All entries received so far are now displayed in a "collection" on the Photo Gallery

Please send photos to kegtreasurer@kirkoswald.org Please send full-size photos at least 3000x4000 pixels with your name and the location of the view. 

The aim is to have a photo that is replaced each week, deadlines 1, 7, 13, 19, 25th of the month when there are enough entries.

I will continue the PotW feature when we come to July

We will also need your wonderful photos from previous years spanning the period July to December in order to create the 2022 Calendar. Please submit photos and say which month they were. For advice about sending full size photos from Apple phones click here

Cumbria in Bloom Awards 2020

"For an exceptional effort in 2020, keeping our environment in good heart and an inspiration to others"

Winner Village Gardens Kirkoswald in Bloom                                                      For more information click here

I would say - "Not bad, winning an award when there was no competition".

About Kirkoswald

You will find local information, information about Kirkoswald's entry into Royal Horticultural Society Cumbria in Bloom Competition and the National Britain in Bloom competition.

There is also information about Kirkoswald Parish Council and Kirkoswald Environmental Group.

Kirkoswald means the Church (Kirk) of Saint Oswald. Kirkoswald is about nine miles to the North East of Penrith. It is a small but vibrant village in the Eden Valley. The River Eden runs north from south of Kirkby Stephen to eventually join the Solway Firth.The valley is crisscrossed by a number of smaller roads as well as the M6, the A6 and the Carlisle to Settle Railway.

The village is approached by a narrow road that crosses the Eden by way of an impressive Georgian sandstone bridge.Traffic lights have been installed in recent years as a response to local concerns. The road sweeps up from the river passing the church and the College with its imposing gateway and walls.

The village itself is built up a quite steep hill with houses lining the roads to Brampton and Armathwaite. A lot of the older buildings are based around a cobbled square. K’o, as it is known locally, used to be a very important market town holding regular hiring fairs. It has the remains of Kirkoswald Castle and the term College refers to the training of priests. The importance of K’o declined after the railway came to neighbouring Lazonby. The Raven Beck flows through the village and gives its name to the shop, roads, houses, and the community magazine.

News

New features:   Message from Her Majesty the Queen's Marker of Swans...  (about Swan welfare this winter)

                       A Month by Month Look at Millie Bank - June 2021
                     

RHS Britain in Bloom Competition postponed until 2022. We are still finalists for Britain in Bloom. We have an extra year to prepare.

In Bloom and KEG work parties have been limited to households working together or small groups working well spaced out. Gardening has been very important over the past year. It is good for getting exercise, it takes our minds off other things. It is safer being outside with plenty of fresh air. It allows us to see and talk to others at a safe distance. We also had some lovely weather at the start of the first lockdown.

Videos have been moved to the KEG publications page. Click here to see them

North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

Partnership

We are linking up with Fellfoot Forward to share ideas, expertise and resources

Led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, the Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme is a major project to conserve, enhance and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of a special part of the North West of England. Developed with local communities and organisations, the scheme was awarded funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020 and will run until 2024.

The Fellfoot landscape stretches from the Cumbrian fellside of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark to the River Eden, and runs north from Melmerby to Hallbankgate. A landscape with 8000 years of human stories and home to wildlife scarce throughout the rest of the UK. Farming practices, many generations old, are responsible for protecting our soils, mitigating flood risks, and protecting heritage features.

We hope the scheme will provide a huge boost for the area. Our work will allow greater access to restored heritage sites and promote a deep understanding of the Fellfoot landscape’s special cultural history. Working with partners and local communities, we aim to strengthen the visitor economy, providing a better future for residents and businesses. Our projects are exciting and varied, and we hope there is something for everyone to get involved in.

Click below for more information

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fellfoot

https://www.northpennines.org.uk/what_we_do/fellfoot-forward/

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About Kirkoswald Environmental Group

Kirkoswald Environmental Group members are local people who have an interest in conserving and protecting the environment in and around Kirkoswald.

Our aims are:

• to promote environmental improvement in and around Kirkoswald

• to encourage the positive involvement  of villagers of all ages and interests

• to foster community spirit and encourage civic pride. 

We undertake practical projects around the whole parish to improve the environment, including tree planting, improving verges for wildlife, bird box making, litter picking, engaging with school children etc. Generally we hold an annual plant sale, produce a photographic calendar and organise ad hoc events. 

We have been recognised by Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust, Eden District Council and Kirkoswald Parish Council. We have worked with all four and successfully bid for funding from all four.

Date and time of the next meeting:

To be determined, usually held at the Crown Inn Crown Inn, Kirkoswald

Covid 19 and gardening

Spring 2020:

Cumbria in Bloom and our entry into the RHS National Britain in Bloom are postponed for one year for obvious reasons.

Everyone seems to be enjoying the good weather and lots are gardening. I know our allotment and garden are further on and tidier than ever before at this early in the season.

Remember that Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove said that it was not just allowed but people are encouraged to take exercise on their allotments. In the months to come really fresh organically grown vegetables with lots of fresh flavour, great nutrients and vitamins will play a part in improving our general heath and disease resistance.

All allotmenteers observe social distancing.

If you have not tried at home before why not try growing a few vegetables at home. Discount stores sell both food, DiY and gardening stuff so you can still buy seeds and compost. potatoes can be grown in containers or even compost bags. Look on the Internet for helpful tips on techniques. If you cannot buy seed potatoes (a bit late in the season now) try putting some nbought spuds on a window bottom. They should chit because of the time of year. When sprouts are 1cm long you can plant them.

Gardening and growing things are great forms of exercise and also great for mental well being. Whilst you are gardening you are thinking about what you are doing and not worrying about other things

I hope this year that Kirkoswald looks even better than the five years when we were awarded Gold by Cumbria in Bloom. It does not matter if there was no judging this year. That decision is to keep us and the judges safe. The real reason for entering the competition is to take pride in our wonderful village, its wonderful community and all enjoy looking at and taking about how beautiful it is.

Autumn 2020

Kirkoswald does indeed look great again this year. Well done everyone. I think everyone has enjoyed the outdoors and gardening this year. The allotments were a safe place to work, take exercise, grow wonderful organic tasty food and meet and chat to people at a safe distance. We are all very very lucky to live where we do. People are sensible, safe, considerate and kind to each other. community spirit is alive and well here.

Keep safe

Howard