The Link (March 2006)
Ravenstonedale
Bats in the Belfry? Or Butterflies?
Swish, swish…..swish, swish – in the quiet of the Church tower, with the only other sound - the solemn tick - tock of the clock work mechanism, there was an audible swish – swish. Almost a ghostly sound as if a long dead clock winder was coming up the stairs, with ragged garments brushing the steps. The sound I discovered belonged to over - wintering Peacock Butterflies.
Not only was there one or more peacocks in the tower, but on closer inspection, there are 10 actually in the bell itself – all clinging to the underside! Are they deaf? Or have they stuck their little antennae into their ears for the duration of the winter. The clock strikes every hour! But there they are – swish, swish as their wings exercise – open, close - swish, swish.
Is this the safest place for them away from potential predators – mice and spiders? Are there other reasons?
FC. 01539623638 or email Frank@Rdale.e7even.com
Bat Woman to the Rescue!
Having thought that bats were safely tucked up hibernating at this time of the year I was surprised when my Brownber neighbour said she had found one in her house, brought in by her cat, very sleepy but alive. Not knowing what to do I rang the Bat Conservancy in London who told me to place it in a small box with some soft material to lie on and a bottle top full of water, and to only handle it wearing gloves. They then gave me a number for a lady in Kendal who runs a bat rescue.
Having rung her and said we were at Newbiggin on Lune, she gave us a number for Eve at Tebay who also runs a bat rescue and was nearer. Having established that the bat was still alive, we took it to Tebay. Eve told us it was a Pipistrelle and until she had examined it could not say if it had been damaged and would ring us in a couple of days to say how it was.
Well he (it turned out to be a male) was doing well on a diet of meal worms and drops of water off a paint brush and having not been damaged by the cat could be released. Eve wanted him to be returned to his own area and suggested 4 pm was a good time to release him, on a day when it was not too cold and there were insects flying. We were fortunate that these requirements were fulfilled a day later. She placed him on the wall of a neighbour’s bungalow just below an established bat roost; he climbed up under the cladding and was there for a moment but this was evidently not his home (there are other bats in the area); having reappeared he did a few circles of the garden, flying really strongly and disappeared towards the trees.So hopefully it was a successful outcome for one very small Pipistrelle
Ann P. 23317
Link - Bat information courtesy of the BBC
Pipistrelles are the smallest and commonest bat in the UK.. The maximum recorded age is 16 years. Body length: 3.5-4.5cm, Wingspan: 19-25cm, Weight: 3-8g. Pipistrelles emerge from their roosts to feed relatively early - sometimes before sunset. They hunt small moths, gnats and other small insects, often returning to their roost after a couple of hours, although they may emerge for another feed during the night. A single pipistrelle may consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.
Cinderella has been found!
Thanks to the several people who responded to the “horseshoe” question. The most likely offer seems to be that the shoe was in fact on the heel, in that it is likely to have been a metal semi circle that was nailed to boots, to increase their life during hard work – unless you have other suggestions?
FC – 01539623638 or Email details - Frank@Rdale.e7even.com
Don’t worry about the Squirrels (too much)
There have been some concerns expressed about the absence of red squirrels from time to time during winter. In Rdale our squirrels have been “missing” for several days at a time, but have then reappeared – worrying at the time. In parts of Brownber they have now gone for an extended summer break and are only expected back in the autumn. Are they seeking the new shoots appearing on awakening trees in Smardale? If anyone can shed brighter light on this, can they contact me on 01539623638 or Email details - Frank@Rdale.e7even.com It would be useful to gain more knowledge about our squirrel population and their habits so that we can better protect them. Don’t forget, this is a critical time for squirrels in the “breed and feed” program to increase our Rdale Red population – young kittens and nursing mothers need your nuts!
FC
St Oswald’s Restoration…
as at the end of January 2006 (PCC Minutes).
All the contracted external work is complete.
The gutters, lead lining and defective stone have been replaced.
The roof ridge and tower have been re-pointed and the parapet repaired
The gravel, supplied by the contractors free of charge, has been put onto the main path, the turf re-laid and reseeding will be done when necessary
The extra south porch flags have been laid.
Water mains completed and the outside water tap by the boiler house will be boxed in.
The chancel ceiling plaster has been removed.
The joiners are fixing loose floor boards
The access to the roof space has been enlarged
The protective polycarbonate for the 4 stained glass windows and the repair of fixed ventilators on 3 of them will be done after the wedding in March.
Morning Prayer Retiring Collection
Some months ago Ravestonedale PCC decided to have a retiring collection for Charity after the service of Morning Prayer, ( 2nd Sunday in the month, at 9.45am). The charities we have made collections so for far are the Air Ambulance and the Hospice at Home. For the next 6 months the charity selected is Médécins sans Frontières. Dr Carl Hallam went out to work for this charity during the time of the Tsunami.
Annie Greenlees
Ravenstonedale has just lost,in Annie Greenlees,one of it's longest living inhabitants, and St Oswald's has lost one of it's staunchest supporters. We all have our own memories of Annie, but at St Oswald's it is of a cheerful,scurrying little figure,beavering about, scrubbing, dusting, polishing, and then always in her pew on a Sunday and supporting all the church events. A level of dedication which few of us can aspire to today. She will be remembered with affection by all who knew her.JP.
Quiet Prayer
Meditation, contemplation, silent prayer, listening prayer, call it what you like, Christians throughout the ages have used the discipline of sitting still and being quiet in order to come closer to God. Sometimes this seems like a silly idea, and we gather together with like-minded friends to reassure ourselves that it is a task worth doing. The small but determinedly interdenominational group that meets in Ravenstonedale has recently had the pleasure of hosting a joint meeting with friends from Brough Sowerby, Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Armathwaite and as far away as Maryport. Some sixteen of us sat in a peaceful half circle, one of us spoke briefly about the difficulty of distinguishing between love and attachment, and read us that amazing poem by R.S. Thomas which ends ‘ The meaning is in the waiting’, and then we were still and silent for some 25 minutes. Next came a few questions and comments, a small grumble or two, then tea and more general conversation. All this took place in the beautiful and tranquil space of High Chapel. What God did or didn’t say to any of us as individuals, I don’t know, but I am sure that we all went away feeling strengthened and at peace.
Janet Barlow
Lent Group
At Coldbeck Cottage, Ravenstonedale.
The York Course this year is “where is God?”.
It starts on Tuesday 9th March, continuing Tuesday 14th March, Wednesday 22nd March, Tuesday 28th March and Tuesday 4th April. It is led by Rev. Anne Gray. We are very grateful to David and Sally Cannon for their kindness in letting the group meet at Coldbeck Cottage again.
Open House
At the meeting on January 25th it was decided that Open House will be held as usual on Wednesday mornings, 10.00 – 12.00, during March and April, offering coffee and conversation, Traidcraft goods, red squirrel information and local history archives.The final service at High Chapel will be on Saturday April 29th. It was felt at the meeting that Open House is an important weekly community event and that it would be good to continue with it after High Chapel closes. Ann Whappett of the Old Vicarage.
W.I.News
The next meeting of the Ravenstonedale and Newbiggin-on-Lune Women’s Institute will be on Wednesday March 1st at 7.30 pm at TNewbiggin Public Hall. The theme is “Magistrates in the community”, with a talk and slides by Mrs Bradney JP and fellow magistrates. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. The April session (on April 5th) will feature a talk and slides on “Cane and Rush reseating”. Another date for your diaries:- June 27th, a coach trip to Alnwick Castle. More details nearer the date.New members will be very welcome.