So far, this has been a cold winter. We consider it to be the coldest of the five winters we've had since we came to live in Eskdale. However, when we see the problems being experienced by people in other European countries such as Bulgaria whose gas supplies, which come from Russia via the Ukraine have been cut off while they shiver in sub-zero temperatures, we realise that we are quite fortunate.

Nevertheless, we have to try to balance our need to keep warm with the cost of the oil we burn. This last year, we have found ourselves very drawn to the idea of having a woodburner. We are surrounded by trees, but for so long we have taken them for granted while pursuing labour-free methods of heating our homes. It has taken a huge hike in the price of oil to make us aware of the folly of ignoring the resources we have around us.

Wood is cheaper than oil and renewable in a way that oil is not. The local biomass projects make a powerful case for the need to use local resources in order to make country living more sustainable. It would appear that, sadly, our forests have been falling into disrepair because we have not used them.

What is true about the way we keep ourselves warm is perhaps also true about the way we live our lives. Pundits assure us that 2009 will be a difficult year for us all. Perhaps it is time to reflect on how we shall face these external pressures as individuals and a community. Our churches have existed in these parts for hundreds of years and have tried to help people in diffⁱcult times. It is our hope and prayer that they can offer support and strength to this generation.

LENT Easter is later this year. Lent doesn't begin until 25th February with Ash Wednesday. There will be a service of Holy Communion at St Bega's Church at 7pm on that day. Throughout Lent, on Wednesday evenings there will be a short service of Compline at 7pm at St Bega's.

LENT DISCUSSIONS This year our Lent discussions will consider rural issues and, as in the past, will take place on Thursdays. The first meeting will be on Thursday 5th March at noon in St Bega's Church. The discussions will last until approximately lpm when Lent Lunches (soup, rolls and cheese) will be served in the hall for those able to stay. St Bega's schoolchildren will again be taking part in the provision of the lunches and will help to decide where the money raised should go. In our first meeting, we shall debate issues surrounding farming and we are delighted that Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington has agreed to be our first speaker. Always an entertaining speaker, Patrick is a free thinker who brings an extensive experience of farming and the concerns of farmers to what he has to say. Details of the other sessions will be announced in the next magazine.