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 Award 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 - April 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/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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