ABOUT PENTALK
History
The Pentalk Network was originally set up in March 2001 by Ann Risman as a localised rapid reaction scheme in the Penrith area of Cumbria to provide free computers and IT training for farmers at the height of the foot and mouth crisis. It rapidly spread to the whole of the County and now has over 2400 Cumbrian farmers in its membership. The scheme is run by a voluntary charitable company, which draws its financial support from local, and national government, and from educational, business and charitable sources. Funds are held at Barclay's Bank Penrith and its main office operates from the PFK Auction Mart at Junction 40 in Penrith.
Our Aims
Only a few years ago an electronic communication network for farmers throughout the scattered rural areas of Cumbria would have seemed a far-fetched idea. The birth of the Pentalk Network has given farmers the helping hand they needed to catch up with the rest of the world through the use of computers and electronic communication. Pentalk strives to continue to help farmers to communicate more effectively online and develop their IT skills to improve their farm businesses.
Operation
The scheme has 9 farmer co-ordinators who represent Pentalk in their area and they support the new learners and arrange courses with Partner training providers and with Cumbria County Council Education Service. The farming agencies: NFU, the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, and the agribusiness companies and Auction Marts advise Pentalk and work closely with the scheme to build for the future.
Awards
The scheme has been in operation for five years and has won a number of awards:
-
NW regional winner UK On Line e-commerce Awards 2002 & 2003.
-
National Winner UK On Line e-commerce Awards 2003.
-
Cumberland News Countryside Awards winner 2002.
-
Cumberland News Countryside Awards finalist 2003.
-
NIACE National Individual Award 2003 for Steve Pattinson.
-
NIACE Outstanding winner of the New Learning Opportunities Awards 2004.
-
Beacon Trust Highly Commended (New Initiatives) Individual Award 2004 for our Organiser, Ann Risman OBE.
-
Beacon Trust Highly Commended (Community Building) Individual Award 2005 for our Organiser, Ann Risman OBE.
-
Finalists in the category digital inclusion in the UK E-Well Being Awards 2005.
PENTALK TRUSTEES
|
Name: Joe Harris
Position: Chairman |
Name: Ann Risman
Position: Organiser |
PENTALK OFFICE
|
Name: Michelle
Position: Office Administrator
Email: mailbox@pentalk.org
Phone Number: 01768 840500
|
Name: Alison Burbury
Position: Photo Club
Coordinator: North Central
Email: photos@pentalk.org
Phone Number: 01768 840500 |
|
Name: Danielle
Position: Office Administrator
Email: dbase@pentalk.org
Phone Number: 01768 840500 |
Name: Anthea Gordan
Position: Finance Officer
Phone Number: 01768 840500
|
PENTALK AREA CO-ORDINATORS
|
Name: Betty Graham
Coordinator: North West
|
Name: David Knowles
Position: Webmaster
Coordinator: Kendale East and
South Lakes |
|
Name: Joyce Reed
Coordinator: West Cumbria |
Name: Sharron Metcalfe
Coordinator: Penrith and Eden Valley |
