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Also in this week's edition:
All schoolchildren aged up to 16 years old from the Cumberland area will be able to go for a swim in a choice of five indoor pools for only 10p over the school holidays.
The discounted scheme will be available from next Monday (27 October) until Sunday 2 November and has been put in place by Cumberland Council, with the support of GLL and Wigton Baths Trust.
The council scheme will offer discounted swimming opportunities throughout the week, including weekends (at some of the venues).
It will be available at the following leisure sites at allocated times during the school holidays:
- Cockermouth Leisure Centre: Monday to Friday, 1pm - 2pm each day.
- Wigton Baths: Monday 27 October: 11am - 12pm and 3pm - 4pm. Tuesday 28 October: 11.15am - 12.15pm and 4.15pm - 5.15pm. Wednesday 29 October: 11.30am - 12.30pm. Thursday 30 October: 11.15am – 12.15pm and 3.30pm - 4.30pm. Friday 31 October: 10.15am to 11.15am. Saturday 1 November: 10am to 11.30am.
- Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre (Whitehaven): Monday 27 October, Tuesday 28 October, Thursday 30 October and Friday 31 October: 1pm - 1.50pm. Saturday 1 November: 12pm - 12.50pm. Sunday 2 November: 10am - 10.50am.
- The Sands Centre (Carlisle) - between 26 October and 2 November. Monday to Friday and Sunday: 10am - 10.50am.
- Workington Leisure Centre: Monday to Friday, 11am – 11.50am each day
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We are launching a new region-wide campaign to make our roads safer and protect public-facing staff from abuse.
Everyone deserves respect - especially the dedicated people working hard to keep our communities running smoothly. Abuse of any kind is never acceptable.
You’ll soon see posters across our highways network and council buildings featuring real members of our team, a reminder that our staff are part of your community, with families and lives of their own.
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To keep everyone safe, we are introducing: Bodycams for select staff to record abusive behaviour or traffic breaches.
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Footage will be shared with police where necessary. CCTV and mobile surveillance to deter misconduct in high-risk areas.
The campaign starts with our Highways and Transport teams and will soon extend across all services. Let’s make respect the standard on every road and in every community.
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Carlisle city centre came alive last Saturday as we celebrated the grand reopening of Market Square and Greenmarket, marking the completion of a major regeneration project supported by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The £5.5 million transformation has breathed new life into more than 5,000 square metres at the heart of the city, creating a vibrant, multifunctional space designed to attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance community pride. Improvements include elegant new paving, modern street furniture, enhanced lighting, and natural stone finishes — while Greenmarket has been redesigned as a dedicated space for events and activities.
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This project represents a key milestone in Cumberland Council’s long-term vision for Carlisle, with over £100 million invested in creating a greener, more dynamic, and accessible city centre that’s ready for the future.
The reopening was marked with speeches from Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, and Councillor Andy Semple, Chair of Cumberland Council, alongside Councillor Anne Quilter and the Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Jeanette Whalen. Their messages highlighted a shared commitment to regeneration, sustainability, and community renewal.
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 With Christmas just around the corner, the festive countdown in Cumberland has officially begun - and Cumberland Council has announced one of the season’s most anticipated sparkling events for the area.
Pop sensation AMELLE, best known as a member of the multi-platinum-selling group Sugababes, will be headlining this year’s Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch-On. The event will be hosted by Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist and Singing Magician, Lewis Fuller, promising an afternoon full of sparkle, music, and magic.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place from 3pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, 16 November, outside the Old Town Hall in Carlisle city centre.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On event will also be a showcase of local community groups and performers including Razzamataz Carlisle, Northern Heights Dance School, Norman Street Primary School, Carlisle Dance Academy, Longtown Primary School and local singer, Claudia Page.
The star-studded Christmas Lights Switch-On is organised by Cumberland Council and will provide a packed family entertainment programme, to suit all ages with the switch-on taking place at 5pm.
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There’s always something to enjoy at our local markets - a great mix of fresh produce, handmade crafts, gifts, clothing, and more. It’s a good way to shop local, support small businesses, and spend time in the heart of our towns.
- Keswick Market – Thursdays and Saturdays
- Silloth Market – Every Thursday (Easter to October)
- Wigton Market – Fridays
- Workington Market – Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Carlisle Open-Air Market – Fridays at the newly refurbished Greenmarket and Market Square
Come along and see what’s on offer at your nearest market.
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Alongside our regular Friday markets, we’ll be adding three Saturday Christmas Themed Markets this festive season and we’re looking for traders. If you offer unique gifts, seasonal produce or handmade crafts, we’d love to hear from you!
These Markets will take place:
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Saturday 29 November
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Saturday 6 December
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Saturday 13 December
Each Saturday will be packed with Christmas cheer - enjoy live entertainment, a festive bar, fair rides and plenty of opportunities to shop local and discover unique gifts.
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Looking for something fun (and a little spooky) to do with the kids this half term? Family Hubs across Cumberland are hosting a range of free Halloween-themed sessions for children of all ages – and you’re invited!
Whether your little one loves messy play, crafts, or party games, there’s something for everyone. Come along, get creative, and enjoy some frightfully good fun!
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Cumberland Council are proud to be joining Baby Week with a series of events between 14-21 November. Including Big Feed breastfeeding support, Big Little Strollers to get active, Recitals for Wrigglers (an interactive show for babies and toddlers to explore classical music), a special Dads and babies event, story sessions and support groups.
Find out more about what is happening locally, visit www.babyweek.co.uk, or follow Cumberland Family Hubs on Facebook or Instagram, @CumberlandFamilyHubs.
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As the colder months approach, we’re launching our ‘Winter Ready’ campaign, your go-to hub for support, advice, and resources to help you, your family, and your business stay safe, warm, and well this winter.
From frosty roads to flu season, our updated webpages are packed with practical tips and essential information — all in one easy-to-access place. What’s new this year?
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Regular updates and advice across our social media channels.
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Handy sections covering:
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Your Health in Winter Weather – stay protected with up-to-date guidance.
- Emergency Planning – prepare for flooding and check property risks.
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Winter Travel – get the latest safety tips and weather alerts.
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Cost of Living Support – find help with household expenses.
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The final preparations are being made for this year’s Fireshow in Carlisle, which will be held in Bitts Park on Saturday 1 November, starting at 6.30pm.
There will be centre piece bonfire and more than 2,000 spectacular sparkling fireworks, set to music, will also light up the sky.
On the day of the event, there will be a ‘Fireshow Village’, offering food and entertainment to families between 5pm and 8.30pm.
Visitors to this year’s Carlisle Fireshow are being asked to dig into the bottom of their pockets and support local charities. Although the event is free to attend, a charity collection is held each year.
All donations go towards the Rotary Club of Carlisle UK (which donates most of its fundraising efforts to local good causes), and the Alzheimer's Society, the charity supported by the Chair of Cumberland, Cllr Andy Semple and the Mayor of Carlisle, Jeanette Whalen’s chosen charities - Carlisle Foodbank and Safety Net UK.
The event will include 40 food and drink traders, live music on the festival stage in the Greenmarket, hot food stalls, children’s activities and face painting, street theatre and fire-themed entertainment.
Stalls will be open between 10am and 5pm on the Saturday and between 11am and 4pm on the Sunday.
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This National Adoption Week (20–26 October), Adoption Cumbria is proudly supporting the national You Can Adopt campaign, which is challenging the myths and misconceptions that prevent people from coming forward to adopt.
A new survey by You Can Adopt reveals that nearly nine in ten adoptive parents surveyed (86%) were worried they needed a “perfect home” to pass the adoption assessment process.
However, the reality is far simpler – with just over two fifths (41%) of adoptive parents surveyed living in a house with two bedrooms or less, two thirds (65%) not having a garden, and a quarter (25%) living in rented accommodation.
During this important awareness week, Adoption Cumbria wants to make it clear that children who need to be adopted don’t need perfection – they need a “welcome home.”
The People we Support at Hensingham Centre teamed up with Community Rail Cumbria in September, to fill the new ship-shaped planter at Whitehaven Station with a mix of bedding plants, perennials and spring flowering bulbs. Our awesome team picked out the plants, lined the new beds with weed proof membrane, filled them with compost and hand-planted the plants & bulbs.
Well done everyone for the fantastic work, and we hope you all enjoy the great new display the next time you’re visiting the station!
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Carlisle Southern Link Road: New section between Brisco and Redcat Roundabouts now open
The brand-new section between Brisco Roundabout and Redcat Roundabout on the Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR) is now open to traffic.
The news comes after the section between Newby West Roundabout and Cummersdale Roundabout opened on Monday.
The Brisco Crossroads will now be closed for approximately two weeks. During this period, access to Brisco will only be maintained from Carlisle. Access to and from Wreay will be maintained via the new section of link road between Brisco Roundabout and Redcat Roundabout.
The next section of the new road to open will be the section between the new Durdar Roundabout and the new Redcat Roundabout.
Hardknott Pass cattle-grid is getting an upgrade
We will start our annual cattle grid replacement programme this November, beginning with essential works at the Hardknott cattle grid near Cockley Beck.
The works are scheduled to take place from Monday 3 November to Friday 14 November 2025, subject to weather and site conditions.
Listening to Locals: Harrington Gets New Signalised Puffin Pedestrian Crossing
We are about to install a brand-new Signalised Puffin Pedestrian Crossing on the A597, Church Road/Main Road in Harrington, starting Sunday 26 October.
The crossing will provide a safer and easier way to cross this busy road, especially for schoolchildren and families, and directly responds to longstanding concerns raised by the local community.
Works will begin on Sunday 26 October and are scheduled to complete by Friday 7 November.
Drainage Improvement Works – Houghton Road
We will soon be carrying out essential drainage improvement works on Houghton Road, Carlisle. These maintenance works are vital to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the local drainage system. The works will begin on Monday 27 October 2025, and are expected to last for seven working days, subject to weather and site conditions.
Carriageway resurfacing works scheduled for Oughterside
Work is also due to begin on essential carriageway resurfacing on the C2023 Oughterside. Starting Monday 27 October 2025, the work is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the road network.
The works are expected to last for up to two weeks, subject to weather and site conditions.
To ensure the safety of both the workforce and the public, the works will be carried out under a full road closure. During working hours, between 7.30am and 6pm, access for residents will be restricted. However, traffic marshals will be on-site at all times to assist residents in reaching their properties wherever possible.
As autumn arrives, Connecting Cumbria, working on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, are encouraging residents and businesses to explore digital upgrades as connectivity improves across the county through public and commercial investment.
Thanks to record levels of funding, Cumbria’s digital infrastructure is evolving rapidly. These improvements are opening doors to new ways of living, working, and connecting. Just like the season itself, it’s a time of change, growth, and preparation for the future.
Users of the myCumberland app (formerly myAllerdale app), are advised to switch to the new e-forms on the Cumberland Council website ahead of the app being switched off soon.
The app provided digital e-forms for users in the former Allerdale area of Cumberland. As part of our transformation plans, new forms and other functionality found on the app has been recreated on the council’s website. Crucially, these digital services can be used by all residents in Cumberland.
This means that the app is no longer needed and will be switched off on 29 October.
The Carlisle Autumn Funfair - run by Slaters Family Funfair - will be operating from Castle car park between Saturday October 25 and Wednesday October 29 between 2pm and 8pm each day (except the Sunday which is 2pm to 6pm).
This will mean that Castle car park will have temporary reduced capacity while the funfair is on, including on Friday October 24 while the fair is set up. Capacity will return to normal on Thursday October 30.
Fairgoers and other car park users are reminded to only park in designated bays. Other car parks are available nearby at Bitts Park, Caldew Riverside, West Walls and elsewhere in te city centre. You can see our car parks on our website at: Find a car park near you | Cumberland Council
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