February 2020 Update

February 2020 Update

A cold wet and storm enduring month began with a fascinating insight into the world of fraud and scamming in a talk by Will Clay.  Will, who owns and operates ‘Home Instead’ for South Lakes regularly liaises with Cumbrian Police and devotes a large amount of his time to offering advice on the many risks that threaten everyone in this new electronic age.  Among the many scams he covered Internet fraud, PPI scams, Phishing and Identity theft.

With lively audience participation from questions and examples of personal experiences, members enjoyed an entertaining but educational time, being made aware of the many threats that exist for the unwary on a day to day basis. Apart from the very obvious advice to never give away your PIN number, the warning to not be rushed or panicked to take any particular action and keep control of any unsolicited telephone conversation was stressed.

Members were left with 12 page checklist “Toolkit” listing all of the most common frauds and scams with sound practical advice on how to deal with them.

With Storm Dennis forecast to hit the UK we were on tenterhooks as to whether our annual Bridge & Afternoon Teas would literally be a wash out. Resilient as ever Bridge Players arrived, with the exception of a handful of players who couldn’t get through from Grange over Sands, and the afternoon was once again a great success. A packed Marchesi Hall enjoyed their Bridge together with a delicious tea.  Thanks to all who made it possible. Proceeds will once again be donated to St Johns Hospice –£TBC

Our monthly meal was enjoyed at the John Lewis Partnership, Ambleside Park. Once a family home locally known as Wanlass How built around 1841. In the ‘40’s the estate was sold, later becoming an orphanage for children from Liverpool, with other children also staying during the war as evacuees. During the 1950’s a knitwear manufacturer from Leicester bought the property, seeing the potential for using the property as a small factory with plenty of available local labour. The company was taken over by Marathon Knitwear and expanded in the ‘60’s employing 120 local people, mostly women.  In 1971 the property was sold to an hotelier and the factory building was converted into a ballroom and the name was changed to Ambleside Park. In 1978 the property was purchased by the John Lewis Partnership.

February ended with a visit from Ali Alger head of fund raising for St Marys Hospice.  St Mary’s Hospice provides care and comfort for patients living with any life-shortening illness or long term condition. Their support is available to patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis and is available for as long the family requires support.

St Mary’s staff and volunteers help with end of life care, symptom management, Living Well services, respite care and family and bereavement support. It costs of over £3m a year to keep the hospice and services open.  Their services are free of charge.  18% of their funding is from the NHS. The rest comes directly from the local community by way of fundraising events, legacies etc.  

As February ends our thoughts go out to those around the UK who have suffered from the unrelenting rain and winds from Storm Ciara, Dennis and Jorge.  May March be a kinder month.February ended with a visit from