Kendal needs you

And so does Keswick, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Appleby and all the other Cumbrian and North Lancs towns and villages which have been dealt such a cruel blow by the forces of Nature.

Of course our prime concern must be for all those who have been forced out of their homes. The self help community spirit is heartwarming and large amounts of money are being contributed by people who care.

But the floods and the news stories have had a serious knock on effect on shop keepers in the crucial run up to Christmas. Shoppers have stayed away and the non stop rain last Saturday did not help.

These towns have a higher than average number of shops owned by individuals rather than by big chains. It is harder for them to lose trade.

Of course you need to set off early to find easy parking. It was no problem at 9.00 this morning.

Thanks to all those who yesterday put my blip into popular. I don't get there very often as I try to keep the number of my followers down to a level where I can comment whilst still leaving time for all the other good things in life.