The community itself needs to raise £15000 towards the cost of revitalising the village hall (this is in addition to any major grants etc we manage to obtain, and also in addition to “normal” village fundraising efforts. This regular “slot” in Beneath Blencathra will publicise current and forthcoming fundraising events and activities.

Recent payments:

Recipe Books - £56.00

Pudding Festival - £273

Donation from Duncan Stuart - £50.

The fund has now built up to over £6000. Every little helps.

Donations

We are now open for donations of any kind, from individuals or organisations. Cheques should be made payable to “Threlkeld Village Hall Revitalisation Fund” and sent to Alison Critchlow, Towngate Barn, Blease Road, Threlkeld CA12 4RX. Any other queries to Trevor Roberts.

Advertising and links on the Threlkeld Community Website

The village website is http://www.threlkeldweb.co.uk/home. Any businesses wanting to advertise on this, including setting up links to their own website, can do so for a modest amount of money. Contact Steve Dobbins.

Threlkeld Recipe Book

This is on sale in the village or from Pat Knifton (79448, email johnknifton@hotmail.com). Price £3.50. This has proved an excellent source of funding. Useful Christmas present.

Threlkeld Pudding Festival

This was a great success, and the plan is to make it an annual event. Lots of people went, and it was highly enjoyable. It raised over £270 for the fund. The overall winner was DOROTHY CRAIG. Her name has now been engraved on a small plaque.

Carol Concert

The School Choir is giving a short carol concert in the village hall on 4 December with a collection in aid of the fund.

Promises Auction

The collection of promises for this will start very shortly. The Auction itself will take place on Friday 11 April 2008, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

We need lots of people to come up with goods and services that can be auctioned. The whole idea of a Promises Auction is that something which you can do or provide easily will be valuable to someone else – examples include French conversation, a guided trip up Scafell Pike, “I will be your slave for the day”, a dinner party for up to six cooked in your own home, a day on a Lakeland Farm, making the most of your computer. This plus vouchers from hotels, restaurants, businesses etc. Anything welcome – it will be of value to someone.

Send promises to Dot Benson. And get your friends and contacts involved - this is an excellent chance to involve people from outside the village.

Public Room Christmas Draw

The traditional Public Room Christmas Draw will take place on 7 December. Tickets are still available from Roger Bragg. There are a string of excellent seasonal prizes, including a meal for two with wine at the Horse and Farrier (kindly provided by the Horse and Farrier) and a £20 meal voucher at the Salutation Inn (kindly provided by the Salutation).

Pancake Race

This will be on Pancake Tuesday, 5 February. Watch out for details, we may not get much chance to advertise this in Beneath Blencathra. Information from Pat Knifton.

Mugs and T-shirts

The Threlkeld mugs and T shirts are now on sale, with the prizewinning design. Excellent Christmas presents. There is a separate advertisement for these, contact Caroline Greenway.

Anyone who has any fundraising ideas or wants to help, contact Dot Benson. Email for more info.