In January's edition:
 Image description: Cllr Val Bowen, Penrith Town Council Chair & Penrith Mayor standing infront of the new Bloqx2 climbing unit.
Further improvements have been delivered at Pategill Play Area as part of Penrith Town Council’s £90,000 Play Area Development Reserve, which supports investment in play facilities across all Penrith wards.
As part of this programme, a new Bloqx2 climbing unit has been supplied and installed by Kompan, providing a high-quality and engaging play feature for Pategill and Penrith’s children. The project was supported by a £7,000 investment from Penrith Town Council, building on the Council’s earlier £8,000 contribution towards wider improvements at the site.
The scheme was delivered in partnership with the Pategill Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) & Westmorland & Furness Council, with the TRA providing top up funding of £100 and Westmorland & Furness Council managing the project and sourcing the works.
The £90,000 Play Area Development Reserve was established by Penrith Town Council to enable partnership working with Westmorland & Furness Council and local community groups, helping to deliver meaningful and long-term improvements to play areas throughout Penrith.
Cllr Val Bowen, Chair of Penrith Town Council & Penrith Mayor, said:
“Pategill was the first project to benefit from the Town Council’s £90,000 Play Area Development Reserve, and it’s wonderful to see further improvements delivered through this programme, with the full £15,000 allocated to Pategill Play Area now fully invested.”
“By working in partnership with community groups and Westmorland & Furness Council, we can continue to invest in high-quality play facilities and deliver real benefits for families across Penrith.”
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 Image description: (Left to Right): Helen (Happy Mums Foundation), Cllr Barbara Jayson (Penrith Town Council Deputy Chair & Penrith Deputy Mayor), Lucinda (Happy Mums Foundation).
Penrith Town Council has awarded a grant of £2,075 to The Happy Mums Foundation (HMF) to support the re-establishment of a weekly Happy Mums support group in Penrith. The year‑long programme will provide welcoming, community‑focused sessions designed to help local mums connect, share their experiences, and access emotional support without barriers.
The weekly sessions will take place at Penrith Leisure Centre every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm. Penrith Town Council’s grant has helped The Happy Mums Foundation relaunch the group by contributing toward essential equipment and practical setup costs. Mums can drop in whenever they need support, and no booking is required.
Cllr Barbara Jayson, Deputy Chair and Deputy Mayor of Penrith, said:
“We are very pleased to be able to support bringing these vital weekly sessions back to Penrith. Motherhood can be rewarding, but it can also be emotionally challenging and deeply isolating. Providing a safe, friendly space where mums can talk openly and feel supported is an important investment in our community’s wellbeing."
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Lucinda Bray, Managing Director of The Happy Mums Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be restarting a weekly Happy Mums support group in Penrith. Mums deserve a safe, welcoming space where they can talk honestly about how they are feeling, without waiting lists, labels, childcare challenges, or age restrictions. Motherhood can be incredibly isolating, and we want every mum to know: ‘You are not alone.’
“This group is returning thanks in large part to the support of Cllr Jayson who, as an experienced health visitor and committed advocate for maternal mental health, recognises the pressures and emotional challenges mums face. From intrusive thoughts and sleepless nights to suicidal feelings and weaning anxieties, nothing is off‑limits in our groups, and mums are never judged for how they are feeling. We look forward to welcoming more mums in the area and helping their support networks grow.”
To find out more about the sessions, or to learn about the wider work of The Happy Mums Foundation, please visit their website: https://happymums.org.uk/
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 Image Description: Winter Droving Ram Sculpture.
Following its meeting of Full Council on Monday 26 January 2026, Penrith Town Council has resolved that the £5,000 Signature Events Grant provided to Eden Arts for the 2025 Winter Droving will remain in place.
The Council is satisfied that Eden Arts decision to cancel the event was made responsibly acting on the advice of an independent health and safety organisation. Eden Arts have informed the Council that the £5,000 grant was spent on legitimate pre‑event costs directly related to planned delivery (including planning, safety and supplier preparations) and that these monies cannot be recovered.
By not seeking repayment, the Council hopes that the £5,000 supports the viability of the Winter Droving returning in 2026, strengthening the event’s financial position and enabling planning to commence earlier and more confidently.
A Spokesperson for Penrith Town Council said:
“Eden Arts acted properly and in good faith in response to independent health and safety advice. Our decision not to reclaim the grant recognises those sunk costs and backs the potential return of the Winter Droving in 2026.
“We remain firmly committed to supporting high‑quality cultural events that bring people into Penrith, boost our local economy, and celebrate our town.”
Adrian Lochhead, Eden Arts Director said:
“We are grateful for the Council’s continued support and understanding. While the decision to cancel the 2025 Winter Droving was incredibly difficult, it was made with public safety firmly in mind. The Council’s recognition of the unavoidable costs already incurred enables us to look ahead with renewed confidence."
Penrith Town Council is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the Bronze Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), recognising its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Bronze Award acknowledges organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated their support for service personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet instructors, and military families. This achievement builds on Penrith Town Council’s formal signing of the Covenant in November 2025.
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Cllr Val Bowen, Penrith Town Council Chair & Penrith Mayor, said:
“Receiving the Bronze Award is a significant milestone for the Town Council. It reflects our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community and our determination to ensure that those who serve or have served are treated fairly and supported within our town.”
By achieving the Bronze Award, Penrith Town Council has pledged to:
- Promote itself as an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
- Support employees who are reservists or cadet force volunteers.
- Encourage applications from veterans for Council roles.
- Continue to champion Armed Forces events such as Armed Forces Day, the Poppy Appeal, and Remembrance activities.
These commitments demonstrate the Council’s dedication to inclusion, recognition, and partnership with the Armed Forces family.
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant, visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk.
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Play Panel Secured at Fairhill
A loose play panel at Fairhill Play Area has been securely concreted into place by the Council’s contractor.
This ensures the equipment remains stable and safe for children using the play space.
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Bird Netting Installed at the Bandstand
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The Council has installed new bird‑netting at the bandstand to prevent birds from roosting and leaving mess on the seating.
This small improvement will help keep the area cleaner and more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.
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Weatherproofing Tiles Repaired at Bus Shelter
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Tiles at the bus shelter on Bridge Lane (Hospital side) has been repaired to improve weatherproofing.
The work will help keep the shelter dry and comfortable for passengers throughout the year.
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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 30 March 2026
- Time: 6pm - 8pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 2 March 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 23 February 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 9 February 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.00pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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