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Carlisle Newsletter, Carlisle (2025)

16/08/2025

Veteran refugee campaigner Alf Dubs unveiled a commemorative plaque at Carlisle Lake District Airport to mark 80 years since the arrival of the Windermere Children.

On August 13, 1945, 300 children who had survived the Holocaust landed at RAF Crosby-on-Eden, as it was known then. They were given support in Cumbria - a story which has been the subject of a doc- drama film which is available on Amazon Prime and Youtube.

The plaque was arranged by Carlisle and District Civic Trust and its chair Mike Little outlined how the Windermere Children arrived in 10 converted Stirling bombers. He also outlined the story of one Polish boy witnessed the horrors of the N**i concentration camps and was offered a new life in the UK after being spotted by British officers.

Guests at the ceremony were also treated to a commemorative fly-over by Carlisle Flight Club organised by the Solway Aviation Museum.

Lord Dubs was invited to unveil the commemorative plaque by former Carlisle MP Eric Martlew who is a member of the Trust.

He said: "I came to England on a Kindertransport from Czechoslovakia, had I not have come on a Kindertransport and had I survived the holocaust, I could have been one of the Windermere Children myself.

"I fear we have not learned the lessons of history, and I think it is a real tragedy. The Government recently announced it would take 300 children from Gaza for medical help, which I think is a good idea. I think as a country we can carry on the tradition of the Windermere Children by showing humanity, respect and decency.

"The Windermere Children came here and they were given hope and we should carry on giving hope to other refugee children who come for safety from terrible experiences in their own countries."

15/08/2025

Fibrus has announced a major milestone in its mission to bring lightning-fast Full Fibre broadband to Cumbria, confirming that the company has delivered connectivity to 100,000 homes and businesses in the county - less than three years after the company entered the region in November 2022 🙌

This achievement includes premises reached through both Fibrus’ commercial rollout and the UK Government-funded Project Gigabit. In a further boost, Fibrus was awarded an extension to its Project Gigabit contract in January 2025, enabling an additional 21,000 homes in Cumbria to benefit from gigabit-capable broadband.

Once the expanded rollout is complete, and alongside other commercial plans, an estimated 99% of homes and businesses in Cumbria will have access to next-generation broadband - paving the way for a digitally connected future across the region.

Read more here 👉 https://weareintro.co.uk

10/08/2025

This September, join The Gather (formerly known as La23net) at The Old Fire Station, Carlisle, for a high-impact LinkedIn workshop designed to help professionals and business owners rethink how they use the platform 📲

Led by Neil Simpson - one of the UK’s most outspoken LinkedIn trainers - this interactive session will help you cut through the noise, build a real-time strategy, and leave knowing exactly how to get results from LinkedIn. Expect honest insights, great food, drinks, and quality networking.

🕗 Early bird ticket holders get exclusive access to Neil’s LinkedIn Clinic from 5.15pm.

📆 The event will take place on Thursday 25 September from 5.45pm-8.15pm.

Just bring your phone, an open mind, and a sense of humour.

Get tickets here 👉 https://www.la23net.co.uk/events/

09/08/2025

Lord Alf Dubs will unveil a commemorative blue plaque at Carlisle Airport next week, marking the 80th anniversary of a remarkable humanitarian mission.

On 13 August 1945, 300 child Holocaust survivors landed at RAF Crosby-on-Eden (now Carlisle Airport) aboard 10 converted Stirling bombers from Prague. These children were the first participants in a pioneering rehabilitation scheme by the Care of Children committee, designed to help young survivors of N**i labour and concentration camps rebuild their lives.

The children were initially housed at the Calgarth estate near Windermere, where they spent four months learning English and receiving education before being placed with foster families or hostels in cities like Manchester and Liverpool.

Lord Dubs, himself a child refugee who fled N**i-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939, is a fitting choice to honour these survivors. The Labour peer and refugee rights advocate sponsored the 2016 "Dubs Amendment", offering safe passage to unaccompanied refugee children stranded in European camps.

The Carlisle and District Civic Trust organised this tribute to an extraordinary chapter in post-war humanitarian history. The plaque will be unveiled at 11am on Wednesday at the airport.

08/08/2025

Patients will have to travel further for blood tests, wound care and other routine procedures because GPs are refusing to do work they say should be delivered by hospitals and specialist teams.

GP practices across North Cumbria have ceased providing the services, claiming they were accounting for 25-30 per cent of GPs' daily workload.

That means patients are being redirected to a number of GP practices that are providing interim support before community hubs provide the care from 1 September.

Dr Robert Westgate, Chair of the North Cumbria Local Medical Committee, explained that hospital-related tasks were impacting appointment availability for core GP services.

He said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in work passed from other parts of the health system to GPs, including prescriptions, referrals and test follow-ups that fall outside the scope of our contracts. This is something we now need to address, not to pass on responsibility, but to ensure that general practice can remain safe, available and sustainable for the future.

"These changes will ensure patients still receive the care they need - often more directly from the specialist service managing their condition. We will continue to work constructively with our colleagues across health and care settings to support patients appropriately.”

The services affected include post-operative blood tests, chemotherapy-related monitoring, ECGs for mental health medications, and wound care. However, practices will continue providing enhanced services like DMARD monitoring, hormone injections, vaccinations, NHS health checks, and minor injuries treatment.

04/08/2025

Dacre Hall at Lanercost Priory is hosting its annual August takeover by Craftsmen at the Priory 🎨

The popular exhibition and sale has run at The Priory, near Brampton, since 1978 and the organisers pride themselves on bringing new exhibitors and guests each year to keep the event fresh and vibrant.

The core team of organisers is made up of Tricia Meynell (photographer), Denise Huddleston (textile artist, printer and jewellery maker), Carolyn Marr (ceramicist), Julia Neubauer (knitwear designer) and Richard and Mary Kennedy (furniture maker/woodcarver and artist respectively).

“We invite a range of guest artists and craftspeople and we’ve nine new contributors this year, working with leather and wood, textiles and ceramics, screen printing and precious metals,” says Tricia.

This year’s guest artists and makers are: Kirsten Gilder (textiles), Roseanna Bellwood (printmaker), Isabella Lepri (ceramics), MOS Bespoke Furniture (cabinet maker), Albat Ross trading as Ivy Makers (leather), Lorna Singleton (basket maker), Christine Kirkpatrick (painter), Morag MacPherson (textiles) and Julie Dickson trading as Scrappo Worko (jewellery).

Craftsmen at the Priory runs until Tuesday 26 August, open each day from 10am to 5pm, admission £1 with accompanied children free.

Full details here 👉 https://www.cumbriacrafts.co.uk/2025-exhibitors

03/08/2025

Sniffer dog Skye proved the star of a successful joint operation as Carlisle's Neighbourhood Policing Team, working with Cumberland Council's Trading Standards Department and Immigration Enforcement, targeted shops selling illegal to***co and vapes across the city 🐾

The multi-agency operation discovered sophisticated efforts to conceal contraband, with one shop attempting to outwit authorities using a false wall and secret compartment to pass illegal to***co and vapes to customers. However, the elaborate concealment system proved no match for the combined expertise of the enforcement teams.

Detection dog Skye emerged as the operation's star performer, with police crediting her keen senses for uncovering hidden stashes that might otherwise have remained undetected. "Without her, some of this would not have been found," officers stated, praising Skye's crucial contribution to the successful raids.

The co-ordinated enforcement action demonstrates the commitment of local authorities to tackle the illegal to***co trade, which undermines legitimate businesses and poses health risks to consumers. The operation sends a clear message that sophisticated concealment methods will not deter determined enforcement efforts.

02/08/2025

A fundraising exhibition first organised in the late 1960s is approaching its 60th anniversary 🎉

Carlisle and Cumbria Artists open their 56th annual exhibition at Carlisle Cathedral's Fratry Hall this weekend with more than 250 original paintings on display, along with cards for sale by 57 local artists.

On display will be local landscapes, still life and abstract work in a wide variety of techniques and styles.

The first exhibition took place at the old town hall in 1968, organised by Molly Mawson to raise money to preserve the 15th-century Tithe Barn.

It proved such a success that the then Dean asked Mrs Mawson if future exhibitions could raise money for the cathedral, cementing its place in Carlisle’s cultural calendar.

Terry Moore joined Carlisle and Cumbria Artists in 2005 and was recently appointed chairman of the group.

He said: "Profits for the sale of art are shared between local charities, Carlisle Cathedral and the artists.

"New and emerging artists are encouraged to join each year which always adds variety to each exhibition. Artists come from all backgrounds, some are professionals and all are members of local artists groups."

The exhibition runs from 2 August to 17 August, open 10am to 4pm daily 📆

Admission is free, though donations are welcome.

01/08/2025

Carlisle MP Julie Minns is urging local residents to attend a community meeting next Tuesday to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal services.

The meeting, scheduled for 6pm on 5 August, forms part of the Government's national investigation into NHS maternity care announced by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in June.

"Every woman, baby and family has the right to expect safe and effective maternity care, wherever they are," Ms Minns said. "This meeting gives local people the opportunity to share their experiences and help me build a picture of how effective and safe maternity care in our area is."

The national investigation aims to create actions for improving care across every NHS maternity service following ongoing concerns about standards.

Residents can register online here, by emailing [email protected], or calling 01228 479 441. Registration requires name, address and contact details, with venue details to be confirmed.

The session is part of Ms Minns' Community Matters series, following a July meeting on local bus services.

27/07/2025

Cumbria has so much to offer for day trips you can take the kids on 🚌⛰️

From stunning fell views to elegant coastal towns, world-famous routes through the Lake District to days on the water, there really is something for every taste and interest – and you can do them all while leaving the car at home.

If you take a Stagecoach bus then up to three kids (aged 11 and under) can travel for free (with a paying adult) and it’s just £3 for a single fare for everyone else.

Stagecoach has come up with 10 of their favourite activities to do by bus in Cumbria – and they won’t break the bank.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/416HVFO

26/07/2025

A vintage boutique has arrived in the city 👗

The Goodbye Norma Jean pop-up vintage boutique has started its four-week residency in Carlisle on Paternoster Row.

Fran will be selling her collection of preloved and designer clothes until Saturday 16 August 📆

The aim of the pop-up is to sell clothes sustainably and save items from landfill.

The items being sold range in prices from more affordable secondhand clothes to more expensive designer labels such as Vivienne Westwood.

We sent local student Darcy Coulson to give us her verdict and she said: "The shop is full of wild wacky things that give an extra kind of oomph to your wardrobe. The shop is full of colour and quirky decorations that make it feel incredibly welcoming.

"The shop has a piece of clothing for every situation, whether you're wanting to buy yourself an outfit for Kendal Calling next week or need a piece to add to your everyday wardrobe. The boutique isn’t a high street kind of situation so whatever you do buy will be individual to you. It has a wide range of customers from younger teenagers to elderly people, so it doesn't matter who you are, there will be something for you."

25/07/2025

EXCLUSIVE to the Carlisle Newsletter: New Hope for Bitts Park Lodge 🗞️

Bitts Park Lodge, which has stood empty for several years, could soon see a new lease of life thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Cumberland Council, Story Construction, and Carlisle College - and Carlisle Newsletter is the first to bring you the full story 🙌

With a mission statement of Shared Resources, Intelligence and Logistics, Cumberland Council, appears to have forged a groundbreaking partnership between Story Construction and Carlisle College, putting the Lodge renovation on the curriculum, hopefully starting in September.

It is understood that the plan is to retro-fit the building back to its original form, becoming a ground-level cafe and training venue.

The project aims to engage students from multiple disciplines, including construction, horticulture, occupational health, beauty, hospitality, health and social care, and interior design.

Students will feel personally invested in the project, while gaining invaluable, practical experience in their chosen field.

The second floor of the building is mooted to become a residential respite destination, enabling carers to relax and enjoy re-energising pamper days.

This collaboration represents a cultural shift, seeing industry combining forces with local students and apprentices, for the greater good.

In February the council said it was ‘exploring the options’ for the future use of the building, which has been empty for serveral years. It also denied online rumours that it was preparing to demolish the building.

Carlisle Newsletter

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