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Taste Cumbria made a triumphant return to Cockermouth at the weekend with many food and drink producers selling out faster than ever before.
Many of the traders said they were using stock they’d reserved for day two of the festival to keep up with demand from thousands of visitors. That meant some busy late-night baking and making, as well as trips back to their storerooms, to restock for Sunday’s trade.
Around 90 producers set up stall on Main Street, Market Place and at the newly-reopened Jennings Brewery, with a fairground also taking place on Memorial Gardens car park, for a packed weekend of entertainment. There were two music stages, street theatre, a caricaturist and loads of free children’s activities, as well as a comic cookery show and the ever-popular comedy night too.
Lots of the town’s businesses also had a busy weekend. The Crooked River Brewing Co opened its new Beer Shop on Market Place in time for Taste Cumbria - marking the date they launched their very first beers at the festival three years ago. One shop reported taking its usual Saturday takings by 1.30pm, while another foodie business had to hold stock back to cater for its regular Monday customers.
The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and the sponsors and supporters for this event were Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Milburns Solicitors and Rock With.
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Also in this week's edition:
Storm Amy will be with us from Friday afternoon and into Saturday bringing some strong winds and rain. There are currently yellow weather warnings in place for the Cumberland area.
Due to the forecasts, Workington and Keswick open-air markets will not go ahead as planned on Saturday (4 October).
Our highways teams will do all they can to keep our roads clear and accessible.
If you’re planning to travel, we encourage you to:
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Plan your journey and consider allowing extra time in case you come across any flooding or fallen trees/branches or other debris on the road.
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Never drive through a road closure we’ve put in place. Take an alternative route. Road closures are there for your safety.
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Do not drive through flood water, only a small amount of water could damage your engine and cause you to be stuck and need help.
If you spot a problem on the road such as flooding or fallen trees, report online here or by calling our Highways Hotline 0300 373 3736.
You can report a power outage by calling Electricity North West on 105 or by going on their website.
Keep up to date with all the latest weather news via the Met Office website
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A reminder that changes to some Cumberland waste and recycling collection dates started this week.
Copeland and Allerdale residents:
- Please check your online calendar
- Keep an eye out for a letter explaining any changes to your collection days.
- There will be an increased frequency of kerbside cardboard and paper in the former Allerdale area. Collections will be every two weeks rather than every four weeks from this week for the majority of households.
An additional 6,000 will also soon benefit from an improved kerbside recycling service.
We have written to households in the former Allerdale and Copeland areas to update them on the expansion of our kerbside service.
Some rural households will have recycling collected for the first time, and some will have their service expanded to the whole list of recyclables, including TetraPak, plastics, tin, cans, glass, cardboard and paper.
Recycling bins will be delivered to households. Residents are advised to only place recycling in the bins provided.
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The swift and professional response of staff at Bousteads, Maryport, and Frizington Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) following a series of fire incidents over the past month.
The incidents highlight the risks associated with improper disposal of hazardous items such as batteries and disposable vapes, which are suspected to be the cause of the fires at Bousteads and Maryport. Such items can also pose a danger in kerbside collection vehicles.
Residents are urged to dispose of batteries and vapes responsibly by using designated recycling points. These items should never be placed in general waste bins.
An innovative course designed to support unemployed individuals, particularly those managing health conditions, on their journey towards work has been successfully delivered in West Cumbria.
The programme, delivered by Cumberland Council in partnership with Inspira and Cumbria CVS and supported by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), placed a strong emphasis on building resilience, confidence, and motivation through health-focused activities. Participants explored a wide range of themes, including managing stress, developing resilience and emotional intelligence, preparing for interviews, and learning how to communicate health needs to employers. They also discovered the health benefits of volunteering and practical ways to get involved.
This initiative forms part of the wider Skills & Enterprise Programme, which helps people improve their health and wellbeing as a vital step towards employment.
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We have recently launched our Residents’ Survey to help us to understand what matters most to you and your opinions on our services.
Thousands of randomly selected households will receive the survey by post. If you are lucky enough to receive one, please do fill it in. Anyone in the household who is over 18 can do this.
The survey can be completed online, or by filling in the paper copy and using the pre-paid envelope provided.
The survey is being conducted by independent researchers M·E·L Research Ltd, accredited by the Market Research Society.
A £1 donation to the Chairman of the Council’s charity, the Alzheimer’s Society, will be made by M·E·L for every response received beyond the first 1,000.
Carlisle’s city centre will once again come alive with creativity and entrepreneurial spirit as the Teenage Market returns on Saturday 11 October.
Hosted by Cumberland Council, with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the event will take place within the newly refurbished pedestrianised area of the city centre and will feature stalls run by traders aged between 8 and 25 years of age, alongside live performances from local young singers, musicians and dance schools.
The Teenage Market is also part music festival with a full programme of live entertainment throughout the day. The City Centre will be buzzing with energy as Studio A Dance Company, Jordyn Louise Dance, and a host of talented young local singer-songwriters take to the stage, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for all. Carlisle Youth Concert Band will be performing at the Teenage Market for the first time, between 10.30am and 11.30am.
If you are looking for some different, locally produced gifts and treats, whilst also supporting local young traders and performers, visit the Carlisle Teenage Market in the city centre on Saturday 11 October, between 10am and 3.30pm. Cash payments are preferred.
You can ‘Like’ The Teenage Market on Facebook and follow them on X.
The Port of Workington - owned and operated by Cumberland Council - has been shortlisted twice at the upcoming British Port Association (BPA) Awards.
The prestigious awards celebrate excellence, innovation, sustainability, and outstanding leadership across the UK ports sector.
The Port of Workington has been shortlisted for the SME Port of the Year award and is also in the running for the Port Development Award.
The port is a key asset for the council and local area with significant potential to unlock economic growth in the region. To date, more than £25 million has been invested by the Government and council in activities directly related to the port, improving things such as infrastructure, road access and warehouse capabilities.
We have been working with Egremont Town Team to successfully secure £3m from the government’s Borderlands fund.
We will now begin sharing the latest plans with the public, getting their views, and firming up the projects – which include the development of the former Red Lion pub site, and improvements to Florence Arts Centre.
There is an event on Wednesday, 8 October, when people can join us to get a closer look at the proposals.
The Town Team will be at Egremont Market Hall from 2pm until 7pm and everyone is welcome to attend and give their views.
Maryport’s past, present and future have been brought to life with a trail of locally-inspired artwork.
Stunning images by town artist Alan Roper now appear on a host of projects completed as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration work in Maryport, funded by the UK Government.
From the map boards created as part of the public realm improvements and the stage and bar at the Harbourside event space, to the inside of the Town Hall and the outside of Maryport Activity Centre, they are giving a colourful and cohesive theme to tie all of the projects together.
The regeneration of Market Square and Greenmarket in Carlisle city centre is nearing completion, creating a more vibrant, welcoming, and flexible public space.
This marks a significant milestone in the project, with the majority of works successfully finalised - and we really do appreciate the continued cooperation and patience shown throughout from residents and visitors to the city.
We will shortly begin essential footway upgrade works on the A595 Castle Way, adjacent to the Castle.
Works are scheduled to start on Monday 6 October 2025 and are expected to last for up to fifteen days, subject to weather and site conditions.
From the beginning of October, unpaid carers in Cumberland can access the same level of support, no matter where they live. Whether you're helping someone with personal care, medication, finances or daily tasks, support is now more consistent and easier to access.
Adult carers are now supported by People First, young carers by Family Action and Mobilise provide support online. Contact them for advice and support:
People First - 0300 303 8037
Family Action - 01228 474171
We are urging local business owners to be cautious about borrowing from illegal lenders, as part of this year’s Business Finance Week.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) has reported cases of business owners being targeted by loan sharks while seeking funds to start or expand their ventures. Borrowing from illegal lenders can lead to serious financial and legal consequences, putting both businesses and owners at risk.
Business Finance Week, organised by the British Business Bank, runs from 30 September to 9 October and offers a range of events designed to help businesses explore safe and legitimate finance options.
Business owners are encouraged to take part in these events and seek advice from trusted sources when considering funding, to ensure they make informed and secure financial decisions.
The Great Cumbrian Run returns to Carlisle this Sunday (5 October).
Whether you’re taking part, cheering on friends and family, or volunteering, it’s set to be a fantastic day for the city.
To keep everyone safe, there will be a number of road and footway closures across the city. The closures are only required for one day, so please remember to plan your journeys ahead to avoid disruption.
There'll also be some temporary closures to our car parks, namely Castle car park and the Bitts Park car park.
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Castle car park: Will be closed between 8.30am and 10.30am on Sunday. Anyone with a permit will be able to use Caldew Riverside, West Walls, Viaduct, and Paddy’s Market as alternative locations for one day only.
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Bitts Park Car Park: There'll be restricted access due to closures on Dacre Road and Devonshire Walk. Access to should be restored from approximately 10am.
Good luck to all taking part — we can’t wait to see Carlisle buzzing with energy and community spirit once again!
Due to essential maintenance work, there'll be reduced capacity in the West Walls car park in Carlisle on Saturday (4 October ). The work, to remove overgrown vegetation, will be carried out throughout the day, however, the car park will remain open.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed at premises near Wetheral, Carlisle, Cumbria, in a flock of around 43,000 chickens.
Avian Influenza mainly affects birds, but in rare cases, it can spread to mammals, including humans. As a precaution, a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established, alongside the humane culling of birds at risk.
Kinship carers across Cumbria are being celebrated next week as part of Kinship Care Week 2025 (6–12 October), with a series of special events recognising the vital role they play in children’s lives.
A kinship carer is a relative or close family friend who steps in to care for a child when their parents are unable to. This important role helps children stay connected to love, family, and belonging.
During the awareness week Cumbria Fostering’s Kinship Care Team is hosting two lunch events for kinship carers in Cumberland, which offer a chance to meet other carers, connect with our team and enjoy a lovely lunch:
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Tue 7 Oct – Carlisle, from 11.30am–2pm
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Thu 9 Oct – Whitehaven, from 10am–2pm
There is also a Family Fun Day, on Saturday 11 October from 10am to 2pm, in Cleator Moor, which the whole family can enjoy together. Join us for a fantastic day of activities for children of all ages, including rocket making, robot dogs, VR headsets, plus lunch and refreshments.
To book any event, please email SGOsupport@cumbria.gov.uk to confirm numbers and to receive full details of venues. Let’s celebrate kinship carers together!
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From Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 September, Distington Walled Garden celebrated the café’s 2nd birthday by raising money for charity. Over four days, visitors enjoyed delicious cakes and tried their luck at the raffle, all in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
Thanks to everyone who popped by, treated themselves, and bought a raffle ticket, they raised an amazing £554 in just four days.
The team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along, bought a treat, and joined in the celebration. You’ve helped the Distington Walled Garden Café celebrate in style while making a real difference. Here’s to many more birthdays (and even more cake!) at Distington Walled Garden Café.
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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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