AMBLESIDE Action for a Future group (AAFAF) gathered at Market Cross as they took part in the Global Climate Strike.

Members of the public showed a great deal of interest, concern and encouragement, some with family members demonstrating in other parts of the country. Others unable to leave work came in their lunch break and ate their sandwiches while joining the protest. Ambleside artist Pam Williamson took her Blue Planet chair and invited people to sit and think about the state of the planet and what they could do to help. AAFAF’s next meeting is on October 14 (7pm) at the parish centre.

AMBLESIDE-Kirkstone Rotary Club is inviting older people living alone in the Lakes parish area to a cream tea on October 6 (2.30pm-4pm) at the Kelsick Centre, Ambleside, with entertainment by musical theatre actor and singer Gary Adams. For tickets, telephone Margaret on 015394-31784. 

PERFECT river conditions and fine weather helped Ambleside-Kirkstone Rotary Club’s recent annual duck race to great success, raising more than £2,400 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

A total of 2,137 ducks set sail along Stock Beck by Rothay Park, and sales of ducks continued briskly right up to the last minute prior to the race, thanks to the efforts of rotarians. An extended course along the fast- flowing beck provided an interesting and exciting race.

The rotary club thanked all who purchased a duck and those who helped make the event run so smoothly. Thanks also went to the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue team who provided valuable assistance retrieving the ducks and the Co-op Community Fund for sponsorship of prizes.

The winning duck was owned by a visitor from the North East, who won the first prize of £200. 

LAKES parish’s hospital transport grant has attracted plenty of applications so far and is available up to the end of the year to help people of all ages with the cost of travel to hospital appointments.

Applicants must be living permanently in Ambleside, Brathay, Coniston, Elterwater, Grasmere, Hawkshead, Langdale, Skelwith Bridge, Rydal or Troutbeck.

Individuals can only apply for one grant within a four-week period and grants are fixed at £15 for Kendal, £30 for Morecambe and Lancaster, £40 for Barrow, £45 for Preston and £50 for Manchester. Applicants will need to produce a hospital letter inviting them to attend the appointment.

The scheme is running for a trial period until January 2020 but if the money runs out before date, the scheme will close.

To apply, telephone Ambleside Parish Centre on 015394-34172 or email admin@amblesidepc.org.uk. The majority of grant applications have been for appointments in Preston. 

AMBLESIDE Players have a half-term comedy treat in store with their production of A Bunch of Amateurs, written by Nick Newman and Private Eye editor, satirist and star of Have I Got News For You, Ian Hislop.

With a cast of seven, the plot features an ageing, fading Hollywood action hero who arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford, only to find it is not the famous home of the Bard at Stratford-on-Avon where he is to appear, but a sleepy little village called Stratford St John in Suffolk.

Instead of Dame Judi and Kenneth Branagh, he has a cast of amateurs, who are also trying to save their theatre from developers. The has-been star’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by a very enthusiastic bunch of amateurs as the two acting worlds collide.

The play got royal approval from the Queen herself, who liked it so much when she saw it at a royal film performance that she requested a special showing at Sandringham one Christmas. Performances run for five nights from October 22-26 (7.30pm) at the Kelsick Centre.

Tickets from Fred’s Bookshop, Central Buildings, Ambleside or online at amblesideplayers.co.uk. 

WORK on the Greenbank and Castlefield play area is proceeding and should be finished by half-term. An official opening party is being planned for all residents and sponsors, with party bags provided for all the children by the playground equipment contractors. 

THE university is holding a series of free monthly talks on literary and artistic topics which are open to the public. The topic is Negotiating a Cultural Landscape: Writers and Artists in the Lakes.

The first session is on October 7 (6.30pm-7.30pm) when the poet, biographer and critic, Grevel Lindor, will talk about Wet through…and a hell of a way from London!: Writing a literacy guide to the Lake District. To book a free ticket visit negotiating_cultural_landscape_talk_series_oct19.eventbrite.co.uk.