 Image Description: (Left) Cllr Virginia Taylor (Westmorland & Furness Penrith South Cllr and Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Community Wellbeing), Cllr Val Bowen (Penrith Town Council Chair & Penrith Mayor).
Pategill Park’s play area improvements officially completed on Tuesday 3 June 2025, marking over £50,000 of investment into Penrith, ensuring children in Pategill have access to a fun, safe, and inclusive play space right on their doorstep.
Pategill Tenants and Residents Association (Pategill TRA) has been fundraising for the play area improvements for over 2 years, with a £8,000 grant from Penrith Town Council helping to push the project forward to construction and delivering an upgrade to Pategill Park’s play equipment, enhancing accessibility, and refreshing the space for residents.
The £8,000 grant marks the first scheme delivered through Penrith Town Council’s £90,000 Play Area Development Fund for all Penrith Wards, a commitment to work with Westmorland & Furness Council and other identified community groups to deliver improvements to play areas throughout the whole of Penrith.
Westmorland & Furness Council awarded a grant of £8,250, and tendered and delivered the works on behalf of Pategill TRA.
Cllr Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, said:
“As Councillor for Pategill, I am proud that after years of fundraising for play area improvements in Pategill alongside other passionate residents on the Pategill TRA, we have finally been able to deliver £50,000 worth of upgrades to Pategill’s Play Area.
“It is also fantastic to see Pategill be the trailblazer for the Council’s Play Area Development Fund, a massive opportunity for the Council to deliver meaningful change in Penrith for our youngest residents. I know Carleton isn’t far behind with their nearly £90,000 worth of improvements to Carleton Play Area, so I am hopeful to see other projects come forward during the term of this Council as part of this visionary fund.
“Finally, thank you to all funders who have helped this project to happen!”
|
Cllr Virginia Taylor, Westmorland & Furness Council Penrith South Councillor and Cabinet Member for Planning, Culture and Community Wellbeing, said:
“A really important aspect of the design brief was to make Pategill’s play area more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Equipment designed for children with additional needs and a new access path ensure that more children can play safely and happily alongside their friends and family. I’d like to thank the Tenants’ and Residents’ Association for finding out what the community really wanted and making sure it was reflected in the final design. I’d like to thank Val Bowen in particular for her persistence and vision in seeing this project through - and we’re also grateful for Penrith Town Council’s partnership in getting this project delivered. And a big thank you to everyone, residents, contractors, funders, fundraisers, and others - I hope the community enjoys this new improved facility for many years to come.”
The Pategill TRA would also like to extend a huge thanks to all other funders including: the former Eden District Council, Frieda Scott Trust, Hadfield Trust, National Lottery, Penrith Lottery, the late Mrs Eileen Soulsby (a Pategill Resident and supporter) and other Pategill residents who generously supported their tabletop sales.
|
 Image Description: (Left to Right): Cllr Danny Smith - Chair of Penrith Town Council's Communities Committee (South Ward) & Ami Stidolph - Cumbria Wildlife Trust (Cold Springs Engagement Officer).
Penrith Town Council has provided a grant of £8,000 to Cumbria Wildlife Trust to support two exciting new projects at Cold Springs Nature Reserve, including the creation of a pond platform on site and the enhancement of a wildlife garden, engaging young people with nature and enhancing the site for community use.
The Pond Platform will provide safe, structured access to the site’s freshwater habitats, supporting the growing number of school visits to Cold Springs, enabling children and young people to explore pond life up close as part of their science and environmental studies which is already blooming with wildlife - including two rare species of dragonfly. The platform will also support the Trust’s ongoing wildlife surveying and water quality monitoring, helping track the ecological benefits of conservation work and chart the site’s environmental progress over time.
The Wildlife Garden will provide an accessible area where visitors sit, relax
and enjoy nature.
The Council's Communities Committee supported the development of a dedicated Wildlife Garden and the creation of a Pond Platform at its meeting in December 2024.
Cllr. Danny Smith, Chair of the Communities Committee, said:
"It was great to be back at Cold Springs to see the completed projects following the Communities Committee visit in March this year.
"The new pond platform and Wildlife Garden will be fantastic community assets - particularly for schools and young people who are already using the site to connect students with nature. These are not just physical improvements; they’re long-term investments in the education, health, and wellbeing of our young people and in the biodiversity of our area.
"The Council is proud to fund initiatives that bring learning to life, nurture a love of the environment, and foster stewardship of our green spaces for generations to come.”
|
Ami Stidolph, Cold Springs Engagement Officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Penrith Town Council for their generous support, which has enabled these projects to be completed before the site's opening back in May.
"The May opening saw over 300 people attend, which was fantastic to see how much community interest there is in the Nature Reserve already.
"This funding has helped us bring our vision for Cold Springs to life and deepen the reserve’s role as both a haven for wildlife and a hub for community learning.”
For more information about the Cold Springs Nature Reserve, please visit the Cumbria Wildlife Trust website.
|
 Image Description: Representatives from Westmorland & Furness Council, Penrith Town Council, Royal British Legion, Ullswater Community College Cadet Force, Penrith Town Band, St Andrews Church and Veterans. Click on the image to watch a video of the Penrith Mayor's short speech to mark Armed Forces Week.
Penrith Town Council was proud to support Westmorland and Furness Council and the Royal British Legion, to hold a short ceremony to raise the Armed Forces Day flag outside Penrith Town Hall today.
The Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Val Bowen gave a short speech:
"It is an honour to represent Penrith Town Council at this year's Armed Forces Flag Raising event. We raise the flag to honour those who currently serve selflessly, either at home or abroad. It is a symbol of our shared commitment to freedom and peace as well as a means of remembering those who have served and those who have lost their lives in conflicts."
"Penrith Town Council has recently agreed to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community in recognising the contribution made by service personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans, and military families to our organisation, our community and to the country. This is especially important in these times of great uncertainty around the world."
|
 Image Description: Beacon Edge Bench.
A bench on Beacon Edge, on its junction with Wordsworth Street, has been repainted, helping to keep the area looking welcoming and well-maintained.
We hope everyone enjoys the refreshed seating while taking in the beautiful views along Beacon Edge!
 Image Description: Cornmarket Bandstand on Penrith May Day 2025.
On Monday 14th July, from 10:00am to 11:00am, students and staff from Ullswater Community College will be bringing warmth, creativity, and community spirit to the Penrith Cornmaket Bandstand.
As part of a special initiative: "Lifting the Hearts of Our Locals", the group will be sharing some of their own handmade creations and offering friendly, positive interactions to those passing by. Whether it's a small gift, a kind word, or a cheerful smile, the aim is simple: to brighten the day of everyone they meet.
This uplifting hour of connection highlights the power of young people and educators coming together to make a meaningful impact in our local community. Be sure to stop by and experience a little kindness in action!
 Image Description: Sounds Around Town Promotional Poster.
Back by popular demand, Sounds Around Town celebrates the incredible local talent in Penrith and Cumbria while encouraging visitors to explore the town centre, stay longer, and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
Penrith Town Council, in collaboration with Plug & Play, Eden Valley Artistic Network (EVAN), and the Penrith Arts & Culture group currently has the following four acts scheduled to play across the next three Saturdays around Penrith:
- 12 July 2025: BlueJam Folk, Angel Square
- 19 July 2025: Nobody's Friends, Little Dockray
- 26 July 2025: Cassette Baby, Cornmarket Bandstand
All bands / artists play around 2pm and finish on or before 4pm. Check those acts out if you're in and around the town centre on any of those dates!
For the most up-to-date information on acts for Sounds Around Town 2025, follow Penrith Town Council Cumbria on Facebook.
 Image Description: Westmorland & Furness Council's 20mph Speed Limit Poster.
Penrith Town Council has provisionally secured funding through Westmorland and Furness Council to reduce the speed limit in the areas not already covered in Penrith to 20mph. This initiative aims to promote safer roads, reduce vehicle noise, and enhance the environment for more walking and cycling.
Speed limits will only be reduced to 20mph if your wider community supports the scheme and therefore, Westmorland and Furness Council need your input.
Why Participate?
Safer Roads: A 20mph speed limit significantly reduces the risk of accidents and makes our streets safer for everyone.
Quieter Neighbourhoods: Lower speeds mean less noise from traffic, creating a more peaceful community.
Greener Environment: Encouraging walking and cycling helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
How to Get Involved
The public consultation launches on Wednesday 4th June until Friday 18th July.
Westmorland & Furness Council has already held their drop-in session at Penrith library, you can complete the online survey using the link below or by completing a paper copy from the library or Voreda House.
You can find the proposals and provide feedback to the consultation by visiting www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/20mph
Your Voice Matters
Speed limits will only be reduced to 20mph if the wider community supports the scheme. Have your say by Friday 18th July and help to shape the future of our roads.
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 29 September 2025
- Time: 6pm - 8pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 7 July 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 15 September 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 20 October 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.00pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
|
