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Taste of the Sea success!
Thousands of people ate, drank, danced and shopped at the fifth Maryport Taste of the Sea festival this weekend.
The event was the biggest yet – spread over two sites, right around the town’s historic waterfront. It used the new Harbourside event space, created as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration projects, and the Marine Road showfield.
The festival also marked the official opening of the new event space, where international chef Jack Stein, son of TV star Rick Stein, and Cartmel’s Masterchef winner Irini Tzortzoglou, were both showcasing their skills. Elsewhere in the festival, there was a big Producers’ Market, packed with local food and drink, two stages for live entertainment, and a lively Rum Bar, run by the team from Maryport Round Table.
The team from Chelaris fishing boat were selling their catch, many traders, including the Oyster Bar, sold out twice, and the Teenage Market and TEG Retail stalls were also doing brisk trade.
Ten of Maryport’s brilliant businesses, many of which have benefited from shopfront grants as part of the Council’s regeneration work, also took part in a Postcard Trail featuring scenes from the past and promoting Maryport Maritime Museum ahead of its opening this Autumn.
None of this could happen without a massive team effort. The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and Taste of the Sea’s major sponsor is Maryport Town Council. Thank you also to the other 2025 sponsors, Milburns Solicitors, Grants Oak Smoked, Thomas Armstrong Construction and Forth Engineering, and our supporters Maryport Business Group, Maryport Round Table and Maryport Harbour Authority.
Photo credit: Taste Cumbria/Tom Kay Photographic.
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Also in this week's edition:
Staying cool in the warmer weather
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keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
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if you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
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keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
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if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen
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drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
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check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
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know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
Water safety advice from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service
With the sun shining and temperature rising, we know how tempting it can be to cool off with a dip in our rivers and lakes.
But while we want everyone to enjoy our waters and make the most of the summer sun, we also want to make sure we do this safely and responsibly.
You should be aware of cold water shock, unseen hazards under the water, and know what to do if you get into difficulty or spot someone in trouble.
Protect against fires
Do also stay aware of the risk of wildfires in our beautiful countryside. Together we can keep Cumbria safe.
Do your bit to help prevent wildfires and protect our county
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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!
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Supported by funding from Natural England’s ‘Access for All’ grant, we have successfully installed three new footbridges along the King Charles III England Coast Path between Maryport and Flimby.
Delivered by the Council’s Countryside Access team as part of the 2025–26 annual maintenance programme, the project aims to improve safety and accessibility for all users of this popular coastal route.
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The new bridges were carefully selected from three different suppliers to ensure the best design, durability, and accessibility features. Each bridge includes wider spans, anti-slip surfaces, and level access with the surrounding path, making it easier and safer for families with pushchairs, walkers with limited mobility, and all visitors to enjoy the route.
These upgrades are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the King Charles III England Coast Path as a world-class, accessible national trail for everyone to explore and enjoy.
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Following our popular public consultation drop-in event recently, there is still the opportunity to have your say on how Whitehaven could grow and thrive in the years ahead.
An online questionnaire is still available for anyone that would like to take part in the consultation.
This is available until Tuesday 19 August.
Well over 2,000 people enjoyed free family fun at our Wellbeing Festival in Whitehaven.
Attendees were treated to dozens of attractions, entertainment, activities and free food for children.
There were also experts from a range of support organisations – people could access valuable advice on finances, family issues, wellbeing and other issues.
Thank you to everyone who joined the fun.
We have invested more than £269,000 in grass-roots environmental projects since Cumberland Council formed in 2023.
Our Community Panels made 68 financial awards related to climate or nature in that time.
They ranged from installing energy-efficient heating in village halls to protecting animals, and providing community gardens.
A project that aims to support local communities in Cleator Moor has had a funding boost thanks to a Town Deal contractor.
Thomas Armstrong Construction is the main contractor on the Cleator Moor Town Deal Phase 3 Phoenix Court renovations and Cleator Moor Activity Centre projects.
As part of £15,000 ‘social value’ funding they are supporting a next Phoenix Advice and Guidance project.
Social value refers to the additional positive effects a project contributes to a community. These may include benefits such as job creation, enhancing community engagement, or offering opportunities for education and skills development, recreation and health and wellbeing.
Phoenix Enterprise Centre in partnership with Citizens Advice Copeland are set to deliver a new 12-month project called Phoenix Advice and Guidance (PAG); - a continuation of their successful DAAFS Project.
It will provide the support, resources and infrastructure required to support people to move forward and access opportunities.
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We have a new date for our Operation Respect event at Woodhouse, Whitehaven.
The weather scuppered our original date, but we have everything crossed for fun and sun on Tuesday, 26 August.
Join us for a community clean-up, fun day out and advice session all in one.
Operation Respect events are hosted by our Local Focus Hubs, tackling crime and antisocial behaviour by bringing communities together.
You can enjoy a fantastic free day out whilst getting to know the people who help keep our communities safe.
There will be a chance to join in a clear-up, plus advice, activities, food and sport.
You’ll find all our Local Focus Hub partners there, and more. Join us from 10am until 2.30pm.
Work is progressing well in Carlisle’s Greenmarket and Market Square. New feature benching has been installed, complemented by beautifully designed glass panels telling the historic story of the Greenmarket. These panels are lit from within, creating a striking night-time feature. Additional seating has been added around the raingarden – a perfect spot to relax – and work continues outside Tesco, with porphyry paving and tree grills in place. The trees will be planted in November, and further planting will be added inside the circular bench around the tree.
Carlisle’s award-winning International Market returns from Thursday 21 to Bank Holiday Monday 25 August, bringing vibrant sights, smells, and flavours from around the globe. Opening times:
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Thursday – Saturday: 9am–6pm
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Bank Holiday Monday: 10am–5pm
Castle Street remains closed until early September while new automatic bollards are commissioned. Paving outside the Crown & Mitre and The Entertainer is nearing completion, with resurfacing at the Cathedral entrance planned for next week. Welfare cabins are being removed as demobilisation begins. The overall programme is expected to complete by mid-September.
Cumberland Council is investing over £33 million to transform Workington, supporting town centre improvements, transport links, business growth, and sports facilities. Two major projects are underway: the Town Centre Public Realm and Connectivity Project (£3m) and the Workington Gateway Project (£10m), alongside initiatives including the Innovation Centre, Port of Workington Logistics and Energy Hub, cycleways, Hall Park improvements, and the proposed Cumberland Sports Village.
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Town Centre Public Realm & Connectivity
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4 August: Early site access for Thomas Armstrong Limited.
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1 September: Main construction begins on Murray Road. Overnight closures will occur, but daytime access remains open.
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12–14 September & 19–21 September: A66 closure at Ramsay Brow for utilities work (8pm–6am).
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From w/c 22 September to March 2026: Ramsay Brow junction upgrades with three-way traffic lights.
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26–28 September & 3–6 October: Additional weekend closures (contingency if needed).
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January–April 2026: Hall Park enhancements; cycleway design in progress.
Construction pauses 19 Dec 2025 – 5 Jan 2026 for the festive break. Stagecoach X4/X5 services will be rerouted during closures. For full details please visit Stagecoach website.
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20 August, 10am–4pm: Drop-in at Workington Market.
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28 August, 2–6.30pm: Meet the Contractor at Carnegie Theatre, Finkle Street.
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Essential works to replace Pow Wath Bridge, near Great Orton, begin on Monday 18 August 2025.
The existing bridge, currently under a temporary 7.5-tonne weight restriction, will be replaced with a durable precast concrete structure, removing the need for any weight limit in the future.
The project is expected to take around eight weeks, with completion expected by Friday 10 October 2025. Updates will be provided throughout the works, including confirmation of the reopening date.
A new Chair and Vice Chair have been appointed to lead the Carlisle Town Deal Board.
After the very successful tenure of Emma Porter as Carlisle Town Deal Board Chair, Cumberland Council has appointed David Wright, Land Director for Gleesons as the new Carlisle Town Deal Board Chair.
Tracey Slaven, Chief Transformation Officer at the University of Cumbria has been appointed as Vice Chair.
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We're currently checking whether the details held on the electoral register about households in Cumberland are up to date.
It's part of the annual canvass of electors so you may have received an email or letter asking you to check who we have on the register and inform us of any changes.
This process also helps identify any residents who are not registered, so that they can be given the opportunity to apply.
Please note, there will be no vehicular access in the grounds of Carlisle Crematorium this Saturday (16 August) & Sunday (17 August) while our tree arborists carry out essential work within the grounds.
The crematorium and grounds will still be open to visitors on foot via:
• The pedestrian gates on Dalston Road
• Access from the cemetery
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while this important maintenance work is carried out.
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Join Team Cumberland
See if there is a job for you at Cumberland Council on our jobs page. You can also find out more about life at the council on our dedicated careers page.
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