 Description: Penrith May Day Poster
Join the fun in Penrith Town Centre on Monday 5 May 2025 when the highly anticipated May Day Celebration returns!
The Penrith May Day event is an opportunity to celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage and bring the community together. With a lineup of exciting activities, live entertainment, and traditional May Day customs, this year’s celebration is one you won’t want to miss!
This year also sees Penrith Town Council take the lead for the event, following the Penrith Lions Club bowing out after 40 fantastic years of organising the event.
Highlights of the event will include:
- Live Music and Performances: Featuring talented local artists and bands, from folk music to modern sounds.
- Family Activities: From face painting to funfair rides, there’s something for kids of all ages.
- Food and Drink: Local businesses are being encouraged to open to allow visitors to shop local during the event.
- Inflatables: Free inflatable games will be available to take part in throughout the duration of the event.
- Internationally famous ‘Stanelli’s Super Circus' performed by Upfront Puppet Theatre.
- Parade: A classic vehicle and walking parade will take place during the day.
Activities will take place from 12pm – 5pm, with the funfair at Sangate being open from 10am. The event is free to attend.
Cllr Doug Lawson, Chair of Penrith Town Council and Penrith Mayor said:
“It is so exciting to be able to start sharing information about Penrith May Day 2025 – the first time the event has been organised by the Council.
“We have worked closely with a number of community organisations, including the Penrith Lions Club to find out what made May Day special to the people of Penrith – and I am pleased to see the Council retain and add elements to the event to ensure the town centre is vibrant and full of fun activities for all ages on the day.
“So, mark your calendars – and don’t miss out on this cherished community tradition!”
For more information, please visit https://penrithartsandculture.co.uk/penrith-may-day/
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 Description: Cllr Hilary Snell - Chair of Penrith Town Council's Communites Committee (Right), Lorri Millar - Growing Well Tebay Manager
Penrith Town Council has provided a grant of £750 to Growing Well to provide free transport for service users from Penrith to the Growing Well site at Tebay Northbound Services.
Growing Well at Tebay supports adults (18yrs+) including some Penrith residents with a mental health need in their recovery through targeted and specialist mental health intervention. Service users come and participate in organic market gardening activity on one regular day per week with therapeutic support from trained staff.
The grant funding provided by Penrith Town Council has ensured free transport for individuals from Penrith to and from the Growing Well site at Tebay, allowing those individuals to access the service free of charge.
On Friday 31 January 2025, Hilary Snell, Chair of Penrith Town Council’s Communities Committee visited the Growing Well site at Tebay, and said:
“Visiting the Growing Well project in Tebay, and joining one of their morning briefings, was an inspiring experience. It truly highlighted the incredible work they do to support individuals struggling with their mental health. Growing Well provides a real sense of purpose and progress for those on their recovery journey through a structured, therapeutic environment and hands-on involvement in organic market gardening.
"In Penrith and the surrounding areas, where limited public transport and restricted access to essential mental health services create significant barriers, many people struggle to get the help they need. That’s why I’m thrilled that this grant from Penrith Town Council is making a real difference—removing transport obstacles and ensuring that those who need this vital service can access it easily and free of charge.
"If you or someone you know could benefit from this invaluable service, I encourage you to find out more—it could be life-changing."
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Lorri Millar, Growing Well Tebay Manager said:
"Thank you to Penrith Town Council for the support to help our Penrith residents to access our mental health recovery service at the Tebay Growing Well."
Growing Well’s site at Tebay Services Northbound hosts a FREE day service for adults, accepting both self-referrals and referrals from GPs/other healthcare professionals.
Growing Well work with people for up to one year. Individuals attend for one day per week and set their own goals for mental health progress and recovery, with support and guidance from our trained staff.
Free minibus transport and a hot, healthy lunch is provided.
How to refer someone
If you are a GP or healthcare professional who wants to make a referral or find out more about Growing Well at Tebay Services, please visit: www.growingwell.co.uk/refer or email refertebay@growingwell.co.uk
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 Description: (From Left to Right) Cllr Doug Lawson - Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, Harry - Team Autism Volunteer, Cllr Danny Smith - Deputy Chair of Penrith Town Council and Deputy Mayor of Penrith, Daniella Sheridan - Team Autism Volunteer, Heidi - Team Autism Volunteer, Susan Mackenzie - Founder and Director of Team Autism
The Mayor & Deputy Mayor of Penrith have kicked the new year off to a positive start having both agreed to donate their annual allowance to support Team Autism. The Mayor & Deputy Mayor of Penrith’s allowance amounts to £1,000 in total, with £700 for the Mayor and £300 for the Deputy Mayor.
Team Autism, a Penrith-based organisation, facilitate Monthly Lunch/Supper clubs in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Maryport, Penrith and Workington for Autistic Adults without a Learning Disability. Lunch Clubs are co-hosted by Autistic Volunteers who understand how hard it can be to socialise and offer peer support. Team Autism facilitate a safe, non-judgemental place to meet with other Autistics, a place where individuals can be themselves and do not have to mask to “fit in” and be a part of a Team.
Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council Chair and Mayor of Penrith said:
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to support the neurodivergent community in Penrith.
“Team Autism provide a valuable service and are currently looking for somewhere to operate a community hub - if anyone knows of a suitable location please get in touch with Susan at: susan@teamautism.co.uk”
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Danny Smith, Penrith Town Council Deputy Chair and Deputy Mayor of Penrith said:
"I am thrilled to have presented this donation in person to Team Autism who do a lot of great work in the Penrith area with social support and understanding of the Autistic Community."
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Susan Mackenzie, Founder and Director of Team Autism said:
“On behalf of Team Autism we say a huge Thank you to Councillors Doug Lawson and Danny Smith!
"This is so generous and will help to keep the Lunch Club going in Penrith."
The combined donation of £1,000 will go directly toward supporting the charity’s programs and activities, enabling them to continue their mission of empowering individuals with autism and to fill the gaps in service to Autistic Adults without a Learning Disability, here in Penrith.
For more information about Team Autism and their work, please visit https://teamautism.co.uk
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At its meeting of Full Council on Monday 13 January 2025, Penrith Town Council agreed its budget for 2025/26 which includes a total expenditure of £594,519 requiring a precept of £514,740.
The precept forms part of the annual Council Tax bill and is the amount of money required to fund Penrith Town Council’s 2025/26 budget.
The budget sees no change in the Penrith Town Council’s portion of the Penrith households Council Tax bill. This means that the typical household in Penrith with a property valued in Band D, will remain at £83.92 per property this year. This equates to a household paying £1.61 per week, being a 0% increase from the current years charge.
Doug Lawson, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Mayor of Penrith said:
“I am pleased to see the Council maintain the same level of precept requirement as last year.
“The 2025/26 budget reflects the Council’s ambitions to deliver positive change in Penrith– with additional budget allocated towards new seats and bus shelters in the town and a regeneration document focussing on the phased identification, review and re-tasking empty buildings. In addition, the Council has an exciting new fund for play areas in Penrith – allocating £15,000 to each ward over the course of the Council term.
“I look forward to working with other councillors and officers of the Council to deliver the ambition set out in the 2025/26 budget.”
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Former Penrith East Ward Councillor, David Knaggs has resigned.
The Council would like to thank former Councillor Knaggs for his voluntary service on the Council since his co-option in July 2023 and previous to that, his election to the Council in May 2019. Town Councillors are unpaid, and the Council appreciates former Councillor Knaggs’ service to the town during both of his tenures.
 Description: Salkeld Road Bench, looking toward the fells.
A bench on Salkeld Road has been replaced following damage.
The original bench was donated by the Pride in Penrith Lottery, so the Council has retained the original reference to the donation of the bench by Penrith Lottery.
This replacement bench will now allow residents to take a well earned rest on their walks up Salkeld Road.
Any member of the public can attend Council meetings. The Council's upcoming meetings are detailed below with dates, times and venues.
Full Council Meeting
- Date: Monday 24 March 2025
- Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 3 March 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 17 March 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 10 February 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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