 Image Description: Penrith May Day 2025 Digital Event Programme
The countdown is on! Penrith May Day returns to the town centre on Monday 5 May 2025, with a fantastic day of entertainment, performances, activities and family fun lined up.
Now organised and led by Penrith Town Council, following 40 incredible years of organisation by the Penrith Lions Club, this year’s event blends much-loved traditions with exciting new additions - creating a day to remember for all!
Highlights include:
- Live Music and Performances: Enjoy a lively programme featuring talented local artists and bands across a range of styles.
- Family Activities: From face painting, roving entertainers and outdoor play to a whole host of funfair rides, there's plenty to keep youngsters entertained!
- Food and Drink: A number of local shops and cafes will be open – perfect for browsing, dining, and supporting our local businesses! These are detailed in the official Penrith May Day 2025 programme.
- Inflatables: Kids can bounce and play for free with a range of inflatable games available throughout the day.
- Stanelli’s Super Circus: Don’t miss this internationally renowned puppet performance from Upfront Puppet Theatre!
- Parade: Led by a Tractor and the historic Lions head, expect a colourful procession filled with music, dance, and history that will bring Penrith’s streets to life!
Festivities in the town centre will run from 12pm to 5pm, while the funfair at Sangate will open from 10am. Best of all, entry and all entertainment apart from the funfair is completely free!
Cllr Doug Lawson, Chair of Penrith Town Council and Penrith Mayor, said:
“Penrith May Day is almost upon us – and I can’t wait to see everyone there enjoying themselves with all the activities on offer throughout the day!
“We have an exciting programme of entertainment, performances, and free activities lined up - so whether you want to enjoy the funfair, the live music and entertainment, take part in the activities, or simply soak up the atmosphere, there is something for everyone.”
“Pop down into Penrith Town Centre on Monday 5 May 2025 for a day of fun!”
The Penrith May Day 2025 programme, featuring a full list of activities, timings and more can be accessed using this link.
For further details about Penrith May Day, please visit: https://penrithartsandculture.co.uk/penrith-may-day/
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 Image Description: Cllr Doug Lawson, Penrith Town Council Chair and Penrith Mayor with members of Penrith Pumas Wheelchair Rugby Club.
Penrith Town Council is proud to announce the awarding of a £1,838 grant to Penrith Pumas Wheelchair Rugby Club (WRC), Cumbria’s only full contact club for the Paralympic Sport of Wheelchair Rugby, to help fund the purchase of new equipment essential for delivering their wheelchair rugby sessions.
The funding will go towards items such as specialist rugby wheelchairs and associated training equipment, supporting the club in expanding its reach and ensuring that individuals with any physical impairments or hidden disabilities in or out of a wheelchair are able to access the all-inclusive, thrill seeking, adrenaline rush full contact sport of Wheelchair Rugby!
Cllr Doug Lawson, Chair of Penrith Town Council and Mayor of Penrith, visited a session at the Leisure Centre and gave Wheelchair Rugby a go:
"I am thrilled that the Council has been able to support the Penrith Pumas with this grant. Sport is such a powerful tool for inclusion, and the work the Pumas do in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in competitive sport is truly inspiring. We’re proud to play a small part in helping them continue their important mission.
“I had a go myself, and it really was hard work — it gives you a real appreciation for the strength, skill, and determination it takes to play the game at such a high level – which the Pumas do!”
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Megan Fearnley, Managing Director of Penrith Pumas WRC, said:
"We’re incredibly grateful to Penrith Town Council for this generous grant. The funding will allow us to purchase essential equipment that makes our sessions more accessible and enjoyable for all our members.
“Wheelchair rugby is more than just a sport – it’s a community, and this support means we can welcome even more people into it.”
For more information about Penrith Pumas WRC and how to get involved, please visit: https://penrithpumas.co.uk/
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On Thursday 8 May 1945, news of Germany’s surrender was embraced by the people and millions took to the streets to celebrate the end of WWII in Europe.
Penrith Town Council will be commemorating VE Day 80 on Thursday 8 May along with many other town and parish councils who have been invited to participate by HM The Kings Pageantmaster.
At 9.00am, the Town Council will be co-ordinating with Westmorland and Furness Council and the Penrith Branch of the Royal British Legion when the Proclamation will be read out at the Town Hall by Councillor Scott Jackson as the representative of the Mayor as the VE Day flag is raised. This will be followed by refreshments in Penrith Parish Rooms for veterans and those from the Armed Forces Community.
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Councillor Doug Lawson, Mayor of Penrith, said:
“It is an important milestone marking 80 years since VE Day — a moment that signified the end of the Second World War in Europe.
"It is a time to remember and honour all those who gave their lives, but it is also important that we recognise those who kept the country running on the Home Front and the many children who were evacuated to safety.”
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Linda Jones, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Lead Officer for the Armed Forces, said:
“It is important that we remember the sacrifices that our armed forces and their families have made. It is an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the second world war generation from across the UK and Commonwealth.”
Kerryanne Wilde as the Ministry of Defence Relationship Manager for Cumbria and Chairman for the Penrith Branch of the Royal British Legion said:
As we face some of the most challenging times since the Second World War, now more than ever it is important to unite in recognition of the service of those who served in our Armed Forces and also those who lost their lives, and the wider community who were keeping the home fires burning and our industries and services moving forward and meeting the demand for supplies at home during this time, just as communities did 80 years ago.
Penrith Town Council will be lighting a gas beacon in St Andrews’ Churchyard later in the day in line with the timetable set by the Pageantmaster. At 9.00pm, Lakeland Larks will perform some songs of the period prior to the gas beacon being lit at 9.30pm and the International Tribute being read out. One further song will then be performed.
The gas beacon will be lit by veteran Brain Donaghy who served in the RASC Glencorse Lowland Brigade, and the International Tribute will be read by Kerryanne Wilde who served in the Women’s Royal Army Corps before transferring to the Intelligence Corps.
All are welcome to attend and period dress is also encouraged. We would also like to encourage residents to put a light of peace in their windows in tribute to those who lost their lives during World War II and to recognise what is happening in the world today.
The Council has recently installed ten vibrant multi-coloured flags along the lampposts on Middlegate as part of a summer initiative to welcome visitors to the town.
The Annual Town Meeting of Penrith is taking place on Wednesday 21 May 2025.
Details can be found in the image below.
 Essential repairs to Fairhill Play Area were completed by the Council's Contractor on Monday 14 April 2025.
The wetpour surrounding the base of the Galaxy Saturn equipment (spinner at the far end of the play area) was becoming loose - and whilst not an immediate major safety issue, through undertaking this proactive repair work, the Council has ensured the safety of the equipment for future years to come.
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: Wednesday 21 May 2025
- Time: 7pm - 9pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Annual Town Meeting:
- Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025
- Time: 6pm - 7pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 12 May 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: TBC at Penrith Town Council's May Full Council meeting
- Time: TBC at Penrith Town Council's May Full Council meeting
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: TBC at Penrith Town Council's May Full Council meeting
- Time: TBC at Penrith Town Council's May Full Council meeting
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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