Just a quick update on preparations for the exhibition:

Jenn has been busy talking to local people and volunteers, starting to research various themes connected to the villages of Threlkeld and Mungrisdale and the mountain itself – including farming, fell running, hunting, mining and looking into local trades and mobile shops that used to line the streets.  We’re really excited to have the expertise and experiences of several locals, including Lesley and Colin Smith, Eleanor Earl, Tommy Jackson and Alan Head (whose parents grew up in Mungrisdale village).  Our museum volunteers and local volunteers who live in Threlkeld and Mungrisdale are now starting to collect all sorts of information relating to the Blencathra sanatorium, local people’s stories, and literary and artistic reflections on Blencathra.

Do you have any photos of local community life?

If you have a few old photos you think would help to reflect the past and present Threlkeld or Mungrisdale community, please let us know as soon as possible (before 9 March).  This might include pictures of local sports, family portraits; the Sheperd’s meet, farming events, local events, photos of what the village used to look like and so on.

We’re also still looking for local information, and people’s personal connections to the mountain itself and local memories, including information on past trades so if anyone would like to contribute drop me an email on exhibitions@keswickmuseum.org.uk or give me a ring 07985 215 998. Even if you just want to say a few lines about how Blencathra has influenced your life or what the mountain means to you.  

Just a quick update on preparations for the exhibition:

Jenn has been busy talking to local people and volunteers, starting to research various themes connected to Threlkeld, Mungrisdale and the mountain of Blencathra – including farming, fell running, hunting, mining and looking into local trades and mobile shops that used to form part of Mungrisdale life.  We’re really excited to have the expertise and experiences of several locals, including Lesley and Colin Smith and Alan Head (whose parents grew up in the village).  Our volunteers are now starting to collect all sorts of information relating to the Blencathra sanatorium, Gategill Mine, literary greats and their reflections on Blencathra, and the question of who owns the land with regards to rights and access, of which Mungrisdale Common plays a part.

We’re still looking for local information, and people’s personal connections to the mountain itself and local memories, including information on past trades so if anyone would like to contribute drop me an email on exhibitions@keswickmuseum.org.uk or give me a ring 07985 215 998. Even if you just want to say a few lines about how Blencathra has influenced your life or what the mountain means to you.  

Why not check out the new Mungrisdale Village Hall Facebook page at http://fb.me/MungrisdaleVillageHall

By liking the page you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news and events.

Mungrisdale was decked out with bunting and flags on Saturday 11th June as the village celebrated the Queen’s Official 90th Birthday with a “Right Royal High Tea”.

The inside of the Village Hall was set out as a grand street party and the tables were decorated in red, white and blue. The food brought in by the community looked enough to feed the whole of the Queen’s Army! The atmosphere was enhanced by live music provided by Chris and Peter Crofts and Ailsa Dunmur, usually known as the Reunion Band.

The children of the parish were encouraged to enter a competition for the best home made Crown and the judges, Chris Evans and Anne Edwards presented Lewis Wilson (pictured below) with the first prize for his splendid Crown, but all the entrants were given a runner-up prize.

The raffle on the evening raised over £150 for the Great North Air Ambulance. It was an evening to remember – in stark contrast to the event six months earlier when Storm Desmond washed away the Village car park.

Over 120 Mungrisdale residents, regular users and council officials came together for prosecco and nibbles on Sunday March 22nd to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the new Mungrisdale Village Hall.

The current Chairman of the Management Committee Alan Bird paid tribute to present and past members of the committee, together with the Hall’s Trustees, for all their foresight and hard work in ensuring the on-going success of this great facility situated at the heart of Mungrisdale village. He also thanked the chairman of the old hall committee Ernie Teasdale for instigating the idea of a new hall. He then cut two ceremonial cakes to mark the event.

The hall is very well used by local residents and groups, as well as external groups such as GPS Training and the RAF Mountain Rescue service. It has also proved to be a very successful venue for wedding receptions and other special celebrations.

If you are interested in discussing making a booking, please call Anne Manger on 017684 84435.

  

Following on from the success of the local Oil Syndicate, a new Septic Tank Syndicate has been set up, where HE Trotter of Penrith are offering a good rate to members. If you would like to join please contact Steve Woolley on 01768 779 678.

Mungrisdale has operated a successful Oil Syndicate for some time now, with Allan Stobart Lubricants & Fuels offering preferential rates to members on the basis of scheduled deliveries. Contact Mike Sutton on 01768 779 691 if you would like to join.