Stories from Cumbria you may have missed this week
A kayak was overturned by youths sparking a huge emergency response, swimmers have been warned about harmful algae found in Windermere and a village that was deliberately flooded to make a reservoir has re-emerged.Here are five stories from Cumbria you may have missed this week.
Flooded village re-emerges in dry spell
A village which was deliberately flooded to create a reservoir has re-emerged due to a lack of rainfall.Mardale village in the Lake District disappeared when the Haweswater valley was flooded in 1939 to create a structure to provide water for north-west England.The Environment Agency said the reservoir, which has capacity for about 85,000 million litres (18,697 million gallons) of water, was 30% lower than it should be at this time of year.Read about the impact of the recent dry weather here
'Selfish' trio overturn kayak sparking huge search
A kayak which was pushed into a lake by "selfish" youths sparked a huge emergency response involving a helicopter flying from Wales.Keswick Mountain Rescue Team said it deployed search teams to Thirlmere in the Lake District to reports of an overturned vessel with the potential for people in the water.Cumbria Police said three people aged in their 20s pushed the vessel into the water and "shockingly decided to lie to officers", with all services "saddened by the selfish actions".Read about the response and what the emergency services said here
Swimmers warned over harmful algae found in lake
Swimmers have been told to avoid part of a lake where harmful blue-green algae was found in the water.The blooms, which can make people ill if swallowed, were discovered at Windermere's Lakeside YMCA bathing area in the Lake District.The Environment Agency said blue-green algae - which can turn the water green - is "naturally occurring" and can appear across the UK, but advised people to avoid swimming in the affected area.Read more about the blooms here
Former safari park chiefs refused new zoo site
Plans for a new wild animal reserve, to be run by the operators of a recently closed zoo at the centre of long-running welfare concerns, have been turned down.Proposals for the site near Tebay in Cumbria, submitted by bosses of the former South Lakes Safari Zoo, were rejected by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) which said it would have a negative impact on the way the area looks.YDNPA chairman Derek Twine also said unauthorised work had already begun on the site and further action would be taken if that work was not remedied.Read about the report and the decision here
M6 bridge works to cost locals millions - critics
The closure of a busy junction on the M6 during essential bridge repair work will cost local people millions and could put jobs at risks, critics of the project have said.National Highways is set to repair eight bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria because the structures are coming to the end of their serviceable life.Read more about the reaction to the repair work here
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10 hours ago
- BBC News
Shaftesbury Lido reopens after major refurbishment
An open air swimming pool is to reopen following a £100,000 refurbishment.A campaign also raised more than £30,000 of the funds needed to replace the filtration system and pool liner of Shaftesbury Lido, in Shaftesbury, lido was shut in March so contractors could install the new, larger water filter pumps to improve the water quality of the pool and reduce the running manager Harriet Green told the BBC: "It was a real logistical challenge to get to where we are but we'll be opening on Saturday." The fundraiser was organised by Friends of Shaftesbury Swimming and Shaftesbury Town Council. Ms Green said: "The people that have supported us have been incredible and we are so, so grateful."We cannot quite get our heads around how much support we've had and how much money people have raised for us."It's been overwhelming, and we couldn't have done this without them, so a huge thank you [to them]."The lido is one of the oldest pools still operational in the country, having been used since about 1890. A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office for large parts of Green said: "If there's a chance of lightning we would have to clear the pool, and then there's a certain amount of time before we can get people back in... so hopefully the thunderstorms will stay away tomorrow." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
'The grass to feed my cows just hasn't grown'
A lack of grass caused by dry weather could leave one farmer facing an extra monthly bill of almost £1,000 for animal UK had its driest spring in 50 years in 2025, according to the Met Office. For some farmers, such as strawberry growers, the conditions have led to bumper yields - but other crops are livestock farmers like Helen Griffiths in Ashleworth, Gloucestershire, it means having to spend more to supplement her livestock's food."The grass growth generally keeps up with the cattle grazing until mid to late-July," she said. "This year, once they'd eaten off the grass that was there, that was it - the grass just hasn't grown." Mrs Griffiths said the lack of rain means the grass her cows and sheep would normally graze on at this time of year is not enough to sustain a result, she has had to dip into her stock of forage - hay and haylage - which would normally be saved for winter, and may have to buy in additional supplies. "I was quoted £30 per round hay bale delivered to the farm, which is quite high compared to previous years," she said."That's nearly £1,000 a month extra just feeding them because the grass isn't growing."Mrs Griffiths said the lack of rain has also impacted straw harvests for winter bedding, as grains have not grown as high as hoped. She added one of her fields which "typically floods" in winter only flooded "a little" in the past year, which she believes also impacted the grass."The weather seems to be increasingly extreme on different ends of the scale and as farmers that's something we have to battle on the frontline for," Mrs Griffiths said she is unsure what the implication may be for consumers."We don't necessarily dictate the prices," she explained. "It's very much down to big supermarkets and the big buyers." Meanwhile, Paul Keene said the sunshine has been "positive" for his strawberries, as it helps them "swell"."It really drives the flavour and we get the best crop ever," he said."When the strawberries are ready and it's a sunny day, we'll be full of customers eager to pick." But Mr Keene said his recently-planted pumpkins are "desperate for water"."We have just irrigated them furiously and a drop of rain would be most welcome," he said."We've got a reservoir full of water that will keep us going. As long as it gets filled up in winter, we're happy," he added.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Corby Pride parade and festival cancelled after weather warning
A Pride festival has been postponed because of thunderstorms that are annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Corby, Northamptonshire, was due to take place on said the parade through the streets and the festival in Coronation Park had been called off because there would be a "risk to public safety".However, a Queer Ceilidh planned for Friday evening is still going ahead. The Queer Ceilidh, which is like a barn dance, will be led by LGBTQ band The Rainbow Folk at Corby Old Village Community Heywood from the band said: "I teach the dances and I think a lot of people think 'Ooh, it's like going to a dance lesson, what if I get it wrong? The teacher will tell me off!'"That's not what it's about, it's about having fun - it's a social dance form so, as long as you're having fun, you're getting it right." The parade was due to set off from the Corby Cube at 12:00 BST on Saturday and head to Coronation Park, where entertainment, food and community stalls were planned.A statement from Corby Pride said the organisers were "extremely disappointed to have to make this decision and would like to thank the community for their support, co-operation and understanding during these difficult circumstances".They added that they would be looking into possible future dates for a rescheduled after-party planned for the Grampian Club on Saturday night is still going ahead.A yellow weather warning from the Met Office is in place between 09:00 and 18:00 on Saturday, predicting thunderstorms could "lead to some disruption of transport and infrastructure". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
