BBC News Wednesday, 16 October, 2002, 15:27 GMT 16:27 UK Polluted lead mine made safe
There were fears lead waste could fall into the lake
A project to protect Ullswater from the pollution caused by a disused lead mine has been completed. The work at Greenside Mine near Glenridding has cost £850,000 and taken 18 months to complete. It was feared that a tip of waste material from the mine was in danger of collapsing and releasing polluted water and spoil into Ullswater. The tip has been altered to reduce the angle of its slope, the top has been capped with clay, and a channel cut to carry storm water away. Fish threatened Peter Bardsley from the Environment Agency said: "The problem was with the mine's spoil, which came about as a result of the process of making the lead ingots. "The spoil was stored on a very steep slope on the mountain, and was full of water and very unstable. "The problem was that if the dams collapsed you could have the spoil coming down the mountain onto the miners' cottages and into Ullswater." He said a previous pollution incident had wiped out a species of fish, and any other leakage could threaten other marine life. Lead was mined at Greenside from the middle of the 17th century, but was stopped in 1962. The pollution risk was investigated by the Lake District National Park Authority in 1999, and a detailed plan to address the risks was drawn up. BBC News Monday, 18 March, 2002, 22:00 GMT Hunting is 'a way of life'
Huntsmen fear a political compromise
It was a ruthless morning for the Ullswater Hunt. Their latest meeting has brought them to Hartsop Dod, a towering hill about five miles south of Ullswater Lake.
It's [Hunting] not just something we do for fun at weekends
| | Huntsman John Harrison | But the wind, blowing off the Pennines from the east was too dry to carry a scent. And for huntsman John Harrison, that meant four thankless hours tramping the fells behind his 15 pairs of hounds. Worrying times But as he coaxed the exhausted animals back onto their trailer for the journey home, Mr Harrison had more worrying issues on his mind. Over the next 24 hours, MPs and the Lords will vote on proposals which could mean the beginning of the end for hunting with dogs. They will consider three options. They may favour an outright ban on all hunting with dogs or no change to the existing legislation. Thirdly a compromised deal would be likely to involve a strict licensing system for foxhunting in areas where it is considered a necessary form of pest control. As he cast eyes across the spectacular South Cumbrian landscape and considered the decisions being made 350 miles away in London, Mr Harrison found it hard to hide his bitterness. He said: "I just wish a few more MPs would come and see exactly what we do. "Hunting is a way of life here. It's part of the landscape. "It's not just something we do for fun at weekends." Bans opposed The Ullswater Hunt is a footpack. There are no horses involved. The hunt followers scramble across the fells, trying to catch a glimpse of the pack across the wide sweeping valleys. Today, they are disturbed by rumours of another possible political compromise, which could see foxhunting continue under strict legislative controls, while other forms of hunting, like hare-coursing and stag-hunting are banned. Dave Stocker, of the Countryside Alliance, said: "Among hunting people, that would be considered a sell-out. "We are rock solid in our opposition to a ban of any sort on hunting with dogs. "If they ban stag hunting or hare-coursing, the fox hunters will still be out on the streets protesting in force." And ironically, the pro- and anti- foxhunting lobbies could find themselves united in opposing a partial hunting ban. Compromise rejected Kevin Hegarty, of the charity the RSPCA, said: "It would get no support from us. "You can't compromise on cruelty. "If it's cruel to kill hares and stags, then it's cruel to kill foxes. "We need a complete ban on all forms of hunting with dogs." Mr Harrison and his hounds will be back on the fells later this week. They hold three or four meetings a week, for nine months of the year, and catch around 80 foxes a season. It is Mr Harrison's job and his life, but for how much longer is anybody's guess. BBC News in brief 27 June 2003 Historic deer park sold An historic 16th Century deer park above Patterdale near Ullswater has been bought by the National Trust in Cumbria. Glenamara Park is on the lower slopes of St Sunday Crag and is an area of well established woodland. The Trust says it intends to improve access to the land by repairing existing footpaths. The land was bought with money left to the National Trust by a woman who came from Australia to retire in Greystoke. CLIMBER WHO FELL IN LAKES SET TO MAKE FULL RECOVERY
By Staff Reporter Published in The Cumberland News on 07/02/2003
by Mary Ingham
WELL-KNOWN Cumbrian climber, 23-year-old Steve Ashworth is expected to make a full recovery after suffering multiple injuries in a 60-metre fall in the Lake District fells a week ago.
He is being treated in Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, for breaks to his sternum, ribs, vertebrae, and legs.
Mr Ashworth, of Keswick, who went to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith and works at Rock and Run in Ambleside, was with another experienced climber when the accident happened last Friday afternoon at Ruthwaite Cove, below Dollywagon Pike to the south-west of Ullswater.
Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and a helicopter from RAF Bulmer were called to the scene.
Mr Ashworth was airlifted to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, with a rescue team doctor in attendance and was transferred to Newcastle the next day.
His father, Peter Ashworth, of Thackthwaite [Watermillock parish], near Dacre, told The Cumberland News that Steve was expected to make a full recovery.
"He feels a bit bashed up but is quite well in himself," said Mr Ashworth.
Mr Ashworth thanked all those involved in the rescue and said it was not yet known how long his son would have to remain in hospital.
"Steve was pushing the standards of winter climbing," said Mr Ashworth. "He had climbed two new routes on Dollywagon just before his accident and had done a major route in the Alps a couple of weeks earlier."
Busy day for mountain rescue BBC NEWS Monday, 2 June, 2003 Mountain rescuers were called to three incidents in Cumbria on Sunday [1st June 2003]. The Patterdale team were called out when a 75-year-old woman suffered a heart attack while walking between Sticks Path and Greenside. An RAF helicopter flew the woman to hospital in Carlisle. The team were also in action when an 80-year-old woman, from Berkshire, was taken to hospital in Penrith after suffering breathing difficulties on the fells. And the Langdale/Ambleside team were called out when a walker from Chester-le-Street broke his ankle descending a steep path on Low Pike. BBC NEWS 23 Sep 2003 Teacher jailed over drowned boy A teacher has been jailed for a year after he admitted the manslaughter of a 10-year-old boy who drowned while on a school trip to the Lake District. Max Palmer, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, was swept away in a small flooded river near Glenridding in Cumbria. At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday, teacher Paul Ellis, 42, from Norbeck Road, in Thornton, near Blackpool, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Max had been with older children on a trip with the Lancashire school where his mother, Tricia, worked. She tried to save him, but was also swept 100 metres downstream. Alistair Webster, prosecuting, said: "No doubt this represents a tragic end to the career of this defendant." Mr Webster said that the tale of Max's death was a "harrowing" one." Swept away Max was a pupil at Shakespeare Primary in Fleetwood and was accompanying his mother - a teaching assistant at Fleetwood High School - on the trip for older pupils. The youngster got into difficulties at a plunge pool at the beauty spot in May 2002. His mother tried desperately to save him and was swept downstream with him by the strong current. Both had to be pulled out of the water by a mountain rescue team but it was too late to save Max. It struck me as unbelievably foolhardy and negligent
Mr Justice Morland Passing sentence, Mr Justice Morland said: "The very tragic death of Max Palmer must have been a heart-rending experience to all the adults and children who witnessed it. "His mother was among them and almost died trying to save her son." The judge said he would be "failing in his duty" if he gave Ellis a suspended sentence. The judge continued: "In my judgement the circumstances are so serious that I must pass an immediate prison sentence. "When I first read the prosecution opening I considered that a three year prison sentence would be appropriate." But Mr Justice Morland said that after listening to defence mitigation he was of the opinion that a three-year sentence would be "manifestly excessive". Paul Ellis admitted manslaughter
He continued: "Having watched the video film taken of the beck at the time of the rescue of Max's mother it struck me as unbelievably foolhardy and negligent anyone would venture into that beck when it was in the state of full spate. "And that any teacher or leader of an adventure group would allow any child to enter that beck or to plunge from the rocks above into the pool below." In February, Ellis pleaded guilty to a health and safety offence of failing to take effective measures to prevent physical injury. 'Landmark case' Outside court Max's father, Mark, said: "What we have got to remember here today is a 10-year-old boy, Max, has lost his life and we have to learn lessons over this so that it does not happen again. "Today Paul Ellis received 12 months in prison. We have received a life sentence." Detective Chief Inspector Bill Whitehead, of Cumbria Police, said he had not heard before of a teacher pleading guilty to such an offence and so described it as a "landmark case". Mr Whitehead said he had some sympathy with Ellis and his family. He said: "We were not dealing with a career criminal here but a schoolteacher who had made a severe error." Thursday 4th September 2003 THE 101st Patterdale dog day was held on King George’s playing field at Patterdale. The show, which is held in a spectacular setting amid the Lakeland fells, started with the Lonsdale Stakes sheepdog trial. The sheep used were a mixture of Herdwick and Swaledale ewes, which proved to be difficult around the course, but especially around the pen. There was also a revival, after foot-and-mouth, of the Matterdale and St John’s sheep show, in which Herdwick and Swaledale sheep were shown. In addition, there was a show of the Ullswater foxhounds and an open foxhound show; a show of various breeds of terriers along with gundogs and children’s pets. There was an excellent show of sticks and crooks, which President Charles Lowther helped to judge. The main prizewinners were: local sheepdog trial - Sue Horn with Fern. Lonsdale Stakes sheepdog trial - Jim Cropper, Dan. Champion terrier - J. Cowin, Tramp. Sticks & crooks - G. Smithson. Hound trails - Joe Mather, Southern Dale. Children’s fell race - Josh Dowson. Champion Ullswater entered hound - P. Iredale, Bellman. Champion Ullswater unentered hound - H. Hodgson, Ransom. Champion open hound - L. Iredale, Bounty. John puts the Glenridding Hotel market after 30 years at helm By Matthew Legg, Business reporter, Cumberland News published on 05/01/2007 Glenridding Hotel: Transformed from an austere 19th-century hotel to a thriving modern business ONE of Cumbria’s landmark hotels is up for sale. The Glenridding Hotel, at Ullswater, famous for its links with water speed ace Donald Campbell, has been put on the market by owner John Melling. Mr Melling has run the three-star establishment for 30 years and is only the fourth owner since it opened its doors in the 1880s. It has been part of the Best Western Hotel Group since 1980. Mr Melling has transformed the Glenridding from an austere 19th-century hotel to a thriving, modern business. During his ownership, he reduced the number of rooms from 46 to 36 to make all bedrooms en-suite. He also added an air-conditioned conference room, a swimming pool – the first one in an Ullswater hotel – and the popular Ratchers Tavern pub. Campbell often used the hotel as a base for his record-breaking attempts in the 1950s. Mr Melling marked the fact with the creation of the Glenridding’s Donald Campbell Library. Campbell’s daughter Gina was guest of honour at a celebratory dinner at the hotel to mark the 40th anniversary of her father’s shattering of the feared ‘water barrier’ when his Bluebird jet boat hit 202.15mph. "On one hand it is very sad to be selling a hotel I built to be nationally known, but I am proud of the legacy I leave," said Mr Melling. "Hopefully, it will go on to benefit the community and area I love so much and I will continue to live nearby." When a new owner is found, Mr Melling will retire to spend more time with his wife Doreen and their family as well as doing voluntary work. The business was the first in Cumbria to achieve Investors in People status in 1993.
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