ASBY GARDENING CLUB

Next meeting: Fri 17 January.
Lowther Castle

Meet at the bus shelter to arrange transport at 11am.
To see the new plantings in the Japanese and rock gardens, and stretch our legs
in the grounds after the Christmas and New Year festivities
(or just have a cuppa and snack in the café!).

For more information, contact
Chris Hollett, Harlea House, 017683 53835,
or Jackie Frankish, 2 Townend, 01768352931,

Tonight’s Quizmasters:

TBC

This month’s supported charity:

TBC

“The Geological History of the River Lune from the Ice Age until the present day”

Presenter: Paul Carling

This talk will explore how we can decypher the history of rivers from the evidence in the landscape. The river courses we see today are not static but have changed through time and will continue to change, through natural processes, if but slowly when seen from a human perspective.

The major river valleys of Lakeland and the Pennines we see today, probably were recognizable just before the Ice Age commenced. This talk follows the physical evolution of the River Lune as it was affected by a covering of glacial ice. At the end of the Ice Age, the Lune was a river draining meltwater from the retreating ice front. The land surface began to rebound upwards as the weight of ice was removed, at the same time as the sea level rose. These two processes led to waves of incision into the riverbed forming river terraces (benches) either side of the course as far as Lancaster. Dating when the sediment in the terraces was deposited allows a timescale to be produced for the river’s history.

The river history continues due to present-day climate change.

AHG members free; non-members £5 

“The Small Hand”

Susan Hill

Lead: Jackie

Part of: Susan Hill’s Ghost Stories.

Late one summer evening, antiquarian bookseller Adam Snow is returning from a client visit when he takes a wrong turn. He stumbles across a derelict Edwardian house and, compelled by curiosity, approaches the door. Standing before the entrance, he feels the unmistakable sensation of a small cold hand creeping into his own, ‘as if a child had taken hold of it’.
At first he is merely puzzled by the odd incident but then begins to suffer attacks of fear and panic, and is visited by nightmares. He is determined to learn more about the house. But when he does, he receives further, increasingly sinister, visits from the small hand.

All welcome – no fees – just come along to listen even if you have not read the book.

Asby Parish Council 

There will be a meeting of the parish council at
7:00pm on Thursday 27 February
in the Village Hall.

The complete agenda, and minutes of previous meetings,
will be made available on the parish website.

“Engleby ”

Sebastian Faulkes

Lead: Carole

The tale of a working class boy who wins a place at an esteemed university and becomes a suspect in a murder investigation after the disappearance of a girl from a nearby college

All welcome – no fees – just come along to listen even if you have not read the book.

“Understanding 18th Century Gravestone Symbols”

Presenter: Mark Hatton

18th century gravestones often show us strange and intriguing images of skulls, crossbones, trumpets and tools.  This illustrated talk explains the meaning of such symbols and why they were used.  By unlocking the meaning of these symbols we can find out so much about the Lives, Hopes, Fears & Faith of the people who chose them and the stonemasons who made them.

Why are these women (on a gravestone at Keswick) holding up a huge skull in one hand, whilst pulling up their skirts with the other hand ?

…Come along to this talk to find out!

AHG members free; non-members £5 

“Death at the Sign of the Rook”

Kate Atkinson

Lead: Gina

The latest and highly anticipated tale in Kate Atkinson’s popular Jackson Brodie series, this adventure apparently ‘pays homage to Agatha Christie.’…intriguing.

All welcome – no fees – just come along to listen even if you have not read the book.

“FIVE SCOER YOWSSES & IJ OLD BOTLES
– 16th Century Wills and Inventories from Appleby”

Presenter: Barry McKay

Some interesting aspects of life in and around Appleby – the county town of Westmorland – during the reign of Elizabeth I. An attempt is made to discover the lives, work and goods owned by men and women across a range of social classes using information drawn from an analysis of over 200 probate inventories of goods and chattels from the period.

AHG members free; non-members £5 

“Politics on the Edge”

Rory Stewart

Lead: Chris

An honest account from a highly respected intellectual and one-time Conservative MP of our constituency, about his time in Westminster, what he learned from it, and his need for us to know the machinery of government.

All welcome – no fees – just come along to listen even if you have not read the book.

“Plaques and headstones:
Personal stories in stone and brass in St Peter’s, Great Asby, and its churchyard”

Presenter: Barry McKay

Full details to follow.

AHG members free; non-members £5 

“All My Wild Mothers”

Victoria Bennett

Lead: Pam

“An exploration of grief, identity and rediscovery. A testament that life and love persists, even when we think all is lost.” This book has been written by the sister of a wonderful young woman who some of us knew very well and who tragically lost her life long before time, leaving a young family behind. Floored by her grief, Victoria Bennet’s book is about her subsequent move to Cumbria and the hope and solace she found in her growing of a wild apothecary garden. Speaking personaly, I can’t wait to read this one.

All welcome – no fees – just come along to listen even if you have not read the book.