Aspatria News

Saved - Park Lodge

Park Lodge has been saved from Closure, the announcement was made on Thursday the 12th April in Kendal. Iris Stobbat has fought hard along with other members of the community to keep Park Lodge open and her hard work was finally rewarded when the announcement was made on the 12th April.

Queens Diamond Jubilee

There will be a childrens disco in the Rugby club on the 2nd June 5-8pm
to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee

Gala Day

Will be held on the Saturday the 9th June 2012 the parade leaves at 1.15pm

Aspatria Dreamscheme - Family Fun Day

Aspatria Dreamscheme is starting to plan our summer activities for August.
We are intending to celebrate our last day by having another ‘Family Fun Day’,
last year was BRILIANT, bouncy castles, bring your own picnic, live music
from young bands, free arts and crafts etc… this year we are joined by the police
and the fire service again with even more ‘fun stuff’….

HOWEVER….we really need extra help from the Community by people Volunteering
to help man the bouncy castles/slides so that the children, young people & adults
can have fun safely!...... (yes we can all have a go!!) the more help we get the
shorter the time helping.

So if you fancy a fun day in the Memorial Park on:
Thursday August 23rd between 12-7pm
with your family, friends and neighbors and don’t mind helping out for an hour
contact Linda or Ian on 016973 20893 (2-9pm mon-fri)

Save Park Lodge

Save Park Lodge group is urging people to attend a meeting on
December 7 from 6pm
at Aspatria Rugby Club.

Cumbria Local Involvement Network (LINk)

Cumbria Local Involvement Network (LINk) is an independent organisation set up to represent
the views of local people on health and care services.  Cumbria LINk has statutory powers
which mean that the people responsible for health and care services in our area have to respond to recommendations we make. 

We know that currently there are issues that matter to you around the consultation on proposals
for care in your area and concerns about choice of GP practice.  We want to hear what you
have to say on these and any other concerns you have.

You can contact us by phone on 01228 512513, by email link@cumbriacvs.org.uk , by letter
to Cumbria LINk.  27 Spencer Street, Carlisle, CA1 1BE. 

Members of Cumbria LINk and support staff will be visiting Aspatria on
Thursday 8th December between 2pm and 6pm
at The Community Centre, King Street specifically to hear your views,
please drop in and talk to us.

Save Park Lodge

Please help us to Save Park Lodge, by signing the petition and by
looking out for the organised meetings, where you can voice
your concerns over the proposed closure.



Hornets up and running

Aspatria Hornets received a visit from town Mayor, Alan Reay, to help them celebrate their first home league game in over fourteen years. The recently reformed Hornets welcomed Lowca to Saint Mungo’s park for a top of the table clash on the 3rd September.

Mayor Alan Reay is introduced to the Hornets team by Captain, Kevin Clark

The match was the culmination of ten months work following the meeting to reform the team back in November 2010. The Hornets have made an extremely successful start to their league campaign and have won all of their league matches to date and are top of Group C in the Cumberland Rugby League. Led by Kevin Clark, the team has played some exciting rugby and there is some real interest in rugby circles in the new team on the block.
The players and staff have been very pleased with the level of support that they have received, not only from sponsors and local businesses but with the number of spectators that have been attending home games. This was best illustrated by the recent cup game against Kells held at Aspatria RUFC where over 400 spectators attended.
Aspatria Hornets are still recruiting and any player (or anyone interested in volunteering to help with off-field matters) interested in playing rugby league should either come to training or contact club secretary Peter Thorndike on peter.bod@talktalk.net . Training is held Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm at Beacon Hill School astro-turf (cost £1 per session). Alternatively, join our Facebook group at Aspatria Hornets Rugby League FC.
Contact:
Craig Hamilton
E-mail:  craig_hamilton66@hotmail.com
Telephone:         0776 525 4269

Victoria Park reopens

Victoria Park was officially reopened by the Mayor Mr Alan Reay and Aspatria Town Councillors on Thursday 21st July. Teachers brought pupils along from Richmond Hill School to attend the official opening. Pupils were given the opportunity to try out the new play equipment in the park.

Harriston Village Hall
will not be having Bingo
as it is closed for the floor to redone
The hall will be closed for a few weeks.

Whats on in Aspatria

Sept

Aspatria and District First Responders
Beacon Hill School

The Crunch Service

is a service provided by Allerdale for residents to
dispose items to bulky for normal collection.
Saturday 17th September at 11.30 - 2pm
Queen Street Car Park.
Please do not leave items at the crunch site prior
to arrival of the Crunch service. of bulky domestic waste.

Slimming World Group
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm
Aspatria Rugby Club

Bingo

Tuesdays - Blennerhasset Village Hall at 7.30pm
Aspatria Rugby Club - Every other Sunday at 8pm

October

Aspatria and District First Responders
Beacon Hill School

The Crunch Service
is a service provided by Allerdale for residents to
dispose items to bulky for normal collection.
Saturday 15th October at 11.30 - 2pm
Queen Street Car Park.
Please do not leave items at the crunch site prior
to arrival of the Crunch service. of bulky domestic waste.

Slimming World Group
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm
Aspatria Rugby Club

Bingo

Tuesdays - Blennerhasset Village Hall at 7.30pm
Aspatria Rugby Club - Every other Sunday at 8pm

November

Remembrance Sunday
13th November 2011
Leaves Brandraw Car park
2.30pm, Wreaths laid
at park gates. Service at St
Kentigern's 3pm

Aspatria and District First Responders
Beacon Hill School

The Crunch Service
Date to be published when available
is a service provided by Allerdale for residents to
dispose items to bulky for normal collection.
12th November at 11.30 - 2pm
Queen Street Car Park.
Please do not leave items at the crunch site prior
to arrival of the Crunch service. of bulky domestic waste.

Slimming World Group
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm
Aspatria Rugby Club

Bingo

Tuesdays - Blennerhasset Village Hall at 7.30pm
Aspatria Rugby Club - Every other Sunday at 8pm

December

Christmas light switch on
4th December

Senior Citizens Christmas
Treat. 13th December at the Masonic

Aspatria and District First Responders
Beacon Hill School

The Crunch Service
is a service provided by Allerdale for residents to
dispose items to bulky for normal collection.
Saturday 10th December at 11.30 - 2pm
Queen Street Car Park.
Please do not leave items at the crunch site prior
to arrival of the Crunch service. of bulky domestic waste.

Slimming World Group
Every Wednesday at 6.15pm
Aspatria Rugby Club

Bingo

Tuesdays - Blennerhasset Village Hall at 7.30pm
Aspatria Rugby Club - Every other Sunday at 8pm

Old News

Gala Day June 2011

This years Gala Day was once again very succesful, the Town had a good turnout of people for Aspatrias 10th Gala Day.
Pictures can be viewed by clicking on the Aspatria Gala Day button on the top left

Aspatria has a new Mayor

Councillor Alan Reay was elected Mayor and Councillor Marie Rose was Elected Deputy Mayor for 2011/12. The new Mayor thanked the outgoing Mayor Councillor Trevor Gear for all the work he had done over the past few years.

May 2011 Elections

The results of Aspatria Elections are:

Aspatria, 2 seats:
Bill Finlay, I, 408. Elected
Laurie Mansfield, L, 344.
Billy Pegram, L 215.
Philip John Roberts, LD 252.
David Wilson, I 361. Elected
Turnout: 39.35%

Bill Finlay and David Wilson are the newly elected Councillors
for the Aspatria area on Allerdale Council.

Calling all Volunteers!

Aspatria is to get it's own mini Volunteer Bureau

Plans are under way to recruit local residents who would like to do unpaid voluntary work for the benefit of others.  What they get back is is a sense of purpose and an opportunity to meet new people and develop new skills. New skills can be useful in themselves but can also provide evidence in support of applications for paid work.

In order to get things started, town councillor Bill Finlay has linked up with Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service(CVS) and the Aspatria & District Community Charity Association. 

“Working with the CVS is crucial because it is part of a network of county and national volunteer bureaux” he said.  “They can provide information on opportunities for volunteering outside of Aspatria, as well as any specialist support when needed”.

“The Charity Shop has offered a 'shop window', in other words a display area where people or organisations looking for voluntary support can advertise their needs.  There will also be information on how would-be volunteers can register with the bureau and be introduced to voluntary opportunities they are interested in.”

“As well as looking for volunteers, we also need to find things for them to do locally. That's why I'm asking for local people and organisations to contact me to discuss support that they need and which volunteers could meet.  This could vary from supporting people in their own homes to helping with them with their shopping or gardening, through to working with existing local and national voluntary organisations.”

The Volunteer Bureau will be launched in the New Year, but if you want to register your interest earlier you can 'phone Bill Finlay on 016973 21156 or by email at aspatriavolunteers@gmail.com

Special thanks to J. Herring for providing this picture.

Gala Day 2010

Aspatria Gala day was held on Saturday the 12th June and was once again enjoyed by huge crowds of people lining the main route through Aspatria.
Young and old turned out to join in the fun and it turned out to be a lovely day,
even the weather stayed nice.

This years Carnival Queen was Chloe Dunn

Guests in the procession included:
Barracudas
Lairds of Dixie and drum group
Penrith Brass Band
The Samba Bandits
Stilt walking fairies

Winners of the procession were:
Harlequin perfoming arts group won the spirit of the carnival award

Kevin Bouch and John Creighton along with their Loch Ness Monster
won the most memorable performance Trophy.

Further pictures can be found on the Aspatria Gala Day link.

Jim Buchanon died on 8th April

Jim had been the Conservative Councillor for Aspatria and the Wharrels and
up until last month had been the Leader of the County Council, Jim stepped
down after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, but intended to remain the
Councillor for Aspatria and the Wharrels. Jim died at home with his family by his side.

Our condolences go to Jims family at this sad time, he will be greatly missed.


The News and Star have a big article on Jim:
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/shock-as-former-cumbria-council-leader-dies-from-cancer-1.693536?referrerPath=news

Cumbria County Council have also set up an online tribute page:

http://www.cumbriacc.gov.uk/forum/messages/17844/17844.html?1270809887

Public Meeting 23rd March- Queen St Car Park

Thank you to everyone that attended this meeting, it was quite an informative meeting
with lots of people putting questions to the Allerdale representatives Harry Dyke,
Tony Smith and our Allerdale Councillor and Deputy Leader
of Allerdale David Wilson.

People found out that although these restrictions were passed by Allerdale
Council last November and where brought in on January 1st 2010.
These will not actually be implemented until after May, as this is the earliest time
they can be looked at again by Allerdale Councillors due to a 6 month Rule which
prevents things being re looked at for that length of time.

The meeting was a very constructive meeting with lots of people putting
forward their questions to Harry Dyke, Tony Smith and David Wilson
they have promised to take these on board and take them back to Allerdale
for the Council to re look at in May when the six month rule comes to an end.

For those people that did attend the meeting I will be starting a link in the
aspatrias voice forum for how you thought the meeting went?

Public Meeting - Queen St Car Park

A public meeting is to be held on
Tuesday 23rd March at 7pm in Beacon Hill School

Over the restrictions that have been implemented on
Queen St Car Park by Allerdale.

Officers from Allerdale will be in Attendence.
Please come along and give your support against these restrictions.

Queen St Car park restrictions

Aspatria Town Council will be holding a public meeting and inviting Harry Dyke, Tony Smith and Councillor Sam Standage along with our local Allerdale Councillors David Wilson and Audrey Tinnion to the meeting which is hoped to be held early in March.

Some of you will have seen letters for signing in the shops in Aspatria stating you disagree with these restrictions so far Wendy Campbell has over 900+ from residents in Aspatria and surrounding areas.

If you have not already done so please help us to fight Allerdale putting restrictions on Queen St Car park.

I will post the date of the meeting as soon as I find out when it is to be held.

Proposed Parking restrictions on Queen St, Car Park Aspatria

Aspatrias-Voice received an email this week about the proposed changes on Queen St Car Park, we thought it important enough to post on this page, as only you the residents can now do something about these proposed restriction by writing to Mr Harry Dyke Chief Executive Allerdale and sending a copy of your letter to: Tony Smith Parking Services Manager Allerdale, our Allerdale Councillors David Wilson and Audrey Tinnion and Aspatria Town Council all contact details will be at the end of this article.

Allerdale Council are proposing to introduce a 2 hour parking limit for all cars parking on Queen St car park, they are also proposing to introduce a parking permit for residents at a cost of £290 per annum.
No free residents permits will be issued as has happened in
Maryport and Workington.

Many people living on and around Queen Street will be effected by this, how many of you are aware that this is about to be implemented?

Apparently these proposals are being brought in to force because the people of Wigton, Maryport and Workington had compained that we still had a free car park and were not being affected by the proposed raise in car park fees across West Cumbria.

Basically this has given Allerdale the excuse they needed to garner penalty fees from Aspatria (they rarely receive any penalty fees from our town and begrudge this as they have to pay out yearly maintenance for the car park).

Allerdale dont appear to care that parking on Queen Street is essential for the Community when visiting the Spar, Chip shop, Charity Shop, taking children to Richmond Hill, Visiting the Churches, attending Weddings and Funerals and keeping cars off the main A596 road.

They have not thought about the residents that live on Brough Street and how parking on the main road will effect their vision when they come out of Brough Street and they have given no thought to the residents that park on Queen Street overnight rather than park on the main road, keeping it clear for the Log lorries and aggregate lorries that pass along through our town.

Aspatria Town Council are aware of the proposed restrictions and have strongly objected to these restrictions, we were informed by our Allerdale Councillor David Wilson that nothing will happen without consultation with the Town Council this so far has not happened!

Contact Details  

Please write to:

Harry Dyke and send a copy of your letter to the others on the list below to make your feelings known.

Harry Dyke
Chief Executive Allerdale
Allerdale House,
Workington,
Cumbria,
CA14 3YJ

Tony Smith
Parking Services
Allerdale Borough Council
Allerdale House
WORKINGTON
Cumbria
CA14 3YJ

tony.smith@allerdale.gov.uk

Councillor David Wilson
9 Lawn Terrace, Silloth
Tel: 016973 31004

david.wilson@allerdale.gov.uk

Councillor Audrey Tinnion
28 Lawson St, Aspatria
Tel: 016973 20977

audrey.Tinnion@allerdale.gov.uk

Aspatria Town Council
c/o Town Clerk Allison Paterson
Allandale, Waverton, Wigton CA7 0AE

clerk-aspatriatc@tiscali.co.uk

Please remember the only people that can help make a difference to these proposed parking restrictions is you the residents.
If enough people write in to complain, hopefully this will force their hand to leaving the Queen St car park alone.

Proposed Wind Turbines at Bothel

BT Admits Wind Turbines Will Ruin a Community

At the end of October 2009 BT submitted a planning application to build four turbines at Threapland Lees Farm, Cumbria.  These are the tallest on land turbines proposed in Cumbria to date.  They are 40 metres taller than the existing turbines at Wharrel’s Hill, Bothel and are in close proximity to residential homes in the villages of Bothel, Plumbland and Threapland.  It was in response to this that anxious but determined residents formed the Threapland Turbine Action Group (TTAG) in June and have been battling to dissuade BT from submitting its plans ever since.  BT wouldn’t listen, and submitted its plans, unaltered.

To read the full article please click on the link Aspatrias Voice against wind turbines or if you want to know more about TTAG - Threapland Turbine Action Group, click the link below which will take you to their website.

Have you missed the Clock Chimes?

St Kentigern’s Clock has been one of the characteristic sounds of Aspatria since 1897. Recently we had to disconnect the  chime & strike
mechanisms when the maintenance engineer condemned them as unsafe. Repairs are estimated at over £4000 to repair or around £7500 to repair and motorise the winding thus vastly reducing future ‘wear & tear’ damage and repair bills. The PCC felt  it was the right time
(no pun intended!) to motorise the clock and safeguard its future for the town.  Grants from funding bodies should cover a substantial proportion of the cost, but one or two people have also made generous offers to help bridge the funding gap.

If you could help with a donation, perhaps in memory of a loved one, please contact Clive, Trevor or Brenda, or one of the churchwardens. With your help we hope to have the chimes sounding again in time for Christmas.

The church clock itself has since developed a problem and has had to be stopped. We hope to put this right along with the chimes & strikes repairs - or sooner if possible.

Harriston Village up coming events

Easter Prize Bingo - Saturday 27th March 1.30 - 3 pm
doors open at 1pm for Bingo.

Easter Eggs and Easter Bonnets to be in the Village Hall by 12.30pm
the side door will open at 12.15pm for entries.

Spring Fair -
Bric a brac, tins, cakes, games, face painting, raffle, tombola etc
Saturday 8th May 1pm - 3pm

Bus Service`s in Aspatria and surrounding area`s

I recently received the following in an email:

As many bus travellers are aware in September 2008 people
of Aspatria, among others, lost a vital link to days out in the Lakes
when the 555 service from Carlisle to Keswick started to run
10 minutes earlier.

This means we can no longer catch the 09.08 bus to Wigton
and then the 555 to Keswick and the many services available there.
Could people make Stagecoach available of their feelings ?

The alternative route through Workington has a 50 minute wait
between buses. A new service is planned for the school holidays only from Maryport to Keswick via Cockermouth which will involve
a 20 or 30 minute wait in the morning and a 40 minute wait in the afternoon.Many Aspatrians use the buses, surely we could have
some connecting services to our adequate hourly run
between Whitehaven and Carlisle.

Please can people make their feelings known by contacting Stagecoach here are their contact details:

Write to:
Stagecoach North West, 2nd Floor, Broadacre House,
16-20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, CA3 8DA

For Cumbria Telephone : 0871 200 2233

Email : northwest.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com

Wanted - Old Pictures of Aspatria to make a times past section on this site as well as the Town Newsletter all contributions will be given credit for their photo.

If you would like to add to: Our whats on area of our website, please contact me by clicking on the link above.

If you have an article you might like to see on this site then please contact me on the link above.

Why not check out our Forum?

Please Note

I do this site completely voluntary, no payment has been received
by anyone at Aspatrias Voice. The Editor reserves the right
to control what is included, however, no responsibility whatsoever
for the content of this website can be accepted by the Editor
or the publishers of any article on this website.

39 Bus Service

The 39 bus has been reinstated from 5th July 2011. This service has been reintroduced by Reays and is an improvement on the previous services with some small changes.

Please remember the 39 service will only continue to be around
if it is used by the public.

Timetable

Click the link above for the new timetable.

Crunch Dates
2012

Queen St Car Park 11.30am - 2pm

News Articles
Needed

If you have an article you think will be of interest to the Aspatria Community please email me and I will add it to Aspatrias-Voice

Halloween Disco

Saturday 29th October, 7-10pm The Rugby Club. £1 each bring Mums and Dads come dressed to SCARE!!!