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Month: August 2025

Free Drop In Session offering advice on Business Services

Free ‘Drop-In’ Session Will Offer People Advice On A Range Of Business Services

A special ‘drop-in’ event where people can gain free advice about a whole range of business services is to be held in Kendal in September.

People attending the session at Stricklandgate House on 22nd September will be able to speak to an insurance broker, financial advisor, accountant, property investor and utilities provider.

“It will be a great opportunity for people to ask questions and obtain advice, guidance and support at no cost,” said Mike O’Connor, Account Executive with commercial and personal insurance broker Simpson & Parsons Insurance Consultants Ltd, who will be one of those visitors can speak to at the event.

“Hopefully what they hear might provide them with peace of mind, allow them to take cost-effective decisions and potentially save some money.” He said the event was aimed at representatives of local companies as well as individual members of the public.

Among those offering advice on the day will be:

• Financial advisor Lindsay Gibson, of Emerald Associates, who will be able to give advice about pensions, investments and inheritance tax planning

• Helen Callaghan, of ICS Accounting and Staveley-based Hanley & Co, which can help businesses and individuals with advice about a range of accounting services, including payroll, annual accounts and VAT returns

• Tracey Auckland, a partner of multiservice provider Utility Warehouse, who will be able to offer advice about utility bills, including energy, broadband and mobile phones

• Kate Smith-Potts, a co-director of Ample Property Group, who will be able to offer guidance to those who want to earn an income through property investment

• Mike O’Connor, of Simpson & Parsons, which has offices in Windermere and Kendal, who will offer advice and answer questions about any commercial or personal insurance matters and employee benefit programmes

“All of us are members of business networking group South Lakes BNI and we decided it would be great to collaborate and put on this event,” said Mike. “Many of the services we offer are intertwined – for example, someone making an investment in property will probably also be thinking about getting insurance and looking at their utility bills. If people wanted advice about all these topics, they would normally have to make multiple phone calls or visit several offices, whereas with our event, they will be able to get advice from different businesses at the same time. These services are often things that people procrastinate about so this event will give them the opportunity to tick off several in one visit.”

He said the event was being held at Stricklandgate House, which provides accommodation, common services and facilities for voluntary organisations in South Lakeland, because those taking part wanted to support the local community and help the charity.

The drop-in session will take place from 10am to 3pm on September 22nd. People will not need to book – they can simply turn up on the day.

“If people wish to discuss confidential matters, they can exchange contact details with the business concerned and arrange to meet on another day,” said Mike.

He added that if the event proved a success, it could be the springboard for similar sessions, some of which might have a specific theme.

261 Fearless Running Club

New Running Group in Arnside – ‘261 Fearless Club’

Do you dream of being able to run but don’t believe you can?

Why not pop along to our coffee and information event on Tuesday, 23rd September at 9.30am at Arnside House on the Prom.

Discover how a supportive, non-competitive, women-only environment can help you become a more healthy, empowered you.

Get in touch by emailing: Arnside@261ClubUK.co.uk

Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape

Arnside & Silverdale Grants Fund

This is a small, local grants fund administered by Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape and the Arnside/Silverdale Landscape Trust and aimed at supporting projects which provide a public benefit and are directly related to the landscape.

These projects could be focused on the history and heritage of the area, nature recovery or helping people get out and enjoy and appreciate this special place.

We welcome applications of up to £4,000, and applications are now open.

To find out more information about the fund, visit the website by clicking here.


GriefShare Logo

GriefShare Bereavement Support Group

Have you been bereaved? Grief is often a painful and emotional journey with many challenges.
GriefShare is a support group offering ongoing help, comfort and encouragement through videos, discussion and workbook. You will find practical help in the videos for the way ahead, reassurance from others in the group and further help in the workbook.
Meeting weekly on Wednesdays from October 29th 2025 until February 11th 2026 from 2pm – 3.30pm at CFM Community Centre, 101 Kellet Rd, Carnforth LA5 9LR (next to the High School). 

More details can be found on the GriefShare website: https://www.griefshare.org
You can register on the website for the group – type ‘Carnforth’ in the find a group search box,or email carnforthgriefshare@gmail.com, ring Elspeth on 01524 702966, or just come along on the day.

Loss of a spouse

Are you grieving after the death of a spouse? Or know someone who is? Come to this standalone session on 22nd October 2025 at 2pm at CFM Community Centre, 101 Kellet Rd Carnforth LA5 9LR, same contact details as above.

You’ll hear:

• Practical advice from others who’ve been there.

• What to expect in your grief.

• How to cope with life without your spouse.

• Why it won’t always hurt this much.

Silverdale Renaissance

Crowd-funding Appeal for Silverdale Renaissance

Help us bring great live music to our community!

Silverdale Renaissance is a small, local, voluntary group that organises concerts of early and baroque music and singers’ workshops in Silverdale and Arnside.

We need funds so we can cover our costs without setting ticket prices at an unaffordable level.

The Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund has pledged £4,000 to our appeal, but only on condition that we raise the rest of the money. We are doing well but have £650 still to raise by the end of August.

Please support our appeal: every little helps! https://www.spacehive.com/bring-early-music-to-the-bay

The New Season of Quest Talks Coming in September!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY… Only a couple of months until the Quest Talks start for the 2025-26 season.

Subscriptions stay at £18 for all 12 talks including tea/coffee and biscuits – a bargain! Guests are now £3 per talk. Since you probably won’t have your 2026 diary yet, here are the dates for 2025 …

  • 25th September – “Holy cow – India is so amazing!”, popular speaker Norman Harris returns to open the season
  • 9th October – “Morecambe landladies” by David Evans
  • 23th October – “Aerial photography” by Colin Aldred
  • 13th November – “Thefts, fakes and forgeries – greatest art crimes” by Ann-Marie Michel
  • 27th November – “Bringing back pine martens” by Dr Mic Mayhew, followed by optional Hotpot Lunch and Quiz
  • 11th December – “Quest for the ancient sea kings” by Polly Gee

All talks are on Thursdays and start at 10:00am at the Athenaeum Village Hall, Leasgill nr Milnthorpe LA7 7ET

Any questions to Adrian Tayler – aptayler@gmail.com