Talk of the TownTalk of the TownThe quarterly newsletter of Ulverston Town Council

Edition 3Summer 2013

Welcome

There is so much confusion and change in all levels oflocal government at the moment I think it is importantthat I spell out clearly what I hope to do as Mayorduring the next twelve months to help ensure thatUlverston is best placed to benefit from the manyinitiatives to connect power to local people.

I wish to further encourage and develop our festivaltown image. Ulverston is different from many othermarket towns in the country and we would be daft notto celebrate that. Community volunteers have workedhard over the last fifteen years to build up a repertoireof events which encourages people to visit the town,visit our shops and boost our economy. It is hard forpeople who may feel inconvenienced by a road closureor a parade to appreciate that hundreds of people jointhe Community Project of promoting this town for thegood of us all as well as for our enjoyment. All of us

should be proud of this huge voluntary effort. It hasbegun to worry me that people from other towns oftenspeak more fondly of Ulverston than many people wholive here. I think many of us have begun to take thingsfor granted, left things to others and even decided thatwhat goes on in our Town Centre has nothing to dowith us. That is a pity as the Town’s success dependsvery much on all of us, no matter where we live in theTown. As Chair of the Marketing Group on theCommunity Partnership, I would particularly welcomeideas for new festivals and new ideas for some of ourlong running festivals.

I would also like to build on the good work of the lasttwelve months, building community links with the largerbusinesses in the town as well as our traditional linkswith the traders. They want their firms to be part of apositive prosperous Ulverston which will attract keyworkers to want to live in it.

Finally I am particularly anxious that we continue todevelop our links with South Lakes District Council toimprove our town for all our residents. We are verypleased that during our Spring Clean Campaign, SouthLakes looked to raise the standard of street cleaningthroughout the town. Now we must begin to considerways of improving some services such as the outdoormarket by working with the District Council. We willalso be considering ways of running some assets moreefficiently, locally.

So this year I shall be talking continuously aboutCommunity involvement and hoping you will all join mein promoting it at every level.

To let us know what you think about anything you’ve read inthis edition, email us at townhall@ulverstoncouncil.org.uk orwrite to us c/o the Town Clerk. Let us know whether youwould like us to publish your letter. We hope that

will continue to be a place where people can putforward their views, and we will publish as manycontributions as we can.

If you would like to contribute to the next issue - due out atthe beginning of August - or have an idea for a feature, orwould like to highlight an upcoming event, contact JaneHarris: janeharris63@aol.com.

If you would like to advertise in the next and future editions,contact Jane Harris on 01229 219360 orjaneharris63@aol.com.

If you wish to write to Ulverston Town Council, our postaladdress is: Mrs Jayne Kendall, Town Clerk, Town Hall,Queen St, Ulverston LA12 7AR. Telephone: 01229 585778.You will also find information on the web about UlverstonTown Council, what to do in Ulverston and local festivals.Useful websites are:

Ulverston Town CouncilLatest news, Councillor contact details, minutes of Councilmeetings: www.ulverstoncouncil.org.uk

The Ulverston web portalInformation about the Council, what’s on, accommodation,shopping and attractions: www.ulverston.net

FestivalsA guide to festivals and events in and around Ulverston:www.ulverstonfestivaltown.co.uk

Town Council meetings are held and start at. (The time has recently changed form 7:15) You

can find an agenda on the Council’s website a few daysbefore the meeting. Forthcoming dates are:

Monday 10th JuneMonday 8th JulyMonday 5th August

Members of the public have an opportunity to speakduring a 15 minute slot at the start and end of formalbusiness, and we encourage you to come along and haveyour say.

The first annual Ulverston Spring Clean event on 21st

March saw a willing band of volunteers turn out totackle some of Ulverston’s grot spots. Fortunately itwas a lovely day and we had Blast Furness on hand toencourage us with some specially composed rousingtunes. We also had great support from the SLDC streetcleaning team and from Councillor Clare Feeney-Johnson, SLDC Cabinet Member for the Environment,who pitched in with a litter picker and a plastic bag. Abig thank you to them for their help.

Ulverston in Bloom ran a competition to design a ‘KeepUlverston Tidy’ poster and stickers. The winning entrywas from Trinity Vickers aged 7 of Croftlands JuniorSchool, and here is her design (below). Well doneTrinity.

Cumbria County Council’s local committee hasapproved funding for a new bus shelter at RowanAvenue, a much needed replacement for the existingshelter.

Cumbria County Council elections were held on 3rd

May, Ulverston has two County Council Wards,Ulverston East and West. The winning candidateswere James Airey (Ulverston West, Conservative)and Mark Wilson (Ulverston East, Labour). Overall,the election resulted in a hung council, with no partygaining the 43 seats needed to win control. It hasnow been announced that the largest party, Labour,who won 35 seats, has formed a partnership withLiberal Democrat councillors to lead the council forthe next four years. The new leader is CouncillorStewart Young (Labour). Turnout in South Lakelandwas the highest of all the districts at almost 40%. Youcan find contact details for your County Councillor onpage 15.

The Ulverston Community Partnership Marketing Sub-group is looking at ways to attract more people to visitUlverston and contribute to our local economy. To helpus understand how Ulverston appears to the outsideworld, we have been working with the tourism charityHidden Britain. One of the first things Hidden Britain didwas to send a ‘mystery shopper’ to sample the Ulverstonvisitor experience. Ulverston scored a very creditable 85%on a range of criteria, including transport, parking, shopsand market, tourist information, appearance of the town

and range of facilities. The average score for markettowns nationally is 73%.

According to Hidden Britain, Ulverston’s key strength is its“very good range of shops, services and cateringestablishments…well maintained and attractive towncentre, few empty shops, some surprising specialistoutlets including several of prime interest to visitors.”Biggest weakness is - you’ve guessed - the price ofparking.

The UCP Marketing Group is now working with HiddenBritain to develop plans for improving Ulverston as a visitordestination. If you have your own ideas please contactJudy Pickthall at jpickthall@btinternet.com.

On 25th April SLDC’s Planning Committee made itsdecision on applications for a Sainsbury’s on land off theA590 at the Beehive and an as yet unknown supermarketoperator on the site of Robinson’s Brewery in Brewery St.As many readers will already know, the PlanningCommittee voted 13-1 to reject the Sainsbury’sapplication on the grounds of its impact on the A590 andon neighbouring properties, and by a narrow margin of7-6 to approve in principle the Robinson’s application.The final decision on the detail of the latter is delegatedto SLDC officers, who will now draw up a list ofconditions and negotiate with the applicant on the finalshape of the scheme.

As has been the case in many other towns, both planningapplications have generated a good deal of controversy,with strong views being expressed on both sides of theargument. At the Planning Committee meeting severalpeople turned out to support the Sainsbury’s plan, whilearound 20 opponents spoke against both applications. Itis fair to say that many people, including those in favourof a supermarket and those against, were disappointedby the decisions that were finally made.

However, the task now is for the Town Council , SLDCand local residents to work together to make sure thatthe Old Brewery site and surrounding area issuccessfully regenerated. No-one wants to see aderelict eyesore at the entrance to Ulverston, so weneed to do as much as we can to minimise any negativeimpact on local residents and on Ulverston town centre,and to make sure the development serves the interestsof the town. JANE HARRIS

Few small market towns can boast a magnificent, multi-purpose concert hall. For a town of some 12,000 people,like Ulverston, it is a remarkable and fortunate inheritance.

Coronation Hall has a crucial role at the heart of ourtown’s cultural and commercial life. It is pivotal to many ofour community endeavours, and accommodates a hugevariety of activities, from orchestral concerts of the highestquality, to jazz, darts, drama, beer festivals, civic gather-ings and exhibitions. You name it, the Coro can accom-modate it.

Such facilities are under tremendous pressure. The brutalfunding cuts pressing on South Lakeland District Council(the Coro’s owner) is forcing SLDC to look very critically atexpenditure which is outside of their statutory obligations,such as Ulverston’s Coro. They have been generous to itin the past, but can be so no longer.

The costs of maintaining the Coro are very large (thoughthe inclusion of local government “on costs” makes thesituation worse). It is no secret that SLDC wants to findways to address this problem. It is no secret either thatthe Town Council, much as it desires to, could not comewithin a country mile of taking on the costs involved.

But, the situation is not one of doom and gloom. Withsome imagination and flexibility, and goodwill on all sides,The Coronation Hall will become in itself an asset rather

than a liability. In the negotiations between UTC andSLDC about the issue of devolution, both Councils appre-ciate that any acquisition of financial liabilities has to beoffset by the acquisition of assets.

In addition to the possibilities arising from that bargaining,there is also the likelihood of huge support from the Ulver-ston Community – from user groups, including many tal-ented citizens with a passionate commitment to the place;and hundreds who attend its offerings on a regular basis.

The Mayor has asked me to begin the exploration of pos-sibilities, and I am happy to do so, not least as an individu-al who has gained immense pleasure from eventsattended at the Coro. I want to study all the possiblemeans of securing a flourishing future for the Coro- from“Friends of..” to “Community Development Association”status. In fact I want to look at any structure which wouldallow the Coro the flexibility to maximise its usage andprofitability, and allow us to seek grant assistance fromboth public and private sources.

It will be a big task, but I know that there are enough ener-getic and committed friends of Coronation Hall to make itsfuture secure.

If you are interested in helping secure the Coro’s future,and are prepared to put in some work to achieve it, pleaselet me know. I can be contacted at 25, Fountain StreetLA12 7EQ; 01229 480666; jpickthall@btinternet.com or viathe Town Hall.

CLLR COLIN PICKTHALL

At our annual meeting on 13th May theTown Council unanimously electedCouncillor Judy Pickthall as Ulverston’sMayor and Councillor Helen Irving asDeputy Mayor. Both Judy and Helenare very much looking forward to thechallenge of serving the people ofUlverston in the year ahead.

In April Ulverston Town Councillaunched into the Twitter-sphere. Toget up to the minute news on eventsand happenings in Ulverston, or if youhave something you want to talk to usabout, follow us at @UlverstonTC.

At its meeting in April, the TownCouncil discussed the opportunitiespresented by the Localism Bill and inparticular the provisions enabling localcommunities to draw up their ownneighbourhood plans. The TownCouncil would be able to work withlocal residents to plan development fordesignated areas. The planningauthority, SLDC, would support theplanning process in Ulverston withadvice and technical guidance andwould have to approve the final planafter a referendum of local residents.

The Town Council is able to apply forfunding to buy in professional supportwith technical planning matters andcommunity engagement, and once aneighbourhood plan is approved it canbe used as a lever to attract furtherfinding into the town. Councillorsagreed that neighbourhood planningcould benefit Ulverston and we havestarted informal discussions with SLDCofficers about the process.

We will publish further information aswe have it and will call for any localpeople who are interested to getinvolved in the process.

At its next meeting on 10 June theTown Council will be discussing itsvision and strategy for the town. This isthe plan that will guide our work for thenext three years. A draft strategydocument has been drawn up by asmall working group led by the TownClerk. It includes four main objectivesfor Ulverston:

● for Ulverston to have a thriving andsustainable town centre;

● for Ulverston to be a place forbusinesses and employers toinvest;

● for Ulverston to be a place thatpeople want to visit, and

● for residents to enjoy a cleaner,safer, more sustainable environment

Once the general direction of the planis agreed, we will ask for yourcomments on how the vision can beachieved. We hope to hold a launchevent in the Summer and will publicisethis on our website, on Twitter and, forthose who prefer more traditionalmethods of communication, on theTown Council notice board.

Senior Monument Keeper Mr KenBarratt has retired after 20 years ofvoluntary service at the Sir John BarrowMonument. He was presented with aCertificate of Recognition at the TownMeeting in April. Mr Les Tallon has nowtaken over the post. We wish Ken wellin his retirement and thank him for allhe has done.

The Town Council has had a number ofenquiries from residents about

potholes and how to report them.Maintaining the roads in Ulverston isthe responsibility of Cumbria CountyCouncil, whose website has a pagewhich enables members of the publicto report potholes. If you wish to reportroad damage in your area, go to:www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/highways-pavements/highway-maintenance/potholes.

Two of Ulverston’s bus services havemerged on a trial basis to increaseavailability for users and to test thefinancial viability of the service. Until thebeginning of August five of the 11journeys a day on the Service 70 routeare being diverted to cover the Service60. Cumbria County Council’s SouthLakeland Local Committee is fundingthe trial. If enough people want to usethe new routes they will carry on.

Ulverston Community Partnership (aseparate body which actsautonomously but reports to the TownCouncil) has funding for projects toimprove the town. As you mayremember, Ulverston received £10,000from the Government’s Mary PortasFund, created to support efforts toregenerate Britain’s high streets. TheCommunity Partnership has agreed toallocate the Portas grant as follows:.● £500 to the Shop Front Improvement

Scheme for town centre shops● £4,500 to provide further support to

Ulverston’s Festivals● £5,000 to improve signage to the

town centre from the A590

UCP also agreed to use some of itsfunds to employ a freelance projectofficer on a temporary basis toprogress some of the priority projectsidentified by the partnership. UCP hassome projects in mind and wouldwelcome suggestions from you, via theTown Council.

Ulverston Town Council looks after and manages sevensites within Ulverston, containing nearly 300 individualallotments. The allotments can be found at:

● Sandside, (opposite Cross Lane)● Mill Dam (Off Garden Terrace)● The Ellers (Off Lund Road)● Hill Fall● Tank Field (Off Morecambe Road)● Dragley Beck (Behind the Scout Hut)● Poplar Grove (between Poplar Grove and Ladies Walk)

The price for an allotment is £27.00 per year per fullallotment. Each site has a volunteer who meets regularlywith the Town Council as part of the allotments committeeand provides lots of help and support to novice allotmentholders. We did have a very long waiting list for

allotments, but this has been reduced now and as long asthose who apply are flexible then hopefully there will notbe too long a wait. Some allotments are more popularthan others, and it is very unusual for example forallotments to become available on Hill Fall, but there canbe some availability on others.

If you would like to go on the waiting list, just complete theform which you will find on the Town Council website (youcan do this electronically or print it out and fill it in). Youcan also call in to the office or phone the Town Clerk for ablank form. As soon as an allotment comes available wewill let you know. If you would just like to have a lookaround and see what looking after an allotment is allabout, then call the office and we will arrange for you tomeet up with an allotment volunteer. It does take time tolook after an allotment, so it is worth having a look roundand talking to other people about their allotment just tosee what sort of commitment it might be.

JAYNE KENDALL

Ulverston’s war memorial was unveiled in 1920. It wasdesigned by Professor W.G. Collingwood and is made fromSandstone Ashlar. The stone came from Birchover Quarriesin Derbyshire. There was a considerable amount of debatearound this time about the form a memorial to the fallen ofthe First World War should take and suggestions includeda new hospital or even paying off the outstanding debt of£2,000 for the recently erected Coronation Hall! In the endthought the memorial was sited in Market Street where itremains to this day as a much loved and respectedmemorial to the fallen of both wars.

The formal description of the memorial’s design reads

. It was listed a as is a grade II listedmonument in 1992.

As we approach the centenary of the commencement ofthe First World War in 2014, the Town Council ascustodians of the memorial have launched an appeal toraise funds for its restoration. The sandstone hasweathered badly over the years and there has been quite alot of damage. Closer inspection reveals that the finialsand crockets that were once on the top of the memorialhave disappeared. It’s proposed that the sandstone ashlarbe carefully restored and new stone finials made. Cleaningwill be carried out in a sensitive and appropriate manner bya qualified conservation company and advice has beentaken from the War Memorial trust on how this can bedone.

The total cost will be in the region of £15,000. The Councilhas made an application to the War Memorials Trust for agrant, and in addition some private donations have beenreceived. It is unlikely that any grant will cover all of thecost and the Council is asking members of the communityand community groups to consider making a donation tothe fund.

It is proposed that the memorial will be restored during2014, in time for the formal commemoration of theoutbreak of the First World War to be held throughout thecountry in August. A discussion on Ulverston’scommemoration of the anniversary is being led by theBritish Legion. Plans will appear in Talk of the Town asthey develop. JAYNE KENDALL

No matter which political party an activist supports, we allhave a common enemy – the letter-box. Delivering hun-dreds of leaflets should be an easy matter of healthful exer-cise. In fact, it is often a simple way of removing yourknuckles.

A large percentage of letter-boxes is a sort of rat-trap; anupward flap (with sharp edges) inside which is a pair of stiffbrushes, often with another sharp-edged flap on the interiorside. These are specially designed so that you have topush your fingers, with the leaflet, right through, scouringyour knuckles. Not infrequently, the stiff brushes turn out inactuality to be the mouth of the guardian Alsatian. A goodfriend of mine , a councillor in Kirkby, Merseyside, had hismiddle finger bitten clean off and eaten by a dog when hewas delivering election leaflets. In recent weeks, two of mycolleagues in Ulverston had their fingers chomped by dogslurking inside front doors, and lost a lot of blood. One wasthe now County Councillor Mark Wilson who said “it felt likebeing hit by a hammer with a nail sticking out of it.”

Some brass, or steel, letter-boxes, without internal bristles,are so stiff that you almost need a crow-bar to get themopen. Woe betide the leafleteer who lets the flap go withone hand while the other hand is still inside. You have anawful vision of your finger ends all lying inside on the doormat. You learn to bless those residents who have a simpleletter container box fastened to the outside of the house –particularly if it is at the street end of a long drive!

All of this makes one appreciate the work of the postman orpostwoman. We politicos go through this trial by torturetwo or three times a year. Posties go through it every day –

but no doubt, being a shrewd lot, they have learned manystrategies for avoiding knuckle-removal.

It is clear why householders want to have letter boxes thatavoid drafts & do notrattle in the wind. Onone street I leafleted lastweek, every letter boxhad a tea-towel drapedthrough it to preventsuch nuisance. Thatalso created the prob-lem of how to get theleaflet through withoutdislodging the cloth.

What can be done with-out giving up leafletting?For a start, everyone

should be prepared to post a piece of paper, or a letter,through their own letter-box, just to see how vicious it can be.It would cost nothing and take up one a minute of time (un-less their own dog decided otherwise). But then, maybesome home-owners see their “rat-trap” as a means of sup-plementing their dog’s diet, or sharpening its reflexes.

Old-fashioned letter-boxes are much friendlier where theyexist. About one house in thirty has no detectable letter-boxat all, no doubt to avoid energy bills, and one resorts to slid-ing leaflets through windows, under doors, or propping themunder the ironic “Welcome” mat.

It’s sad, but we could never have regulations to create user-friendly letter-boxes,… Could we ? COLIN PICKTHALL

1. Colin retentive over local waterway.(5)4. Don goes one better than capedcrusader. (7)8. Would-be admirals get full or halfgrips. (7)9. Second class highway is in fact quitewide. (5)10. “They wept like anything to see suchquantities of --------“; Lewis Carroll. (4)11. November 2nd., but not for everyone.(5, 3)13. Hot country, home to British Rail andAlcoholics Anonymous. (6)15. Deer over-performing. (6)17. Hang around aimlessly in part(s) ofFurness Abbey. (8)19. Personal assistant hesitates in frontof large cat. (4)22. Pig house leads the French to fash-ion. (5)23. Small drink used to push paint withstiff brush. (7)24. Monkey’s pelt ? (4, 3)25. The street plus makes for principleddefiance. (5)

1. Able to be almost a star at card game.(7)2. Two great cities make silky material.(5)3. Two nothings make a terrifying cat.(4)4. Twice to put potato powder on pota-toes; Ah..h.. (5)5. A tardy changed tuba seeks to listthings properly. (8)6. Satellite canine creates eccentric USmusician. (7)7. Giving assent to Blyton character. (5)12 & 21. Untruthful Kleenex (6,2,4.)14. Close follower/ apprentice (7)16. Ancient affirmative tears at Decem-ber 31st. (7)17. For a cynic, “Packet” might finish offtitle of coffee outlet chain. (5)18. A Norse converted to a Belgian Sur-realist. (5)20. Hamlet in Dunnerdale. (5)21. (See 12)

APOLOGIES TO ALL – Crossword 2 was seriouslyflawed (it was missing one clue!). Asrecompense, I will up the book-token prize to £30for Number 3. Number 3 is much easier (and hasbeen closely vetted by the Mayor). Send yourcompleted entry to the Town Hall by 30th Juneand the first correct one drawn will win the prize.COLIN PICKTHALL …………………………………………….. ………………………………

On 27th March 2011 most of us will have taken part in the ten-yearly national Census by filling in a form about ourselves.We answered a range of questions about ourselves, including our age, health, marital status, living circumstances, work,qualifications and religion. The Office for National Statistics started releasing the results of the census in December lastyear, and we have taken a look at just a selection of the available information and what it tells us about the people ofUlverston.

There are 11,678 of us living in the six electoral wards of Ulverston, almost equally divided between males (49%) andfemales (51%).

We Ulverston people are, on average, slightly older than the national population. The average age of Ulverston residents is44.4; for England the average is 39.3. The age profile varies from ward to ward. Over 30% of people living in UlverstonWest are aged over 65, whereas the population of Ulverston East is generally younger, with over 60% aged under 45 andonly 13% over 65.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

North East South West Central Town

Average age by ward

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

North East South West Central Town

Age profile by ward

85 and over

65-84

45-64

25-44

15-24

0-14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Town West East Central North South

Number of people per hectare

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0

Shared Ownership

Living Rent Free

Other Social Rented

Rented from Council

Private Rented

Owned with a Mortgage or…

Owned Outright

Housing tenure

England

Ulverston

Although the population is distributedroughly evenly between the six wards,Town Ward, with its large number ofhouses in a small area, is by far the mostdensely populated, with almost 60 peopleper hectare (more than London, whichhas 52 people per hectare). The averagefor England as a whole is only 4.1.

Ulverstonians are more likely than thewider population to own their homesoutright. Over 40% of Ulverstonians owntheir homes with no mortgage, whereasonly 30% of people in England are in thisposition. Ulverston also has fewer peoplethan the national average living in privaterented or social rented (e.g. housingassociation), accommodation.

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

England Other UK Ireland EUcountries

Othercountries

Country of birth

Ulverston

England

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0

Process, Plant and Machine Operatives

Sales and Customer Service…

Administrative and Secretarial…

Caring, Leisure and Other Service…

Managers, Directors and Senior…

Associate Professional and Technical…

Elementary Occupations

Skilled Trades Occupations

Profe ssional Occupations

Occupation

England

Ulverston

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0

Very Bad Health

Bad Health

Fair Health

Good Health

Very Good Health

Health

England

Ulverston

0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80 .0 100.0

Pr ovi des 20 t o 49 Hour s Un paidCare a W eek

Pr ov ides 50 or Mor e Ho ursU npaid Care a W eek

Pr ovi des 1 t o 19 Hour s Un paidCar e a W eek

Pr ov ides N o U npaid Care

P rovision of unpaid care

Eng land

Ulv erst on

This is just a taster of the information we can see about ourselves. If you are interested in finding out more, the Censusdata is available online. You can look up a very wide range of statistics for your neighbourhood, district, region or countryas a whole. The site is easy to use and very clear. To access the information, go to:www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination.

JANE HARRIS

In terms of people’s background, Ulverston is a morehomogenous town than the national average. 92% ofUlverston residents were born in England, comparedwith 83% for the country as a whole. 13% of thepopulation of England was born outside the UK andIreland; in Ulverston the proportion of people bornoutside the UK and Ireland is only 4%. Unfortunatelythere is no data on place of birth, as it would have beeninteresting to see how many people who live inUlverston were born here.

Ulverston is home to a high number ofprofessionals (e.g. doctors, dentists, lawyers,accountants, teachers, engineers, vets). Almost20% of Ulverston residents work in professionaloccupations, compared to 17.5% in England. Wealso have a relatively high number of people - over4% higher than the national average - working inskilled trades, which is not surprising given theproximity of employers such as GSK and BAESystems. Ulverstonians are less likely to work insecretarial and administrative jobs.

If the Census is to be believed, Ulverstonians are lesslikely to be in very good health than people in thecountry generally. Ulverston residents are more likelyto describe their health as ‘good’ or ‘fair’. Could this bea matter of how people describe themselves ratherthan a reflection of difference in actual health? Or arethese figures perhaps due to population of Ulverstonbeing slightly older than the national average? Thenumbers of people in bad or very bad health arealmost exactly the same as the national average.

More Ulverstonians than the national average areengaged in providing unpaid care. In particular, afar higher percentage of Ulverston people arecaring for someone for between 20 and 49 hoursper week. Over 7% of the Ulverston population(compared to only 1% in England) are in effectcaring for someone most of the time. This is aninteresting statistic which could reflect a culture offamily caring in the area, or perhaps a lack ofsuitable alternatives to unpaid care.

Many of Ulverston’s town centrebusinesses and services havedisplayed remarkable resilience infighting to maintain their competitiveedge, as they adapt to growingcompetition from larger retailers,changes in consumer behaviour andthe impact of financial austeritymeasures. Some are doing this on theirown, finding ways to survive andhoping for economic recovery, butwouldn’t it be more effective to do moretogether?

When the Government appointed well-known retail consultant Mary Portas toconduct an independent review into thefuture of Britain’s High Streets, many ofher findings came as little surprise tothose trying to make a living in today’stown centres. She said: “I believe ourhigh streets have reached a crisispoint. I believe that unless urgentaction is taken much of Britain will lose,irretrievably, something that isfundamental to our society”. She foundevidence that all our towns and citiesare facing unprecedented challengesand we can safely assume that many ofthese will be already having someimpact on Ulverston.

So does it now make sense, perhapsnow more than ever before, forbusinesses to collaborate, to worktogether more effectively, through jointinitiatives that help the town to thrive, tobecome a place where people want tobe, to visit, to shop, to work and toenjoy? Is the town of Ulverstonrealising its full potential or is theremore, perhaps much more, that can bedone to revitalise the town?

Businesses of all sizes, and in agrowing number of towns and cities,are recognising the need to worktogether in order to make thingshappen. The principles are nothingnew but the means to organise howthey achieve their ambitions have

changed in recent years. Market townssuch as Penrith and cities such asLancaster have recently been voting toestablish their own BusinessImprovement Districts, or BIDs as theyare more commonly known.

These BIDs are essentially business-ledinitiatives where local businesses andorganisations are invited to cometogether, in partnership with the localauthorities, to make decisions and(most importantly) take action toimprove their town or city centres. ABID can be established in any placewhere improvements, or servicesadditional to those already provided,are desired by the local businesscommunity.

In the UK there are now well over ahundred BIDs established including agrowing number of BIDs in towns ofsimilar size to Ulverston. They can onlybe established in line with theregulations laid down by Acts ofParliament and therefore must secure amajority support through a ballot of allnon-domestic (or business) ratepayerswithin any defined BID area.

BIDs have been around in the UK since2005 and can only run for a maximumperiod of 5 years before being subjectto a further ballot, again requiring amajority vote in favour in order tocontinue. This provides us with the

most striking indicator that BIDs aresucceeding. The fact that so manyhave voted to continue beyond theirfirst 5 years term is a vote ofconfidence in BIDs. Of the 48 BIDs thathave held a second-term ballot, 94%have voted to continue for a further 5years (source: Nationwide BID Survey,British BIDs 2012).

It is likely that in the years ahead therewill be considerable challenge toUlverston’s place as a vibrant anddynamic commercial and servicecentre, so the question is this: is it nowtime for a Business ImprovementDistrict in Ulverston?

CHRIS KOLEK

NOTE: Local businesses, tradeassociations and Ulverston TownCouncil are discussing the possibility ofa BID for Ulverston. We will bring morenews on this as the discussionsprogress.

The New Homes Bonus is aGovernment grant which matches theCouncil Tax raised from bringing emptyproperties back into use. This year thelocal planning authority (SLDC) hasreceived around £328,000, which it hasdecided to spend on ‘locally importantprojects’ and ‘affordable housing’.Private developers, Registered SocialLandlords, Community Land Trusts orsimilar community organisations areeligible to apply for funding to help withthe costs of providing affordablehousing or bringing more emptyproperties back into use. Full details ofthe eligibility criteria and how to applycan be found on SLDC’s website:www.southlakeland.gov.uk/housing/new-homes-bonus.

CumbriaCountyCouncil’snewportfolioholder fortheConnecting

Cumbria superfast broadband project has welcomed theannouncement by the European Commission thatCumbria has received full Major Projects Approval. Thisrepresents the final step in the process of validating thecontract signed with BT in November of 2012, and unlocks

the funding for the project at a national and internationallevel.

Commenting on the announcement from the EuropeanCommission, Cllr David Southward, Portfolio Holder forEconomic Development said: "We are delighted that thisapproval has now been formally agreed and the projectcan move forward at full speed. We are grateful for thesupport of the European Commission and BDUK inreaching this stage and will now continue the work with BTto ensure that Cumbria receives the best possiblecoverage of affordable superfast broadband."

Over the last two months the Connecting Cumbria and BTproject teams have been working together on the planningand preparation work necessary to ensure there would beno delay to the start of the program once final approvalfrom the Commission was received. Over the next 2½

I’m Tilly the Border Collie and this is my column. Here Itackle the weighty issues facing dogs and their owners inUlverston.

Right, so down to it: this time I want to talk to you aboutthe inadvisable use of the street as a larder.

Those of you paying attention (well done) may rememberthat I live with two other dogs with serious addictions: aLabrador who spends her life trying to liberate food fromits packaging (there she is with me in the photograph; Iam keeping an eye on things), and a Border Collie (I’mashamed to say) who thinks that seagulls are the devil’swork. Tedious doesn’t cover it.

But this isn’t about my domestic pain. I’ve been noticingrecently that both of them are more and more distractedwhen out and about in Ulverston, and it’s linked to thisbusiness some of you have of storing bits of food onwindow sills, by the side of bins or on the pavementsthemselves.

This is really a bit silly. It’s just not a safe place to storefood. For a start, dogs all over Ulverston are going to beattracted by the smell and try and eat it. And otheranimals – seagulls for instance, are also going to try andnick it.

Did you know we dogs have a sense of smell which is1,000 times or more stronger than you humans? Well wedo. Nothing escapes us, food-wise. Take the other day:there I was strolling down Market Street, and got the legschopped from under me when the Labrador hurledherself across the street towards a piece of cheese.Cheese! Who stores cheese on the street?

There’s lots else too: bits of half-eaten pies, burgers,biscuits. I wouldn’t mind, but no sooner have I been

knocked over by the cheese-bound Labrador than theother one starts doing her nut because a bunch ofseagulls are playing frisbee with a half-eaten pizzasomebody has abandoned. It’s just not what you want.

And on a serious note, it’s dangerous. Some of thisfood just isn’t the sort of thing we dogs should beeating. Chocolate, for instance. Did you know too muchchocolate can kill dogs? Well it can, especially the darktype. I’ve looked it up, and it’s got a chemical in it thatis, and I quote: “Very, Very Bad For Dogs”. It can kill us.Theo-something.

I’m reminded of a verypainful incident a few yearsback when the Little OwnerLady (LOL) was out, andthe Labrador found a boxof dark chocolates she’dleft on an armchair. I triedto dissuade her fromeating them, but it was likereasoning with a crocodilewhich has just spotted aherd of wildebeest on itsriverbank. Unstoppable.She scoffed the lot, LOLcame home and bang!Much wailing and shouting

all round. Both of us dragged to the vet, both of uspinned down and injected with something horrible andboth of us made to retch up the lot. AND I HADN’TEATEN ANY CHOCOLATES AT ALL. It was the injusticeof the thing that got me. But I digress. The point is:please don’t store food on the streets, ever, andparticularly not chocolate.

I’ve been Tilly and this is me wishing you a fine foxgloveseason. Over and out. Woof!

TILLY THE BORDER COLLIE

Talented young saxophonist JessGillam brought the feelgood factor to apacked Coronation Hall last Fridaynight (31st May). The audience enjoyeda great show from top saxophoneplayer Snake Davis and his band TheSuspicions, with a guest appearancefrom Jess, who did not look at all out ofplace in the company of seasonedprofessional performers. Not only didJess impress with her mastery of thesaxophone, she also organised andpromoted the whole event - doingeverything from booking the band tomarketing, managing the budget andmaking sure every detail was in placeto make the evening a success.

As we all tapped our feet, sang alongor got up and danced, it was easy toforget that Jess is only just fifteen. Inthis age of reality TV shows and peoplebeing famous just for living in Essex ordating a Z list celebrity, it isextraordinary to see a young performerwho is so modest about her talents andachievements. For Jess, putting onconcerts and performing in front of anaudience is all about the music. I askedher if she got nervous before going onstage. “Not really. I just love playingmusic and performing is the best thingabout playing an instrument. I practiseso much that I know the pieces reallywell, which helps. After a performance Ialways think about what I could havedone better and then I do sometimesget nervous.”

Jess started playing the saxophoneaged 7. Her Dad, Doug, was a musicteacher with the well-knownBarracudas in Barrow, and when facedwith a choice between a drummingworkshop run by her Dad and asaxophone workshop, Jess chose thesax. She attained grade 8 (the highestof the grade exams) last July and isnow working towards a performancediploma. Her ambition is to study thesax at the Royal Northern College ofMusic and to become a professionalmusician.

Jess is well on the way to fulfilling herdreams. She attends the RoyalNorthern College of Music SaturdaySchool and plays in the collegeorchestra, jazz band and a saxophonequartet. Recently she reached thenational final of the Rotary YoungMusician of the Year competition,winning the district and regionalcompetitions to reach the final eight.

What is most striking about Jess is thatshe is completely unfazed andunimpressed by the attention that goeswith being a performer. When she talksabout what she does, her love of musicand of the saxophone shines through. Iasked her which aspects of playing thesax she liked best. “I love all of it -playing in orchestras, being solo,teaching. Everything really. I liketeaching because we have a laugh andit makes you a better musician - youlearn from it.” Jess is quite clear thathard work is just as important asmusical talent. “I suppose there issome degree of innate ability involved,but mostly it’s hard work. I practise forat least an hour every day, but itdoesn’t feel like a chore. I do itbecause I love it and I can’t imagineanything else I would rather be doing.”

Jess says she couldn’t have done allthis without the support of her Dad,Doug, and Mum, Shirley. “They’re verysupportive, but they aren’t pushyparents. Dad drives me everywhereand Mum really helped me to stick at itin the beginning.” Jess’ younger sisterPatsy, 10, is following in her sister’sfootsteps. She plays both the clarinetand the saxophone, attends the RoyalNorthern College of Music and is in theUVHS Junior Wind Band. Jess says:

“Patsy is already better than I was atthat age. She’s really talented.”

You can enjoy more great saxophonemusic and see Jess perform again inthe last concert of her series at theCoronation Hall on Sunday 30th June.The Apollo Saxophone Quartet,featuring Jess’ saxophone teacher RobBuckland, will be performing, with aguest appearance from Jess herself.

The Apollo Saxophone Quartet hasbeen internationally acclaimed as oneof the UK's most innovative andexciting contemporary ensembles forthe last twenty-five years. Establishedat the Royal Northern College of Musicin 1985, the group set out to developan original repertoire, drawing uponinfluences from a wide variety ofcultures and disciplines, combiningcontemporary classical, jazz, folk andworld music.

Jess says: “It’s going to be a greatnight. Seating will be cabaret style andin the second half the music will be setto some amazing silent films, which willbe playing in the background. Themusic will be really varied, someclassical and some contemporary.They are all incredibly good saxophoneplayers and I’m really looking forwardto it.”

Get your tickets from the CoronationHall now, enjoy some virtuoso playing,and share in Jess Gillam’s infectiouslove of the wonderful sound of thesaxophone.

JANE HARRIS

The Apollo Saxophone Quartet (picturedabove) will be appearing at the CoronationHall, Ulverston on Sunday 30th June at 7:30p.m. Tickets are £15 (£13 concessions) fromthe Coro Box Office. There will also be anafternoon workshop where participants willget the chance to learn a piece that will beplayed in the evening concert. You canbook for this (grade 3 players and above) atthe Coro.

The Ulverston Good Life Festival kicksoff on Saturday 15th June with an EcoFair at Ford Park. This exciting newfestival is all about celebrating what isgreat about Ulverston, especiallygroups, organisations and businessesthat are involved in sustainableactivities and offer people someideas about living a “good life”. Thereare nine days of events at Ford Parkand all around town. For moreinformation visit www.ford-park.org.ukor phone Kim Farr on 01229 588164.

Coach House Cafe & Bistro, Ford Park :Furness Food Theme Night 6.30 to 9pmBook on 01229 581666

Young Artists drop in session 10-12pm &2-4pm Stables Gallery, Buxton Place

Gill Cycles Bike Ride 10 am at Ford ParkRing 581116 for details

Sir John Barrow Monument Open 1pm to5pm

Open Day at the Medicine Garden, 10Union Street 10 am to 5pm for tastertherapy sessions Book on 580222

Find out about getting an allotment! MeetRobin Tate at Dragley Beck Allotments 6 to7pm (behind scout hut)

DC Cycles “Road Side/Trail Side RepairWorkshop 7-9pm Book on 585025

Yogalates 9.30 am with Mary at the CoachHouse in Ford Park

Volunteer Day at Ford Park: meet at theGarden Room any time between 10 am and4pm (food growing, gardening,woodworking, crafts

Afternoon Tea at Natterjacks 34 QueenStreet 3 to 5pm £8 Book on 582190

Roots & Shoots Open Morning 10am to12pm Urswick Rd

Afternoon Tea at Natterjacks 34 QueenStreet 3 to 5pm £8 Book on 582190

Ulverston Country Market Coronation Hall9.15 to 11.45Volunteer Day at Ford Park: meet at the

Look out for “Keep Cumbria Safe” artactivity in town centre

Afternoon Tea at Natterjacks on QueenStreet 3 to 5pm £8 Book on 582190

Knit & Natter at Natterjacks 34 Queen Street7pm

Lee Style Tai Chi Open Session 10 am to12noon-Sarah McCormack East WestTaoist Association at the Coach House inFord Park

Visit To Co Housing Project in Halton nearLancaster. Minibus leaving FordPark at 11am. Ring 587726 to book a place

Coach House Cafe & Bistro at Ford Park :Vegetarian/Kitchen Garden Theme Night6.30 to 9pm Book on 581666

Ulverston Open Gardens: programmeavailable from Coronation Hall

Ulverston Scrap Store ( Old LibraryBuilding-door on Cavendish St) Open formaterials 10 am Open Craft/Art Sessionusing recycled materials 11am to 3pm

Young Artists drop in session 10-12pm &2-4pm Stables Gallery, Buxton Place

Ulverston Open Gardens -programmeavailable from Coronation Hall

Sir John Barrow Monument Open 1pm to5pm

Cookery Demonstration by RufinoFerreira : Cooking with local produce ona budget! 6.00pm to 8.30 pm at theCoach House Cafe in Ford Park. Bookon 581666

Eco Fair at Ford Park 10 am to 4pm: stalls,family activities, health taster sessions,Try aBike sessions, campaign groups, talks,music, art demonstrations, Made inUlverston craft co-op, drumming workshop,food growing activities and garden tours,carboot sale, Ulverston Scrap Store recycledcraft workshops, Eco Trail & UlverstonBrewing Company Coach House Ale launch

Lightburn Park 6.30 to 8.30pm Launch ofthe “Pride in your Park” Group - come &get stuck in replanting the sensorygarden! Also Railway running + BlastFurness: Blast Away the Blues -come andjoin in with Ulverston’s very own funkycommunity band. Open rehearsal -pickup a percussion instrument or bring yourown brass/woodwind/percussioninstrument

● Talon Best of theEagles

● Ballet Coppelia● Apollo Sax Quartet● Summer Festival: A

Night at the Musicals● Friday Night Live: return

of the hugely popular live comedy night● Pink Floyd Tribute

Ulverston InternationalMusic Festival

The Good Life Festival (seefeature)

Open Gardens Weekend. Achance to visit private gardens and talk toenthusiasts. Ring 01229 480666 for details.

Ulverston Carnival Day. Fun for allages in town centre and at Ford Park.Details from Peter Winston 01229 580640.

Furness Tradition FolkFestival. A weekend of folk music, song anddance around town.www.furnesstradition.org.uk

North Lonsdale Show. Being heldfor the first time in Urswick Village. A greatfamily day out.www.northlonsdaleshow.co.uk

August Summer BuddhistFestival. Teachings and empowerments.www.manjushri.org.uk

Breastfeeding Festival atthe Coronation Hall

www.lakesleisure.org.uk/Ulverston01229 584110

and are adventure

weeks with a difference and focus on tastersessions in a variety of different sports.Each day starts at 9.00am from lakes leisureKendal or Ulverston and finishes back at thecentre at 4.00pm. Suitable for ages 7-11.Good fun is guaranteed!Dates:Monday 22nd July - Friday 26th July 2013 -ULVERSTONMonday 29th July - Friday 2nd August 2013- KENDALMonday 5th August - Friday 9th August2013 - KENDALMonday 12th August - Friday 16th August2013 - ULVERSTONEach week is just £145 so make sure youbook places early!!

: First annual Lakes Leisure OlderPeople’s Fun Olympics (see advertisement),at Kendal Leisure Centre. Enter acommunity team from Ulverston and joininformal games sessions at UlverstonLeisure Centre every Friday at 11.30. Thecost is £1(introductory) includingrefreshments.

: Try Sports Open Day: all sports arefree and the community can come and havea go.

● South Lakes Music Partnership presentsJoseph Topping, Ulverston Sports Club 7:45. Tickets £8.www.ulverstonlivemusic.co.uk

● St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Gala11:30 - 4 pm. Entrance 50p, children free

● Lakes Got Talent auditions in Ulverston,Coronation Hall. It’s back and promises to be even biggerand better than last year. Apply at www.lakesgottalent.co.uk

● (Sundays) PenningtonArchers beginners courses for aspiring field archers. Cost£45 including NFAS coaching, equipment hire andinsurance. Email beginners@penningtonarchers.com formore information.

● South Lakes Rock School SummerCharity Rock Show at the Coronation Hall 2pm. Admission£5, children under 7 £2.50. Call SLRS on 07729 742314 oremail southlakesrockschool@gmail.com. Students at SLRSare supporting ALICE's ESCAPES and Barrow RSPCA withmoney raised at this event. Helping us do this will beUlverston legend Mr RALPH SPOURS who has agreed toSING - LIVE - on stage - if we raise at least £500! Please givegenerously! Donate at:

● Ford Park Open Air Theatre 7:30pm,The Festival Players: Romeo and Juliet.

● volunteers wanted. Could you spare acouple of hours a month to brighten an older person’s day?Contact Kay White on 01912 365039 or emailkay.white@independentage.org.uk

ConservativeTel No: 01229 585416Email : pmhornby@live.co.uk

(Deputy Mayorand SLDC Councillor)ConservativeTel No : 01229 581454Email : helen-irving@02.co.uk

LabourTel No : 01229 480666Email : jpickthall@btinternet.com

LabourTel No : 01229 581024Email : sally.lister@btinternet.com

LabourTel No : 01229 584090Email : m.marr379@btinternet.com

(SLDC councillor)LabourTel No: 01229 586404Email:mark.wilson@southlakeland.gov.uk

ConservativeTel No : 07731 883732Email :normanbishoprowe@btinternet.com

(SLDCcouncillor)ConservativeTel No : 01229 480406Email : a.rigg@southlakeland.gov.uk

ConservativeTel No : 01229 588422Email : jbtate@hotmail.co.uk

(SLDCcouncillor)ConservativeTel No : 01229 585305Email : JEJenky@aol.com

ConservativeTel No : 01229 583588patricia89.jones@mypostoffice.co.uk

ConservativeTel No : 01229 586974Email : jwprosser@talktalk.net

LabourTel No : 01229 467831Email : psjc@cooperwood.wanadoo.co.uk

(SLDCcouncillor)LabourTel No : 01229 583629Email : bsr1821@googlemail.com

LabourTel No : 07817680574Email : paulsmith@colwyncity.fsnet.co.uk

(SLDCcouncillor)LabourTel No : 01229 581970Email : jvcgc2925@gmail.com

LabourTel No : 01229 219360Email : janeharris63@aol.com

(Town Mayor)LabourTel No : 01229 480666Email : jpickthall@btinternet.

Thank you to the editorial commitee (Jayne Kendall, Mark Wilson, ColinPickthall, Amanda Rigg, Margaret Hornby, Paul Smith) and to all who havecontributed to this edition. Thanks again to Sophie Bennett for her designwork and to HSP Milners for printing. Speaking of which, I just wanted to adda factual note. I was disappointed to see in recent county council electionleaflets claims that the Town Council had ‘put up the council tax to produce aglossy magazine’. I would like to make it clear that Talk of the Town is fundedfrom community development and publicity budgets which existed for a longtime. Having a newsletter is one of the standards that a quality council isexpected to meet, and that is why I volunteered to do this entirely in myspare time. The £3 per year increase in the precept (not council tax) hasnothing at all to do with these budgets. Talk of the Town is printed onrecycled paper and the fact that the paper is shiny has no bearing on thecost. Our printers order this paper in very large quantities, as it is the mostpopular type, and therefore it is also the most cost-effective. Talk of the Townis not intended to be biased or party political. I hope it keeps you informedabout what the Town Council does, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

COUNCILLOR JANE HARRIS (Editor)

Printed by HSP Milners, Ironworks Road, Barrow in Furness LA14 2PGTelephone: 01229 823392

ConservativeTel no: 01229 868088Email: James.Airey@cumbria.gov.uk

Labour and Co-operativeTel no: 01229 586404Email: Mark.Wilson2@cumbria.gov.uk

To discuss your needs, call Jane on 01229581827 or email

jane@bean-counters.org.uk

To advertise in , contact the Editor, Councillor Jane Harris, on 01229 219360 orJayne Kendall, Town Clerk, on 01229 585778