Latest news with #Cockermouth
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Fears over future of Cockermouth's Wordsworth House
Fears have been raised over the future of the house where the celebrated Romantic poet William Wordsworth was National Trust, which owns Wordsworth House in Cockermouth, Cumbria, said the attraction was underused and although not being closed permanently, it was consulting on a "new, sustainable model", which would focus more on its Bertram, a volunteer at the house, said she was "really disappointed" and feared it could have an impact on the town's economy, as it was "a major draw".The National Trust said if Wordsworth House remained open as a "pay-for-entry experience" it would continue to lose "significant amounts" of money. Mrs Bertram said the National Trust told volunteers its plans would include a reduction in opening days, the potential for visits to only take place in the garden and proposed staff National Trust declined to confirm it was proposing redundancies at Wordsworth House, but said earlier this month it had announced it would look to cut 6% of jobs across its organisation nation-wide, in a bid to save £26m. 'For everyone, for ever' Mrs Bertram, who had worked at Wordsworth House for six years after a career in the NHS, before becoming a volunteer, said she feared changes would lead to the site's closure."By closing the house the history will have gone from that plot of land and we will not be able to spread the word that Cockermouth was the starting point for the Poet Laureate," the 73-year-old said."It's very sad and I think it will impact on the rest of the town because people just won't come." Joe Murray, co-chair of Cockermouth and District Chamber of Trade, said Wordsworth House was one of the town's main attractions, driving footfall to businesses."We want to work in partnership with [the National Trust] and other organisations, to ensure it remains open to all, at the heart of our town," he added the community had been responsible for saving the building from demolition in 1937, when there were plans to turn the site into a bus station."Today, the Wordsworth House website says the trust wants it 'to be looked after for everyone, for ever'. That's exactly what must happen." The spokesperson for the National Trust said: "Our proposals aim to increase access, share the Wordsworth story more widely, and explore new uses for the space."They added there would be a new model in place by 2027, following a consultation with the community and was born in the Georgian building in the heart of Cockermouth in poems such as The Prelude, the poet reminisces about his childhood in the Mount, in Ambleside, where Wordsworth lived from 1813 until his death in 1850, was recently put up for sale, with descendant Christopher Wordsworth saying it was "harder and harder" to manage the Lake District property from his home in London. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Check out this newly listed Lake District cottage with 'income potential'
A four-bedroom detached cottage in the hamlet of Sunderland, near Cockermouth, is for sale with a guide price of £630,000. The property, located within the Lake District National Park, has been renovated to improve its insulation, with solar panels and air source heat pumps installed. Accommodation extends to around 2,000 square feet, featuring three reception rooms. Sitting room with vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and stone wall, open fire, and French doors opening directly onto the garden (Image: Zoopla) The main sitting room has an exposed stone wall, traditional open fire, vaulted beamed ceiling, and French doors leading to the garden. An open-plan kitchen and dining area is located on the ground floor. Three bedrooms and a family bathroom are found on the first floor. Dining room with traditional features (Image: Zoopla) A second staircase leads from the utility room to a fourth bedroom, which includes a dressing area and ensuite bathroom. The listing says this layout could be "perfect for multi-generational living" or offer "annexe potential." Garden areas are described as "cottage style," with lawns, seating areas, established flower beds, and borders of trees and shrubs. The property is positioned centrally within the hamlet of Sunderland, about eight miles from Cockermouth and eleven miles from Keswick. Kitchen/dining area with adjoining utility room (Image: Zoopla) No onward chain is attached to the sale. The listing states the property could suit a main residence, second home, or holiday cottage, with "income potential." According to the listing, the cottage is "filled with beams, character features and an abundance of flexible use spaces," and is "an opportunity not to be missed" for those seeking a home in this Lake District setting. Interested parties seeking more information, or looking to arrange a viewing, are urged to call David Britton Estates on 01768 257199.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Injured walker who was 'experiencing nausea' after fall rescued
A walker who had injured their wrist and was 'experiencing nausea' after a fall has been rescued. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) were deployed om Friday, July 11 after receiving reports about a walker who had fallen during a walk around Ennerdale Water. The walker had been reported as having an injured wrist and was 'experiencing nausea'. After arriving at the scene, the walker was assessed and given pain relief before being escorted on foot to an awaiting ambulance. Writing on social media, Cockermouth MRT said: "Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team was called to a walker who had fallen whilst making their way around Ennerdale Water. "The individual reported having hurt their wrist and was experiencing nausea following the injury. "The Team made there way to the casualty from Bleach Green, once on scene pain relief was administered and the injury was splinted. "The casualty was then escorted on foot back to a waiting ambulance. "The team wishes the casualty a speedy recovery. The rescue involved 19 Cockermouth MRT members and lasted around three hours.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Owner of Cockermouth's Old Courthouse reiterates flats plan
The owner of a Grade II listed building in danger of further collapsing into a river says he still wants to transform it into of the Old Courthouse in the centre of Cockermouth, Cumbria, fell into the River Cocker in October 2023 and the property has yet to be Samiul Ahmed claims he cannot move forward with his refurbishment plans because of legal notices served by the local Cumberland Council says it deems the building to be dangerous and that it is Mr Ahmed who bears responsibility for the works needed. The Old Courthouse is about 190 years old and had not been in use since Ahmed, of East London, bought it at auction in 2022 for £51, collapse meant a nearby bridge had to be closed to traffic over safety concerns, leading to weeks of disruption through the Ahmed told BBC Look North his intention to turn it into flats was being held up by an Urgent Works Notice requiring a minimum level of repairs and a Prohibition Notice preventing occupation of the latter does not prevent access to the building to undertake necessary repairs as long as risk assessments have been Ahmed said: "It's still the same vision. We would still love to develop and bring the building back to use, but we need those council to remove those notices and work with us in order to get something done for the community."Last month, he denied accusations made in Parliament by local MP Markus Campbell-Savours that he had removed support pillars from the building before it Ahmed also said Campbell-Savours' claim that he wanted taxpayers to cover a repair bill of between £1m and £4m was not accurate. Karl Melville, assistant director of highways and transport at the local authority, stressed the building is privately said: "It's not the council's responsibility to take ownership of delicate or dangerous buildings and to spend public money reinstating them."The council's been working very closely with the owner over the last 18 months to try and resolve the issues."We deem that building dangerous. So unless the owner comes forward with his plans so we can work through that, it's impossible for us to lift those restrictions."The body representing traders in the area has expressed frustration over the lack of progress with Andrew Marshall, of the Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, describing the property as "an eyesore over the bridge".Additional concern surrounds the potential for flooding if further sections fall into the Harmer, flood operations manager at the Environment Agency, said a modelling study indicated any significant collapse of the building could obstruct the river channel downstream of Cocker Bridge and "raise upstream water levels during high flows, increasing flood risk to the town centre". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cockermouth Banking Hub opens after loss of town's last branch
A banking hub has opened following the closure of a town's last bank Cash Access UK said the facility in Cockermouth, Cumbria, would enable people to access services from several banks at one comes after the loss of Barclays earlier this year with HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander also having left the Murray, chair of the Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, said the hub on Main Street would provide an "essential service". Run by the Post Office, customers of all major banks and building societies will be able to carry out cash transactions at the more complicated queries, a community banker service will run Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 17:00, allowing customers to speak to staff from their community bankers will work on rotation with each bank or building society operating from the hub one day per week:Monday: HalifaxTuesday: NatWestWednesday: BarclaysThursday: HSBCFriday: LloydsA community banker from HSBC will be joining the hub soon, according to Cash Access Farrow, the firm's customer and strategy director, said the site's opening ensured "crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the community".Mr Murray also welcomed the development."We've all seen the decline of High Street banking that's been going on for several years, so this is a service the town needs."We're pleased the hub has been able to open relatively quickly."We have a wide demographic in Cockermouth and some people do still rely on going into a bank. For them, it's an essential service."It also makes things easier for businesses when it comes to things like paying in money." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
