Who are Cumbria's Police Commissioner Candidates?

We've been asked who the candidates are who are standing in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Cumbria on Thursday 15th November, so here is a screenshot showing the official list as published by the Returning Officer at SLDC.(Click to view a larger version.)

The Polling Station for Burton is Burton Memorial Hall, and voters on the list should have received a Poll Card through the post by now. If you haven't had one, nor arranged a postal or proxy vote, you need to contact the Electoral Registration Officer as soon as possible to ensure you will be able to vote on the day, or if you're not on the Voting Register complete the form you can obtain here: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how_do_i_vote/registering_to_vote.aspx or https://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/electoral_registration_applica.aspx and send it into the Electoral Registration Officer as soon as possible.

Contacts:
Electoral Registration Officer
South Lakeland District Council, South Lakeland House
Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4UQ
Tel: 0845 050 4434

Confused about the PCC Election?

The Electoral Commission website has provided 2 helpful pages about the voting process for the new Police and Crime Commissioner on 15 November. http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/pcc.aspx and  http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/how_do_i_vote/voting_systems/police_and_crime_commissioner.aspx

It's especially useful to watch the video they have provided, which explains you can vote for two candidates - a first choice and a second choice, so that's one X in each of the two columns on the ballot paper.



http://youtu.be/PptcuCdSur0

Once elected, the Police and Crime Commissioner will serve until May 2016, a term of 3½ years.

The Electoral Commission has produced a booklet about the election of the Police & Crime Commissioners, a copy of which should be delivered to every household before the 2nd November. However, you can also download a PDF version of the booklet using the link here: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/PDF/PCC-booklet-public-info-FINAL-ENGLAND-English-web.pdf

More information on the candidates standing, including copies of their statements, may be found online from 26th October on the Home Office website  http://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/ or you can pre-order printed copies by calling 0800 1 07 07 08. The Electoral Commission also has a Helpline if you have questions about the election, where you can talk to a real person, call 0800 3 280 280. Both calls are free from a landline, charges from a mobile phone will vary depending on your service provider.

Election or non-event? You choose!

Why does the Home Office think that having the information about candidates for the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on Thursday 15 November should only be available after October 26th? Isn't that getting a bit late in the day? It's certainly too late for village newsletters like Burton News, which are published monthly, to carry it in their November issue.

Also, today is the first that I've heard an advert on local radio (Lakeland Radio) about these elections. The information is online, but not everyone has access to the internet still or wants it in that format, but if you want printed info you have to ring up and ask for it. (You can phone now on 0800 107 0708 and pre-order a printed copy.) Which begs the question, if you don't hear or read an advert telling you this, how would you know that you can ask for it?!

The election of Police & Crime Commissioners is the biggest change in the way police forces are managed for decades and yet it's being carried out in a less than voter-friendly manner. An election taking place in November seems destined to attract a low turn-out - dark nights are never an encouragement for voters to turn out, and the Electoral Reform Society is predicting a turn-out of around 18.5% as against a more usual 60%+ for a general election. How is this democratic? How will the person elected reflect the electorate with such a low turn-out?

In Cumbria there are 4 candidates standing. Whichever of them gets the most votes, it still means that the most powerful person in policing in Cumbria would have been elected by a minority of the electorate.

The PCC will have the power to set out the crime plan for the county, set the budget and precept for the county police force, and hire and fire the chief constable and the deputy chief constable. These are huge powers, and they should be in the hands of (preferably) a non-political elected police authority or of a commissioner who is elected by a majority of the electorate, not just by the votes of the few who realise how important these elections really are.

http://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/ Home Office website about the Police & Crime Commissioner elections
List of candidates standing in Cumbria: http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/pdf/SPN%20-%20PCC.pdf (PDF file)

The Polling Station for Burton-in-Kendal is Burton Memorial Hall, polling hours are 7am - 10pm.

Food Fun Night

At the Fun Food Night at Burton Memorial Hall on Friday 2nd November, Diana Brown, an independent consultant for The Pampered Chef, will be demonstrating how to make easy yet impressive Canapes for Christmas. There will also be a cook-off between two volunteers, a wine bar, raffle and loads of fun! 

Come along on the night to taste the food, try the fabulous Pampered Chef range of products and be inspired! Just imagine all your Christmas presents sorted in one night for all your foodie friends and family. 

Ordering also available on a dedicated page of the Pampered Chef website towards this event. Free delivery after the event to LA6 area, or £5.00 for delivery direct to your door (free over £100) anywhere in the UK. 30 day trial with easy free return and collection from your door. 

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tastingcumbria?page=host-search-results&showId=3807898

 

Doors open 7pm, ends 10pm. 

Cost £3 per person. 

Contact for details: 01524 781306

Burton Onion Show Sun 7th Oct

Sunday 7th October is the Annual Onion Show here in Burton-in-Kendal. It is held in the Kings Arms Hotel on Main Street, and entries for classes are accepted from 10am until 12 noon. Judging starts at noon, and all entries will be auctioned, starting at 2pm, along with an Auction of Promises.This year the proceeds of the Onion Show will be split, in the main, between Burton Children's Sports Committee and the Burton First Responders: two great village causes.  Other local causes will receive a donation.

List of classes:
3 Dressed Onions
3 Leeks
3 Onion Sets
2 Cabbages
2 Cauliflowers
3 Beetroot
3 Carrots
3 Salad Veg
3 Vegetables
5 Vegetables
Heaviest Onion
5 Dessert Apples
5 Cooking Apples
Pot Plant
Vase of Dahlias
3 Chrysanthemums
Chocolate Cake
Fruit Pie
Loaf of Bread
Novelty Cake
4 Cup Cakes
Tray Bake
3 Poultry Eggs
Heaviest Vegetable
Novice Class (any veg)

Children’s classes:
 Miniature Garden
 Fruit and Veg Animal
 Autumn Produce Picture
Best of British Theme
3 Decorated Biscuits

List of Promises:
Side of Smoked Salmon.
Walking Stick
Furness Fish and Game Hamper
Bulk Bag of Logs
Half Rib of Hereford Beef
Days Ferreting with Neil Shaw
Dinner 4 4 @ 4teen Hutton Close
Brace of Pheasants + Haunch of Venison
Days Driven Pheasant Shooting @ Heversham
Weekend for 4 @ Peter House Farm Cottage, Bassenthwaite
Park House Box of Beef
Greek Hamper
Meal 4 2 @ 17 Milnthorpe
Weekend at Seathwaite Cottage
Pet Portrait
John Jackson Photo
Carlisle United Signed Football
Ed Wallers Slate Coasters
Natalie Jackson Christmas Cake
Day’s Joinery
County Cricket Match Tickets (Venue TBC)
Mollie’s Marmalade
Pure Essence Voucher
10lb Pack of Traditional Free-range Pork
Trip around the Lakes in open top MG Sports Car
Thwaites Brewery trip for 2 groups of 8
Meal for 2 @ The Canal Turn
Side of Lamb
Slate Place Mats
Platos B&B
Day’s Salmon Fishing on the Lune
MUFC & Liverpool Football Plaques
1 year’s Gym Membership for 2 @ Holgates
4 hour Bush Craft/Forest Skills Kids Session
Wash, Cut and Blo Dry
Hand-crafted Walnut Mirror
Round of Golf for 4 @ Kirkby Lonsdale
Fish Supper for 4 @ The Kings Arms
Mike Earl’s Renowned Dibbers
Pritchard’s MOT
Dinner B&B for 2 @ The King’s Arms
Alex Rutlidge Team GB Water Polo Signed Sportswear (Local Olympian)

Memorial Hall Autumn Coffee Morning Sat 13th Oct

Coming up next Saturday, 13th October, from 10am-12noon, at Burton Memorial Hall is the Annual Autumn Coffee Morning with Stalls.

CraftMarket 2012 - what a weekend!

What an amazing weekend we had at CraftMarket 2012! Saturday was busy all day, Sunday suffered a bit from the horrible cold, windy and torrentially wet weather, but everyone who came said how much they enjoyed it, and how fabulous all the crafts on sale were. We have loads of photos online on the Memorial Hall's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BurtonMemorialHall. If you spot something in the albums and want to contact the crafters to buy from them, we also have a list of them here with website links: http://www.burtonweb.org.uk/viewpage.php?page_id=43.

The catering by Rachel and Jo-Anne - the Vintage Village Hall team - was delicious, and much praised during and after the event. It was lovely to meet so many talented and friendly people with such a wide range of crafts, and also to meet all the lovely folks who came along to chat, browse and buy, and who supported the event so magnificently!

Countdown to CraftMarket 2012!

Just 2 weeks until CraftMarket2012 at Burton Memorial Hall where the lovely Vintage Village Hall ladies, Rachel and Jo-Anne are doing the food, so please do come along and support them and our fabulous crafters. We have an amazing assortment of crafts on sales - glass, ceramics, wood, painted, knitted, crocheted, sewn, jewellery, cards, hand-made soaps, candles, and much much more! All this and those amazing cakes by Rachel and Jo-Anne - how can you resist???

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmh_craftmarket/sets/72157629594016228/

CraftMarket 2012, Burton Memorial Hall Sat 29 & Sun 30 September 10am - 4pm both days
Admission 50p adults, accompanied children free!
Onsite parking, disabled toilet, level access, vintage tearoom.

CraftMarket 2012 Sat 29 & Sun 30 Sept.

CraftMarket 2012 Sat 29 & Sun 30 Sep, 2012, in aid of the Burton Memorial Hall

The event is being organised as a fund-raiser for the Memorial Hall, which is a registered charity (no. 505018), and all stall  and entrance fees help to pay for improvements to the Hall. Last year the event raised almost £900 for Hall funds, which was an amazing result for us in the first year of the event.

Taking place on Saturday 29 September and Sunday 30 September, the CraftMarket 2012 will be open to the public between 10am and 4pm each day and admission is 50p per adult on the door (accompanied children will have free admission.)

Crafts on sale will include jewellery, rag rugs, raku ceramics, kiln formed and fused glass, watercolours and cards, knitted, crocheted and sewn items, canalware, turned wood, hand-made soaps, felt-craft, bookbindery, character vacuum cleaner covers, and wooden door huggers!

Refreshments will be provided by the Vintage Village Hall PopUp Tea Room, this will be a 1950s Vintage Tea Room, with deliciously sinful home made cakes and refreshments throughout both days.

There is lots of free parking outside of the Memorial Hall, and the Hall itself has good level access and disabled facilities.

Burton Memorial Hall is a well-loved and much-used community building in the centre of Burton-in-Kendal. More details about this event or the Hall are available from 01524 781306, or see the links below.

Event details: http://burtonweb.org.uk/viewpage.php?page_id=41
Crafters 2012: http://www.burtonweb.org.uk/viewpage.php?page_id=43
Flickr albums: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmh_craftmarket/

Burton Twunch - social media & lunch!

Burton Twunch - social media training lunch session Thursday 21 June, 12 noon - 2pm

Want to learn about how social media can benefit your business? Why not join us for Twunch.

Twunch is a social media lunch where you can learn how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media for the benefit of your business.

Learn what you want to learn, have lunch and meet other local small business people. Friendly and informal sessions.

Cost £6 per person includes light lunch.

Booking essential, call Anne on 01524 781306 or Ann on 01524 781409. Limited number of places.

Venue: Kings Arms Hotel, Main Street, Burton-in-Kendal

Barry Morgan talks to Sally Moon

Listen to local author Barry Morgan talking to BBC Radio Cumbria's Sally Moon about his new sc-fi novel, Moonbeams.

Yobunny Blog: Barry in print: Moonbeams, by B.J. Morgan

Yobunny Blog: Barry in print: Moonbeams, by B.J. Morgan
Available as a Kindle eBook and as a print on demand paperback:

Burton-in-Kendal author publishes 1st book: Moonbeams by B.J. Morgan

"A glimmer on the horizon attracted his attention. Earth's Moon was rising, as it had done for millennia and would do so for millennia to come. As he watched it climb, Paul remembered the fear that this sight had struck into the hearts of mankind..."

One galaxy, two budding Galactic Empires, a recipe for disaster? Follow the struggles of Jan Oremus, Demil Verne, Paul Trevell, Admiral Stern, and others as they make their first tentative moves towards escaping from the planet of their birth.

Barry says...

Moonbeams came to me in a flash (is that a pun?) some 30 years ago and has fought to see the light of day ever since. Often on the 'back burner' of life but the flame never went out. Now published on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing, an option for new authors that the digital revolution has made possible.

I was an industrial chemist for the greater part of my working life, and now am a self-employed computer repair technician (always had an interest in electronic things - fixing TV's when only a schoolboy.) Quite a change of direction, but after 33 years playing with smelly chemicals I thought enough was enough, and being made redundant proved to be the catalyst (once a chemist, always a chemist!)

Moonbeams by B.J. Morgan is available from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006TOFA9C and you can meet the author here: Barry Morgan on Amazon

Click to open the Publisher spec sheet

Now available as a print-on-demand book from Create Space: https://www.createspace.com/3774801 and Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0955094747/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

To boldly go.... into 2012

The recent news has been full of gloom and doom and despondency over the state of the economy and the effect this will have on businesses, but there is a school of thought that says, "if you talk it down, it will happen", so here at BurtonWeb we're adopting a more positive approach. We're blowing a large raspberry at the doom and gloom merchants and saying, "we can make it better", by supporting our local community in any way we can, and by not being made afraid by the media.

Whatever the doom-sayers say, the UK is not a poor country, just a badly managed one, so we need to let the decision-makers know what we expect of them and tell them to stop wasting our money (i.e. income tax, VAT revenues, road, tobacco & alcohol taxes, NI contributions, council tax, and whatever else they prise from us) and get themselves sorted. A positive mental attitude and a healthy dose of common sense would help us along enormously, so how about it? Let us boldly go in 2012...

Where did the year go?

I can't believe that it's almost the end of 2011 already! Despite the horrid wind and rain, we've been lucky in not having the snow and ice we had last year, which made getting out and about so difficult for many people. Not only that, but the milder weather might help keep the heating bills down a bit too!

There's now just 3 days to go until the New Year, so here's wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and lots of good health, peace and prosperity for 2012. Cheers all!

Busy times!

It seems an age since I last wrote anything here and yet I've not stopped since the last post.  Most of the time has been taken up with the planning and organising the CraftMarket2011 fund-raiser for the Burton Memorial Hall, which will be happening this coming weekend: Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October.

With a raft of crafters coming, selling everything from hand-decorated coat hooks to hand-knitted socks, watercolours to turned wood, fused glass, jewellery cards and much more, it is looking to be a fabulous weekend.

On the Sunday there are some taster workshops being run by CoolCrafting of Hincaster, so you can come and try something new. 

There's a full list of the crafters coming and some photos of the sort of things some of them do over on the BurtonWeb site here: http://www.burtonweb.org.uk/viewpage.php?page_id=34

Admission is just 50p for adults, with accompanied children free. The Hall has a big car park outside if you're coming by car. Loads of tasty refreshments will be available as well, so why not make a day of it?

Sad news - loss of a friend

We are terribly saddened by the news yesterday of the death of our friend, Ernie Entwistle, on Sunday. Ernie has been fighting cancer for some time but regrettably it was diagnosed too late, and despite undergoing chemotherapy he lost his fight for life.

Ernie has been a part of village life for many many years, especially involved in the management and maintenance of the Memorial Hall, which has included the planning for the current upgrade project, and it was a delight to have him with us when Border TV came along to tell us we had won the lottery funding on 29 July and give us the presentation cheque.

Ernie was also an enthusiastic member of the quiz team The Shakers (named after his beloved Bury football club) at quiz nights at the Hall, and he will be much missed by his fellow team-mates Anne, Barry and Bert. Our deepest sympathy goes to Ernie's family.

Broadband speed mapping

The Broadband Cumbria project is trying to establish where the hotspots and, more importantly, where the notspots - those places which do not get decent broadband speeds - are, and want your help to map them. Here in Burton some of us get good broadband speeds whilst others struggle to reach 1Mbsp or 2Mbps speeds, so to help work out a broadband map of the parish if you are in the Burton exchange area we'd like to ask you to take a speed test and then report the results to us.

It's simple to do: all you need is to visit http://www.speedtest.net/wave/01a36521cdd24e04 and click the big button that says JOIN THIS SPEED WAVE and when it loads the test screen click the BEGIN TEST button on the left. The test will start and run a ping, a download and an upload test, and then show your results on the Speedwave page. (Note: due to the way that determining your location works it probably won't show Burton - ours shows London! but don't worry about that, it's more to do with where your ISP connects to the internet infrastructure  rather than where you connect to the internet!)

Once you've run the test please make a note of the ID number you've generated alongside your results and post a reply below along with a general indicator of where in the exchange you are - e.g. Main street Burton, Vicarage Lane Burton, Drovers Way, Dalton village, Clawthorpe, or if you're in Holme, Priest Hutton or Yealand  etc... then we'll start to build up a picture of speed variations across the exchange area.

The Speedwave will run for a while so as to give as many people as possible time to test their connections.

Please only add your results to the Burton exchange Speedwave if you are connecting from a phone line on the Burton Cumbria exchange - i.e. one which commences 01524 78xxxx or you'll skew our figures, thank you! 

Local democracy in action... your parish council

On the third Thursday of every month there's a meeting of the Burton-in-Kendal Parish Council at the Memorial Hall. Despite being open to everyone, there is rarely a crowded public gallery, which is a shame as the councillors seem to quite enjoy having people watch them deliberating over things affecting the parish and its populace.

Even more, they enjoy getting feedback from members of the public - whether it's a complaint or a compliment, the councillors will listen gravely and undertake to look into whatever is bothering you. As the lowest level of democracy it's often regarded as a bit ineffective, but let me say that's not how you should be seeing them as they've provided all sorts of useful facilities within the parish over the years.

Burton PC have achieved the coveted Quality parish status, which means they meet standards beyond the basics expected of them. To find out what it means to be a Quality parish council read here: http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Toolkits/Quality_Status.aspx and why not pop along one Thursday to see what they get up to - it's really quite interesting!

Missing things...

Two stories caught my eye this week: one on Thursday 14 July 2011, from a Twitter contact whose son had his Yamaha motorbike stolen from outside where he was having lunch in Dipton (near Consett in the north-east apparently). His Mum says the Police hold out little hope of it being found again, but just in case anyone does happen to spot it here are the details: Yamaha YBR Reg: NK58 DFO - if you spot it please let the Police know and send a Direct Message to @Dannyboy_37 on Twitter. 


Second story was from today's The Bay newsroom and worryingly concerns an 83 year old man who vanished Friday 15 July 2011 whilst apparently going for fuel for his lawnmower. 

83-year old James Hodgson was last seen leaving his Main Street home in Warton yesterday afternoon. He was going to get petrol for his lawnmower and was driving a silver VW Polo. James was wearing a light coloured shirt and trousers. Anyone who's seen him or his car is being urged to call police.

If anyone spots him or the car please contact Lancashire police on 08451 253 545 quoting log 1232 of the 15th July 2011.