Sunday 7 December         11.00am  Informal Service with Kid’s group
Sunday 14 December        11.00am  Informal Service with Holy Communion and Kid’s Group
Wednesday 17 December   7.30pm  Beer & Carols in the Boot and Shoe
Thursday 18 December       6.00pm  Greystoke School Pageant
Sunday 21 December         6.30pm  Carol Service
Wednesday 24 December   3.00pm  Christingle Service
Thursday 25 December     10.30am  Family Christmas Service
Sunday 28 December        11.00am  Service of the Word

St. Andrew’s Greystoke, Church Services January 2026

Sunday January 4      11.00am  Informal Service with Kid’s group
Sunday January 11    11.00am  Informal Service with Holy Communion and Kid’s Group
Sunday January 18    11.00am  Informal Service with Kid’s Group
Sunday January 25    11.00am  Traditional Holy Communion

All Sunday morning services serve coffee and cakes from 10.30 onwards. We look forward to welcoming you to our range of services over the next two months.

Greystoke’s New Together Correspondent

At the time of writing, this will be the last online Greystoke News as, after nearly 10 years, the time has come to pass the baton over to a new correspondent. Please contact me at the email address inside the front cover of November’s printed magazine if you’d like to find out more or, if you are willing from January 2026, to provide no more than a day a month collating articles, and updating the village website.

Village Hall Bingo

Come join us for Christmas Bingo on Friday 19 December – some festive fun with mulled wine and mince pies. Pop on your Christmas jumper and bring your festive spirit! Doors open 6.40pm, eyes down 7.00pm prompt.

Thank you for everyone’s generosity donating prizes. The first bingo raised £401 – helping to keep the hall maintained and available for all. The final bingo for this season will be Friday 23 January.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 20 January in the Village Hall.

Village Hall AGM – Tuesday 27 January, 7.00pm

Come along to the AGM, your Village Hall belongs to you and we’d love to hear your ideas how we can make it even better. Everyone is welcome! Come and meet the committee, share your thoughts and see what’s planned for the year ahead. Anyone interested in joining the committee can drop us a message at GreystokeVillageHall@gmail.com or contact Laura on 07828 741 354. See you there!

Greystoke WI – The Penultimate meeting

Our meeting on Thursday 6 November began with the minutes of the meeting between the President, Secretary and a WI trustee which was held to count our votes and declare Greystoke WI suspended. 100% of members had voted in favour of the suspension.

On a more cheerful note, we then turned our attention to a dabble craft session. We could choose from silk painting, embroidering Christmas designs onto baubles and making a lantern covered with tissue and Christmas designs. There was also an opportunity to look at the archive. After our hard work we enjoyed beautiful homemade mince pies and a cup of tea thanks to Violet. We now look forward to our last session on Thursday 4 December when we will be entertained by MUGS – the ukulele group.

Friends of St. Andrew’s Building

Winter Quiz Nights in Greystoke Village Hall at 7:30 pm, on Friday 30 January, 27 February and 20 March. The Quizmaster will be Harry Upton, and includes a bar.

All proceeds will go to FoSAB (Friends of St. Andrew’s Building).

The number of FoSAB group members continues to grow. If you have an interest in our beautiful church building and would like to become a member at a minimum charge of £10 per annum or just making a donation please contact Maureen Hardy.

Greystoke and District Sports Association

The Future Pool Project: After a well-attended public meeting on the Pool Sustainability Project, we are awaiting the outcome of our Planning application. Meanwhile, Greystoke Pool and St. Andrew’s Church have received funding (Community Energy Fund Northwest Hub, and the Church of England Pilot and Innovation Fund) to explore a Feasibility Study on a Community Energy Network in Greystoke. To find out more, please come to our Public Meeting at Greystoke Village Hall on Thursday 8 January at 6.30pm. All Welcome.

AGM: Everyone is welcome to the AGM of the Sports Association on Thursday 22 January 2026 in the swimming pool café. It’s a great chance to find out more about the past year and our future plans. Do come down!

Café opening times: Our lunchtime cafe takes place on Mondays, 12 noon – 2.00pm. Homemade soup and cakes with hot drinks available.
Saturday café is also open when Greystoke football teams are playing at home. Please check Facebook for up to date information.

Save the Dates:

• Film nights Saturday 7 February and 7 March 2026
• Dance the night away to Soul Junction Saturday 28 February 2026

Greystoke Community Land Trust

Survey Results: Thank you to everybody who filled in the housing needs survey. We achieved a response rate of 35% which is excellent (30% would be considered good). 82% of respondents supported new affordable homes for local people and the survey identified an affordable housing need for 14 households. The need for (some) smaller, cheaper houses for sale on the open market was also identified. In summary the survey will help us understand what any new housing in the parish might look like.

Thank you also to those who expressed an interest in getting more involved. The most important thing you can do now is to join us as a member, and help spread the word about what the Community Land Trust could achieve – but only with the support of the community!

Membership: Join the Community Land Trust (CLT) for just £1. This will give you membership for life and a vote at all general meetings, including who should be on the board. You can join online at greystokeclt.org.uk/join or see us at various community events and meetings to join via a paper membership form. The more people who join, the more representative of the community we will be. A CLT is a democratic, non‑profit organisation run by and for the community.

Help get the housing we need, not the housing that developers want to build. Take control – decisions made by the community for the community

Together we can do this by:

• developing a small number of affordable houses for local people;
• leading the local community in representing our interests when new building developments are being planned.

The Land Trust is not just a vehicle for housing – it can be used to help buy any community asset – such as your local shop – if we need to. Join now to be a part of something really powerful.

What’s next? Look out for a meeting in January to go over the key findings from the housing survey – date TBC. We will publish this via facebook, let supporters and members know via email, and have posters on the noticeboards.

Questions? Email chair@GreystokeCLT.org.uk

Greystoke & District Sports Association – Monthly Draw

The draw is a fantastic way to raise funds for the pool and playpark and every ticket sold helps keep our pool afloat. The draw runs January to January so December is the time to renew your membership or come on board and join us. Only £15 per number with great odds each month. It’s easy to join online.

Join to today, support the pool and playpark, support your community.

£20 – Andy James – 34
£15 – Andrew Wilson – 11
£10 – Max & Becka – 60
£5 – Lesley Lamb – 163
£5 – L Watson – 93
£5 – Will Nielsen – 69
£5 – Bridget Jardine – 190

Get Fit 4 Life, Tuesdays 3pm, Greystoke Village Hall

It’s been wonderful to welcome new faces to Get Fit 4 Life at Greystoke on Tuesdays from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. The group has a lovely energy and size, but there’s still room if you’d like to join. It’s a brilliant way to get moving, meet others, and enjoy yourself. Feel free to contact Debbie on 07776 162 125 or debbie@get‑active.co.uk – or simply pop down and give it a go.

Sunday 2 November – Informal Service with Kid’s Group
Sunday 9 November – Remembrance Service 10.15 am followed by prayers and last post at the cross (11.00)
Sunday 16 November – Informal Service with Kid’s Group
Sunday 23 November – Traditional Holy Communion
Sunday 30 November – Ullswater Mission Community Service

All services, apart from Remembrance Sunday which is 10.15am, begin at 11.00am. Coffee and cake will be served from 10.30 am onwards. We look forward to seeing you.

Greystoke’s New Together Correspondent

After nearly 10 years, the time has come to pass the baton over to a new correspondent. Please contact John Bridges at the email address inside the front cover of the printed magazine if you’d like to find out more, or if you are willing, from January 2026, to provide no more than a day a month collating articles, and updating the village website.

Get Involved – Join our Village Hall Committee

We have a great bunch of people who come together to help run our village hall, ensuring it is available for the whole community. It’s a place for gatherings, clubs, celebrations, school lunches are more. We are currently looking for friendly motivated people to join the committee and help shape its future. Do you have ideas for events, activities or improvements?

So, what’s involved?

• Attending short, friendly meetings (usually 4 times year)
• Helping plan or support local events
• Sharing ideas to improve our space and services
• Help make decisions that benefit the whole community.

No experience needed – just enthusiasm and a bit of time. There are lots of ways to be involved. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the village – your voice matters.

Interested? Have questions? Drop us a message or contact Emma.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 11 November in the Village Hall.

Greystoke WI

Greystoke WI was very honoured to welcome Alan Hinkes OBE, one time Yorkshire Man of the Year and first Brit to climb the 14 peaks over 8,000 metres as our speaker at our October Guest Night.

He gave an engaging and hair-raising talk about his 17 year long ambition to scale the 14 peaks over 8,000 metres. It took so long because many attempts failed, sometimes because of the weather and on one occasion because his party came upon a man who would have died if they had not helped him to walk down. It was hair-raising because at 8,000 metres you are in the death zone where humans are not adapted to survive. He spoke of the numbers of climbers who had attempted the 14 peaks but had either died or given up. He mentioned many friends who had died from falls, avalanches or from acute mountain sickness whilst climbing. He was very proud of still possessing all ten digits whereas many of his acquaintances had lost fingers or toes to frostbite. He was acutely aware of the risks he was running and the possibility that he would never get back to Fiona, his daughter, whose picture he carried to each summit. Tellingly, he said he would never climb any of the 14 again.

Alan was not shy of including gory detail and told us about a very nasty wound he suffered to his leg when he fell off a path on the way to a climb. This entailed a lengthy stay in hospital and much training to recover his fitness.

Kangchenjunga sounded like Alan’s worst experience. He felt that he came close to death at the summit rather late in the day and was faced with the prospect of descending in the dark. However, he managed to talk himself out of his fear and down the mountain. He has written about his 17 year mission in a book called 8000m All 14 Summits. We were very grateful to him for coming to Greystoke WI to speak about his experiences.

Our meeting on Thursday 6 November is a dabble craft session starting at 2.00pm. There will be an opportunity to look at the archive as well as try your hand at something new.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val on or Jennifer.

Friends of St. Andrew’s Building Frost Fayre

Saturday 22 November between 10.30am and 2.00pm in Greystoke Village Hall, we will be serving our ever popular Turkey Rolls and Delicious Home Baked Cakes.

Christmas Stalls where you can have a good old Cumbrian ‘ratch’ for Christmas presents, cards, decorations, mouth-watering food and produce. Games for children and hopefully Father Christmas will pay us a visit between 12noon and 1.00pm.

At the time of writing there are still 2 stalls available to hire. Please contact Shirley or Maureen.

The number of FoSAB group members continues to grow. If you have an interest in our beautiful church building and would like to become a member at a minimum charge of £10 per annum or just making a donation please contact Maureen Hardy.

Greystoke & District Sports Association – Future Pool Project

A well-attended event took place on 29 September in the pool café, when plans for the future of the pool were revealed and discussed. Thanks to all who came along and supported the ideas for development and provided useful feedback. Our aim is to create a replacement pool that is more energy efficient, will last us the next 50 years, and be more accessible than the current pool. If you were unable to attend and would like to know more please contact any Committee member or email us at GreystokePool@gmail.com and we will get back to you.

We have benefitted from the community support over the years and will need continued help with fundraising to carry through the ambitious plans. Our next step is to submit a planning application – where letters of support will be welcomed! We will provide regular updates in this newsletter.

Greystoke & District Sports Association – Events

• Monday café – open from 12 noon until 2.00pm. Come and enjoy warming soups, homemade cakes and hot drinks. Great company too.
• Football café – we open the Pool café every time Greystoke play at home for hot drinks and tray bakes. Come and support your local team and the Pool.
• Film nights – Saturday 15 November showing the excellent film, Viceroy, with Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson. £16 for a film, meal and interval ice cream. Licensed bar available. Tickets available from Greystoke Post Office and online.

Village Hall Bingo

Join us for an evening of fantastic prizes, laughs and good old fashioned fun for all ages raising funds for the hall. Our first event is on Friday 7 November 6:40pm doors open, eyes down 7:00pm. Tea/coffee/soft drink included.

The second event will be on Friday 28 November and the Christmas Bingo on Friday 19 December. Thank you to those who have donated prizes to date, our collectors will be collecting until mid-November – look out for your flyer.

Greystoke Pantomime December 11/12/13 December

It’s showtime! The Greystoke Pantomime Troupe will be performing Aladdin. Tickets will go on sale via Greystoke swimming pool website from beginning November. Or contact Clare Morton.

Greystoke Community Land Trust

A huge thanks to everyone who filled in the housing needs survey. ACT are pulling together the results so they can be shared with the community for discussion and any next steps. We hope to be able to share that with you before the end of the year.

We are now officially registered with the FCA.

The community land trust is here for the community and not just our members. Any assets we hold or profits we make must be reinvested for the community’s benefit – often called an ‘asset lock’. We will be looking to open up membership as soon as we can – we’re just waiting on some grant funding coming through and then we can open a bank account. Join for £1 for life!

Stay tuned for more news on this and see our slightly updated website.

Greystoke Pool Draw

Congratulations to the winners of pool draw for October

£20 – Bridget Jardine – 135
£15 – Maureen & Ali – 74
£10 – Gary & Marie Ratcliff – 114
£5 – Ella & Johnathan Tiffin 1– 27
£5 – Annie Swarbrick – 35
£5 – Sarah Dobinson – 70
£5 – Tim Nicol – 7

Get Fit 4 Life, Tuesdays 3pm, Greystoke Village Hall

I’m thrilled to see more people attend the Get Fit 4 Life class, as it means it can keep running and I can bring movement to your community. Classes run during term time only, and drop-ins are always welcome. Cost is £8 for a block booking. Whether you’re looking to improve mobility, boost your mood, or meet others, we’d love to see you. All abilities catered for. For more information, contact Debbie on 07776 162125 or eMail.

New bus timetable from 17/11/2025

• The route (previously designed to accommodate connections with the X4/5 to Keswick) will be simplified with all journeys running via the same anti-clockwise loop Penrith – Clickham – Greystoke – Motherby – Newbiggin – Clickham – Penrith. So will pick up on the same side of the road in each village on every trip.
• The variations in the afternoon timetable with certain journeys only running on Saturdays and on School Holidays have been eliminated. The only variation will be the 14.45 journey on the return to Penrith will end at the Rail Station, rather than the bus station on schooldays.
• The second journey of the day has been re-timed later, to pick up after 09:30, to allow English National Concessionary Travel passes to additionally be used for free travel on Monday to Friday
• The 07:10 from Greystoke will be withdrawn, and is replaced by a 08:05 arriving in Penrith for 08:50, which is better for workers starting at 9.00 (the 17:10 will run at 17:25, to accommodate a new service 106 journey)
• The 11:15 and 16:05 are withdrawn and the 14:35 and 15:00 merged to make a new 14:45
• At the suggestion of the Bus User Group, the bus will run into and out of Penrith via Castletown. It will run the rail station (for the retail park) on the way from Penrith, but use the Booths stop on the way towards Penrith
• The new route will allow the stops outside the Clickham Inn to be served

Sunday 6 April – Family Service – 11.00am (Greystoke Village Hall)
Sunday 13 April – Palm Sunday – 11.00am
Thursday 17 April – Maundy Thursday – Holy Communion and Vigil – 7.00pm
Friday 18 April – Good Friday – Music and Reflection – 7.00pm
Sunday 20 April – Easter Day – 11.00am
Sunday 27 April – Holy Communion – 11.00am

All our services are in St. Andrew’s Church unless otherwise indicated above.
At all our Sunday services refreshments are served from 10.30am.
Children’s activities are available at our Family Services.

Easter Cross

As is our practice, a bare wooden cross will be erected on the Village Green following our Maundy Thursday service. It will remain there over Good Friday and Holy Saturday as a reminder of the events that took place on the first Easter. On Easter Sunday, you are invited to contribute to the decoration of the cross with spring flowers as we remember the resurrection of Jesus.

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 7 April – Annual General Meeting and Games
Thursday 22 May – Outing to Liverpool
Monday 2 June – a talk by Julie Boothman about her work

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings and our trips. Meetings are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm. There is a charge of £2 (Visitors £3) which includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

At our March meeting, Greystoke WI held its AGM then enjoyed an engaging talk with slides from David Bell about his three Safaris. David showed beautiful photographs of trips taken to Kenya and Tanzania. We were able to enjoy shots of The Big Six as well as many other fascinating creatures. The slides gave the impression of a land brimming over with wildlife. Having felt constrained by the first highly organised tour, four of them hired their own guide on the second trip and were able to take a more relaxed approach rather than always hurrying on to the next arrangement. It was noted that safety was always paramount as well as the wellbeing of the animals. David was happy to answer questions at the end of his presentation. Having been complimented on his photography he volunteered that Simon King had seen his work and said it wasn’t bad.

On Thursday 3 April, our speaker will be Bob Price from Acorn Bank, talking about daily bread.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val or Jennifer.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 22 April in the Village Hall.

Community Housing Group

We have had a huge amount of support for the ambition to build affordable housing, and that is really heartening – and confirms the results of the housing survey last year. But we knew this was never going to be easy, nor without challenges.

The feedback we’ve received, particularly on the potential site, has really helped us to focus on our next steps. We are now progressing on 3 main fronts:

• Arranging a formal Housing Needs Survey so we can determine the housing need (not just affordable) for the community. We hope to arrange some meetings on this in the next couple of months.
• Incorporating as a Community Land Trust – a funding application has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness. Once this is done we can open up membership (£1 for life – and voting rights!)
• Addressing the flood risk – not only on the potential site, but also working with residents, the Parish Council, Judith Derbyshire and relevant authorities to try to address the wider existing flooding issues on Howard Park, and by extension Church Road.

Sign up to the mailing list and follow us on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss any updates.

St. Andrew’s Greystoke Friends Group Plant Sale

Spring is coming with the snowdrops out and the daffodils beginning to flower, and our thoughts turn to gardening. So if you are dividing plants and growing seeds, please think of us.

St. Andrew’s Friends Group is organising the annual Plant Sale in the Village Hall on Saturday 10 May from 9.30am to 2.30pm to raise funds for the church building, and to keep our historic and beautiful church in good repair.

We are planning to sell plants outside and have a café in the hall, selling bacon baps, soup and rolls, scones, a variety of cakes, and tea and coffee, all at reasonable prices.

There will also be a home produce stall selling cakes, preserves, etc.

We are requesting donations of plants (flowers, vegetables and tomatoes).

Please contact Shirley to arrange collection, or bring to the Village Hall after 3.30pm on Friday 9 May, or bring on the day.

All are welcome and, if you are new to the village, please come and join us for this village community event.

Watch out for further information on the village notice boards and Facebook page.

Salvation Army Food Bank Appeal

For some years contributions for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Penrith have been left by members of our community in St. Andrew’s Church. I deliver the donations once a fortnight.

In recent months, the Salvation Army has reported a decline in donations. This is entirely understandable in view of the high cost of living for most people, but your donations needn’t be expensive items.

The people who are dependent on the food bank need small, nutritious items which are easy and cheap to prepare and cook, and basic toiletries.

The Salvation Army has requested the following items in particular:

• Cup a Soups
• Tinned Vegetables (but not Sweetcorn, thank you)
• Tinned Meat
• Pasta in Sauce (pots not jars, please)
• Packets of 2 in 1 Instant Coffee
• Hot Chocolate
• Cooking Oil

All contributions, however small, are greatly appreciated – as the old saying goes, Every little helps!

If you have any queries about how you can help please get in touch with Allan Buckle

Easter Journey

Once again, as they have done for over ten years, the Open the Book team, augmented by members from other local churches, have invited the Key-Stage 2 children from Greystoke and Penruddock schools to embark on an Easter Journey. The Open the Book team tell and act out bible stories in both schools throughout the year.

Easter Journey is an opportunity not only to hear of the events of the first Holy Week but also to experience them as the children take part in a series of tableaus starting at Palm Sunday and finishing at the resurrection of Jesus on the first Easter Day.

The children gather in the chancel of Greystoke Church with their ‘palm branches’, laying their cloaks on the ground, listening for the ‘clip-clop’ of the donkey’s hooves as they wait for the entrance of Jesus. They then move on to the temple, taking part as money changers, selling doves and lambs for the sacrifice, shouting out “best prices here”, “finest doves for sale” – until Jesus appears and tells them to stop and upends their tables.

They then move, quietly, into the upper room where Jesus is seated with his disciples. They watch as Jesus washes the feet of Peter, despite his protestations, and they listen as Jesus blesses the bread and wine, and they then share in the meal – eating pitta-bread and grapes to represent the unleavened bread and the wine that Jesus used.

They then follow the disciples to the Mount of Olives where they sit in silence, listening to the sounds of that night from a CD. The snores of the disciples who could not keep awake, the prayers of Jesus to his father, the heavy footsteps of the soldiers coming to arrest Jesus, and finally the crowing of the cock reminding Peter that Jesus foretold that he would deny knowing him.

Then watching a video entitled The Miracle Maker, the children observe Jesus carrying his cross to his crucifixion, his assurance given to the thief hanging with him, the centurion who understood and cried out “surely this man was the Son of God”.

The children then proceed in silence to a quiet place to experience the waiting and expectation of Holy Saturday, before moving to the tomb on Easter Day and watch as first Mary comes and finds the stone rolled away, then having fetched Peter they both rush off to tell the other disciples the glorious news.. “HE HAS RISEN”.

The journey ends for the children with a time of discussion led by their group leaders, who have been with them throughout, to try and explore some of the questions which can be simply answered and some which cannot, before returning to their schools.

John Danks, Open the Book, Greystoke Church

Sunday 2 March – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 9 March – Holy Baptism – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 16 March – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 23 March – Holy Communion – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 30 March – Benefice Service – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church

At all our services refreshments are served from 10.30am. Children’s activities are available at our Family Services. For our services in St. Andrew’s we shall have returned to the more comfortable warmth of the tent, apart from the Baptism, which will be in the nave.

Ash Wednesday

There will be a service of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes on Wednesday 5 March, the first day of Lent, at 6.00pm in St Andrew’s Church Greystoke.

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 3 March – a talk by a representative of Pine Tree Nurseries – gardening time will soon be here!
Monday 17 March – David Bell will give a slide presentation entitled From Thailand to Penrith & Dives in between

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, which are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm. There is a charge of £2 (Visitors £3) which includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

In February, we gathered in the meeting room rather than the main hall to watch a presentation by Marie Hamer about tackling educational disadvantage. Marie outlined how she became interested in trying to make education fairer for children growing up in poverty, and how she and colleagues developed structured professional development programmes. This system is known as The Golden Thread and has been well received by teachers, unions and government. It has led to improved levels of teacher retention. Hopefully, in the years to come, students will see improved outcomes in terms of jobs, income, and physical and mental health.

Before Marie spoke, we had a chance to look at some books which we had loved in childhood. Some of the examples were from the 40’s such as a Sunday School prize and an early Rupert Annual. There was also a Richard Scary vocabulary book which had helped English children growing up in Africa learn about their home country.

On a more sombre note, members voted unanimously to start the process of leaving WI. It was felt that the rising fees have become unsustainable. We hope to continue until Christmas or January 2026.

On Thursday 6 March, we will be holding a brief AGM. David Bell will show slides of a Safari he enjoyed. You are invited to bring along a wildlife photo to briefly talk about.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val or Jennifer.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 18 March in the Village Hall.

Community Housing Group

Following last year’s survey where the village overwhelmingly supported an objective to create additional affordable housing, our first public meeting on Thursday 30 January and our Monday surgeries represent the next phase in our consultation process. More meetings will follow! A housing needs survey is in the pipeline – we need you to fill it in. When we launch the Community Land Trust, you’ll be able to join as a member and get a vote in all key decisions.

Please keep an eye on the notice boards, website and Facebook for upcoming meetings and venues.

Ways to stay up to date:

• Keep an eye on the notice boards;
• Visit our website;
• Join our mailing list;
• Follow us on Facebook;
• eMail us

Swimming Pool Draw

Thank you to each and every one of you who rejoined the monthly draw for 2025. We have now sold 260 draw numbers which is just fantastic! A new record. That equates to £2340 of funds for the pool, sports field, playpark and café.

Congratulations to the winners of the January Draw
£20 – Norman & Christine Bell 27
£15 – Susan Dowie 217
£10 – Andrea & Nigel Raper 176
£5 – Lynn Cowperthwaite 111
£5 – D & J Scarisbric 234
£5 – Annie Swarbick 35
£5 – Ian Forrester

Sunday 1 December – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 8 December – Holy Communion – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 15 December – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 22 December – Holy Communion – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 29 December – Benefice Service – 11.00am – Mungrisdale Church

Christmas Church Services 2024

Monday 16 December at 7.30pm, Beer and Carols – in the Boot and Shoe
Sunday 22 December at 6.30pm, a traditional Christmas Carol Service for all the village – in St. Andrew’s Church
Christmas Eve at 3.00pm, an opportunity for the family to hear again the story of Christingle – oranges, red ribbon and fruits and sweets on four sticks representing the seasons – in St. Andrew’s Church
Christmas Day at 11.00am – bring your favourite present to our Family Christmas Day Service – in St. Andrew’s Church

St. Andrew’s Greystoke, Church Services January 2025

Sunday 5 January – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 12 January – Holy Communion – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 19 January – Family Service – 11.00am – Greystoke Village Hall
Sunday 26 January – Holy Communion – 11.00am – St. Andrew’s Church

At all our regular services refreshments are served from 10.30am. Children’s activities are available at our Family Services. For our services in St. Andrew’s we shall have returned to the more comfortable warmth of the tent.

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 2 December – A talk by Kelvyn James on Wellness Walks
Thursday 19 December – Christmas Dinner at the Roundthorn Hotel
Monday 20 January – our first meeting of the year

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, which are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm. There is a charge of £2 (Visitors £3) which includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

The meeting in November was a dabble session. There were several crafts on offer and members visited the different tables to try new techniques. We are very grateful to the people who gathered materials to make this possible – Sue, Helen, Jane, Mary, Hazel and Lesley. There were opportunities to try felt craft, carding, making glittery fabric tree ornaments and sewing Christmas robins.

On Thursday 5 December, we will meet to enjoy Christmas music and supper. The Hand Bell group will provide some background music and there will be a chance to have a go at ringing some Christmas tunes. We are asking that members bring a plate of food to share. Can you, please, also bring a contribution to our traditional competition which is a gift wrapped parcel up to the value of £5.

We do not have a meeting in January but will join together for a New Year meal on Friday 10 January at the Brantwood Hotel in Stainton. Our next scheduled meeting will be on Thursday 6 February when Marie Hamer will talk to us about tackling educational disadvantage. The competition will be a favourite book from childhood.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val or Jennifer.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 21 January in the Village Hall.

St. Andrew’s Church Tower, Christmas Lighting Appeal

It is that time of year, when during the moments of all the present buying, fun and frivolity, that the festive season brings, our thoughts must turn to all of our loved ones that so enjoyed our Christmas’s together, but are no longer with us.

What a wonderful way to remember and honour them, by once again lighting up the St. Andrew’s church tower.

Donations can be sent to Di Hetherington or any church member. Cheques to be made out to St. Andrew’s Church Greystoke PCC.

Thank you all so much in advance, and may I be the first to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Greystoke Village Hall

Come and play Bingo in the village hall, raising funds for the hall. Prizes galore. Refreshments provided. A great sociable evening for all ages. Doors open 6.40pm, eyes down 7.00pm. Dates: Friday 8 November, 22 November, 13 December and 24 January. See you there.

Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers

Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers invite you to join us for coffee, tea, mince pies and cake while we play carols gently in the background. Any donations will be extremely welcome to help us pay for hall fees and new music. We look forward to seeing you in the Village Hall on Saturday 21 December between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Greystoke and District Sports Association

We run a monthly prize draw, January to December, for a one off fee of £15. This buys you a numbered ticket which is entered into 12 monthly draws plus a Christmas bonanza draw! Over £1450 was won in 2024 and over £2000 was raised for the pool, playground and sports field. For your chance to win cash prizes, whilst knowing your donation helps keeps these village amenities open and looked after, join today. Our collectors will be round in December to collect from those who usually pay cash.

For more information and to be included for 2025, head to our website where you can renew your membership or join us as a new member Thank-you to all our lovely loyal supporters.

 Any questions/queries, please email Emma.

• Pool Café – Come and enjoy soup, scones, cake and hot drinks in the swimming pool café every Monday from 12 noon to 2.00pm.
• Match Day Café – The café will open when Greystoke football teams are playing at home on Saturday afternoons. Keep warm with a hot drink! Check our Facebook page to confirm opening times. (Greystoke and District Swimming Pool).
• Film Night – Our next film night with a lovely meal is Captain Fantastic on Saturday 8 February 2025. A comedy drama sees a family making a road trip across America after having lived in the wilds for many years and now coping with society. Tickets on sale on our website and Greystoke Post Office for £15. Licensed bar and interval ice cream.
• Soul Junction – Saturday 22 February 2025 keep the date! Our annual visit from this superb band. Dance the night away to great music. Licensed bar available.
• AGM – The Association will hold our AGM on Thursday 16 January 2025 in the pool café. Please come along and find out more about the running of the pool. We welcome new ideas and new volunteers.

Swimming Pool Draw

Congratulations to the winners of the pool draw for November

£20 – David Finn – 98
£15 – Bridget Jardine – 135
£10 – Shirley Mounsey – 92
£5 – Steve Mandale – 219
£5 – Ian Forrest – 123
£5 – Frances Munro – 16
£5 – Julie Boothman – 13

Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant

This year, the Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant will be held at St. Andrew’s Church on Thursday 19 December at 6.00pm. Everyone is welcome to watch the children of Greystoke School perform a short Christmas medley on their brass instruments followed by a Christmas Nativity play.

On the evening there will be mulled wine, mince pies, delicious food and lots of Christmas stalls. It is an enjoyable evening for all.

If you would like to take part, have a stall, or know someone who may be interested, please get in touch with school on 017684 83 572. All stalls are free and you are very welcome.

Community Housing Group

We are now members of the Community Land Trust Network, which gives us access to great resources. We are holding a planning session in early November and we aim to hold our first public meeting to share where we are in late January. Do keep an eye on the website, social media and noticeboards for more details.

Bus Action Group

You are warmly invited to an open meeting to explain the timetable for the new bus service, where it runs to and from, how often it goes, and when it will start from.

The meeting will take place in Greystoke Castle at 7.00pm on Monday 9 December. We have confirmed attendance from Tim Farron MP, and have invited Judith Derbyshire Councillor, and Mark Hodgkiss Scheduled Bus Services Officer from Westmorland and Furness Council. They will be able to hear any questions you have.

This is a celebration of all our efforts as much as an info sharing meeting, the dungeon bar will be open, so do please come along and hear more.

Pam Wood (on behalf of the Bus Action Group).

Roy’s Review

I take delivery of 460 New Together Magazines which I then put into various lots for people to deliver. These lots range from 5 upwards, with 71 being the most. In all, 16 people are involved and they deliver 440. This leaves me with 20 to divide between the Post Office and the Church.

I would like to thank everyone for helping me with this task and wish them all a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

I also hope to see you at the Bingo events in the Village Hall which is one of the Village Hall’s main fund raisers of the year.

Sunday 3 November – Service of Holy Baptism – St. Andrew’s Church, 11.00am
Sunday 10 November – Service of Remembrance – St. Andrew’s Church 10.15am, followed by 2 minutes silence and the laying of wreaths at the village cross at 11.00am
Sunday 17 November – Family Service – Village Hall – 11.00am
Sunday 24 November – Holy Communion – St Andrew’s Church, 11.00am

All are welcome at our services, on the 3rd, 17th and 24th. Cake and coffee will be served from 10.30am onward. At the Family Service in the Village Hall there will be children’s activities.

Remembrance Sunday

As is usual we will be joined by the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides to remember those who died in the two world wars and other conflicts. The service in church starts at 10.15 am, after the service we will walk up to the cross on the village green to lay our wreaths, observe the two minutes silence and remember those from our families and friends who gave their lives.

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 4 November – A talk from a representative of Omega Proteins on what they do and what the end products of their operations are.
Monday 18 November – A talk by Fred Wilson entitled Life and Times of a Photographer
Monday 2 December – A talk by Kelvyn James on Wellness Walks

We are currently taking bookings for our Christmas Dinner at the Roundthorn Hotel on Thursday 19 December.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, which are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm. There is a charge of £2 (Visitors £3) which includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 19 November in the Village Hall.

Greystoke WI

Greystoke WI’s October meeting was a Guest Night where we welcomed visitors from three other WIs. We enjoyed a light supper followed by a Kitty Brown Fashion Show. Four of our members modelled the clothes, having made the trip down to the shop at Carnforth on Monday for a trying on session. One of the four had predicted that she would probably fall over, but thankfully no mishaps occurred. The clothes were beautiful and expertly colour co-ordinated. Several times the point was made that the supplier was fair trade or that the supplier guaranteed that no pollution was caused during manufacture. We were shown a leather bag which had been vegetable tanned which is apparently kinder to the environment There was an opportunity to buy items after the show. The evening was good fun and showed our four models in a completely new light.

On Thursday 7 November, we will be holding a craft dabble session with about four options. The competition will be any craft item with an autumnal theme.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val or Jennifer.

St Andrew’s Church Frost Fair

This annual event, on Saturday 30 November in the Village Hall between 10.30am and 2.00pm, is always very popular, starting off the festive season. There will be a variety of stalls which will include homemade cakes and produce, tombola, etc. The café will serve turkey rolls, soup and of course delicious cakes and mince pies. Father Christmas may visit but this needs to be confirmed!!!

If you are interested in having a stall please contact Shirley Mounsey.

Funds raised will go to the newly formed charity, Friends of St. Andrew’s Greystoke Church.

More details nearer the time on poster around the village. Don’t forget to put it in your diary

Greystoke and District Sports Association

Thank you everyone who attended the Greystoke Beer Festival. It was very successful as usual. A big thanks must go to Rosie and Robin Illingworth who have steered the event for a number of years.

After a summer with little sunshine our fundraising events are even more important this winter. Please come along and help keep the pool and playground open.

• Winter Café – Come and enjoy soup, scones, cake and hot drinks in the swimming pool café every Monday from 12 noon to 2.00pm
• Match Day Café – The café will open when Greystoke football teams are playing at home on Saturday afternoons. Keep warm with a hot drink! Check our Facebook page to confirm opening times. (Greystoke and District Swimming Pool).
• Film Night – Our next film night with a lovely meal is ‘Sunshine on Leith’ on 30th November. A romantic musical in which two soldiers return from Afghanistan and try to adapt to civilian life. The story is told through the music of The Proclaimers. Tickets on sale on www.greystokepool.org.uk for £15. Licensed bar and interval ice cream.
• Soul Junction – Saturday 22 February 2025 keep the date! Our annual visit from this superb band. Dance the night away to great music. Licensed bar available.
• AGM – The Association will hold our AGM on Thursday 16 January 2025.
• Wine Tasting – Our wine tasting in November sold out very quickly so hopefully we will repeat it in Spring.

Greystoke Film Nights

Thanks to everyone who has contributed ideas for this winter’s film nights.

The films for next season will be:

• Saturday 30 November: Sunshine on Leith
• Saturday 8 February: Captain Fantastic
• Saturday 22 March: The Angels’ Share

The price will still be £15 to include a one-pot supper, licensed bar and ice-cream. All tickets will be available via Andy in the Post Office and online. Look out for facebook and poster publicity nearer to each event.

Please bring your friends. All profits to the swimming pool.

Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant

This year, the Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant will be held at St. Andrew’s Church on Thursday 19 December at 6.00pm.

Everyone is welcome to watch the children of Greystoke School perform a short Christmas medley on their brass instruments followed by a Christmas Nativity play.

On the evening there will be mulled wine, mince pies, delicious food and lots of Christmas stalls. It is an enjoyable evening for all.

If you would like to take part, have a stall, or know someone who may be interested, please get in touch with school on 017684 83 572.

All stalls are free and you are very welcome.

Community Housing Group

The community housing group continues to work on the plans for setting up a community land trust and is looking to hold a session with Action for Communities in Cumbria in November to support us on that journey. Talks with Patterdale continue and they have given us some very helpful documents. 

Keep up to date on progress and any available affordable housing in the area at https://housing.greystokevillage.co.uk/

Sunday 7 April – Praise and Worship in the Village Hall
Sunday 14 April – Holy Communion in St. Andrew’s Church
Sunday 21 April – Praise and Worship in the Village Hall
Sunday 28 April – Holy Communion in St. Andrew’s Church

All our Sunday services start at 11.00am, coffee and cake are served from 10.30am onward, please join us. Activities for children are provided at all the Praise and Worship services in the village hall.

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 15 April – Our AGM, followed by games, nothing too boisterous!
Monday 6 May – To be confirmed
Thursday 23 May – Outing to Tatton Park

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, which are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm. There is a charge of £2 (Members £1) which includes tea and biscuits. Come along and see what we have planned for the remainder of the year. For outing details, contact Shirley Mounsey

St Andrew’s Church Plant Sale

Spring is coming with the snowdrops out and the daffodils beginning to flower and our thoughts turn to gardening and dividing plants and growing seeds. St. Andrew’s is organising its annual Plant Sale in the Village Hall on Saturday 11 May from 9.30am to 2.00pm, to raise funds for the church building.

We are planning to sell plants outside (weather permitting), and have, in the hall, a café and home produce stall selling bacon baps, soup and rolls, and scones, a variety of cakes, and tea and coffee, all at reasonable prices.

There will also be a tombola and a books and jigsaws stall.

We are requesting donations of plants (flowers, vegetables and tomatoes) and unwanted garden implements and equipment. Please contact Shirley to arrange collection, bring to the village hall after 3.30pm on Friday 10 May, or bring on the day.

All are welcome and, if you are new to the village, please come and join us for this village community event. Watch out for further information on the village notice board and Facebook page.

Greystoke Parish Council

The next Parish Council meeting is at 7.00pm on Tuesday 16 April in the Village Hall.

Greystoke WI

On Thursday 7 March, Greystoke WI held a brief AGM when we voted in our new committee and presidents. We are pleased to announce that the three ladies sharing the President’s role last year are happy to continue this year. They are Val Simpson, Jennifer Allen and Sue Nowson. The AGM was followed by a slideshow from Margaret Rinder. The slides gave a wonderful impression of what life is like on Orkney where Margaret lived before coming to Greystoke. We heard about the schooling, the healthcare and the island hopping on small planes and ferries.

On Thursday 4 April, we look forward to hearing from Bill Neville about all sorts of legal matters which might be relevant to older adults. The competition is an old document so it will be interesting to see what comes to light.

If you would like to join us at WI meetings, please contact Sue, Val or Jennifer.

Bus Action Group

Thank you to everyone that attended our meeting at the end of February, the notes from that meeting can be found via the Greystoke online website (with the link) and a copy will be printed for display on the village noticeboard.

We will consult on Plan B in the next few weeks, so please look out for more details or email Pam to get involved.

Greystoke Parish Community Housing Initiative

We didn’t quite make getting the housing survey into the magazine as advertised, but it will be with you soon! We hope you can find just a few minutes to complete it either on paper or online. It’s really important that your views are taken into account.

The survey closes on 14 May. Paper copies may be returned to the shop, and we’d encourage everyone in the household to complete the survey.

Some spare paper copies are available at the shop now, and you can also fill in the survey in online. Follow us on Facebook and on the website to keep up to date with news, and to see the results of the survey.

Penrith Repair Café

Penrith Repair Café runs on the second Saturday of each month from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Old Fire Station on Bridge Lane. Skilled volunteers fix your household items, keeping them in use and out of landfill. Delicious home baked cakes too. All repairs and refreshments are free of charge but donations appreciated.

Swimming Pool Draw – March 2024

Congratulation to the winners of the pool monthly draw for March.
£20 – Mark and Alice Townsend – 166
£15 – Harry and Hector Ashburner – 01
£10 – Annie Swarbrick – 156
£5 – Keith and Jane Hardcastle – 201
£5 – Margaret Rinder – 216
£5 – Henry and Anna Howard – 125
£5 – Kay Darbyshire – 05

Greystoke Open Gardens and Scarecrow Trail

If you are interested in participating in this event on Sunday23rd June, between 11.00am and 3.00pm, either by opening your garden (your garden does not need to be pristine or of professional standard!!!!) or by creating a scarecrow please contact Maureen Hardy or Laura Thomson.

Please support this wonderful community event. More details to follow in the next issue.

Roy Reminisces

I reminisce in 2004, when I was chairman of Eden District Council. At that time the people who came and bought our little village dwellings only paid 90% of the full council rate. As Chairman, I proposed that, as they were emptying our villages of young people by out bidding them for the dwellings, they should pay double the council rate. I was defeated, and I was told by law that we could not do that. It has taken 20 years hopefully to see that they will now have to pay double – but I fear the horse has already bolted and the damage done.

As regards the proposed 20mph limit, how can that be controlled when those are breaking the 30mph and 40mph speed limit cannot be controlled? You only have to stand up near Fawn Meadows and see the speed, not just of the cars, but the wagons as well. We need to try and find some way of making the speed cameras we have legal so that speeders can be prosecuted.

By the way the crocuses have been looking good. Next, the daffodils, fruits of our labours.

Roy Fisher.

Sunday 3 December – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 10 December – Holy Communion in the Church
Sunday 17 December – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 31 December – Holy Communion in the Church

Christmas Church Services 2023

Christmas Eve – 11.00am – Holy Communion, All Saints Church, Penruddock
Christmas Eve – 3.00pm – Christingle Service, Greystoke Church
Christmas Eve – 9.30pm – Holy Communion, Mungrisdale Church
Christmas Day – 11.00am – Family Christmas Service, Greystoke Church

St. Andrew’s Greystoke, Church Services January 2024

Sunday 7 January – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 14 January – Holy Communion in Church
Sunday 21 January – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 28 January – Holy Communion in Church

Our regular services start at 11.00am, and we will be serving coffee and cake from 10.30am. We look forward to meeting you.

St. Andrew’s Greystoke, Carol Service

The carol service will be held on Sunday 17 December in church starting at 6.00pm. After the service, the award for the best Christmas Tree in the Christmas Tree Festival will be presented. Come along and join us to hear the familiar story of Christ’s birth, the witness of the Shepherds, and the adoration of the Magi, as well as the opportunity to sing the carols which have always been part of all of our Christmases. The collection will go, as always, to the charity CRISIS.

Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas trees will come into church on Friday 15 December and Saturday 16 December, and stay until Thursday 4 January. Pay a visit to see the trees which have been contributed and decorated by local groups. Church is normally open daily from 9.30am until about 4.00pm. Better still, come to the Carol Service to see the winner announced and to hear the Christmas Story.

St. Andrew’s Church Tower Lighting Fund

Thank you to everyone who so kindly donated to our Church Tower fund last year. It was so nice to see the tower once again shining out, during these cold and dark evenings like a beacon,

Once again I am asking if everyone could pause, during all of the festive merrymaking, to remember all of those lovely Christmas’s which we celebrated in the past, with all of those loved ones, that we see no more. What a lovely way to remember them, by again donating to our star chart, on any day in December, and early January that you chose.

If you would like to donate, please contact Di Hetherington or any Church member. Cheques please to be made out to St Andrews Church, P.C.C. Greystoke.

Many thanks once again.

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas

Di

Greystoke Social Club

Thursday 14 December – Christmas Lunch at Roundthorn Hotel
Monday 15 January – meeting in village hall at 2.00pm – details to be arranged

Our meetings are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm, £1 for members, £2 for visitors and includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

At the November meeting of Greystoke WI, our speaker, Heather Boak demonstrated découpage techniques. Making use of a thin layer of a table napkin and Mod Podge, Heather demonstrated adding découpage to a miniature cheese board and to a glass plate. This was particularly fascinating as the paper layer was added to the bottom of the plate but could be clearly seen through the glass. Heather had a huge variety of Christmas themed napkins, using them to add decoration to a variety of objects. It was an inspiring demonstration and very interesting to hear about the different sorts of Mod Podge and their uses.

Our December meeting has been moved to Thursday 14 December. Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers will play carols and Maureen will duet with Philip Lambert. There will be our usual competition and raffle of gift wrapped parcels, as well as a light supper.

There will be no meeting in January but there will be a New Year meal on Friday 19 January at The Brantwood. Please contact Eileen Lund if you wish to attend.

If you would like to join us please contact Jennifer Young, Sue Nowson or Val Simpson.

Greystoke Pantomime

The village proudly presents a “not to be missed” production of Cinderella at the Village Hall. Curtain up at 7.30pm on Thursday 7, Friday 8, and Saturday 9 December.

Fully licensed bar open from 7.00pm and ice creams available at the interval.

Adults £10; under 16s £6. Tickets on sale (online only). Go to the events page at Greystoke Swimming Pool website.

Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant

This year the Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant will be held at St. Andrew’s Church on Thursday 14 December at 6.00pm. Everyone is welcome to watch the children of Greystoke School perform a short Christmas medley on their brass instruments followed by a Christmas Nativity play.

On the evening, there will be mulled wine, mince pies, delicious food and lots of Christmas stalls. It is an enjoyable evening for all. All stalls are free and you are very welcome. If you would like to take part, have a stall, or know someone who may be interested, please get in touch with school on 017684 83 572.

Village Hall Bingo Nights

Don’t forget the Christmas Bingo on Friday 15 December. We have prizes galore waiting to be won. All ages welcome. Come and enjoy the festive refreshments – mulled wine and festive treats! Doors open 6.40pm, eyes down 7.00pm. See you there.

The Hall Committee wishes to extend thanks for the generosity shown by those donating prizes for the bingo – we couldn’t do it without you! It’s a great fundraiser for our hall. Thanks also to Roy Fisher for his input as Bingo Caller.

Save the next date – Friday 26 January 2024.

Pool Winter Weekly Café

Come and join us for coffee and a chat, or a light lunch of soup and scones.

Open every Monday in the pool café from 11.00am to 2.00pm.

Swimming Pool Draw

Subs are now due for the Swimming Pool 2024 Monthly Draw. This raises funds for the pool, playpark and playing field. With cash prizes every month and a bonanza bonus Christmas draw, what’s not to like! The one off £15 fee includes 12 monthly draws and the bonus draw. 60% of your sub is kept as valuable funds and the remainder is won by lucky prize winners. Help us make 2024 the best one yet!

Payment can be made by BACS, standing order or Cash/Cheque
Bank: Santander
Sort Code: 09-01-54
Account No: 09966088
Account Name: Greystoke & District Association

Use “Draw/Surname” as reference (e.g., Draw/Smith). Our collectors will be out in December too.

Questions, queries, want to join – contact Emma Nielsen or pop into the pool winter café (Mondays 11.00am – 2.00pm) to pick up a form.

Congratulations to the winners of the Greystoke pool monthly draw for November.
£20 – Frances Munro – 16
£15 – Lucy Fawcett – 94
£10 – T&E Blenkarn – 87
£5 – B&J Duckworth – 173
£5 – Louise Chance – 178
£5 – Shirley Mounsey – 92
£5 – Hazel McGrath – 160

Greystoke Film Night

Join us on Saturday 13 January for the action packed film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1, starring Tom Cruise. Ethan Hunt and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands. Some scenes filmed in Buttermere!

Tickets are £15.00 each, are non-refundable, and must be bought in advance. The price also includes a delicious one-pot supper and an ice cream. There will also be a licensed bar to purchase wine, beer and soft drinks.

All profits go towards maintaining and running the swimming pool. Tickets are available from Greystoke Post Office or online.

Greystoke and District Sports Association AGM

The Association has an active committee who keep the pool going but we always welcome new members or people who are able to contribute to a specific project.

Everyone is welcome to the AGM in the pool café on Tuesday 16 January at 7.00pm. The pool only exists because of our wonderful volunteers, come and see what we do and how you can join in.

Update from the Bus Action Group (BAG).

A huge thanks to everyone that helped make the media event at the end of October so successful! We’re feeling very hopeful this will help our cause.

The group is going to pause meetings over Christmas but we know that during this time the council will be going through the tendering process and so we’ll still keep the website updated and email the wider group with news.

If you’re not already on the email distribution list, and would like to be, please eMail Pam.

Thanks again to everyone that has supported this, it really does feel like a whole village effort!

Pam Wood and the BAG

Sunday 5 November – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 12 November – Remembrance Sunday Service in Church (10.15am)
Sunday 19 November – Morning Praise in the Village Hall
Sunday 26 November – Holy Communion in Church

Our services start at 11.00am, and we will be serving coffee and cake from 10.30am. We look forward to meeting you.

Remembrance Sunday

As is usual the morning will begin with a short service in church, beginning at 10.15am, attended by members of the scout and guide movements.

Those at the service will walk to the village green to join others where, at 11.00am, an act of remembrance will take place and wreaths and other tributes will be laid. The two minute silence will be observed and we will once again hear the words of Laurence Binyon.

St. Andrew’s Church Tower Lighting Fund

Thank you to everyone, who so kindly supported our Church last year, with donations to our Church Tower Illumination Fund. Once again we were so overwhelmed with the response. It is so nice to see the tower lit at this special time of year. After all, this is what Christmas is all about. It reminds us also of all of those special people that had so many Happy Christmas’s with us in the past, and we see no more.

If anyone would like to make a donation to our fund again this year, please contact Diane Hetherington or any Church member. Cheques please to be made out to “St Andrews Church P.C.C. Greystoke.”

Thank you all so much once again, and have a very Merry Christmas.

St Andrew’s Church Frost Fair

Winter is coming and our thoughts turn to Christmas and St Andrew’s is organising their annual Frost Fair in the Village Hall on Saturday 25 November from 11.30am to 3.30pm to raise funds for the church building.

We are planning a cafe and home produce stall with soup, turkey rolls, Christmas cake, mince pies and a variety of cakes and other home produce all available at reasonable prices. There will be a variety of other stalls of handicraft and home produce from Greystoke WI and Greystoke Social Club, an Eden Animal Rescue Stall, Bob Park’s Pottery stall and a Tombola. Christmas decorations will also be on sale.

All are welcome and please come along and join us for this village community event. Watch out for further information on the village noticeboards and facebook page and we might even get a visit from Father Christmas!

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 6 November – Doctors in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care – Great North Air Ambulance and BEEP Doctors – a talk by Dr Theo Weston
Monday 20 November – Amazing Swifts – a talk by Richard Dixon
Thursday 14 December – Christmas Lunch at Roundthorn Hotel

Our meetings are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm, £1 for members, £2 for visitors and includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

Greystoke WI’s October meeting was a Guest Night. This is one of the bigger nights on our calendar as we invite members from other WIs to join us as well as friends from the village. Our programme secretary, Eileen, always makes sure that the entertainment that night is a big draw. This year our guests were treated to a performance by the Moreland Ukulele Group (or MUGs as they like to be known). They played songs by George Formby, Gerry Rafferty and the Beach Boys to name just a few. Some members of the group also played a washboard, a kazoo and some maracas. There was plenty of audience participation which is always a sure sign that everyone is enjoying themselves.

Our speaker on Thursday 2 November is Heather Boak. She will be demonstrating making Christmas Decorations. The competition is a Christmas decoration.

If you would like to join us please contact Jennifer Young, Sue Nowson or Val Simpson.

Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers

We had the pleasure of performing at Hutton in the Forest’s Apple Day on Sunday 1 October. Nine of us squeezed inside a little portico with our tables and music stands. Two sets were performed with a refreshment break in the middle. We started gently with Pastorale and Pachelbel’s Canon, then played a selection of traditional tunes such as John Peel and Ash Grove. Our finale was a very loud Trumpet Voluntary.

We are very grateful to the organisers for giving us the opportunity to perform and to those members of the public who kindly made a donation as we are always on the lookout for new music. We also enjoyed the opportunity to look round the beautiful gardens and visit the stalls which were set up in the grounds.

Swimming Pool Draw

The pool runs a draw to help raise funds for the swimming pool and playpark and you have the chance to win cash prizes every month whilst supporting these fantastic community assets. A one off £15 fee (that’s £1.25 a month) buys you a number which is entered into 12 monthly draws and the Christmas bonus draw which has £50 cash prizes.

In 2023, we raised over £3400 with 50% given as cash prizes. For 2024 60% of your membership sub will be retained by the pool/playpark. To all existing members, we are chuffed that you keep choosing to support the pool, so a big thank you.

Payment is due in December and can be made by BACS, Cash or Cheque or better still set up a standing order. Collectors will call in December.

Want to be included for 2024? Contact Emma Nielsen or pop into the pool winter café to pick up a form.

Be involved, be a winner

Congratulations to the winners of the Greystoke pool monthly draw for October.
£20 – Helen Ledger – 171
£15 – H&F Ross – 164
£10 – Sue Collison – 235
£5 – J&G Oxley – 223
£5 – Pearl Mitchell – 99
£5 – L&R Blake – 99
£5 – Val Allison – 64

Pool Winter Weekly Café Reopening

Come and join us for coffee and a chat, or a light lunch of soup and scones. We reopen on Monday 30 October between 11.00am and 2.00pm.

Note we have switched to every Monday rather than Tuesdays.

Soup and Pudding

Join us in the Village Hall for our annual Autumn Soup and Pudding event on Sunday 29 October between 11.30am and 2.00pm. Delicious homemade soups and puddings will be on offer, served with a hot/soft drink. Donations of soup and/or puddings will be gratefully received. Contact Sarah Dobinson with your offerings.

We hope you will come and join us – all proceeds to the Village Hall.

Greystoke Film Night

Come along for a chuckle! The November film, on Saturday 18 November at 7.00pm in the Village Hall, is What We Did on Our Holiday starring Billy Connolly, David Tennant and Rosamund Pike.

The family head to Scotland to celebrate grandad’s 75^th birthday. The parents are going through a divorce and hope the kids won’t mention it but nothing goes to plan, with funny and heart-warming results.

Tickets are £15.00 each, are non-refundable, and must be bought in advance.

The price also includes a delicious one-pot supper and an ice cream. There will also be a licensed bar to purchase wine, beer and soft drinks.

All profits go towards maintaining and running the swimming pool.

Tickets are available from Greystoke Post Office or online at http://www.GreystokePool.org.uk.

Greystoke Pantomime

The village proudly presents a “not to be missed” production of Cinderella at the Village Hall.

Curtain up at 7.30pm on Thursday 7, Friday 8, and Saturday 9 December.

Fully licensed bar open from 7.00pm and ice creams available at the interval.

Adults £10; under 16s £6.

Tickets on sale (online only).

Go to the events page at the Greystoke Swimming Pool website

Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant

This year the Greystoke Village Christmas Pageant will be held at St. Andrew’s Church on Thursday 14 December at 6.00pm.

Everyone is welcome to watch the children of Greystoke School perform a short Christmas medley on their brass instruments followed by a Christmas Nativity play.

On the evening, there will be mulled wine, mince pies, delicious food and lots of Christmas stalls.

It is an enjoyable evening for all.

All stalls are free and you are very welcome. If you would like to take part, have a stall, or know someone who may be interested, please get in touch with school on 017684 83 572.

Greystoke Bingo

It’s back – Bingo in the Village Hall!

A great sociable evening with prizes galore for all ages. All proceeds to hall funds. Friday 10 and 24 November, 15 December and 26 January. Doors open 6.40pm for 7.00pm start. Refreshments included.

Village collectors will be dropping your way soon for donations of prizes – sweets, biscuits, small gifts and alcohol all appreciated. See you there.

Greystoke Parish Council

We continue to monitor and lobby on speeding issues within the village, and we are grateful to Cllr Judith Derbyshire for her continued support on this.

It is that time of year again when more potholes appear. Just a reminder that these can be reported on Westmorland & Furness HIMS system using: https://westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/highways-enquiry.

Next year, the Parish Council is proposing a new garden event to replace the old Best Kept Garden competition. We will be discussing this with other community groups within the village. Watch this space.

The next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 14 November at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Sunday 1 October – Morning Praise
Sunday 8 October – Holy Communion
Sunday 15 October – Morning Praise
Sunday 22 October – Holy Communion
Sunday 29 October – Joint Benefice Service (Preacher: Bishop of Penrith)

Our services start at 11.00am, and we will be serving coffee and cake from 10.30am. We look forward to meeting you.

Family Church in Greystoke Village Hall

Starting Sunday 5 November, St. Andrew’s Church will be moving to Greystoke Village Hall for a relaxed, informal service for the whole family.

Starting at 10.30am with fresh coffee and homemade cake, we’ll have a band and kids’ groups.

Family church will be held on the first and third Sunday’s of the month, with our more traditional Holy Communion services remaining in Church on the second and fourth Sundays.

If you’ve not been to church before, why not come and see!

Greystoke Social Club

Monday 2 October – Helen and Hayley from Blencow Forest School will give a talk about their activities
Thursday 19 October – Coach trip to Ambleside followed by afternoon tea in the Village Hall
Monday 6 November – a work in progress
Monday 20 November – a talk by Richard Dixon on Amazing Swifts
Thursday 14 December – Christmas Lunch at Roundthorn Hotel

Our meetings are held in Greystoke Village Hall and start at 2.00pm, £1 for members, £2 for visitors and includes tea and biscuits.

Greystoke WI

Greystoke WI’s September speaker was David Jenkins from Pioneer Food who gave a fascinating talk about his family business. David and his brother Graham are the fifth generation working in the business. Some of the sixth generation are also employed. Even David’s 11 year old son sorts out the drivers’ keys when he has to help his Dad on a Saturday morning. We heard how the business built up from selling pots and pans at an open market at the Guildhall but then diversified into potted meat. The catering took off from there. We heard how the business expanded and how it was a way of life for David’s grandfather and father. They both worked on into their eighties. Now they have a fleet of vans delivering to the catering trade.

Covid was a difficult time as catering shut down in lockdown. Difficult decisions had to be taken, such as shutting down Shepherd’s Inn to concentrate on the Pioneer business.

It was cheering to hear David felt that after Brexit, Covid and inflation, things were gradually getting better. We heard how Pioneer sells food made by local producers. They employ 450 people and have a turnover of nearly £50 million. Not every new venture was a success story. David told us how nobody seemed to want any of the edible straws he bought as plastic was banned. Unfortunately, he has a pallet load to shift!

A food store at Rosehill in Carlisle is open to the public with a coffee shop upstairs. As we were very kindly given vouchers, Greystoke WI members will soon be trekking over there.

Molleen thanked David on behalf of Greystoke WI for his interesting and engaging talk.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 5 October and is our Guest Night. A Ukulele Band will entertain us and there will be light refreshments and a raffle. The Competition will be a musical memento.

If you would like to join us please contact Jennifer Young, Sue Nowson or Val Simpson.

Swimming Pool Draw

Congratulations to the winners of the Greystoke pool monthly draw for August and September.

This is a great fundraiser for the pool and new members for 2024 can join in December … watch this space.

Greystoke Village Hall

The Village Hall committee would like to thank the Parish Council for the kind donation of a projector, which will now be available to hire alongside any hall bookings. The Village Hall is available to hire for events, meetings, classes, parties, etc.

To book or enquire, please call 07758 653 845 or eMail the Village Hall

Greystoke Film Night

We are delighted to announce the 2023/4 series of film nights to be held at the Village Hall throughout this autumn and winter. These are very sociable events and a wonderful way to meet with friends or meet new people.

Tickets are £15.00 each, are non-refundable, and must be bought in advance. The price also includes a delicious one-pot supper and an ice cream. There will also be a licensed bar to purchase wine, beer and soft drinks. All profits go towards maintaining and running the swimming pool. Tickets are available from Greystoke Post Office or online at www.GreystokePool.org.uk.

The first of the series is the Oscar-winning classic Casablanca (U) at 7.00pm on Saturday 14 October. This 1942 American romantic drama is directed by Michael Curtiz, and stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Greystoke Pantomime – not to be missed!

Rehearsals have commenced for our production of Cinderella. Performances on Thursday 7, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 December in the Village Hall. Put the dates in your diaries.

Tickets will be available from mid-October.

Affordable Housing

A community initiative was kicked off last year to explore options around community housing. We are delighted to report that the Parish Council is very supportive of this, and has agreed Terms of Reference for a subcommittee to be formed so that the community can start to drive this forward with their input and assistance.

We are currently looking to determine if there is a need or desire for community led housing within the parish of Greystoke.

If you would like to be actively involved helping drive this forward, and have the time to follow through on actions and delivery then we would welcome you on the subcommittee. Please email Corrine or phone 017684 80 565 or 07932 680073 to get involved.

Help Needed

Over the last 40 years Roy Fisher has looked after killing the weeds around the Village Cross and the kerbs around the Village Green, the Village Hall, and bottom of Park Road. He still looks after the top of Park Road, cuts the grass and sees to the two tubs that have flowers in them.

Now, volunteers are sought to tend the flower bed in the middle of the Village Green and the entrance to the car park. We live in a wonderful area so it’s fitting to show the many visitors that we care for our village and like to see it look its best.

Thank You

Edith and I send our thanks for all the goodwill messages on the occasion of our Diamond Wedding and Edith’s 80^th Birthday on the Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September.

Roy Fisher

Back to the 80’s!!!

Dig out your neon and lace, and join us for a night of 80’s music and mayhem!!

Saturday 7 October at 7:30pm in the Village Hall. No food, just dancing!!!

Tickets are £6, and available from Greystoke Village Stores. For more details contact Laura.