|
Also in this week's edition:
The creation of Maryport Maritime Museum, a new destination being created in the former Christ Church as part of our £12 million regeneration of the town, is taking longer than planned after some windows were found to be more damaged than initially thought.
Christ Church is more than 150 years old and suffered decades of deterioration before Allerdale Borough Council bought it in 2020. Its reinvention as the Maritime Museum was then taken up by Cumberland Council. It will now open in the autumn, will bring an historic building back to life and celebrate the town’s place in seafaring heritage.
During the conservation project, the main contractor, Thomas Armstrong Construction, discovered the fragility of the glass and frames of some of the windows was worse than first surveyed. The stained-glass windows are not affected; it is solely the areas containing leaded glass which need to be replaced.
Resolving the damage was further delayed by the fact the building is Grade II listed and so replacement of the windows needed Listed Building planning consent. It also sits in a Conservation Area, and is of significant historic importance, featuring prominently in Maryport’s maritime heritage, and being the focus of artists such as LS Lowry. Additional funding was also sought to pay for the additional conservation works.
However, behind the scenes, the rest of the project continues as planned, including an exciting interpretation fit out with many interactive features. The reception area and shop fittings are in, and the stunning mezzanine floor, crow’s nest and lighting displays are also complete.
|
Cumbria Arts and Culture Network and Cumbria Music Hub are bringing the energy and colour of Indian pop music to communities across the county with a series of workshops led by the Bollywood Brass Band.
Taking place in Millom, Maryport, Kirkby Stephen and Alston, the sessions are a chance to explore instruments like drums, percussion and keyboards, and learn more about Indian pop music.
It’s a fun chance to try new instruments and join together to make music. No experience is needed, and instruments are provided - but if you already play something, feel free to bring it along.
|
Visitors can get a flavour of Maryport’s past as they discover an historic Postcard Trail at the 2025 Taste of the Sea festival - and win a prize in the process.
The competition takes place over the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August and is designed to take people all around the town centre to explore the retailers and eateries, as well as promote the new Maritime Museum in Christ Church.
In 10 key businesses there will be posters featuring ‘A Message from Maryport…’ - postcards featuring scenes and real greetings from people who have visited the town in the past.
Visitors simply have to note the name of the business which features each of the postcards to be in with a chance of winning a Samsung tablet, a year’s family pass to the new Maryport Maritime Museum, or a Maryport print from local artist Chloe’s Chateau.
Entry forms will be available from the Taste Cumbria Info Point on the Marine Road showfield, or from Redby Coffee at 19 Senhouse Street. The deadline for entries is 3pm on Sunday 10 August 2025.
|
Don’t forget Whitehaven's fun, free festival next Friday (8 August) from 10am until 3pm.
The Wellbeing Festival, at Whitehaven Rugby League Club’s Coach Road ground, will be packed with family-friendly attractions and advice on a huge range of issues.
|
Come and visit Cumbria Fostering’s information stand at Pride by the Harbourside in Whitehaven on Saturday, 16 August. Whether you're thinking about fostering or just want to learn more, it’s a great chance to speak to our friendly team and discover how you could make a real difference in a child’s life.
We’ll be there throughout the day with helpful information to take away and plenty of time to chat and answer your questions. You don’t need to have any specific background to foster - just the willingness to care, listen, and support a child when they need it most.
Join us at this vibrant, inclusive event and take the first step on your fostering journey in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
We can’t wait to meet you at the harbour and help you explore the possibilities of fostering in Cumbria!
Visit cumbriafostering.org.uk for more information.
|
After an incredible 44-year career, Les Bell, Highways Operations Engineer, is retiring from Cumberland Council.
Starting as a Trainee Roadworker in 1981, Les went on to play a key role in many of West Cumbria’s major highways projects and was twice named Apprentice of the Year.
Known as the council’s go-to expert for winter maintenance, Les spent the last decade as a respected engineer, mentor, and leader - particularly at the Lillyhall depot, where his calm, practical approach and sense of humour made a lasting impact.
Les has been described as “a cornerstone of the Highways team” and “a true professional.” Les will be greatly missed and warmly remembered!
|
A consultation on changing the date of some parish council elections in Cumberland - so they can be aligned with others in the area - has been launched.
The proposal is to amend the dates of scheduled elections for some parish councils in the former Carlisle City Council district, so they align with Cumberland Council and all other town/parish elections in the area which are to be held in 2027, and four-yearly thereafter
Eight parish councils would be affected, with one election for Dalston Parish Council, pushed back by one year from 2026 to 2027, and five others brought forward by one year from 2028 to 2027. Those affected councils are:
- Carlatton and Cumrew Parish Council
- Castle Carrock Parish Council
- Cumwhitton Parish Council
The alignment of scheduled parish and town council elections is being proposed as holding combined elections minimises the cost not only to the relevant parish/town councils but also to Cumberland Council who administer local elections.
Parish/town councils are required to cover the costs of their elections, and if these are not combined with the upper tier authority elections these are considerably more expensive.
The move would also reduce confusion and uncertainty for electors by holding elections on the same day instead of in separate years.
The consultation is open to anyone and runs until Monday 8 September 2025.
Agreement to launch a community governance review was made by members of Cumberland Council at a meeting on July 8.
We urge residents to dispose of batteries responsibly and avoid placing them in regular waste bins. Last week, a fire started in a refuse vehicle, highlighting the risks of improper disposal.
Batteries in items like toothbrushes, toys, phones, e-cigs, and laptops, especially rechargeable Lithium-ion ones, can cause fires or explosions if damaged.
For safety and environmental protection, use designated battery recycling bins at Household Waste Recycling Centres and most supermarkets in Cumberland. Find your nearest collection point at the Recycle More website.
Let's keep Cumberland safe and green!
We're cracking down on irresponsible dog ownership with Operation T.U.R.D. (Together, United for Responsible Dog Ownership) - because dodging dog mess shouldn't be an extreme sport!
Let’s keep our communities clean and safe:
- Always carry waste bags
- Pick up after your dog
- Dispose of waste properly
We are pleased to announce the reopening of the popular Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Hammond’s Pond, following a refurbishment.
In addition, the nearby children’s play park has also benefited from upgrades, improving both safety and accessibility for all users.
The MUGA has undergone significant improvements. The old fencing and goals have been replaced, the surface fully renewed and new line markings for football and basketball added, offering a safer, more durable playing environment.
The improvements were funded through the Carlisle Town Deal and form part of the Start with the Park, an initiative focused on enhancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of green spaces across Carlisle. The programme is a key element of Cumberland Council’s £100 million regeneration plan for the city, supported by UK Government investment via the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deal, and Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
Keep your home warmer and save money on your bills this winter with free upgrades through the Ofgem ECO scheme!
You could get loft insulation, wall insulation, solar panels, and heating system upgrades installed free of charge if you have a low income or a qualifying health condition.
Are you eligible? Find out at www.cumberland.gov.uk/eco or contact us at:
We've started the annual canvass of electors - a process which looks to ensure the details held on the electoral register are correct. The process also helps identify any residents who are not registered, so that they can be given the opportunity to apply.
Each year the council contacts every household to check whether it has the correct people registered to vote and to ask residents to inform it of any changes.
Residents may therefore start to receive emails or letters over the coming weeks asking them to check who it has on the register and inform it of any changes.
We are taking a major step forward in tackling some of the most pressing health issues and inequalities affecting local communities.
We host the Cumberland Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) and they are calling on individuals, local services, organisations, and professionals to share evidence that could help shape a healthier future for all residents.
Cumberland HDRC is particularly interested in evidence relating to financial poverty, housing, employment, mental health, neurodiversity, substance use, obesity, food insecurity, or cared for children.
Evidence can take many forms, including statistics, needs analyses, community mapping, service designs or specifications, project evaluations, or wider research that would help us to understand:
- Who experiences these issues and how prevalent they are?
- What causes, drives or exacerbates these issues?
- What services reduce or improve these issues?
The council encourages anyone with relevant materials to get in touch. The HDRC team is available for a chat and can be contacted via email at hdrc@cumberland.gov.uk. The team can also arrange a visit to chat more about how you support Cumberland’s community with the issues outlined.
You can also post your evidence to: Cumberland Council, Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate, Carlisle CA1 1RZ.
Please be aware that Bousteads Grassing Household Waste Recycling Centre will experience temporary closures and service disruption on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August due to essential flood defence repair works by the Environment Agency.
What to expect:
- Monday 4 August - Temporary site closures throughout the day for safe equipment movement.
- Tuesday 5 August - Minor service disruption in the morning.
If possible, please delay your visit and hold on to your waste until the works are complete. Normal service will resume on Wednesday 6 August.
- A reminder that we have improvement works beginning next week in Cecil Street car park in Carlisle - the site behind Cumbria House. The work, which involves some resurfacing, is due to begin on Monday 4 August and is expected to last for five working days. The car park will remain open for the duration of the works, but as the scheme progresses some areas of the site will be unavailable for use. Find an alternative car park at Cumberland Council website.
- We will be carrying out essential carriageway improvement works on the C1003 Longtown, between the A7 and Longtown Primary School, from Monday 4 August to Friday 15 August 2025 (excluding weekends).
- With many agricultural businesses across Cumbria already benefiting from improved digital infrastructure and as access to faster, more reliable services continues to expand, the Connecting Cumbria team is encouraging everyone to check what broadband and mobile connectivity is now available in their area.
- We are inviting residents to share their views on a proposal to extend the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to include three key locations in Carlisle: Rickerby Park, Botchergate, and the Sheepmount.
|
