In October's edition:
 Image Description: Members of Penrith Town Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, Carleton Park Recreation Group and other funders pictured in front of the completed Multi Use Games Area. Click the image to open up a video of Carleton MUGA Opening.
The new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Carleton Park, Penrith, has officially been completed, marking over £90,000 of investment in the town and providing an all-weather facility for a range of sports and activities for residents to enjoy.
The Carleton Park Recreation Group has been fundraising for the project for more than three years. A £15,000 grant from Penrith Town Council helped to move the project from planning to delivery, contributing to the overall funding package that made the MUGA possible.
This scheme is the second project delivered through Penrith Town Council’s £90,000 Play Area Development Fund, which supports improvements to play and recreation spaces across all Penrith wards in partnership with Westmorland & Furness Council and local community groups.
Funding for the new development has been provided by Westmorland & Furness Council’s 0–19 Fund and Community Fund, Penrith Lottery, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust, and The Hadfield Trust. The project was tendered and delivered by Westmorland & Furness Council on behalf of the Carleton Park Recreation Group.
Cllr Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the completion of the new Multi-Use Games Area at Carleton Park another great example of how the Council’s Play Area Development Fund has already delivered real benefits for our younger residents.
“Pategill led the way as the first project through this fund, and it’s wonderful to see Carleton follow with nearly £90,000 of improvements for this new MUGA. My thanks go to all the funders and partners who have helped make this project a reality.”
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Cllr Deb Holden, Councillor Penrith Carleton Ward, said:
“The new Carleton Park MUGA is a fantastic addition to our community and a real example of what can be achieved when we work together.
“My heartfelt thanks go to Rob Walker for his dedication, to Polly Straker and Westmorland & Furness Council for their support, and to all our funders for making this project possible.
“This has been a true community effort, and I’m proud to see it completed for the people of Carleton.”
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 Image Description: Cllr Val Bowen, Penrith Town Council Chair and Penrith Mayor (Red) with veterans, volunteers and serving military personnel.
The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal was officially launched in Penrith on Saturday 25 October 2025, with a special event held at Penrith New Squares. The launch featured veterans, serving military personnel, volunteers, and a display of vintage and vintage wartime vehicles, which drew the attention of shoppers and passers-by, helping to raise awareness and encourage donations to the Poppy Appeal. Funds raised support the Legion’s ongoing work for members of the Armed Forces community.
Councillor Val Bowen, Mayor of Penrith, attended the event and joined representatives from the Royal British Legion to show the town’s support for this important cause.
 Description: From Left to Right - Cllr. Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council and Mayor of Penrith, Cameron Stewart, Purple Footprint.
The Penrith Chamber of Trade & Commerce celebrated their Stars of Business Awards on Friday 17 October 2025.
The awards recognised and rewarded the individual and company successes of those in businesses in and around Penrith.
The Council were delighted to sponsor the Volunteer of the Year award which was awarded to Cameron Stewart for his work with Purple Footprint, an initiative to reduce loneliness and connect all age groups.
Congratulations also goes out to all those nominated for the fantastic work they do for the town.
Cllr. Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Mayor of Penrith, attended the Awards Dinner and is pictured above presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award to the winner Cameron Stewart.
The Awards Dinner also raised £1,265 for CRY for Eden.
Former Penrith West Ward Councillor, Hilary Snell has resigned.
The Council would like to thank former Councillor Snell for her voluntary service on the Council. Town Councillors are unpaid, and the Council appreciates former Councillor Snell for her service as former Deputy Mayor, former Chair of the Council's Communities Committee and as Councillor for Penrith West.
Following the resignations of former Cllrs Danny Smith and Hilary Snell, the Returning Officer at Westmorland and Furness Council has received valid requests to fill two vacancies on Penrith Town Council by holding an election.
Nominations opened on Thursday 23 October and close at 4pm Friday 31 October. Should the by-election be contested, voters in the Penrith South, and Penrith West wards of Penrith Town Council will go to the polls between the hours of 7am and 10pm on Thursday 27 November 2025
Full information about standing as a candidate, registering to vote, applying for postal, proxy or voter authority certificates can be found on the Westmorland & Furness Council website. Town Council by-election in Penrith | Westmorland and Furness Council
Over the summer, the Council brightened Middlegate with ten colourful flags promoting Penrith, as part of a summer initiative to welcome visitors to the town. The flags received lots of positive feedback from visitors and residents alike.
With autumn now upon us, the flags have been removed to protect them from the harsher weather and to make room for the town’s upcoming Christmas light displays. However, the flags will be put back up during the tourist season from Easter to September each year.
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The bus shelter on Scotland Road has been damaged following a possible collision which has been reported to the police.
A replacement shelter will be installed in due course. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we get this sorted.
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Penrith Town Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Annabel Candler as its new Events Officer, marking an exciting new chapter for Penrith’s events programme.
Following the success of Penrith May Day 2025, the Council has created this in-house role to organise and deliver Penrith May Day 2026 and develop a wider programme of events for the town. Feedback from residents has shown a strong appetite for the Council to continue delivering and expanding town events. Having an in-house Events Officer ensures that events are well-planned, responsive to community ideas, and provide high-quality experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Annabel brings extensive experience in event coordination and a strong track record in delivering successful community events in Penrith. She has been managing the much-loved Penrith Sparkle (Christmas Light Switch-On) for a number of years for Penrith BID after being behind other town centre events such as ‘Penrith on a Plate’ food festival and ‘Penrith’s Halloween Festival’. In her new role with the Council, Annabel will take the lead on Penrith May Day 2026 and support a wide range of other community-focused celebrations throughout the year.
Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, said:
"We are so pleased to welcome Annabel to the Council. This appointment puts our vision for the town as a creative and cultural place where quality of life is enhanced by a range of vibrant festivals, events and projects firmly into action.
“Her experience and creativity will help us deliver engaging events that reflect the community’s interests, bring people together, and enhance the cultural life of Penrith.”
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Dan Harding, Vice Chair of Penrith Business Improvement District, added:
"Annabel has delivered the Sparkle event for Penrith BID exceptionally well, and I have no doubt she will excel in her new role at the Council.
“It’s an exciting time for the town, and I look forward to seeing the Council build on its success of Penrith May Day 2025 with Annabel now in post.”
Annabel is keen to hear ideas from the community and encourages residents to share suggestions for future events. Anyone with thoughts or ideas can contact her directly at eo@penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk
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Westmorland & Furness Council is carrying out a Community Governance Review of all parish and town councils including Penrith Town Council.
This review looks at whether current parish boundaries, warding arrangements, and councillor numbers still reflect our local community and provide effective representation.
Residents are invited to share their views and suggestions before 8 December 2025.
You can find full details and take part in the consultation on the Westmorland & Furness Council website.
Penrith Town Council encourages everyone to get involved - your voice will help shape how our community is represented in the future.
A short event to mark the national 2 minutes silence and dedication of the Garden of Remembrance will take place at St Andrews at 11am on 11 November 2025.
This will be followed by an event in the George Hotel when Penrith Town Council will formally sign the Armed Forces Covenant. Penrith Town Council invites members of the Armed Forces Community to join it for both events following which a light lunch will be served.
If you are an existing or past member of the Armed Forces family and are interested in attending, please contact the Deputy Town Clerk, Rosalyn Richardson on 01768 899773 or by email to deputytownclerk@penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk in order to reserve a place for lunch.
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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 3 November 2025
- Time: 4.00pm - 5.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 3 November 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 10 November 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 17 November 2025
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.00pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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