THANKS – the Parish Council on behalf of all Dalston residents would like to express its appreciation to all those involved in the following:

Cumbria in Bloom – Dalston looked really special on the judging day with no litter in sight (thank you volunteer litter pickers)! Thank you to John Kelsey and Tom Rawstron for accompanying/driving the judges round the village and to Ronnie and Liz Auld for compiling the leaflet. Especial mention must be made of all those involved in the care of St Michael’s School garden, Barras House grounds, Caldew School ASD garden, the Station platform area, the Recreation Building/Area and the Bowling Club. A group of pupils at Caldew School have created three spectacular panels for the Station, which hopefully will be installed in September – a visit to see them will be a must, even if you are not catching the train! Thanks are due to Northern Rail for its assistance with this project. The successful Caldew School Open Minds Day included a survey of the wild flower meadow at Forge Green, with most of the species planted by the Scouts last year being identified. Special thanks must be extended to Andrew Edgar and his team from Orchard Grounds Maintenance for their extra efforts with the grass cutting and ground works. Finally thank you to all residents and businesses for having lovely gardens, tubs, hanging baskets etc and to all the volunteers for planting, watering and caring for the public garden areas in Dalston. Hopefully we will be rewarded with a trophy at the beginning of September when the winners are announced.

Dalston Festival – What a wonderful week we all enjoyed culminating in Dalston Show, with something to entertain everyone. A huge thank you should be extended to the Festival Committee members – Alan Dinning, Steve Withers, Anne McKerrell, Peter Kirby, Carol Douglas, Cynthia Millar, Judy Rickerby, Lorraine Stephens, Bryan Craig and Ronnie Auld together with all those in the various organisations that provided facilities and helpers who put on exhibitions, made teas etc. The scarecrows were particularly innovative and entertaining this year, the refreshments delicious and all the events and displays well organised and much enjoyed. Photographs of all the events and the scarecrows can be viewed at www.dalston.org.uk

Carlisle Parish Councils Association – Dalston is grateful for grants received through CPCA. So far this year £1,500 has been received for the resurfacing of the paths at Raughton Head Church and £400 for an additional litterbin at the Recreation Field. Once the work is completed, grants have been allocated for the Victory Hall roof repairs £432, Church House water heater £250 and Cumdivock Reading Room emergency lighting £300. Grants have also been applied for in the second round allocation.

FUNDING – Local Area Agreement funding is available for agriculture related businesses and farm diversification schemes. If you are interested in finding out more information please contact the Clerk – 01228 712920.

DALSTON PARISH COUNCIL CLERK – Andrea McCallum has started work alongside Liz Auld who retires at the end of October. Until notified differently the Clerk(s) can be contacted on 01228 712920 or liza@carlisle-city.gov.uk.

APOLOGY – A letter of apology was received from the Editorial Director for including the Dalston Parish Council meeting agenda in full after the meeting had taken place in the Cumberland News District News section on 17th July 2009. This was obviously a mistake, which hopefully did not cause too much distress to anyone.

Liz Auld - Clerk to Dalston Parish Council