Latest news with #CarlisleCathedral
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Family-friendly day trips in North Cumbria this May half-term
Stagecoach has recommended a range of family day trips in North Cumbria this May half-term, all accessible by bus. The company offers free travel for up to three children under five with a paying adult. Children aged five to 15 can travel at a reduced fare, and other fares are capped at £3. Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, in Castle Street, Carlisle, is hosting drop-in craft sessions from May 27 to June 1, from 1pm to 4pm, inspired by the launch of the Tullie's Carlisle Gallery last month. The gallery celebrates the city's nature, people, and Roman and industrial histories. The sessions, which include textile printing, egg carton whales, and felt biscuit fridge magnets, are included with an adult day ticket, with children going free. Carlisle Cathedral (Image: Supplied) Carlisle Cathedral is offering Angels' View Tours on Friday, May 30, from 11.30am to 3.30pm. The tour provides a fresh view of the building, including its medieval stained glass in the East Window and starry ceiling. The tour includes steps and confined spaces, with adults paying £5 and children up to the age of 16 going free. The Sands Centre swimming pool (Image: Supplied) Cumberland Council's 10p swims for schoolchildren are back. Kids up to age 16 are eligible at public pools across the county. For more information, see each pool's website. Vue Cinema, Botchergate (Image: Supplied) Vue Cinema, in Botchergate, Carlisle, is showing the animated film Dog Man for its 10am Mighty Mornings screenings. Children aged four to 11 and their parents can watch for £2.49 each. Dog Man is on from Saturday, May 24, to Thursday, May 29. Cumbria Museum of Military Life (Image: Supplied) Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, at Carlisle Castle, is hosting its Military Festival on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, from 10am to 4.30pm. The festival includes re-enactments, demonstrations, insights into the modern army, and historic vehicles. Normal admission applies, which includes family tickets that allow entry for up to two adults and three children for £12.95. In Silloth, the Victorian seaside town offers a town green with a woodland children's play area and water splash pad, plus two free quirky little museums. The Silloth Motorcycle Museum and Soldiers in Silloth, with its collection of 6,000 toy soldiers, are both open to the public. Kingmoor Sidings Nature Reserve, in Kingmoor Road, Carlisle, is a 22-acre space featuring easy walking trails through woods and beside ponds. Children can look out for water snails, bugs, and beetles. You can even find the remains of a turntable for steam engines and the old engine shed floors. Owned by Cumberland Council, the reserve is perfect for a relaxing couple of hours' exploring and a picnic. Hammonds pond (Image: Supplied) Hammonds Pond, in Upperby Park, Carlisle, is a popular Carlisle park with play areas, football pitches, a miniature railway track, and a café. If you go on Bank Holiday Monday, it's Upperby Gala from 1pm to 4pm, with stalls, forest skills tasters, sports sessions, archery, food and refreshments, face painting, the police and fire service, and more. Even better, entry is free. Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, is a mile's walk from the Temple Sowerby bus stop. The National Trust-run site is known for its herb gardens and fruit orchards. Children will enjoy the working water wheel that runs each weekend, and adults might like the vintage book sale from May 24 to 26, from 10.30am to 4pm, and herb garden and industrial heritage tours. The café is open each day except for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during half-term week. Bitts Park, Carlisle, offers ramps for skaters, the Splash Park water feature, play areas, and playing fields. The park is just beside Carlisle Castle, so you could visit with the children after taking in one of Carlisle's attractions.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Six events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day across Cumbria
EVENTS marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day will be staged in communities across Cumbria. VE Day, also known as Victory in Europe Day, commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe. On May 7th, Germany signed a surrender officially ending the war. The following day was declared VE day as people celebrated the end of the fighting with street parties. From historical talks, afternoon tea and community celebrations, residents across Cumbria are invited to come together to celebrate the 80th anniversary in British history. READ MORE: Huge turnout at Egremont Castle for Easter Sunday event The News & Star have picked out six events scheduled to take place: Carlisle Cathedral Carlisle Cathedral has announced a special service of Choral Evensong. It will conclude with the ringing of the cathedral bells from 6.30pm as part of the national 'Ring Out In Celebration' which will mirror that moment, in 1945, when bells rang out across Britain as the nation took to the streets in celebration of Victory in Europe Day. The service is free to attend and will begin on Thursday, May 8th at 5:45pm. Houghton Village Hall Houghton Village Hall is hosting a VE Day party on Sunday, May 4th from 12pm until 4pm. The hall and green are set to be 'transformed' with activities such as tombola, inflatables, stalls and a bar. There will also be indoor refreshments with coffee and cake. They are asking people to dress in their best World War Two-themed outfits. READ MORE: Carlisle knitting group call for help with 'something special' for VE Day Cumwhinton Village Community Hall Cumwhinton Village Community Hall is hosting a VE Day coffee morning on Saturday, May 3rd. Staff and pupils from Cumwhinton Primary School will be baking goodies to sell on the day and there will also be a raffle to raise money for the village hall. Currock Community Centre From 1:15pm until 3pm on Thursday, May 8th, Currock Community Centre in Carlisle will be hosting a free history talk with Cumbrian author, Stephen White. There will be an afternoon tea buffet and the group is hoping veterans from World War Two will be able to join them. Those interested are asked to book by emailing info@ or calling 01228 591868. Longtown Community Centre Longtown Community Centre are holding a free event for all of their local residents. On Thursday, May 8th from 2pm until 4pm they will be serving cream tea and refreshments provided by Arthuret Parish Council. There will also be a display of World War Two memorabilia open until 9pm. The event is free but booking is required for refreshments on 01228 791876 or info@ Cumberland Council Cumberland Council will be lighting up its main buildings in red (and where possible, red, white, and blue) and flying the Union Flag to mark the occasion.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carlisle to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day
Carlisle is set to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month with a series of events. On Thursday, May 8, the city will commemorate the end of World War II in Europe with a range of activities. The day will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony and a short service at the cenotaph in the city centre at midday, honouring the contributions of service personnel during the conflict. Later in the day, Carlisle Cathedral will host a Civic Evensong service at 5.45pm, followed by the ringing of the cathedral bells at 6.30pm. The celebrations will then move to Carlisle Castle, where the public can participate in the lighting of the Lamp of Peace at 9pm. This will be followed by a rendition of words, songs, and the national anthem until 9.30pm, when there will be the lighting of the beacon. The ceremony will conclude with the floodlighting of the Cathedral, Citadel, and Devonshire Street by Cumberland Council. The nationwide celebrations, announced by the Government, will span four days, culminating on VE Day itself, Thursday, May 8. Communities across the country are encouraged to organise their own street parties, in a nod to how the day was celebrated in 1945. Victory in Europe Day is an annual celebration that marks the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, which marked the end of World War II in Europe. On May 8, 1945, after nearly six years of war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced a national holiday, addressing the nation on the radio. However, the day was not celebrated by everyone, as fighting continued in the Far East against Japan for another three months. Jules Wooding, manager of Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, explained: "Although there were celebrations and rejoicing, many people mourned those that had been killed or worried about those still serving overseas. "Even with VJ Day later in 1945, life did not return to normal as the impact of the war continued for many years." The Border Regiment, whose depot was at Carlisle Castle, continued to fight in the Far East in May 1945, with the war not finishing for them until August 15 – VJ (Victory Over Japan) Day. The 2nd, 4th and 9th Battalions were fighting in Burma, as recalled by George MacDonald Fraser, author, who served with the 9th Battalion. Within a week of Rangoon's fall came the news of Hitler's death and the German surrender. The 1st Battalion of the Border Regiment was sent to Norway on Operation Doomsday in May 1945 as part of the German surrender. Due to bad weather, one RAF Stirling aeroplane crash-landed in the fog near Oslo, killing all those onboard, including 13 from the Regiment. Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, located in Alma Block within Carlisle Castle, the former Border Regiment Depot, will be showcasing some of its Second World War collections in a series of changing displays scheduled throughout the year. Residents are invited to join the celebrations in Carlisle to commemorate and celebrate this significant day in history. The events provide an opportunity for the community to reflect on the past and remember those who served during the war, while also celebrating the peace and freedom that was restored 80 years ago.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- The Guardian
Where tourists seldom tread, part 16: a trio of small historic cities
Whenever this town-focused series includes a city, prideful hollering ensues. The English distinction – not tied to a cathedral, a certain form of local government, nor population size – is whimsical, even if signed off by royalty. This selection of destinations is not about alpha cities. The smallest is ancient; the other two newly minted. None merit bypassing. I arrived in Carlisle by way of the Cumbrian coast line and would later ride onward on the fabled railway to Settle. Arriving in this ancient city in a midway kind of mood is all too common. If Carlisle wasn't between so many beauty spots – Lakes and Dales, Scotland and Northumbria, Hadrian's Wall and North Pennines – it would be a tourism hotspot. Its origins lie in the Roman settlement of Luguvalium, a key military base by the third century and the administrative centre for keeping down the indigenous Carvetii. A castle first appeared in 1093; its successor greets you outside the station. A priory and city were founded and a bishopric decreed in the 12th century. Walls were speedily built; the western ramparts remain. Anglo-Norman historian Jordan Fantosme (died circa 1185) describes the 'fair and well-defended city of Carlisle … resplendent in its beauty as the sun lights up its walls and turrets'. Myth swirled around them. French Arthurian poet Chrétien de Troyes identified Arthur's court with Carlisle. Wool was woven and dyed; leather was tanned. Both commodities were exported to Ireland. From the 13th century, the gaze shifted to Scotland, with Carlisle as a base for invasion. Between-ness became bloody. The so-called Debatable Lands, formerly too poor to matter, became a seedbed of anarchy. Border reivers from both nations raided farms and settlements. This was the last part of Great Britain to be brought under the control of a state, beginning in 1530. Subsequently, Carlisle was a major trading post, for corn, cattle, horses, with three fairs and eight thriving guilds (merchants, tanners, skinners and glovers, butchers, smiths, weavers, tailors, and shoemakers). The Guildhall is a Grade I-listed, timber-framed beauty. However, commercial activity waned. Daniel Defoe, visiting in 1724, reported that 'the city is strong, but small, the buildings old, but the streets fair … There is not a great deal of trade here either by land or sea, it being a mere frontier'. Industry rebooted it all over again, through canal, roads and, especially, the railways. It became a substantial north-west city. Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed at the County Hotel on their tours. The latter used his northern experiences while writing The Woman in White. I imagine him sipping a brew and scribbling at the Victorian John Watt & Son tearooms in his final year. Things to see and do: Lanercost Priory (bus AD122 and 685), Hadrian's Wall (Birdoswald) at Brampton; Carlisle Cathedral One definition of the north is 'point of no return'. In 1603, Sir Robert Carey, deciding to deliver the news that Queen Elizabeth I had died to James VI at Holyrood, travelled by horse from London to Doncaster in a single day. Henry Bolingbroke was proclaimed Henry IV at Doncaster. Northern powers met their foes to negotiate near Doncaster during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a revolt against Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. England's envoys were following their Roman forebears. Doncaster was a natural forward base for summits and skirmishes. The Great North Road provides both entry point and focus for a day trip to Donny. The starting gate is the racecourse, here since 1776, also the first year of the St Leger. The Great North Road (A638) is an elegant boulevard. On South Parade are smart early 19th-century terraces. Extensive parks spread out on either side of the road. At Regent Square, leafiness comes into town. In the area are The Earl, a 1930s hotel with its art deco shimmeringly restored; The Point, a thriving gallery, cafe and cultural space; and The Salutation, a lovely boozer that has kept its arch for horse-drawn coaches. Doncaster gathers pace as you walk. Soon the old main drag bristles with pubs and bars. Hall Gate becomes High Street. On the pavement are two undulating timelines – one for Doncaster (Romans invade 55BC, founding of Danecastre 1152, floods 1750); the other for world events (braille 1837, cubism 1907, etc). Rising above it is the Mansion House, one of two Grade I-listed buildings in the town centre, and the official base of the civic mayor. Free tours of the opulent staircase, meeting rooms and grand ballroom are offered monthly. The Roman name, Danum, is everywhere: Danum hotel; Danum plumbing and heating; Danum coffee. The Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is a remarkable contemporary building, housing part of the old Doncaster high school for girls building. It has a superb railway memorabilia collection, with the Green Arrow and Atlantic locos built at Doncaster Plant Works as magnificent centrepieces. Above these are beautiful library areas for adults and children, a smart cafe, and an art gallery that juxtaposes old master-ish oils of race meetings and wigged grandees with contemporary work reflecting the most forward-looking attitudes to mental health. St George's church is the other Grade I-listed building. Known as the minster, it is prominent, dark and godly, and visible from afar. The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner deemed it the 'proudest and most cathedral-like of … parish churches'. I walked beneath it, over the North Bridge, past the Danum retail park to the Sun inn, there to discover the Roman Ridge – a branch of the old Roman road called Ermine Street, green and filled with birdsong. At a bench I ate a ham pie from the revered local bakery Toppings. The Romans are said to have introduced the idea of topping pies, and I was having a Toppings pie on the road by which their legionnaires, and their recipes, arrived. A Roman pie on a Roman road. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion Things to see and do: Conisbrough Castle, South Yorkshire aircraft museum, Yorkshire wildlife park, Doncaster markets. The English and Scots get het up over second cities. Wales's isn't in doubt – but that doesn't deter putdowns. In a parody of Dylan Thomas's oft-quoted 'ugly, lovely town', the corrupt cop Terry Walsh (played by Dougray Scott) in the 1997 film Twin Town describes Swansea as a 'pretty shitty city'. I disagree: terrace houses ranged on steep-sided hills and sweeping Swansea Bay offer solace to the searching eye. If all of Swansea isn't pretty, blame the blitz, which obliterated buildings, lives, livelihoods, part of the past. The name of the city has nothing to do with swans or the sea. It was once called Sweins eg or eyc, Swein's island. In Welsh, it's Abertawe, meaning mouth of the Tawe river. Swein may have been a Norseman who built a fort on the island around AD1000 as a base for raiding the Welsh coast. The town was founded in the early 12th century during the Norman conquest of Wales. A wooden castle was constructed on the site of Worcester Place, rebuilt in stone in the early 13th century – still standing at the southern end of High Street, somewhat hemmed in by modern buildings. A town, with a market and garrison, sprang up. Much later, Swansea grew around coal mining and iron ore extraction, shipbuilding and shipping, and in the late 18th century saw booms in copper, lead and pottery. In 1801 the population was around 6,800; by the end of the century, it had passed 100,000. During the last three decades, the docks have been redeveloped – and rebranded as the Maritime Quarter (or Marina). Dylan Thomas is too famous, his ownership of Swansea (and Laugharne) too established to need revisiting. Other artists are worthy guides. Vernon Watkins's Ode to Swansea opens with precise images of its particular luminance: 'Bright town, tossed by waves of time to a hill.' Alfred Janes's painting Castle Street, Swansea 1941-41 captures the blitzed, violated urban heart. Daniel Jones's Fifth Symphony may evoke the drama of the wild surrounding landscapes, inner turmoil, the sea, wartime memories, or none of those. It confirmed him 'without serious rival as the principality's leading symphonist'. These three, with other pals, and Thomas, were known collectively as the Kardomah Gang. The Kardomah cafe on Portland Street is not the original (that was on Castle Street) but is a lovely combination of 50s-style greasy spoon and 21st -century retro chic. The city is packed with sites iconic to locals and literary pilgrims alike: the No Sign Bar (the city's oldest wine bar); the Tower of the Ecliptic astronomical observatory; the gracious Morgan's Hotel; the magnificently (mis)named Salubrious Passage off Wind Street; the old Carlton Cinema (now a bookshop). Trainspotters and history buffs get misty eyed about the Swansea and Mumbles Railway, opened on 25 March 1807, to carry the first paying passengers in the world; a replica of the first horse-drawn carriage is on display in the Tramshed in the Marina. I follow its trail to Mumbles and the Gower – which rises towards the to see and do: Swansea Jack memorial; 5 Cwmdonkin Drive (Dylan Thomas's house) and Cwmdonkin Park, Dylan Thomas Centre, National Waterfront Museum. Chris Moss's visits were assisted by Visit England, Visit Wales and Doncaster Council
BBC News
24-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Competition opens to design new Cumbria community flag
Flags can be used to express identity, allegiances and social pride, and are seen everywhere from government buildings, to festivals and football unlike many English counties, Cumbria does not have an official community is why the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff of Cumbria have launched a new competition for residents to create a design for a county Alexander Scott said the new emblem would "provide an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our shared identity". High Sheriff Chris Holmes said the flag would be free to use for anyone "proud of Cumbria" and encouraged local people to get involved."The rich heritage of the county does provide plenty of inspiration for designing a flag," he said. Expression of pride Any member of the community is welcome to submit an entry - and a competition pack is available on the Lord-Lieutenant's winning flag will be used to celebrate the region's history, express community pride and increase recognition and awareness of Cumbria, he said. However, it will have no connection to any government or political process, and will be available soley for use by individuals or groups wishing to express their connection to the already has flag representing the local authority, which was created in 1974 when the ceremonial county was formed. It is flown from official buildings, including council Cumbria competition is being run with support from Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Carlisle Cathedral, the University of Cumbria and the Flag Institute. 'Ancient origins' Philip Tibbetts is a communities vexillologist - an expert who studies flags and related emblems, at the Flag has previously worked with communities in Penrith, Appleby, Nenthead and Wreay to develop flags for the said: "Given the ancient origins and unique history of the wider Cumbrian region, encompassing it's time as a Welsh-speaking region, and later incorporation into England, I am excited by the potential inspiration that can be drawn on. "I look forward to seeing the winner take its rightful place flying next to the region's constituent historic county and town flags in future."The competition closes on 25 April. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
