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Also in this week's edition:
Cumbria is set to sizzle this weekend, with sunshine on the cards and temperatures climbing and a heat health alert in place.
While exposure to hot weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. The UKHSA has published guidance on staying safe during hot weather. Please do check in on elderly and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours who may be at risk during the hot weather.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have advice to help prevent wildfires and how to stay safe when swimming and out on the water:
Do your bit to help prevent wildfires and protect our country
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Don’t have open fires/campfires or barbecues
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Put out cigarettes completely
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Take care when parking – don’t block access roads, tracks or gates, and be aware hot exhausts on dry grass can ignite fires
What to do if you see a wildfire
If you spot a wildfire, get to a safe place and call 999, telling us as much as you can about the location (What3Words is very helpful) and direction of the fire and what is burning.
Alert us if there is anything or anyone near the fire in immediate danger!
Water safety
With temperatures soaring, our lakes and rivers will seem all that more appealing for a swim but just because it's hot on land doesn't mean the water will be warm. If you’re struggling in the water, remember to float to live. It could save your life.
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Tilt your head back with ears submerged
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Relax and breathe normally
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Move your hands to help stay afloat
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Spread your arms and legs out
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Once your breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety
If someone else is in trouble in the water:
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Call 999 for the emergency services
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Tell the person to float on their back
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Throw them something that floats
Find out more at cumbriafire.gov.uk/water-safety
Heading to the Lakes?
If you’re heading to the Lakes, please Think Before You Park — it’s not just the sheep keeping an eye on you!
We all want to make the most of the sunshine and enjoy our stunning countryside, but in hotspot areas like Stonethwaite and Wasdale, parking can quickly become a real problem. Poor or inconsiderate parking can block access for emergency services and farmers — just a few weeks ago, a bus had to turn back because it couldn’t get through a narrow stretch due to badly parked cars. A blocked road could also delay emergency help or disrupt vital agricultural work.
Plan ahead and check your journey before you set off. You can check for roadworks or disruptions at: https://bit.ly/CumberlandRoadWorks
To help ease traffic and reduce pressure on busy areas, why not make use of local shuttle services?
- The Wasdale Explorer is FREE every weekend until 21 September.
- The Buttermere Shuttle runs weekends from May to August, with just a small fare to hop aboard.
We’re excited to share that the Summer Reading Challenge 2025 officially launches across Cumberland Libraries on Saturday 12 July!
This year’s theme, Story Garden, is all about growing imaginations and encouraging children to enjoy reading throughout the summer break.
The challenge is free to take part in and open to children of all reading abilities. To complete it, participants are encouraged to read six books of their choice — anything from fiction and non-fiction to poetry, picture books, joke books, graphic novels, or digital formats via BorrowBox.
As they progress, children collect themed Story Garden stickers, receive a kitbag, and those who complete the challenge will be awarded a medal and certificate.
There are two challenge versions:
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Mini Challenge (ages 0–3) – with age-appropriate rewards
- Main Challenge (ages 4–11)
Staff across our library service are ready to welcome families and support children in joining and completing the challenge.
For more information, visit: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
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Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council have written to the UK Government to request a deferral to the proposed 2026 Cumbria Mayoral Election.
They have requested that, if required, the election is held in May 2027, a year later than planned.
The Government has yet to confirm that statutory tests have been met and that Devolution in Cumbria can proceed. If it can, both councils then still need to make a formal decision to agree to a Mayoral Combined Authority, which would then require an election.
In a letter requesting a deferral to Rt Hon Jim McMahon MP, Minister for English Devolution and Local Governance, the councils state:
“This request is made in the spirit of constructive partnership and with a shared ambition to ensure the strongest possible foundations for a successful new governance model that delivers for the people of Cumbria.”
Local elections for Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are both scheduled for 2027. Holding a Mayoral Election on the same date would save significant resources, around £1 million if held as a stand-alone election, and would support a higher turnout of voters.
The deferral would also provide more time to prepare for the establishment of a new combined authority, in particular the emerging Industrial Strategy which sets out how Cumbria’s economy can grow in the future.
It was announced that Cumbria was included in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme in February this year.
Both councils were invited to join the Priority Programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria. The new Government set out its intention to widen devolution across England, giving regions more powers and decision-making over matters such as economic development, transport, employment support, planning, and housing.
The Government has not yet reported back on the public consultation exercise it held earlier this year.
We have been honoured with the following awards and commendations at these prestigious awards:
- “Meeting the Challenge” award – Joint Winners: Recognizing a transformative, multi-agency effort to restore a property that had been unoccupied for nearly 20 years.
- Best before & after photo – Highly Commended: Celebrating the incredible transformation of a long-neglected property into a welcoming, liveable space.
- The “Rising Star” award – Highly Commended: Awarded to Laura Moss for her outstanding dedication, leadership, and drive in addressing empty homes.
Members of our Environmental Health team Laura Moss and Sarah Nelson attended the event to accept the awards, which highlight the Council’s innovative approaches to tackling long-term empty homes and creating vibrant communities.
Cumberland Council celebrates national recognition at the Empty Homes Network Awards | Cumberland Council
Image shows before and after shots of one house.
Today (Friday 11 July) we commemorate Srebrenica National Memorial Day.
In advance of today Cumberland Council’s Executive Member, Cllr Elaine Lynch, urged fellow councillors to ‘stand together against those who try to divide us and recommit ourselves to opposing hatred, discrimination, and prejudice wherever they rear their head’.
Speaking at this week’s Council meeting (Tuesday 8 July), Cllr Lynch, Cumberland Council Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Development, spoke about the importance of remembering Srebrenica.
The council is also encouraging local communities to join them and local schools in commemorating the national Memorial Day.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and this evening, some of our buildings will be lit green as we remember.
Find out more: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2025/srebrenica-national-memorial-day-council-pledges-support
View our video: https://youtu.be/xdiBIMxmnIc?si=kX33ffl91UKD5ZJi
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Distington Walled Garden invites you to this year’s Summer Artisan Fete on Saturday 12 July, celebrating local makers, food, and culture in a stunning garden setting.
Enjoy 24 artisan stalls, wood-fired pizza, wine, cider, and beer, and live music from a brass band. Don’t miss the hands-on crafting sessions in the polytunnel - open to all ages.
The café will be open from 10am–2pm, with refreshments available until 3pm.
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Residents are being asked for their thoughts on Harrington marina and shoreline bidding to become a designated bathing water. We are conducting user surveys during the bathing water season (from May until September) and is asking residents for comments as part of a public consultation.
The Council is applying to central Government for bathing water status in the Harrington area later this year.
If designated bathing water status is in place:
- Sampling takes place during the season to make sure the water is safe to swim.
- Signage is erected and public information about bathing water quality is provided.
- Measures are put in place to ensure there is no impact on wildlife or the ecosystem.
- Investment is made to make sure the water meets the required standard.
Find out more here.
We've set out, with the Cumberland Community Safety Partnership, our aims to provide the best possible services for people affected by domestic abuse.
We are proud to launch a new partnership with Growing Well through the Food Cumberland Partnership, aimed at boosting access to fresh, healthy, local food for our communities.
Thanks to funding from the Household Support Fund, we’re now supporting the distribution of weekly fruit and veg boxes — packed with delicious, pesticide-free produce — to food hubs, pantries, and community shops across Cumberland.
By increasing the amount of locally grown fruit and veg available in food support organisations, this scheme aims to improve access to nutritious food, reduce food insecurity, and promote healthier eating across the region.
This project is also a fantastic example of supporting local supply chains and producers - strengthening Cumberland’s food resilience while putting high-quality, locally grown produce on people’s plates.
We’re incredibly grateful to Growing Well and all our partners for helping to make this important initiative a reality.
Together, we’re growing a healthier Cumberland.
Better leisure centres across Cumbria are gearing up to stage two free open days for local residents, promising a weekend of fun and fitness.
On 19 and 20 July, members and non-members alike are invited to attend centres across the region for an ‘exercise extravaganza’ that has been designed to encourage people to move more and explore different activities.
The host of free sessions include:
- Introductory gym trials for adults and juniors where leisure centre staff will be on hand to demonstrate the range of state-of-the-art equipment and advise on the best ways to achieve fitness goals
- Mind and body and strength and conditioning masterclasses for anyone keen to support their wellbeing
- Access to courts and pitches including badminton, pickleball, table tennis and football
- Group cycling, HITT and aerobics classes
- Swim for all, swim for fitness and aqua splash sessions as well as a swim school taster and water safety class
- Free access to the interactive soft play areas.
All activities must be booked in advance and are available at participating centres.
Better’s annual Open Weekend encourages residents to try various activities available at their local leisure and sports centres. The activities are all completely free of charge and many are suitable for the whole family. Participating centres in Cumbria include Penrith, Kendal and Workington Leisure Centres, the Sands Centre, Carlisle and Maryport Activity Centre.
For details about how to claim your free pass, access the schedule of activities at various leisure centres and to secure your place on a specific session go to the Better website.
There'll be some essential maintenance work carried out in the Viaduct car park in Carlisle next week. The work will start on Monday 14 July and is estimated to last for three days.
The car park will remain open throughout the works, however, there will be a slightly reduced capacity. Also, please note there'll be a change to traffic flow in the car park too, this is to create a safe space for our highways teams to work in.
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