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A Climate of Truth
Thursday, 27th March 2025, 12:31:00

Argles Memorial Hall, 28th May at 8pm with Mike Berners-Lee. Tickets £8 from Ann Smith, proceeds to the Hall.


CLEAN initiative
Friday, 25th April 2025, 12:47:10

Crosthwaite Garden Group completes bulk compost purchase reducing both cost and carbon footprint.


Experience Easter
Sunday, 20th April 2025, 14:28:19

Over 120 children from 2 schools came to St Mary's to Experience Easter. Do come and have a look at the displays until...


Latest Diocese News
Tuesday, 15th April 2025, 19:13:28

Carlisle Diocese News.


Latest Two Valleys Parish News
Thursday, 10th April 2025, 12:05:27

Two Valleys Parish News for March 2025.


Church Service Sheet
Monday, 31st March 2025, 17:53:57

A list of Church Services in the local parishes for the month.


King's Food Bank
Wednesday, 26th February 2025, 17:20:36

King's Food Bank Newsletter.


Exchange Dates
Friday, 21st February 2025, 17:50:48

Tea@2 and Special Lunch Dates in the coming months. Booking essential for special lunches.


Crosthwaite Show 2025 Schedule
Friday, 31st January 2025, 17:22:31

... now available for download (click heading) and for collection from various village locations.


Crosthwaite Show 2025
Tuesday, 14th January 2025, 15:34:34

Keep the date (12th July) and watch out for Schedules coming soon. Click above or see the Parish magazine for a taster...


Landowners' minutes
Tuesday, 19th November 2024, 18:35:27

Landowners' - minutes for the 6th February 2024.


Churches Together
Wednesday, 20th March 2024, 14:10:16

Churches together in Cumbria.


Ruth Radley
Saturday, 8th July 2023, 12:48:07

Ruth Radley's Latest Link Letter


Church Notice Sheet
Sunday, 26th February 2023, 12:25:24

New Church Notice Sheet for the week.


Cumbria Prayer Diary
Saturday, 11th February 2023, 11:24:17

Read the latest Cumbria Prayer Diary here.


Latest Sermon audio clip
Sunday, 22nd January 2023, 12:54:54

Michael Woodcock's latest Sermon - Weekly Worship - why is it important?.mp3.


Crosthwaite Weather Report
Saturday, 1st January 2022, 07:58:37

Crosthwaite Weather Report for December 2021.


The Damson Valley

The Parish of Crosthwaite and Lyth border lies 5 miles west of Kendal, 5 miles north of Grange-over-Sands and 3 miles south of Bowness-on-Windermere. The M6 motorway is 5 miles from the parish. Manchester Airport is 82 miles to the south. The equivalent distances from Crosthwaite village are 5½ miles to Kendal, 11 miles to Grange, 6 miles to Bowness and 11 miles to the M6.

Some useful postcodes for your SatNav when visiting Crosthwaite - St. Mary's church & Punch Bowl Inn LA8 8HR, School & Argles Memorial Hall LA8 8HT, Bowling club LA8 8HU, Dodd's Howe LA8 8HX, Starnthwaite LA8 8JN & LA8 8HZ, Damson Dene hotel LA8 8JE.

Crosthwaite derives its name from the old Scandinavian word, "thwaite", meaning a clearing in a forest or a piece of land, which has been enclosed. This was blended with "Cross", which may reflect the earlier Christian connections with the Irish or Angle missionaries of the sixth or seventh century. The Norsemen also gave the Lyth Valley its name; "hlith" means sloping hillside. More...


Quick Links
Damson blossom

Damson blossom

The Westmorland damson is a lovely local food, grown in the picturesque orchards of the Lyth Valley. It is used to make a wide range of items such as jam, chutney, puddings and gin – it is great in Eton Mess. It is a member of the plum family and is thought to be a type of Shropshire prune (possibly the Blue Violet) but improved by the unique conditions in Westmorland and pollination by the wild Bullace and Sloe. There are damsons in other parts of the British Isles but the flavour of the smaller Westmorland damson is said to be second to none.

Westmorland damsons grow mainly in and around the Lyth and Winster valleys, south-west of Kendal in the English Lake District. The orchards of the Lyth Valley are unique, surrounding each small farmstead and growing along every hedgerow in the valley.

At some time in April, exactly when depending on the weather, the orchards and hedgerows become snow white with blossom - a wonderful sight to see. The fruit ripens in September and is sold from roadside stalls and in local shops.

Originally damsons came from the area around Damascus, hence the name. Some say the Crusaders brought back damson stones to try in England. Damson trees are often found around sites of Roman camps - perhaps the Romans introduced them to Britain. Damson stones were found in a bag round the waist of a 4000 year-old 'Ice Man' uncovered recently in the Alps. Damson stones have been excavated at the Viking Yorvick centre at York.


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