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The next edition of this newsletter will be distributed on Friday 25 April 2025, so the deadline for submission for the next edition is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April 2025.
Events
Penrith May Day - Monday 5 May 2025
Join the fun in Penrith Town Centre on Monday 5 May 2025!
With just over a month to go until the event, the Council has now begun act, entertainment, exhibitor and community involvement announcements through its Event Page on Facebook.
Penrith to mark VE Day 80 with Commemorative Event
On Thursday, 8 May 2025, Penrith will come together to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a special commemorative event, joining communities across the country in paying tribute to those who served during the Second World War.
On the morning of Thursday 8 May 2025, at 9am, Cllr Scott Jackson, will read the VE Day 80 Proclamation at the Cornmarket Bandstand on behalf of the Penrith Mayor, which the public are welcome to attend.
Later that evening, the Council is organising a commemorative event at St Andrews Churchyard which the public are also welcome to attend, where, from 8.50pm, Lakeland Larks will sing songs of the era, culminating in the lighting of a gas beacon at 9.30pm by an army veteran at St Andrews. A tribute will also be read by the Chair of the Penrith Branch of The Royal British Legion.
Penrith Castle Park FREE Open Day Sunday 13th April
Penrith Castle Park FREE Open Day Sunday 13th April.
Castle Park Penrith is open for the summer! On Sunday 13th April Penrith Castle Park will be hosting a "Barclays Big Tennis Weekend" as part of an Open Day at Castle Park, with free and fun coaching sessions, Cardio Tennis at the Tennis Courts and free access to the courts all day!
Castle Park Bowling Club also will be on hand to offer free bowls taster sessions on the bowling green and an English Heritage volunteer will lead a tour of the 14th century Penrith Castle ruins at 11am.
There is also the option to try the classic obstacle golf course and hire tennis and bowls equipment for free.
Come along and enjoy the displays of military vehicles, wartime displays, period fashions, food and dancing at the Brougham Hall Wartime Weekend 10th to 11th May 2025.
The 2025 event will be a tribute to VE Day as it is the 80th anniversary in May 2025.
There’s lots to do to get the site ready to be a sustainable tree nursery, so if you’re up for a spot of painting, planting, building, cleaning, chopping, tidying or digging then we’d love to see you!
Volunteering at our community tree nursery is suitable for everyone – you don’t need to have any previous experience. There are always plenty of jobs available at all levels – from absolute beginners upwards, and help is always on hand to support you!
There are always a variety of tasks at the tree nursery and at this time of year, it’s all about getting seeds prepped and bedded in safely to start their long journey into the world of giants. It might be a bit messy sometimes but it’s also very satisfying to set out the trays and pots for their winter slumber.
There will however always be other jobs to do alongside this so don’t be put off if you think that isn’t the job for you. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Richard Dixon, a member of the Penrith Swift Group and who leads the North Cumbria RSPB Group will describe the Swifts' amazing life cycle and outline what can be done to help them now that they are on the red list of conservation concern.
Come and help us with a range of tasks this spring, including, tree maintenance, tree planting and general repairs.
Thousands of trees have been successfully established at Eycott over the last ten years, so now there are thousands of tree tubes to remove - come and help us with this rewarding but daunting task!
10:00 - 15:30
Cost: Free
Where: Eycott Hill Nature Reserve, Berrier, Penrith, CA11 0XD
The Goon Show is a British radio comedy programme, originally produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1951 to 1960. Subversive and absurdist, The Goon Show, written by Spike Milligan, is credited as influencing the likes of The Beatles and Monty Python.
By kind permission of Jane Milligan and The Goon Show Preservation Society, Penrith Players is bringing three of the Goon Show's most popular episodes to the stage:
· The Canal · The Dreaded Batter Pudding Hurler (Of Bexhill-on-Sea) · The Treasure of Loch Lomond (aka The Treasure in the Lake)
In a musically interluded Radio-Show-on-Stage with live sound effects (What does a man who tied concrete blocks to his feet and jumped into a canal sound like?) and all your favourite characters brought to life, this hilariously madcap show is for young and old alike. Whether you remember when The Goons were live on your wireless, or whether your parents or grandparents fired up their cassette players in the car on road trips – this nostalgic, surrealist nod to post-war Britain is sure to leave you with a smile on your face (but hopefully no Batter Puddings!)
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rheged’s Great Print Exhibition! Discover over 1,000 stunning contemporary artworks from UK artists, showcasing screenprint, etching, lino block, and collagraph.
Immerse yourself in the magic of printmaking through film, as you watch the intricate processes unfold and see the final prints displayed alongside the plates and blocks that created them.
This year, we spotlight the timeless art of letterpress, featuring iconic tools, authentic typefaces, and bold new works. See how today’s printmakers are reinventing this classic technique with bold, contemporary designs.
Specially curated areas showcase Cumbrian printmakers, Sarah Cemmick and her British Wildlife prints and Sue Rowland’s latest project, that tells the fascinating stories of two forward thinking female Victorian explorers.
Don’t miss this celebration of modern printmaking.
Are you a part of a community group which is looking for funding?
Cumbria CVS are hosting a Funding Fair, at Penrith Rugby Club, on Tuesday 22nd April.
This event provides a fantastic opportunity for local groups to directly engage (face to face) with local and national funders and support groups regarding projects/funding requirements.
Talkin’ Tables Penrith is an initiative to try and tackle loneliness in the community by bringing people together one table at a time!
So, if you are looking for a friendly welcoming place to go for someone to chat to and to make new friends, pop along to a session at a time and venue convenient for you:
The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) is a programme of Easter activities and experiences aimed at all school-age children and young people in Cumbria.
The programme is administered by Westmorland and Furness & Cumberland Council who have commissioned a number of different organisations to provide activities across the summer, with all activities including a nutritious meal.
Places are FREE for young people who receive benefits-related Free School Meals. Additional FREE spaces are available for children and young people who fit a number of eligibility criteria. For more information about potential eligibility for a free space, please email: HAF@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Some activity providers also have spaces available for any child, but there may be a cost to parents.
For activities based in and around Penrith, please see the below list from the Westmorland & Furness Council website which directs you to the relevant pages:
Penrith Park Run is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event at Frenchfield! Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
It's completely free to join, just register before you first come along. You only ever need to register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.
