LAKES Parish Council asked South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and British Telecom (BT) why there appeared to be no public consultation before the closure of BT phone boxes at Chapel Stile, Elterwater and Little Langdale.

However, BT said it had no need to consult with the public before removing the phone at Chapel Stile because it wasn’t a public payphone kiosk.

In the case of the payphone at Elterwater, BT had previously consulted with SLDC, who were happy for the kiosk to be adopted after consultation with key stakeholders in the area, including Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), district councillors and Lakes Parish Council and no objections were received. 
Notices were also put up in the kiosk during the 90-day consultation period, and the Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT) was installing a defibrillator.

At Little Langdale, the same process as at Elterwater was undertaken in 2015.

A defibrillator was installed in 2019, along with a 999 telephone because there was no detectable mobile telephone signal in the area.

THE Langdales branch of the Royal British Legion will take part in the service, at Langdale Parish Church, on Sunday, November 10 (10.30am) and at St Marys Church, Ambleside (3pm).

On Monday, November 11 (11am), the legion will lead the Armistice Day two-minute silence at Ambleside Market Cross, followed with a short service at Ambleside Primary School (2.15pm), by the plaque in the wall which commemorates former pupils who died in World War One. 

THE National Trust is holding a community drop-in evening on Wednesday, November 13 (4pm-7pm) at the parish centre. All are welcome to meet the local NT team who will answer any questions people might have about ongoing work in the area.

More information from Jenny Sutton, community involvement manager NT, C and E Lakes Portfolio on 015394-63887 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk.

THE Rotary Club of Ambleside and several hundred other UK rotaries have pledged £500 to help provide a new hospital ship known as a Mercy Ship, giving medical help to people along the West African coast.

The club has also donated an initial £200 this year to The Rotary Foundation, providing grants for schemes around the UK and the world. 
Members were given a presentation by Jane Cogley of Paddlers for Life which has two dragon boats based at Low Wood Water Sports Centre, providing therapeutic exercise and social activities for those experiencing cancer and their families.

The boats are on the lake providing fun and exercise on Sundays during the summer months.

For more information about Rotary, email Richard Attenborough at ambleside.rotary@gmail.com. 

AMBLESIDE-Kirkstone Rotary heard from Kendal Civic Society member Trevor Hughes about the Yards, Crofts and Lanes which are so characteristic of Kendal. These supported thriving little communities lined with cottages and workshops, though only a few yards survived slum clearances in the 1960s. 

THE Ambleside learning charity, Learning Plus, based at Ambleside Library, needs a new part-time co-ordinator to lead the work of the organisation and oversee the delivery of classes and workshops, as well as running two weekly workshops for those needing help with IT, digital technology and skills for life.

Email Catherine.powloski@learningplusambleside.org.uk for information. 
THE harmful effects of the illegal wildlife trade are the subject of a free lecture by Dr Nicoletta Policek, associate professor in policing and criminology, at the University of Cumbria on Wednesday, November 13 (6pm) in the Percival Theatre.To book, visit cumbria.ac.uk/about/events/university-events/ambleside. 

THE south of England Golden Eagle Project is the subject of a talk by Philip Monro of the project team, taking place on November 14 (7.30pm) in the Beehive on the campus.

The aim of building up the population of golden eagles in the Border region could mean eagles eventually breeding in Cumbria. 

AMBLESIDE Library is displaying work by Ambleside and District Art Society members Jean Wedgebury and David Best this month.

Jean began her career in the fashion industry, studying at the Manchester College of Art, followed by set design in photographic studios and as a stylist on fashion shoots, always with sketchbook at the ready.

Since moving to the Lakes, she took up oil painting full time, exhibiting locally in galleries and exhibitions.

David Best trained in technical drawing and spent nearly 20 years working in building services engineering and in 2002 took up painting; first exhibiting with Ambleside Art Society in 2004.

After learning to paint more traditional oils and acrylics of the Lake District landscape, often including Herdwicks, he began to produce work based on fracturing and painting in more abstract shapes and colour, in a less representational form but still retaining the subject. Influences are from Cezanne to the Scottish Colourists, with elements of cubism and structured works such as those by Paul Klee who said: “Colour and I are one. I am a painter.” Paintings can be purchased.