Latest news with #Ulverston
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Ulverston's charity-owned park awarded green flag
A charity-run park has been awarded a green flag in recognition of its Park in Ulverston, Cumbria, was handed the award by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which recognises high-quality green spaces."Ford Park is a vital green space for communities in Ulverston to enjoy nature and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise," said Paul Todd, the awards scheme park's management said they were "thrilled" with the award, which recognised the hard work of volunteers. "We're incredibly proud to be recognised for the care and commitment that goes into maintaining our eight-acre community greenspace," a spokesman park has a kitchen garden, an orchard, trails and an adventure play is situated just below the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill, which has been portrayed by celebrated artist LS Lowry. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ulverston tortoise lost for seven years recognised from burn mark
A tortoise with a distinctive burned shell has been reunited with her owner after being missing for seven Christopher, 38, who owns Little Beasties pet shop in Ulverston, Cumbria, traced the owner thanks to a social media female tortoise, affectionally named "lucky tortoise" by Ms Christopher, was handed back to her owners after they recognised her shell which was injured by a wood-burning owner, a woman in her 80s, said she was "thrilled" to have her pet back which was a Mother's Day present from her late son. Ms Christopher told BBC Radio Cumbria that the owner did not believe she would see the tortoise again. "She said it was the last thing she ever received from him [her son] so it is of huge sentimental value to her, as you can imagine, to have her tortoise back."The lady and her daughter are really pleased, just really thrilled to be reunited with their tortoise." The Hermann's tortoise went missing while her owner was visiting a friend."She had popped her in her friend's garden so they could have a catch-up but when she went to leave, the tortoise had vanished," Ms Christopher said. "She was absolutely heartbroken at the time and had no idea where she'd gone."Seven years on and the terrapin was found by 12-year-old Logan, nine miles away from where she vanished."He was over the moon to find it as he loves animals but he brought her in to me after a few days and was pleased when we found the owner," Ms Christopher said. After putting pictures on Facebook, Ms Christopher said the owner contacted the pet shop. "She really didn't think it was going to be hers because she lost it so long ago but because of the distinctive markings I said it had on its shell, she said it sounded like theirs. "Her tortoise had once got wedged under a wood-burning stove, and it had left a flat spot and a burn mark on the top of her shell. "That stopped me in my tracks, it matched exactly."Ms Christopher said she did not know where the tortoise had added: "What matters is that she's finally home." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Furness Morris dancing group's hopes over future
A Morris dancing group, which was in danger of folding after 62 years, has been thrown a Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, said up to five new members could be joining in the sessions were held in June, with some of those who attended in their Ord, who has been with the band for 50 years, said he had "a big smile" on his face when he saw younger people walking in. "They're in the age range that I was when I started," he said."If we've got enough new people, I'd happily pass on my knowledge and retire as it were."The group had hoped to attract new members so it could pass on the tradition of the English folk Ord, who is the band's second longest-serving member, said he was feeling "a bit more optimistic" about its future. Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its numbers have dwindled to just eight and the band warned back in May it may not survive unless about half a dozen new dancers Ord said the band was "certainly going to carry on" in the immediate future, following the two recruitment sessions. "I'm a bit more optimistic than I was but we won't know really until after the summer when we get into practice season properly and see what people's commitments are to the group," he said. "We haven't called it a day, yet." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
End of production at GSK's Ulverston site 'a sad day'
The end of production at one of pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) UK factories is a "sad day", a former worker has site in Ulverston, Cumbria, opened more than 75 years ago and most recently had been producing the antibiotic Zinnat for the Swiss-owned firm Sandoz, although that contract has now mechanical fitter Michael Beck spent a quarter of a century at the plant and told BBC Radio Cumbria its presence had been of great benefit to the said it was "incredibly proud" of the work that had been done at Ulverston and that other processes, such as quality checks, were continuing for the time being. The firm announced in 2021 that the plant would eventually close as the section of the business it made medicines for had been was unable to clarify how many people were still working at the factory as operations wind Beck said: "It's very sad. Very sad for the town, for the people and the business it brings."Glaxo did a lot of the town. They're going to miss it [when it eventually closes]."I was 29 when I started. It was a fabulous company, I thoroughly enjoyed working with the people there. I was treated with respect and felt valued."We were the start line - the fermentation. The materials went on to other factories to be turned into medication and tablets." Diane Rushton's father, brother and husband all worked at the said: "My dad said when it was built everybody thought 'this is going to be the thing', then all of a sudden it's finishing [producing antibiotics]."If you got in at Glaxo, you were made - good money. There was only really there and [shipbuilding and engineering firm] Vickers [as major employers in the area at the time]."Site director Phil Wilson said the company would be "leaving a lasting legacy in the town" through a £2m community project added: "We are incredibly proud of GSK Ulverston's record of delivering medicines to around two billion patients."As operations conclude at the site, we'd like to thank all those who have been a part of GSK Ulverston over the last 75 years."In preparation for closure, we've spent a lot of time working with our people to support them on their next steps and committed over £1m to help people pursue careers they'll love."It's been truly inspirational watching people embrace new careers with courage and purpose."Last September, when GSK announced production would come be coming to an end, it acknowledged it had been an "uncertain period" for staff. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Last chance' to save Furness Morris dancing group
There are hopes a Morris dancing group could be saved if new people join next Morris, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, recently warned it was in danger of folding after 62 years due to low a meeting on Friday, it was decided to organise two final sessions to try and attract new members. "We are not exactly at the end of the road, but this is a bit of a last chance to try and recruit," Les Ord, who has been with the band for 50 years, said "At the end of these two new sessions, if we don't attract anybody new, then that would probably be the end," Mr Ord events will take place in Ulverston in June, with dates and a venue due to be Ord, who is the second longest-serving member of the group, said they were part of the community and it would be good to preserve the tradition. Furness Morris was founded in 1963 and had 20 members in its is now down to eight, with at least half a dozen new dancers needed to secure its over 18 is welcome to join, with the group hoping to pass the baton on to younger Ord added the band could continue as a social activity without new recruits but would not be able play gigs, having had to turn down five so far this year due to a lack of numbers."We feel it's part of the heritage," he said."We'd be quite happy to hand on the tradition if we got the right number of people to be able to do that." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
