Latest news with #Wigton
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wigton firm's donation helps revamp hut at Watchtree Nature Reserve
The Watchtree Nature Reserve has refurbished its indoor education space thanks to a donation from Howdens Kitchens. To mark the transformation, the John Muir Hut has been renamed The Howdens Hut, after the kitchen firm in Wigton donated kitchen units and work surfaces. The interior has been transformed, providing storage and creating a new space for the education and wellbeing team to use in bad weather. The hut's interior, fitted with donated kitchen units and work surfaces from Howdens Kitchens, Wigton (Image: Supplied) A Howdens sign has been installed on the side of the hut in recognition of the donation. Leanne Fisher, the education and wellbeing team leader, said: "This donation has truly made a difference to how we will deliver educational and wellbeing sessions at Watchtree, providing a fully functional indoor space for those rare wet days at Watchtree." "We're so thankful to Howdens for their generosity and community spirit." The Howdens showroom in Wigton is open six days a week. Watchtree Nature Reserve is a 205-acre site offering a range of nature activities.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
North Cumbrian church to host range of events on June weekend
A NORTH Cumbrian church will be hosting a range of events over an upcoming weekend. Reverend Richard Corrie has organised various events that will take place at St Mary's Church, Wigton, this summer. On Friday, June 6, there will be an antiques and collectables valuation, hosted by BBC's antiques expert Paul Laidlaw. Paul, of Laidlaw Auctioneers and Valuers, in Carlisle, has appeared on Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip. He will be valuing antiques and collectors' items, including jewelry, silver, watches, medals, militaria, and anything that is 'quirky or unusual.' On Saturday, June 7, there will be a performance by the Border Concert Band. A spokesperson said: "An independent community wind band of 35 talented amateur musicians from North Cumbria and South West Scotland. "Brass, woodwind, percussion, with a wide repertoire, light classical, contemporary pop and rock, music from the stage and screen, and military marches. "Always a foot-tapping, crowd-pleasing performance." There will also be an organ recital by David T Shingler, an organ scholar of Carlisle Cathedral. This will take place on Friday, June 6, at 7.30pm. Shingler has previously been assistant and deputy organist at St Mary's Church, in Wigton. The programme will include a variety of pieces, including music by Cumbrian composers. On Monday, June 9, at 7.30pm, there will be a quiz night with Tom Elliott. Tom is a Christian comedian and musician who has been described by Miranda Hart as 'such fun.' A spokesperson said: "This will be a fun night of general knowledge, fun, and faith. "Teams of up to five are welcome or come along and join a team on the night." On Sunday, June 8, at 3.30pm, there will be a Songs of Praise session hosted by two members of the Salvation Army. Further details about these events can be found on St Mary's Church's social media pages.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cumbrian veteran attends Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
A Cumbrian veteran attended the national Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Mark Harding, from Wigton, was one of the guests of the Army Benevolent Fund who attended the commemorative service held at Westminster Abbey on May 8. Hundreds of veterans, including Mark, attended the event which was also attended by the Royal Family. Mark, who joined the Army at 19, was serving in the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment in Afghanistan in 2010 when he was shot by the Taliban. Although he was told that he would never walk again, he has become a sportsman, a motivational speaker, and a fundraiser for military charities through his resilience and determination to honour fallen soldiers. He said: "It's so important to remember VE Day and to think about the sacrifices made for our way of life. My great grandfather died at just 33 when his boat was sunk. Remembering VE Day helps to keep his and his comrades' memories alive." Mark joined Harry Clark, a former soldier and winner of BBC 1's The Traitors, at the service to commemorate those who fought in the Second World War. Harry served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for almost seven years, he left the Army after winning season two of BBC1's The Traitors. He said: "I am honoured to have attended the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey with the Army Benevolent Fund to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It's a privilege to share this moment with the ABF's ambassadors, an amazing group of veterans, who have been through so much. "Together we paid tribute to all those who served in World War II and especially those who died. So many were around my age when they went into action, and for my generation, it's hard to imagine what they experienced but it's so important that we remember. "
Times
09-05-2025
- Times
Sycamore Gap pair guilty of felling famous tree
Two men are facing prison after being found guilty of felling the Sycamore Gap tree. Daniel Graham, 39, from Carlisle and Adam Carruthers, 32, from Wigton had denied two charges of criminal damage. They were accused of causing £622,191 of damage to the famous tree and £1,144 of damage to Hadrian's Wall, the Unesco heritage site which the sycamore had fallen onto after being chopped down in the early hours of September 28, 2023. A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for just over five hours before unanimously finding the pair guilty on both counts. The defendants did not react as the verdicts were read out. A video had been taken on Graham's phone at the Sycamore Gap just after midnight which appeared
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Food, drink, and entertainment: Taste Cumbria Wigton kickstarts 2025 calendar
The Taste Cumbria's Wigton festival, which took place on Saturday, kickstarted the Taste Cumbria calendar. The festival was free to attend and took place right in the town centre. As well as the producers' market, hot food court, music stage, climbing wall, and children's rides, the neighbouring Market Hall hosted a range of family entertainment. This included a a magician, balloon modelling, free face painting, and arts and crafts with NADT Youth. Meanwhile, a competition to design a new celebratory flag for Wigton was won by Elli Logan-Airey, who lives in the area. Her creation featured a throstle, the bird associated with Wigton, and the pump and lamp from the Market Square, amid the blue of the Solway, green grass. A ploughed field on the design aimed to showcase the rural location, and a rainbow was added to symbolise the town's positivity. She was presented with a trophy by Ian Brown, Deputy Lieutenant for Cumbria, and Sandra Hodson, the town's mayor. The Taste Cumbria food festivals are organised by Cumberland Council. Councillor Anne Quilter, the council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "Thank you to everyone who came and supported another great Taste Cumbria festival, and to the council's event team and volunteers who work so hard to make this happen. "We stage these events to boost the local economy, both in the towns and city we visit and for the hugely enterprising small businesses who trade at them, and this is really reaping rewards. "I can't wait for the rest of the year's events and really hope you will come and support them." The next Taste Cumbria event is the Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10. Following the Maryport event, the flagship Taste Cumbria festival will take place in Cockermouth on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, before the second Taste Cumbria Carlisle event takes place on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2. Taste Cumbria Christmas on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, also in Cockermouth, will end the year. Trader pitches are now available for the producers' markets. To apply, visit According to the council, priority will be given to Cumbrian producers, however the organisers welcome enquiries from other areas.
