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St Bees Priory ChurchRev’d Becky Gibbs, Curate in Charge

(01946 822279)

Retired Clergy with the Bishop’s Permission to Offi ciate:The Revd Jim Marshall (01946 64259)

Revd Canon Jim Baker MBE and Revd Anne Baker (01946 822498)The Revd David Cox

The Revd Canon Dr Trevor Park MBE

Lay ReadersChris & Charm Robson (01946) 822468

Sunday Services 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion (1st, 3rd & 5th - 1662) 10.30 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer (1st - Evensong; 3rd Holy Communion)

See Calendar for details of Family Services and Evening PrayerThe sacrament of baptism is administered at the main service and must

be arranged well in advance with the Vicar.

For weddings, baptisms, funerals and other religious occasions, please contact 07984 331530 or email enquiries@stbeespriory.org.uk

Priory Web Site - http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk

Hire of Priory & HallsThe church, Old College and New College halls are all available for hire for meetings,

functions, lectures, concerts and recitals, etc. Contact booking offi cers for details.

Booking Offi cersIan & Rosalie McAndrew - 01946 822326 or imcandrew@stbees.org.uk

Priory Secretary - enquiries@stbeespriory.org.uk

Magazine production & distributionThis magazine is free but production costs are about 40p per copy. Contributions from the Parish Council and our advertisers, to whom we are most grateful, pay much of the costs. However this leaves the balance to be paid by the PCC. Donations to the Treasurer* or

your Magazine Distributor are most welcome.Circulation - 900 households in St Bees, Sandwith, Rottington, Linethwaite, Coulderton,

Middletown, Nethertown.* - Treasurer - Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, CA27 0AR.

DTP & Final Editing - Ian McAndrewPrinted by Printpoint (01946) 64305

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St Bees Parish A B CArea Visitor / The parish is divided into 30 small areas each with an offi cial Good Neighbour Church Visitor whose task is to welcome and help people in the Scheme name of the Priory. Co-ordinator - M Westhead (822674).Arts Society meets every two months on the last Wednesday of the month at 8.00 p.m. Venue to be arranged. Details from Dilys Brownrigg (822584) or Charm Robson 822468.Bellringing The Priory has a ring of 8 bells. Those interested in ringing or learning to ring, contact D Sim, 31 Main Street. Practice Wednesdays, 8.00 pm. Sundays, ring at 10.00 a.m. Brownies Brownies meet in New College Hall on Tuesdays. Details from Amanda Smith 823933;Cubs, Scouts, Cubs for children aged 8 - 10, meet on Thursdays, 6.30 - 8pm. Beavers Beavers meet on Thursdays (term time) from 5.00 - 6.00 pm. Details from Graham Young & Andy James. Scouts meet on Tuesdays from 7.15 - 8.45pm. Details from Dave Kennedy, Tel. 824511. All meet in Youth Centre, Outrigg.Choir rehearses on Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Details from Frank Bowler, the Organist (Tel. 825307).Churchwardens are leading lay Church members who will be pleased to help and advise on church matters. They are John Kennedy (Tel. 822297), Rosalie McAndrew (Tel.822326), Derek McGee, & Wendy Mellor.Councillors Copeland - Dr Ian Hill - 01946 823305, 7.00 to 9.00 p.m Monday to Friday. Cumbria - Cllr Henry Wormstrup, 01946 61996 or 07725239825. E-mail henry.wormstrup@cumbria.gov.ukElectoral Roll is the list of all church members qualifi ed to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. E.R. forms are available in churchFinance The Church Treasurer is Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, Tel. 820409, who will explain our Christian Giving system.First Responders provide Basic Life Support in association with the Ambulance Service. Contact Andy Brock 823497Football Contacts - Seniors Tony Barnett 590640. Association Juniors (U-12) - Alec Morton 823992 & Alastair Billson.Freemasons St Bega Lodge meet 7:00 p.m. On 2nd Wed of each month, Village Hall. Details: 01946 64275 or www.cumbwestmasons.co.uk.Friends of the assists in the conservation of the Priory and encourages interest in Priory its historical and architectural heritage. Contact Philip Barratt or Tom Rice, Treasurer, Green Ghyll, Greendykes, Egremont.Garden Society Details from Mark Hewertson, (Tel. 01946 825468). Flower Show is held on the 3rd Saturday in August.Guides meet in New College Hall on Tuesdays from 7.00 – 8.30 p.m.. Please contact Amanda Smith (823933) for more details 21

Library is at the Village School (Tel. 822392), Thursdays 1.30 p.m. - 4,30 p.m. (during term time only).Local History works towards improving knowledge of local history. Lectures Group arranged periodically. Details from Chris Robson 822468.Methodist Sunday Service & Sunday School is at 11.00 a.m. Family Service on Church the second Sunday. Over 60’s Club meets in Hodgett’s Club on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month: 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. Details - Gill Richardson Tel. 822394.Parish Council The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Jane Donaldson, East House, Coulderton. Tel. (01946) 822560, e.mail pc-clerk@stbees.org.uk, who will answer queries on civil parish matters.Parochial meets 10 times a year. Elections for 20 members are held in March at Church Council the A.P.C.M. Its task is to spearhead the mission and ministry of the church in the Parish. PCC Secretary - D McGee, E-mail - dm.mcgee@btinternet.com.Pre-School meets in the new building next to the Village School, All day, 5 days a week. For children 2 years 9 months +. Contact Pre-School on 823880.Prayer Group meets on Thursdays from 1.45 - 3.15 p.m. in New College Hall . All denominations welcome.Priory Singers rehearse in Old College Hall, Mondays at 8.00 p.m. Details from Frank Bowler. (Temp). (01946) 825307Priory Web Site The Priory web site has up to date information on the ministry team, church services and activities. See http://www.stbeespriory.org.ukSeagalls meets fi rst Tuesday of month at 7.30pm in the Seacote Hotel. Contact Lynne Smith - Tel. 822285.St Bees Triers Athletics Club for runners, swimmers and cyclists. Training night Thursday 6pm and 7pm. Secretary Nancy Lawton, Tel. 823497 St Bees Youth meets 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 7.00 p.m. in New College Hall.Group All youngsters of secondary school age are welcome. Contact organisers on 07518 394297.Sunday School for ages 3 - 11 meets during Morning Service New College Hall, at 10.30 a.m. Contact – R McAndrew (822326), Vicky Bearman..Toddler Group meets every Wednesday in term time only, from 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. in New College Hall, St Bees Priory. Details from Amy Linton 07815 533737 and Xanthe Prince 07745770482.Village School exists to raise funds for the school and to foster links between school Association and community. Secretary - via School - Tel. 822392.Village Hall Management Committee administers Hodgett’s Club. For details and booking contact Phil or Valerie Turpin (Tel 823772).Village in Bloom Details from Eileen B Todd, 14 Main Street. St.Bees. (Tel 822522).Village Web Site Information for inclusion should be sent to Ian McAndrew (822326) or imcandrew@stbees.org.uk Address is http://www.stbees.org.ukWomen’s meets 2nd Monday of month at 7.30 p.m. usually in New College Hall Institute (see program). Contact Roxanne Benson Tel 823137..

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May 2017 EditorThe May 2017 issue of St Bees News will be edited by Geoff Burgess, 7 Abbey Farm, St Bees who would appreciate all contributions not later than Saturday, 8 April please.Email - burgess1@hotmail.com. Tel 01946 824416.

Calendar for April 20172 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion3 Monday 7.30 p.m. PCC Meeting, NCH4 Tuesday 7.30 p.m. Seagalls in the Seacote Hotel8 Saturday 8.00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast in NCH 12.00 - 2.00 p.m. Lent Lunch, NCH9 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Palm Sunday Festival. 12.00-5.00 p.m. Fern Bank garden open, NG Scheme10 Monday 7.30 p.m. WI Meeting “Holistic Therapies” NCH11 Tuesday 6.00 p.m. Over 60s trip to Broughton12 Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Passover Supper, NCH13 Thursday 10.00 a.m. Maundy Communion, Priory, then Pop-in 7.30 p.m. Maundy Communion, Priory14 Friday 2.00 p.m. Good Friday United Service, Methodist Chapel 6.45 p.m. Holy Week walk with the Cross & Service, Priory15 Saturday 9.00 p.m. Easter Vigil, Priory16 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Easter Day Communion and Easter Egg Hunt22 Saturday 6.30 p.m. Film “Swallows and Amazons” at Hodgetts Club23 Sunday Deadline for APCM Reports24 Monday 6.30 p.m. Parish Council, Village Hall25 Tuesday 2.00 p.m. Over 60s afternoon tea in Hodgetts Club26 Wednesday 8.00 p.m. Arts Society The Painted Garden Whitelaw Building30 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Prayer and APCM at 12.00 noon

Every Thursday from 10.30 to 12.00 - Pop-in Cafe in New College Hall.Everyone welcome - Coff ee and homemade cakes.

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St Bees News April 2017Disney’s magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast was released in cinemas last month, 26 years after the original animation came to our screens. I thoroughly enjoyed the fi rst fi lm, I took my best friend to see the stage version when it was in London, and I am looking forward to seeing the new fi lm release. The fi lm and stage show feature some wonderful musical numbers; my favourite is “Be our guest”. This song is sung and danced by the servants of the house. Under a magical curse, the servants are trapped in the castle, having been transformed from humans into furniture and crockery.

The cursed servants are highly excited by the arrival of Belle, the Beauty of the title; it has been a long time since they have had any guests to look after. “Be our Guest” is a musical expression of their joy at having someone to serve and an acknowledgement of the mutual blessing of hospitality. As Lumiere the Candlestick sings, “Life is so unnerving, for a servant who’s not serving, he’s not whole without a soul to wait upon”.

Hospitality is a gift both to the host and to the guest. We have received an extremely hospitable and warm welcome since we moved to St Bees in February. We are thankful for the abundance of cards, fl owers, cakes and caring words we have been given. We have also enjoyed the hospitality of those who organise the Lent lunches in New College Hall at the Priory. The last one is on 8th April, do go along if you can.

The Bible describes Jesus as a generous and welcoming host. He often ate and drank with people that others kept well away from. His life was full of contradictions, holy but embracing sinners, powerful, yet forgiving of weakness.

F.Scott Fitzgerald reportedly said that “The test of a fi rst rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function”. Others have said the same about wisdom. I like to imagine that holding two opposing ideas at once is a form of hospitality, entertaining diff erent guests at a table, choosing to let each have space to express themselves without having to choose sides. Jesus did this when hosting meals with friends and strangers, not judging, but inviting guests to discover truths for themselves.

Jesus’ hospitable heart, his rejection of rules about who should be allowed to share his table and who should be kept away, irritated the religious leaders at the time. It was one of the reasons that they wanted to get rid of him. But nothing could stop God’s son expressing the unconditional welcome of His Father. And even as Jesus hung on the cross his hospitable heart cried out “Forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing”.

This Holy Week we will be hosting a variety of services, one each day, and you are invited to come along to the Priory; to “Be our guest”. There will be food and fun but also opportunities for quiet refl ection. See the enclosed calendar for more details. The Easter Sunday service will be family friendly and will be followed by an Easter egg hunt.

With love and prayers for a blessed Easter,

Rev Becky Gibbs

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Holy Week & Easter Services at the Priory9 Palm Sunday 9.00 a.m. Communion & distribution of palm crosses 10.30 a.m. Communion & distribution of palm crosses 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer10 Monday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion 11 Tuesday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion 12 Wednesday 7.00 p.m. All age Passover Supper in New College Hall 13 Maundy Thursday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, Priory. Refreshments in NCH 7.00 p.m. Holy Communion with hand washing, Priory

14 Good Friday 2.00 p.m. United Service at the Methodist Chapel 6.45 p.m. approx. Service at the Priory - the completion of the Lenten Walk15 Saturday 9.00 p.m. Pascal Vigil in Priory16 Easter Day 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. Family Communion & Baptism Easter egg hunt after the service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer

Methodist NewsA big ‘Thank You’ to those who made it out in the drizzle to come to our Spring Fair. We hope you had a great time, although there were still some hot cross buns and scones left at the end! Our next event will be an Afternoon Tea in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Church funds, on Saturday 1st July. More reminders nearer the time.Meanwhile, we have our regular Sunday services at 11:00am throughout April:2 Sunday Rev Nan Pryde 9 Sunday Douglas McDevitte13 Maundy Thursday United service at the Priory, 7:00pm Rev Gibbs (H C)14 Good Friday United Service at the Methodist Church, 2:00pm, David Andrews16 Easter Sunday David Andrews (Holy Communion)23 Sunday Local Arrangement30 Sunday Fishing StoneEveryone is very welcome to any of the services. Also on Sunday 9th April is a meeting of CafeChurch at Costa Coff ee in Whitehaven. The theme is ‘Holy week startes here’ and the meeting kicks off at 5:30pm.

Flower RotaApril 2nd: Lent April 8th Palm SundayApril 16th Flower Fund Easter April 23rd Mrs B ArchApril 30th Mrs G Eichardson

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Village School NewsAnother term is almost over with and Easter will soon be upon us. The children have been very busy and are now looking forward to the Summer term.

World Book Day was a great success with children making a tremendous eff ort and coming to school dressed as their favourite character. Classes carried out activities linked to literature throughout the day and had a fantastic fun fi lled time.

The Bingo which we held in the school hall was once again a huge success, raising vital funds for school. Many thanks go to Mrs Swinburn, the members of the VSA and all who supported us and contributed prizes. We all had a lovely evening!

Writing Competition - We had some fantastic entries to our writing competition ‘The Life of a Bird’. Well done and thank you to all the children that took part for their hard work and tremendous writing. Congratulations go to the winners and runners up, who had obviously put an enormous amount of eff ort into the competition and produced some fascinating pieces of writing.

Science Week - In mid-March the whole school took part in Science week. We held Science activities, workshops and practical events all through the week. Mrs O’Reilly, our Science Subject leader organised the week and we’d like to say a huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered to come into school to lead the activities with each of our classes. It was a very exciting time with activities that will have fascinated and enthused our youngsters for years to come.

Red Nose Day - On Friday 24th March, we again supported Comic Relief. This fantastic fundraising event changes the lives of children in both the UK and Africa. We raised funds by having a non-uniform day and selling Red Noses, as well as supporting the St Bees Triers in their inspiring fund-raising event, ‘The Longest Journey Home’. This took place in St Bees from noon on the 24th to noon on the 25thMarch and the children took part by walking the same walk as last year and counting up the miles to add to the total. The idea was to cycle, run or walk and be sponsored for every mile they did. They could include any miles they did both before and after the event to ensure we helped St. Bees Triers complete the challenge. The money raised was split between Comic Relief and Calderwood House in Egremont.

For further information and an update on funds raised, please contact St Bees Triers via email: charity@triers.uk or search Facebook for St Bees Triers Charity Challenges.

Dates for your Diary - April

3 Monday Reception Class Parent Assembly 5 - 7 Wednesday - Friday Year 4 Residential7 Friday END OF TERM - School closes at 1.30 pm. There is no ASC provision on this day24 Monday School re-opens for the Summer Term

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Priory NotesPalm Sunday Festival - This will be celebrated on Sunday 9th April at 10.30 a.m. with a procession in the Priory and the distribution of palm crosses to everyone. In keeping with an ancient tradition the children (under-21s) will receive a Cross bun and an orange. Formerly children were expected to say their catechism to qualify for these treats but nowadays we are more lenient! The Annual Parochial Church Meeting ( APCM) will be held in the Priory on Sunday 30 April at 12 noon after church service – followed by a Bring & Share Lunch. The annual review will feature reports of church activities and projects this past year and the fi nancial accounts. Church councillors and offi ce-bearers will be elected. You are welcome to come and hear about the life and work of our church!Reports - Leaders and secretaries of church organisations or those affi liated to the Priory should please send their reports to the PCC secretary, Derek McGee, Briery Bank, Middletown, CA22 2UH by Sunday 23 April. Email – dm.mcgee@btinternet.com Easter Egg Hunt will happen on Easter Sunday 16 April after the church service – in the West Door courtyard and the Sleeping Child Garden. Many Easter surprises are in store for the youngsters!The new Alleluia Banner invented by Rev. Becky and designed by the Sunday School – lying dormant in its time capsule - will be resurrected from the Vicarage garden, hopefully.Holy Week Walk with the Cross - On Good Friday 14th April the Walk with the Cross will fi nish at the Priory – starting from Egremont Parish church at 5.30 p.m. and reaching the Priory at 6.45 approx. for a service and refreshments.Many Thanks to the fl ower team of artistic ladies (& children) helping to prepare hundreds of posies for Mothering Sunday – very much appreciated by all.Special Thanks to the Sunday School and Priory youth for their contributions to the Mother’s Day service and to Frank Bowler, Jackie Walker and the Priory Orchestra for their musical accompaniment. It was a lovely service of thanksgiving to all our mothers and grandmothers.Men’s Breakfast – Saturday 8 April from 8.00 a.m. to 9.30-ish in New College Hall. Come along for a great breakfast and lots of thoughtful debate – all welcome.St Bees Youth Club – Meeting this month on Friday 28 April from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m. in New College Hall. Co come for social chat, music, games & snacks!

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St Bees Parish CouncilRe-opening of St Bees School – the Parish Council warmly welcomes the news that the School is set to re-open in Sept 2018 and thanks the Trustees for the tremendous amount of work which they have done in the last two years to reach this point.Bridge at Sea Mill – Cumbria County Council has informed us that plans for a new bridge at Sea Mill are moving ahead. Planning consent is being sought to replace the old bridge, which has suff ered from repeated storm damage in recent years, with a new bridge slightly further inland to make it less susceptible to the ravages of the weather. It is hoped that the project will get underway early in the next fi nancial year.April Parish Council meeting – Parish Council meetings usually take place on the third Monday of each month. However, the third Monday in April falls on Easter Monday and the meeting will therefore be postponed until Monday 24 April.Priory Paddock – The Parish Council has been awarded a grant of £850 from the Nu-Gen Green Grants Scheme for a project to restore the pond area in Priory Paddock. The pond has become overgrown and some plants will need to be removed and some areas will need to be dredged. The invasive horse mint around the pond will be replaced with more appropriate planting. The work will not be done until the autumn to avoid damage to the wildlife in and around the pond but once the project is complete the Paddock will be used more widely for visits by local groups. Tree Planting – further planting has taken place on the bank alongside the Adams Recreation Ground. 28 fi eld maples have been planted and the fi nal stage of planting will be done in the autumn. The work is being funded by a grant from Nu-Gen awarded last year. Thank you to all those volunteers who have helped with the planting this year.Date for the diary – the Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Monday 15 May at 6pm, immediately before the annual meeting of the Parish Council.

Amnesty International West CumbriaAmnesty West Cumbria Have planned their programme of events for 2017 and invite members and supporters to join forces for their fundraisers for justice and human rights.

Amnesty Annual Sponsored Walk for Life – Saturday 6 May – on the Coastal Way from Whitehaven to St Bees (and return if wished!) Meet at the Market Place in Whitehaven at 10.00 a.m. to walk the 6 miles to St Bees Beach (or 12-ish there and back).

Refreshments provided at the Lighthouse, and at St Bees Beach park (coff ee & cakes!).

Sponsor forms available from R. McAndrew (822326) or Alan Alexander (810444). Do please join the walkers and be sponsored, or sponsor others. Come and enjoy a dramatic walk!

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From the Priory RegistersInduction of Curate-in-Charge of St Bees Parish3 March Rev. Becky Gibbs licensed by Bishop Robert Freeman of Penrith and installed by Archdeacon Dr Richard Pratt of West CumberlandHoly Matrimony4 March Nathan Steele and Steff enie Jyrwa, London25 March Douglas Allan Mackay and Ruth Taylor, WhitehavenChristian Funeral27 March Philip Marshall 1 Abbotts Way, St Bees

May God’s blessing be on you and your families.Mavis Marshall and family would like to thank everyone who attended Philip’s funeral, conducted by the Rev Canon Trevor Park. It was very sincere, and full of happy memories of his life in St.Bees since arriving in 1964. He was involved in many aspects of village life, particularly cricket and tennis, and the whole family loved the mountains ,which fi lled most weekends. Thank you all for the many cards of sympathy: they were much appreciated. Philip was a happy man.

Love and PrayersLove & Prayers for healing and comfort go out to all who are ill in hospital or recovering at home. Especially we send special get-well wishes to Neville Denson home from the Freeman Hospital; to Andrew Tyson home from Christie Hospital Manchester – both recuperating from operations and thankful for the cascade of prayer support. We keep in mind those recovering at home and send warm wishes to Neil Westhead, and Malcolm Reid. We are all delighted to say that Katy Taylor continues to make fantastic progress - but please remember to give her space until fully recovered. She needs our protection from disease while her immunity is low, so just waves or high-fi ves but no hugs or kisses, much as you may wish to! Many blessings on you all.

Carita BlairDeepest sympathy is extended to Marina and Bruce Sinclair and family mourning the sad passing of a dear mother and grandmother. Carita died peacefully on 16 March at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, after suff ering a stroke in February. She was resilient to the end, cheerful and smiling when awake.Many people here and in Finland and Switzerland will be in mourning for her, as people at the Priory and St Bees remember a lovely dedicated lady who never stopped caring and doing good. Her Memorial Service will be held in the Priory in June. Our thoughts are with Marina and Bruce and grandsons, Callum and Paul.We remember you in our prayers.

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Advertising space currently available10 publications a year

(plus a copy in the village web site)

Contact imcandrew@stbees.org.ukfor details

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St Bees Calendar 2017The 17th year passes by and we have made the most profi t so far. This year £300 each will be going to the Village in Bloom, The Priory and the Parish Council, and £100 has been given to the Over 60’s. We have broken the £1,000 barrier,

Once again, many thanks to all our past and present sponsors. This year it is Malcolm & Maureen Reid, David & Marianne Postlethwaite, Samuel Monaghan, Will & Nicola (Fairladies Guesthouse), Alan Wallace, John & Linda Lowrey, Alan Glass (The Manor), Phil & Val Turpin, Tom Milburn (Seacote Hotel & Holiday Park), Alan & Amanda (St Bees Post Offi ce), Maureen & Toni (Fleatham House), Tommy Biglands, Nathan (Queens Hotel), Peter Graham & Jill Radford, Napier’s Butchers at Egremont, Richard & Margaret Stout, Hartleys Ice Cream, Geoff & Kay Steele, Anne & David Hope, John & Hilary Booth, Margaret Thompson (The Oddfellows), Peter & Annette Brownrigg, Neil & Gay Bettinson, John & Eleanor Haile, Louisa Moreland, Brian & Brenda Edwards, Joyce Birtwistle, Jim & Joyce Evans and Dave & Joan Evans. Also again a special thanks to Doug Sim for the captions. Thanks also to those who have helped to sell the Calendar, particularly Hartleys Beach Café, Carole Woodman, St Bees Post Offi ce. Lowes Court Gallery, The Oddfellows, The Priory, Boonwood Garden Centre, Alan Glass and Egremont Post Offi ce.

Please keep sending me any interesting photos of the village and people for future calendars. I think we have a few more surprises for the 2018 Calendar!

Donald Brownrigg

Toads on Roads at St BeesDid you know there are Toad crossings in St Bees? You may have noticed many toads (and frogs) on the road stretching from the Priory grounds to Stonehouse Farm and on Finkle Street \ High House Road, from dusk onwards at this time of year.

They wake from hibernation during February through to April (if the weather is mild) and make their way back to breeding ponds.

Common Toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year. They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which sometimes leads to them crossing busy roads, which unfortunately they will not make it across.

If you’re out walking in the evening and spot any of the little creatures on the road and wonder how to help them - please place them onto the School grounds or the valley side off High House Road (where safe to do so).

You will be helping them to continue their journey safely back to the Ponds in the Valley.

Leanne Maudling

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St Bees Village Hall Association - Chairperson’s ReportMay I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and enthusiasm throughout the past year. I feel we have achieved a lot considering we all have limited time and resources. The fabric of the building has much improved with a deep clean, repairs to the roof, installation of blinds and continuing electrical work, the painting of the lobby, ventilation improvements and of course vast improvements in the back yard. We also participated in the “What’s on in St Bees” in September organised by the Parish Council, which was a great success. On the 7th October we held a Gardeners Question time which was very popular, and attracted a large audience of whom we were very appreciative.In late January the Snow White pantomime was performed in the Hall and it was an absolute sell-out and very enjoyable. Thanks to Gus and Lesley and all others involved for their hard work.In the future we are looking into having “Cine North” maybe in late April, and a Gardening event in late May. We are also in the process of reviewing the Constitution and Village Hall Letting arrangements, and of course future hall improvements.Thank you once again for your stalwart support, none of this could have been achieved without you as individuals and us all as a team.

Margaret Taylor, Chairperson

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Delivering the MilkFrancis Livesey came to St. Bees in 1887 and was our choirmaster and organist for the next forty-seven years. He was also a dedicated photographer. We can often catch glimpses of the village life of his time from the photographic glass plates he left us.

This picture, we think, dates from the early 1900s. If that is so the lady raising the jug is Polly Batty. The Battys had the round for some thirty years, passing it on to the Smiths at Stonehouse when Polly left for America.

From Florrie Smith* we have an account of her years delivering the milk. She started early in World War Two, when the farm men began to go for military service. In conversation with Annie Ashburner and Violet Southam she recalled:

“I started off with a great big ten gallon tin, which had a tap on it, and a jug, and just measured it into whatever they gave me to put it in. Sometimes a basin or a jam pot or anything. I used to go twice a day, and they used to have half a pint in the morning and half a pint at night. It was three pence a pint. But it wasn’t long before my husband said we’d have to go over to bottles. So we started with big glass bottles, half-pint and pint ones.

“Peggy was always my good old horse who was on the longest. I had two or three before I fi nished. Before I knew where I was I had all of St. Bees to do – it was awful! I used to have to gallop to Marlborough Farm because my uncle lived down there, and borrow milk from him, and I used to go up to Abbey Farm and get milk from there, because we hadn’t enough to supply everyone. I went on till 1950 with the milk cart”.

Bob Jopling, Village History Group

Florrie Smith will be remebered living at 30 Main Street - the mother-in-law of Enid Smith. Always busy helping Enid & Carole - sewing and stitching horse blankets.

Rosalie McAndrew

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St Bees SchoolYou will all no doubt will have already heard the wonderful news that St Bees School will re-open in September next year. The new group of Trustees, their staff and supporters, are all to be thanked on the tremendous amount of work they have put into the project and congratulated on their success. The full press release can be viewed at http://www.stbeesschool.co.uk/. Excerpts from the release are below.Following the School’s closure in 2015, the new board of Trustees have have arranged a partnership with Shenzhen International, a South East Asian education group, with an agreement now in place for the reopening of the school. Shenzhen International’s values are fully supportive to the ethos of the School. The commitment is to provide high quality academic education combined with a focus on personal development. St Bees School will be welcoming day and boarding pupils from West Cumbria, further afi eld in the UK and internationally. Through the School’s Business Management Centre, links with Britain’s Energy Coast, and the international exposure gained from the partnership, St Bees School is perfectly placed to add a unique commercial dimension to the pupil’s education.Strong links with the community have been established over the last two years and local clubs, history groups and businesses have continued to make use of the School’s facilities. It is essential to the future success of the School that these links are maintained and the Trustees will work with local bodies to support the West Cumbrian economy and sustain diversity in the community. The School has a rich and proud history of over 400 years and will retain the ethos and its Christian values, yet will look to innovate with state of the art teaching methodology and techniques, where appropriate.The School will make use of all its existing outstanding facilities, as well as the natural resources West Cumbria and the Lake District has on off er in its promotion and development of sport, the arts and music at the School. The Trustees are actively seeking to recruit the Headteacher and School Leadership Team to establish a core staff to allow the School to open in September 2018. The Trustees and Shenzhen have worked diligently together to ensure that the foundation on which the agreement has been based will re-establish St Bees School and set it on a path to a long term successful and sustainable future. The Old St Beghian community has provided essential support and encouragement in helping us to reach this point, and we look forward to developing a new cohort of OSBs in the future.The Trustees would like to thank all who have supported the School, either directly or indirectly, and look forward to continuing Archbishop Grindal’s legacy and delivering a tradition of learning in St Bees once again.Contact information for enquiries: Kate.Wilson@StBeesSchool.co.uk or 07970 898180 Tom.Kelly@StBeesSchool.co.uk or 07813 176407

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GrassrootsFilm Night - The St Bees Village Hall Management Committee are running a new venture in April – there will be a showing of the recently released fi lm “Swallows and Amazons” at the Hall (Hodgetts, on Finkle Street) on Saturday, 22 April at 6.30. The fi lm is a PG certifi cate and lasts 95 minutes. The bar will be open before the showing and other refreshments will be available. You can reserve tickets now by phoning Phil and Val Turpin on 01946 823772. Tickets cost £4 pp or a family ticket for four (up to 2 adults) at £12. Payment at the door in cash, please. Seats will be limited so book now to avoid disappointment on the night!Beavers update. After a long winter stuck in the scout hut, We’re looking forward to the warmer weather and lighter nights so we can get outside for our activities. That’s not to say we haven’t had fun. We’ve made planes, elastic powered vehicles, celebrated St David’s day and St Patrick’s day, but the highlight has been investing some new beavers. Congratulations to Ben, Daniel 1, Daniel 2, Nate and Haydn who are now proud Beavers.Strictly Come Sprinkling! Keen gardeners are welcome to meet at Ursula Rowlands home, 21 Main Street, on the third Thursday of the month at 2.30 p.m. – for a social chat about garden problems and delights; sharing helpful tips or seed packets; and passing on ideas. Cuppa tea & cake too!Welcome to Megan Lennel & her son Jack on Main Street terrace, moving near Granma Ursula.Open Garden - The garden at Fern Bank will be open again this year on Sunday 9th April from 12 noon to 5 pm, under the auspices of the National Gardens Scheme, which raises money for various nursing charities including Hospice at Home. Last year we had ‘Art in the Garden’, this year it will be ‘Poetry in the Garden’. Entrance to the garden is £3.50 for adults. There will also be refreshments, including homemade cake.Arts Society - The last Arts Society meeting of the season will be on Wednesday 26th April at 8pm, in the Whitelaw Building as usual. The subject will be The Painted Garden, An artistic history of gardens from the ancient Egyptians to the present day. The lecturer will be Russell Bowes, Garden Historian. Charm RobsonThe Over 60s will be visiting Broughton Over 60 Club on Tuesday 11th April. The bus will leave the Oddfellows pub at 6pm,usual pickups .On Tuesday April 25th at 2pm in Hodgetts club we will be having afternoon tea. Mrs Val Maudsley will have a cake and bricabrac stall to raise money for Michelle Proctor who works as a nurse at Mukingee hospital in Zambia. All are welcome to this event.The Sean Webster Band - Will be performing at Hodgetts Club on Friday 21st April, at 8pm, Tickets are available from Steve Bouckley on 01946 822741 or 0771 4497 661.A big thank you from Annie Southam to Susan, Megan, Jack and Matthew for cards, phone calls, fl owers food, chocolates, etc. Also to the ones who left parcels outside my door, and the Over 60s Club. All appreciated very much. Thank you.

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W I NewsAn update on our last event, which was a pancake evening. Pancakes were made and served by Pat Forster and Wendy Mellor, there were lots of sweet/savoury fi llings to choose from and our members enjoyed tasting these fabulous treats! This was followed by tea/coff ee and cakes. Members also made suggestions on what they would like to see included on the St Bees panel. The panel, depicting St Bees WI, will eventually be made up by our members and placed together with all the other panels belonging to the 93 other WIs across Cumbria, and collectively it will be part of the Cumbria-Cumberland WI Banner.

A reminder of our next meeting, April 10th, 7.30pm, New College Hall, which is a presentation on Holistic Therapies by Zoe Bettinson. For details on future WI events, becoming a member or coming along for a taster session/visitor which is £4 including refreshments, please see village notice boards, our face book page www.facebook.com/St-Bees-WI or contact Roxanne Benson Tel 823137. Roxanne Benson

Seagalls “Suspense Is Worse Than Disappointment” by Robert Burns.

A quotation which refl ected the general attitude of us all relating to our recent meeting.

However, despite this small hiccup, the evening turned into a really sociable and fun time, including meeting a few new faces! In addition to the leisurely chatting and imbibing of snacks and drinks, we were treated to a Facial & Make-Up Demonstration by Joyce Jennings who also sells the products she demonstrates.

A fun evening all round which brings to mind another quotation: “Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining”!

We look forward to welcoming our Guest Speaker Mr Chris Robson to our next meeting on Tuesday 4th April. Usual time and place - 7.30pm at the Seacote Hotel.

Hope to see you all there - including any new people who would like to come along!

Magazine AdvertsWe are very grateful to those who advertise regularly and occasionally on these pages. Without their support, and also the support of individuals and the Parish Council, we could not fund the publishing of the magazine. Please consider them when you are looking for some service and mention to them where you saw their advert.

We currently have a number of spaces available - either the smaller ones or a double sized one. If you are interested in advertising in the magazine which is distributed to most households in the parish, please contact Ian McAndrew - imcandrew@stbees.org.uk of phone 01946 822326. As a bonus you even get a free advert in the village web site!