables it to mix the old with the new and still stay real,” she added.

“There are chains and a Morrisons. Plus, it is a community place, with a real sense of local people getting on with things as the minutes slip by on the clock tower. It is resolutely normal, but it manages to make normal shopping feel as if it isn’t a chore.”

Lake District in Cumbria ranks as third most popular UK ‘staycation’ hotspot

The Lake District is the third most popular domestic holiday hotspot for UK residents, new figures have shown.

Despite the dismal weather and tight household budgets, 2013 is going to be a record year for the ‘staycation’ trend as 65 per cent of Britons opt to take their summer holiday at home this year.

The holiday report reveals that the Lake District, which came second last year, ranked third behind London and Edinburgh.

For the first time in five years, Cornwall has lost its crown as the nation’s top ‘staycation’ destination and dropped to fourth.

The figures show a significant increase on the past two years, when 41 per cent and 35 per cent of Britons respectively took a domestic break.

With the average trip costing Britons £399.28 this year – a £34.19 reduction from last year – it is estimated this investment will boost the UK tourism industry by £12bn – up £3.3bn from last year.

The findings have been revealed in a new holiday index by Travelodge.

The hotel chain’s fifth annual holiday report surveyed 3,000 British adults to investigate their summer holiday intentions.

It revealed that 42 per cent of these people are taking a week’s holiday in the UK this summer, 15 per cent are indulging in a two-week break on British shores, and a third are splitting their holidays over three short domestic breaks so they can visit a series of locations.

Grant Hearn, Travelodge CEO said: “The ‘staycation’ trend accelerating to record levels and boosting our economy by £12bn this year is a very welcome sign, and hopefully this is the start of our 2012 Olympics legacy gain.

“During 2012, our capital city was showcased in its true glory to all corners of the UK and the world, and it’s a great result that London has been crowned as the top ‘staycation’ destination for 2013.

“However we cannot rest on our laurels, as one of Britain’s biggest business sectors, the opportunity to grow is still great.

“We are not yet near to unlocking the true potential of our industry.”

A Free Fun Filled Day- Join Us!

A fun filled free day in aid of Kendal and South Lakes Centre for Independent Living “One Voice ” a Local Disability Charity based in Kendal.

Highlights of the day include Kerri Leigh as Katy Perry, Local Star Search winner Sean Moore, there are plenty of inflatables for young and old, car boot sales, fun stalls, craft stalls and food stalls, an emergency vehicle stand and many many more activities for the whole family.

We are also hoping to have a 5 aside football tournament going on. We need teams for this, it will be £10 per team to enter with a discount offered to multiple teams from same company. There are prizes to be won, so dig out those football boots and gather your friends, family and colleagues! When you have a team in place, please let me know. The more the merrier, the better the competition, the more money we will raise

If you would like a stall for arts, crafts, for fun or a car boot please let me know in advance.

If any one could also put posters up for me in your place of work, would you also let me know.

Further Details Here

News & Star | News | Cumbrian bike, hike and canoe challenge raises £6,000 for NSPCC

Cumbrian bike, hike and canoe challenge raises £6,000 for NSPCC

A ‘chasing the sun’ charity challenge raised more than £6,000 for the NSPCC in Cumbria.

The inaugural event, held in the heart of the Lake District, saw competitors from across the UK take part in a hike, canoe and bike ride.

They all completed the course between the sun rising and setting on April 20.

The challenge started at the crack of dawn with off-road mountain biking around Derwentwater – 25 miles in total – followed by a trek up Catbells to enjoy the view, before an eight-mile hike downhill. From there, participants canoed one mile back to awaiting bikes before cycling to the finish line.

More than £6,000 was raised for the NSPCC locally.

Among those who took part were Penrith-based Team Hip Hop, comprising Nick Hall, 18, and Andy Bremner, 19. They are both Lake District National Park apprentices working near Keswick, and were among the fastest to complete the challenge in around six and a half hours. Between them they raised nearly a £1,000.

Andy said: “I really enjoyed the variety this event offered – it was a real challenge.  I’ve never done anything like this before but I would definitely do it again.”

via News & Star | News | Cumbrian bike, hike and canoe challenge raises £6,000 for NSPCC.

New Lake District ‘Bike Bus’ service launched

The Lake District is a popular destination for mountain biking, family cycling outings and road riding alike (Seb Rogers/Future Publishing)

Saturday 4 May saw the launch of a new ‘Bike Bus’ service in the Lake District. The Stagecoach 800 runs the full length of  England’s largest lake, Windermere, and has been specially converted to carry up to 12 bikes.

The new route includes the following popular stops around Windermere and links in with the ‘Bike Boat’ ferry shuttle from Brockhole to Wray:

• Ambleside (Kelsick Road)
• Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre
• Windermere train station
• Bowness-on-Windermere Pier
• Fell Foot Park
• Newby Bridge
• Lakeland Motor Museum
• Lakeside& Havethwaite Railway

For 2013, the Bike Bus will run on the following dates:

• 4 May – 14 July (Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays)
• 20 July – 1 September (daily)
• 7 Sept – 28 Sept (weekends only)

Claire Maclaine, programme manager for the GoLakes, supporter of the Bike Bus service, said: “The Bike Bus is another great way to help people to explore and enjoy our stunning landscape without the hassle of loading up car bike racks and fighting for parking spaces at the other end. This regular service is geared up specifically for the needs of cyclists and is ideal for families to hop on and off at a range of locations running the full length of Windermere.”

Two new leaflets are being produced to complement the service, ‘Rides from the Bike Bus’ and ‘Days out from the Bike Bus’. Printed on waterproof paper, they will both be available from late May. Alternatively, a full timetable can be viewed online.

Sustrans’ National Cycle Network route 6 runs east from Windermere, linking riders with Kendal and going on through the Howgills and Yorkshire Dales. There’s also a short family friendly bridleway ride on the west side of Windermere, through National Trust land, that can be accessed via the ferry that runs from Bowness-on-Windermere.

It’s about 20km to cycle the length of the lake one way, and there are mainly minor roads and bridleways on the west side and main roads on the east.

North West Evening Mail | News | Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team

Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team

A 20-MILE run over the Lake District’s highest peaks isn’t the usual way for a musician to prepare for a gig.

But that is exactly what accomplished violinist Tim Kliphuis has planned on not one but three days next week.

Next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Dutchman is holding concerts at Hawkshead, Staveley and Keswick respectively with his band the Tim Kliphuis Trio.

Prior to each performance, he will scale a corresponding fell to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.

Mr Kliphuis, who is already more than halfway towards his fundraising target of £500, said he was undertaking the unique challenge to show his appreciation for the “incredible work” carried out by the region’s rescue teams.

The first mountain to be conquered is  Coniston Old Man on May 16, with the concert to follow at 7.30pm at Hawkshead Church.

He will then tackle the Kentmere Horseshoe the next day before performing at the Staveley Roadhouse from 7.30pm.

The final test comes on May 18 when he runs the Blencathra and Skiddaw mountains in the lead up to playing at the Keswick Mountain Festival.

Log on to www.justgiving.com/fiddlingonthefells for more information about the concerts, or to make a donation.

via North West Evening Mail | News | Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team.

Catamaran aids Windermere ranger work

A catamaran will be used by rangers to patrol England’s longest lake, to reflect a shift in leisure activities.

Lake Windermere Launch Area

The Lake District National Park Authority said it would provide a more stable platform for their work on Windermere than the inflatable and motorboat currently used.

The Cheetah catamaran is similar to vessels used by police and the Environment Agency.

Rangers enforce by-laws, offer safety advice and carry out conservation work.

Park management ranger Sara Spicer said: “We are encouraging a shift from fast watersports towards sailing, paddle craft and open water swimming.

“As the emphasis alters, so does our role.

“These days an important part of our work is watching out for the ever-growing number of swimmers, advising them to be visible and boat users to be on the look-out for them.”

Introducing The Lake District Dairy Co. Quark – a new, naturally fat free dairy ingredient

Introducing The Lake District Dairy Co. Quark 

A naturally fat free dairy ingredient, that’s set to add a new range of culinary options for health conscious consumers nationwide. Launching nationally this week in a variety of flavours; Original, Lemon, and Vanilla – The Lake District Dairy Co. British Quark offers itself as a truly versatile dairy ingredient that is great for cooking, mixing and baking.

For more information:  http://clarion.pressdoc.com/45082-introducing-the-lake-district-dairy-co-quark-dairy-s-new-guilt-free-everyday-cooking-ingredient

Scottish invaders force ospreys out of Bassenthwaite nest

By Victoria Brenan

The Scottish have invaded Cumbria – and they’ve ruffled a few feathers. A new pair of breeding ospreys have flown into Bassenthwaite, near Keswick, and forced the previous pair out of the nest.

Bird watchers at the Lake District site said the new female, which is ringed, has been traced to Inverness, where she hatched four years ago.

“The two extra ospreys were seen flying over the nest and our [original] young couple last Wednesday,” a spokesman for the Lake District Osprey Project said.

“This upset them tremendously and the female spent a lot of the day jumping off and on the nest, screaming and dancing. It was difficult to see what her partner was doing – chasing or flying with the other pair.

“At one point there was a merry-go-round of ospreys whirring in dizzying circles around the tree and over the adjoining field.”

He said the Scottish invasion appeared to have been successful and forced the first pair of birds – which arrived last month – out of the nest.

The new birds have now been seen for several days in the nest, with the male bringing the female fish. The original birds tried a few ‘dive bomb’ raids on them, he said, “raking at them with talons out”. But it failed to dislodge them.

Because the female bird is ringed she has been traced to Inverness, where she was born in 2009 and named White KL. She has also been seen in Senegal, in 2011 and 2012, by the Rutland osprey team. The male bird is smaller and has similar markings to the original male.

The Lake District Osprey Project is now in its 12th year, after being launched in 2001 when conservationists noticed that ospreys were using what they called a ‘service station’ at Dodd Wood and decided to encourage them to breed.

Supported by the RSPB, the National Park and the Forestry Commission, the project was a success from the start.

More than 100 volunteers monitor the birds 24 hours a day, keeping them safe from egg thieves, vandals and disruption.

Thousands of people visit the viewing points each year, boosting the local economy by £3 million.

via News & Star | News | Scottish invaders force ospreys out of Bassenthwaite nest.