As Spring makes itself felt in our Valley, we – and the whole County are sighing with relief that the days will be dryer and brighter and the storms of the past winter are now well and truly behind us.
I feel a huge thank-you is due to the whole community of Howtown, the Outward Bound and the Mountain Rescue who have worked quietly, efficiently and without fuss, pulling together, to ensure that the valley is open for the coming season and ready to welcome the visitors upon which the whole Lake District relies so heavily.
Some of you may know the Bridge from which the Village of Pooley Bridge gets it’s name, was washed away with the floods, and the drive round the A66, to get back onto the B5320 - Howtown road has been taxing to say the least. However, with much happiness I can now shout from the rooftops that just in time for Easter “POOLEY BRIDGE HAS BEEN RE-BRIDGED” and the gates connecting the communities are open once more!
Cote Farm, which is our hotel farm and the Fusedale Valley took a huge battering and we had several landslides surrounding the farm buildings, blocking the road in and out. Luckily the Farm House and buildings weren’t damaged and although it has been a winter of massive effort and work for all concerned, we now look forward to the lambing season. Just about to begin, the sight and the sounds of the young lambs playing in the fields reinvigorates the valley and are the most welcome sights of Spring.
Easter 2016 will also herald the opening of ‘The Howtown Tearoom’. A completely new venture, the tearoom is situated in a Barn Conversion adjacent to the Hotel and offers a separate facility for walkers and visitors to enjoy a range of delicious home-made scones, cakes, light lunches and coffees throughout the day. This is absolutely THE perfect place to stop off from your travels and relax, enjoy the scenery and revel in the hospitality that we offer.
All the work has been carried out by local craftsmen and the atmosphere of the tearoom is unrivalled. I look forward to meeting many of you here, as I too take up my seat and take time out to enjoy the fabulous fayre on offer, whilst contemplating the beauty of the day ahead.
So Howtown, the Hotel, Cottages and now our new Tearoom await your arrival. Quiet, safe, understated and the most precious of places, it is these qualities that attracted me to this community over 30 years ago. It truly is a place where traditional hospitality remains untainted and the location, unrivalled.
Eddie Kay
PS: I am happy to report that many of the staff are returning this season, with a couple of new members, I am sure they will help everyone enjoy their stay at Howtown!