Latest news with #Wigton
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Wigton Park vandals leave abusive message and smear playground in mud
Vandals smeared a children's playground with mud, dug several holes and carved an offensive message into a nearby area of grass, a council in Cumbria has Town Council said its staff had now filled in a 6ft (1.8m) deep hole that appeared last weekend at Wigton Park's BMX abusive message aimed at the local authority was carved into an area of grass on Tuesday, while several pieces of equipment in the children's playground were covered in mud. Cumbria Police said it had received a report of criminal damage between 21 and 24 June, which included fences being knocked down and holes being dug. Wigton Park, located on the Greenacres housing estate, was established in 1923 as a public recreation council said there had been a BMX track there since the the weekend of 21 and 22 June, the council said a series of holes had appeared - including the deep one - while parts of a fence were council said this "raised serious health and safety concerns" so the hole was filled in on Monday. Along with the damage to the playground, which happened on Tuesday night, the council said there was "evidence of trees being pulled out and knocked over in nearby Phoenix Park". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Rare dragonflies spotted as RSPB Campfield Marsh awarded title
A nature reserve has been named as the UK's newest dragonfly hotspot as two rare species have been spotted at the white-faced darter, a rare dragonfly, was introduced to RSPB Campfield Marsh in Wigton in April and it is hoped there will be breeding pairs in British Dragonfly Society designated it to become the 12th hotspot in the UK, saying it had "amazing habitat management" with deep bog pools which "should provide the perfect conditions for the species to thrive".RSPB Cumbria Coast reserve warden, Dan Cropper, who recorded two male white-faced darter at the site recently, said the recognition was a "testament to the health of our peat bogs". The white-faced darter, named for its distinctive chalk-white profile, has seen its numbers severely decline in England where it only exists in a handful of Cropper said he had recently recorded seeing two males on site but no females yet. "It would be amazing to see female dragonflies dipping their tails into the water and releasing their eggs."This would mean that our site could be a provider to save the species."Dragonfly hotspots are chosen because they are "fantastic places" for the insects to thrive and are easily accessible, according to the society. Conservation officer for the British Dragonfly Society, Eleanor Colver, said the white-faced darter was "vulnerable to extinction"."Thanks to the amazing habitat management work of the RSPB, the peat wetland at Campfield Marsh, with its deep bog pools, should provide the perfect conditions for the species to thrive," she added. LISTEN: Meet the rare White-faced Darter dragonfly Mr Cropper said: "Cumbria is an English stronghold for the white-faced darter and we're really lucky to have the dragonfly here." He added Campfield Marsh was a "nice mosaic of different habitats - salt marsh, wet grassland and peat bogs - which provides different habitats for our 13 species of dragonfly". "The dragonfly hotspot title demonstrates the importance of the site and will hopefully engage people to come and take interest in the insects. "We are tucked away up here so it's important for the site to have recognition," he event to celebrate the title will be held at the site on 5 July which will include guided dragonfly walks and pond dipping. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finalists for the Pride of Cumbria Awards Community Business of the Year announced
The Pride of Cumbria Awards 2025 Best Community Business category will recognise a business that has made an impact on giving back to their local community. The prestigious event will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, and will be hosted for the first time by StagedRight managing director David of Millom Willows of Millom (Image: Supplied) Willow's Café in Millom is a shining example of a community-driven initiative that is making a real difference in people's lives. Founded by Simon Donnelly and inspired by his nine-year-old daughter Willow, who has Down syndrome, the café is part of the Willow of Millom CIC. Their nominator said: "Willow's Café is more than a business—it's a beacon of hope, empowerment, and community spirit, making it a truly deserving nominee for Community Business of the Year." Northern Competitions Northern Competitions (Image: Supplied) Northern Competitions is an online competitions business, with owner Ryan Dodgson giving 'a lot back to his community' on a regular basis. Their nominator said: "Ryan not only donates a lot of money to charity but he also spends a lot of his own free time helping out in the community. "He regularly does large food hauls for local food banks and gives as much as he can to charities supporting the local area." The Mission Café Mission Café (Image: Supplied) The Mission café in Windermere has been open around two years, it can seat about 40 people and has outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. Their nominator said: "I know lots of people in the village because of the work I do with the various projects and I can honestly say this café and their staff are an absolute gem to the community. I don't know how I managed before they were operating "They are providing a warm, clean safe space to go to with friends, colleagues or even on your own." Cloud Competitions Cloud Competitions (Image: Supplied) The online competitions business continuously supports the local community with donations and sponsorships and make a great impact. The nominator said: "All the money made from the competitions go back into the business and supporting the local area. "They provide food for food banks, support local football and rugby teams and so much more for the community."
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Cumbria beauty salon announces closure
A BEAUTY salon in Wigton has announced it will be closing down in the 'near future'. Ooo La La Aesthetics, Beauty and Training, which is based on King Street, took to social media to announce their decision. In a statement online they wrote: 'I've been meaning to write this for a few weeks now, thank you to all our customers from Wigton and Carlisle salons that have supported us throughout our journey for Ooo La La Aesthetics, Beauty and Training. We will be closing down in the very near future, probably the end of June although don't know the exact date. 'We have decided to go to pastures new and are very excited about it. Anyone with valid gift vouchers please book before the end of June and if anyone wants training before the end of June also. 'Christine will still be offering botox, fillers and skin boosters mobile, either you come to her or she can come to you. Please keep the shop number as you will be able to message from there and we will still be keeping our page. It's been a great pleasure to meet you lovely lot and be seeing you around.'
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.
