In June's edition:
 Image Description: Penrith Wayfinding & Interpretation current damaged signage.
Penrith Town Council’s Wayfinding and Interpretation Project will move into its next phase in the coming weeks, with the installation of new fingerposts and visitor information totem panels across the town centre.
The scheme, fully funded by a grant from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, will replace and refresh outdated town centre signage, some of which is damaged, broken or missing panels. New fingerposts, totem panels with interpretive and wayfinding (mapping) displays will help residents and visitors move more easily around Penrith, connect key heritage and cultural sites, and improve links between the town centre, green spaces and recreational areas.
Penrith Town Council commissioned a wayfinding strategy to inform the project and support a more consistent approach to visitor movement across the town. The strategy identifies primary and secondary pedestrian routes, helping the scheme guide people more clearly between key arrival points, shopping areas, heritage sites and public spaces. Distinctive features at the top of the new signs will include outlines of Penrith Beacon, the Musgrave Monument and Penrith Castle, reinforcing a strong sense of place and giving the signage a clear local identity.
The signage and wayfinding works were awarded to Trueform following a competitive tender process at a contract value of £125,000.
Councillor Val Bowen, Penrith Town Council Chair & Penrith Mayor, said:
“This investment is a significant step forward for Penrith. Clear, accessible, and attractive signage is essential for making our town welcoming and easier to explore. Whether you're shopping locally, exploring our beautiful market town or discovering our heritage, this upgrade will make a real difference.”
“The new signage will include updated directional signs, walking route maps, and interpretation boards highlighting Penrith’s rich history, culture, and local landmarks. The improvements will align with Penrith’s broader town centre revitalisation goals, aiming to strengthen the local economy and enhance community pride.”
“We want these signs to reflect the spirit of Penrith – informative, welcoming, and proud of our heritage.”
Improved wayfinding will encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of the town, and support local businesses, including by helping to draw shoppers from the town’s outskirts into the centre.
The installation programme will see new fingerposts and totem panels placed at key locations across the town centre, creating clearer routes between arrival points, shopping areas, historic sites and public spaces. Alongside the physical signage, the scheme will introduce new stories about Penrith through interpretation panels, a new digital trail and a historic “Penrith Through Time” video, helping people visualise how the town has changed and developed over time. The project has been developed with input from community groups, residents and partners, and forms part of a wider package of heritage and cultural improvements supported through the Borderlands Growth Deal.
For more information, visit the Penrith Town Council website.
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 Image Description: The Great Penrith Picnic 2026 images. Click this image to watch a video compilation of the day.
Penrith Town Council would like to thank everyone who joined us in Castle Park on Saturday 4 July for the first Great Penrith Picnic.
The inaugural event was a fantastic success, bringing together local community, voluntary and sports organisations for a relaxed day of family activities, live entertainment and community connection. The weather held up throughout the day, allowing visitors to make the most of one of Penrith's most popular green spaces.
The event provided an opportunity for residents to discover local clubs, groups, activities and volunteering opportunities, while enjoying free entertainment and spending time with family and friends. Feedback from those attending was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the friendly atmosphere and the chance to meet local organisations in a relaxed setting.
Cllr Barbara Jayson, Chair of Penrith Town Council's Communities Committee, said:
"We are delighted with the success of the first Great Penrith Picnic. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the day and making connections with local groups and organisations."
"The event highlighted the incredible range of activities, opportunities and community spirit that exists in Penrith. We have received some excellent feedback from both visitors and participating organisations, which is a real testament to everyone who helped make the day such a success."
"We would like to thank Westmorland and Furness Council for enabling the use of Castle Park, which provided a fantastic setting for the event, and extend our thanks to all the community groups, performers, volunteers and staff who contributed to such an enjoyable day."
The Great Penrith Picnic forms part of Penrith Town Council's commitment to delivering free, inclusive community events and helping residents connect with opportunities available across the town. Penrith Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended, took part and supported the event.
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 Image Description: Penrith Town Centre Greening 2026.
Penrith Town Council has provided a £4,000 contribution through its Communities Committee to support Penrith Business Improvement District’s (BID) town centre greening project for 2026.
The funding has helped towards the cost of floral displays, hanging baskets and planters across the town centre, including Market Square, Middlegate and other key locations. The project aims to brighten the street scene, support local businesses and help make Penrith an attractive and welcoming place for residents and visitors throughout the year.
The 2026 programme includes seasonal planting and displays, alongside year-round planters that can be refreshed to maintain colour and impact across the seasons, with plants supplied by a Cumbrian grower.
Cllr Barbara Jayson, Chair of Penrith Town Council’s Communities Committee, said:
"Penrith’s floral displays and planters make a real contribution to the character of our town centre and help create a positive first impression for residents and visitors alike. The Council’s Communities Committee was pleased to support this year’s greening project with a £4,000 contribution.
"Working in partnership with Penrith BID enables us to enhance public spaces, support our local economy and take pride in the appearance of our town. The greening project is an important part of creating a vibrant and welcoming town centre for everyone to enjoy."
The investment supports the Council’s Business Plan commitment to work in partnership to improve the street scene through greening, decorating and town dressing projects.
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 Image Description: Fairhill Play Area Improvements.
Penrith Town Council has completed improvement works at Fairhill Play Area, helping to keep it safe, well maintained and enjoyable for children and families over the Summer months and beyond.
The works included the installation of new wetpour safety surfacing beneath the toddler log swing and the replacement of the former spring cockerel with a new spinner bowl play unit. The spinner bowl has been designed to support inclusive play, with a deep, supportive seat and the ability to be turned by body movement or pushed by another child or carer, including from a wheelchair position. The improvements respond directly to issues identified through the Council’s regular inspection programme while also helping to broaden the range of play experiences available at Fairhill.
The Fairhill project forms part of Penrith Town Council’s £90,000 Play Area Development Reserve, which is investing £15,000 in each of Penrith’s six wards to improve opportunities for children and young people across the town.
The remaining Penrith North allocation has been invested in improvements at Milton Street Play Area.
Councillor Charlie Shepherd, Chair of Penrith Town Council’s Finance Committee said:
"Play areas matter because they give children safe, familiar places to be active, make friends and enjoy being outdoors. The improvements at Fairhill are practical but important. They address issues identified through regular inspections, while the new spinner bowl also helps make the space more inclusive and enjoyable for children with a range of abilities."
"The Council has set aside a £90,000 Play Area Development Reserve so that improvements can be made fairly across all six wards. Fairhill is the latest example of that investment making a visible difference locally, and with the remaining Penrith North allocation now being used at Milton Street, residents will see this programme continue in the coming weeks and beyond."
The Council will continue to work with Westmorland & Furness Council and local communities to identify and deliver further improvements through its Play Area Development Reserve, which has already supported projects in Pategill, Carleton and Castletown, with further schemes progressing elsewhere in the town.
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 Image Description: Armed Forces Day gathering outside Voreda House.
Penrith Town Council was proud to organise this year’s Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony in Penrith and to provide refreshments afterwards, as the community came together to show its support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and their families.
The ceremony took place on Monday 22 June 2026 at Voreda House, marking the start of Armed Forces Week ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June 2026. The Armed Forces Day flag was raised at 10.00am, with attendees gathering beforehand to observe the occasion. A bugler from Penrith Town Band marked the ceremony by playing the Last Post, followed by a salute. Speeches were given by the Mayor of Penrith, representatives of Westmorland and Furness Council, and invited military guests. Refreshments were then served at Penrith Methodist Church.
The event was delivered with the support of Westmorland and Furness Council and was well attended by veterans, their families and members of the wider community. Penrith Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the event.
 Image Description: May Day ‘Community Through a Lens’ Photo Competition Winners. Top Left - Winning Photo – May Day 2026, Top Right - Highly Commended – Nick Tippey , Bottom - Highly Commended – Nick Tippey
Penrith Town Council with Penrith & District Camera Club held a photography competition for the first time at Penrith May Day 2026!
The club has been running since 1980 and welcomes keen photographers of all ages and levels of experience. Beyond their weekly meetings, they arrange workshops, trips, and special events throughout April to September.
This challenge was to capture an image that showcased the community’s joy and engagement at the May Day event. As the day was filled with many activities, spectacles, and entertainment, there was a plethora of choice!
Mayor Val Bowen had the difficult task of choosing a winning image which proved to be enjoyable as well as trying. She commented:
“The variation received was tremendous and really showcased the colour and happiness that filled the town centre that day. Choosing was hard because no poor images were sent in. The club really showed their skill!
"From the selection we narrowed it down to three contenders. Two photographs were awarded ‘Highly Commended’ as we couldn’t let them slip by without recognition. Nick Tippey’s ‘dancers’ is a colourful, vibrant, and joyful moment in time with beautiful movement and shapes. His shot of the ‘Guardians’ in front of our beloved Musgrave monument is a wonderful compilation of key elements from the event and town.
"The winning image is from Phil Newport and captures anticipation and excitement in the churchyard by the teddy bear zip wire. The composition with lovely angles and perspective is very pleasing to the eye. The context highlights how fully immersed the community was for the event and the content shows the range of ages that enjoyed being there.”
The Town Council wish to send a big thank you to all those who entered and a big congratulations to the winners. The hope is to make this an annual competition in collaboration with the club.
For more information, please visit the Penrith Camera Club website.
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 Image Description: Penrith Wild Play Day poster.
Families across Penrith are invited to enjoy a summer of outdoor fun as Penrith Wild Play Days return to three locations across the town during the school holidays.
Delivered by Penrith Town Council in partnership with local organisations, the free sessions will offer a range of activities designed to encourage creative play, exploration and family enjoyment in the town’s parks and open spaces.
Taking place at Fairhill Playing Field, Thacka Beck Field and Castletown Recreation Ground, the events will provide opportunities for children to get active, make new friends and enjoy a variety of outdoor play experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.
Penrith Wild Play Days form part of the Town Council’s commitment to supporting family-friendly activities and making the most of the town’s green spaces during the summer holidays.
All activities are free to attend, and families are welcome to drop in and join the fun.
Playhouse improvements unveiled
 Image Description: Partners from Westmorland & Furness Council, Penrith Town Council and Penrith Players.
Penrith Town Council Chair and Mayor, Councillor Val Bowen, joined representatives from Penrith Players & Westmorland & Furness Council to celebrate the completion of major improvements at Penrith Players’ Playhouse.
The project, supported through the Borderlands Place Programme, has delivered new retractable seating, energy-efficient lighting and enhancements to the foyer and entrance areas, creating a more flexible and welcoming venue for audiences and performers alike.
The Playhouse is the first Penrith project to be completed through the Borderlands Place Programme, helping to strengthen the town’s arts and cultural offer.
Westmorland and Furness Council Local Plan Consultation
 Image Description: Westmorland & Furness Council Local Plan graphic.
Westmorland and Furness Council is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to have their say on its new Local Plan, which will guide development across the area to 2045. The plan will help shape decisions on housing, employment, transport, infrastructure, climate, nature and the future growth of communities across Westmorland and Furness.
The latest consultation opened on 1 July and runs until 11 August 2026, giving local people the opportunity to influence the next stage of this important long-term plan.
Westmorland and Furness Council is encouraging everyone to take part and share their views before the consultation closes on 11 August 2026.
Westmorland & Furness Council: Garden Waste Collection Update for Residents
 Image Description: Westmorland & Furness Council Garden Waste poster.
Penrith Town Council would like to make residents aware of an update from Westmorland and Furness Council regarding the garden waste collection service.
Residents who have already subscribed to the service but have not yet received their garden waste sticker should not be concerned. Westmorland and Furness Council has confirmed that collection crews can check subscription records and garden waste will continue to be collected, even if a sticker has not yet arrived.
Residents are asked to allow up to 15 working days from signing up for their sticker to be delivered. If a sticker has still not arrived after that time, residents should contact Westmorland and Furness Council on 0300 373 3300.
Those who have not yet subscribed but would like to receive garden waste collections can still sign up. Collections will commence once a subscription has been processed and a collection sticker has been issued.
For further information about the garden waste service, including how to subscribe, please visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website.
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 28 September 2026
- Time: 6pm - 8pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Planning Committee:
- Date: Monday 27 July 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Unit 2, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Finance Committee:
- Date: Monday 14 September 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.15pm
- Venue: Board Room, Unit 1 Church House, 19-24 Friargate
Communities Committee:
- Date: Monday 21 September 2026
- Time: 5.15pm - 7.00pm
- Venue: Boardroom, Unit 1, Church House, 19-24 Friargate
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