NEWS AND EVENTS
CLAIFE PARISH COUNCIL NEW AND EVENTS:
Page Updated by Clerk 12th January 2026.
Highways:
Upcoming patching works on the B5285, Lake Bank Coach House to Windermere Ferry. The works are programmed to take place 15th of January for 2 nights, working hours 1900-0500. In order for the works to take place in accordance with current Health & Safety legislation, a full road closure will be in effect for the duration of the works. Advanced warning signs should be out on site to inform road users of the upcoming works. Please note that the programme dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, poor weather conditions and overrun of the programme etc. Residents will have access to their property, however, they may have to wait 5-10mins while the contractor completes their work and can then move out the way.
Gritting and Snow Ploughing - IMPORTANT
Disclaimer
Claife Parish Council is pleased to announce the provision of a gritting and snow ploughing service along certain C and Unclassified roads that link up with the B5285 and B5286.
1. From B5286 along Wray road to Balla Wray and then to Colthouse linking to B5285 at Pool Bridge
2. Loanthwaite lane
3. From B5285 Near Sawrey, link road from Sawrey House Hotel to B5286 via Ees Bridge.
4. From B5285 Far Sawrey, road opposite Cuckoo Brow Inn that goes past St. Peter’s Church to High Cunsey, to Low Cunsey (as far as Cunsey Bridge), and return to B5285 at top of Ferry Hill.
The decision about when to grit will be made by Hawkshead Parish Council.
Gritting will not take place as frequently as the Westmorland and Furness Service on B roads.
Start date: Expected w/c 29 December 2025
Please note: Gritting can only take place if there is good clearance for a large tractor and equipment.
Due to the limited width of these roads, please park cars away from the road and ensure hedges, that you are responsible for, are cut back.
Gritting operations inherently involve moving vehicles and loose grit, creating potential temporary hazards. Drivers should exercise extreme caution, reduce speed and maintain safe distances.
Claife Parish Council do not accept any liability for damage to vehicles during the period of this service.
Westmorland and Furness Council launches budget consultation: click here
At a meeting of Cabinet (16 December), Westmorland and Furness Council launched its annual budget consultation.
The council is seeking views from its residents on:
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a proposed council tax increase of 4.99%
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other savings and income generating proposals
Westmorland & Furness Council opening hours for the festive period:
Here are details of opening times, out of hours contacts and other relevant information:
South Lakeland areas and your usual collection day is:
Monday 22 December, your collection will be on Saturday 20 December (blue refuse bags in Eden);
Tuesday 23 December, your collection will be on Monday 22 December;
Wednesday 24 December, your collection will be on Tuesday 23 December;
Thursday 25 December, your collection will be on Wednesday 24 December;
Friday 26 December, your collection will be on Saturday 27 December.
Collections on Monday 29 December, Tuesday 30 December and Wednesday 31 December will be on the normal day.
From Thursday, 1 January all collections through the week will then be one day later than normal.
From Monday 5 January collections will go back to the normal day.
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will remain open as usual throughout the festive season but they will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening hours are as follows:
Ambleside: 8am - 6pm, Monday-Sunday
Grange-over-Sands: 8am - 4pm, Thursday-Saturday
Kendal: 8am - 4pm, Monday-Sunday
Ulverston: 8am - 6pm, Monday-Sunday
The HWRC permit helpline will be closed on bank holidays and weekends.
HWRCs that are open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve will close at 4pm.
Leisure Centres
Some Westmorland and Furness Council Leisure centres will be open over the festive season – but there may be some changes to normal opening hours. To find out the opening times and activities on offer, please visit the leisure centres' websites.
Health and Social Care
Residential and home care services operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Adult Social Care offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
If you're concerned about the welfare of an adult, please visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website or call 0300 373 3301.
When offices are closed, please use the out of hours number to report a safeguarding concern (01539 768700) - this can be used 24-hours a day for adult social care emergencies.
Children's Services (for children's social care)
The children's services offices will also be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
During closure periods, the Emergency Duty Team can be contacted 24 hours a day for children's social care emergencies on 0300 373 2724.
For more information about what to do if you're concerned for the welfare of a child, please visit the Cumbria Safeguarding Children website.
Homelessness
Young people or people providing support to young people who are at risk of homelessness or are homeless, should visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website for more information.
People who are at risk of eviction or homelessness or need support with housing, can find information and support by visiting westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Domestic abuse
Westmorland and Furness Council have a duty to assess the need for support and prepare strategies to provide services for victims in safe accommodation and to provide domestic abuse survivors with community in-reach services.
Visit the Westmorland and Furness Council website for more information on Domestic Abuse support.
Westmorland and Furness Highways
Between 5pm on Wednesday 24 December and 8.30am on Friday 2 January, highways are operating a limited service prioritising reports of emergencies that cause immediate threat to life or property.
If you need to report a highways related emergency during this time, please call the Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306.
To report general problems with potholes, road damage, flooding and drainage, traffic lights, streetlights, pedestrian crossings, trees, vegetation, bollards, manhole covers and more, please complete the highways online reporting form.
Archives, Libraries and Local Link offices:
The Archive Centres and all libraries will be closed on 25, 26 and 28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.
Barrow, Kendal and Penrith libraries will be open on 27, 29, 30 and 31 December. All other libraries will be closed for the duration of the Christmas period. Normal hours resume from Friday 2 January 2026.
Registration Services
The Registration Service will be closed on the usual Bank Holidays during the Christmas and New Year period.
Trading Standards
Trading Standards offices will be closed on the usual Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays. Residents should report any live incidents of cold callers or rogue traders to Cumbria Police by telephoning 101 or emailing 101@cumbria.police.uk.
For guidance on a wide range of customer issues, visit Citizens Advice Consumer Service Website.
Council Housing Repairs
The 24 hour service to report urgent council housing repairs in the Barrow and Penrith areas will continue to be provided by calling 01229 833311.
Prohibition of all traffic B5285 - Near Sawrey - beginning 16 December for 3 nights from 8pm to 5am.
Location: B5285 Near Sawrey, from a point adjacent to a property known as Lake Bank Coach House, extending in a south easterly then north easterly direction for approx. 3.9km.
Alternative Route: There is no suitable alternative route available for vehicles. It has been identified that it will not be safe to maintain access for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists throughout the restriction.
N.B Passage for Emergency Vehicles will not be maintained for the duration of this restriction.
Should you have any queries in relation to this temporary Order please contact the Highways Hotline by calling 0300 373 3306 or via the Westmorland & Furness Council website, quoting the reference TTROW/17059
Hyperfast Broadband - Hawkshead Drop-in Information Session, where residents can come and learn about Fibre broadband rollout and ask any questions Hawkshead Market Hall, Friday 6th February 2026, 12pm–2pm and 4pm–6pm.
South Cumbria Rivers Trust
Market Hall in Hawkshead on Wednesday 3rd December 16:30-18:30 for a drop in session where people local people can come and chat about the support available through Windermere STEP and Nutrient Neutrality
Volunteers Required by Claife Parish Council in association with
South Cumbria Rivers Trust
Would you like to donate some of your time to help South Cumbria Rivers Trust with an important project.
They are seeking volunteers:
To carry out a survey in Far Sawrey and Esthwaite on homes with septic tanks as part of a countrywide effort to reduce water pollution from private septic tanks (Septic Tank Emptying Programme - STEP), funded by the UK Government. Training will be required for a couple of hours, hopefully in the village hall.
IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE EMAIL ASAP: admin@scrt.co.uk
Be Winter-Wise:
There is some helpful guidance from United Utilities on how to prepare for the winter weather. See attached links:
Other Priority Services information
Winter Weather Updates:
Hiking experts' winter weather updates 'vital' as Lake District mountain rescue teams receive 900 callouts in 2025
Fell top weather updates provided by mountaineering experts throughout winter are "vital" for safety, following an estimated 900 callouts to mountain rescue teams in the Lake District.
Fell Top Assessors Zac Poulton, Paddy Cave and Jim Evans summit Helvellyn in the Lake District every day from the start of December until the end of March to provide boots on the ground weather readings and winter walking advice.
Employed by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), Zac, Paddy and Jim's reports are shared on https://www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk/, to help winter walkers best understand what conditions they can expect.
Windermere Ferry Update:
Reminder of improvement works starting tomorrow at 9am Tomorrow (Wednesday 12 November), Windermere Ferry Service will be out of service for engineers to upgrade the driveline.
The work will start after the 9am run from Ferry House to ensure morning commuters can still use the service. Works are anticipated to take approximately 4 to 5 hours and we aim to be back operating the afternoon commute.
The crew will provide updates as the work progresses.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we deliver these essential works.
Kind Regards,
Windermere Ferry Crew
We are now running on our winter timetable last crossing from Ferry House : 21:00hrs
The following service breaks are scheduled for
- 6.10pm and 6.40pm. The last crossing before the afternoon break is 5.50pm from Ferry Nab and 6pm from Ferry House.
Courses:
* Windermere IT Courses starting in June. Click Here
* Cumbria Adult Learning has launched a new programme of courses for the 2025/26 academic year.
Click here for more information.
* Need some extra tuition in English and Maths? Want to learn how to cook on a budget? Is English your second language? Then Cumbria Adult Learning can hlp. For more information click here. Kendal learning Centre tel no: 01539 713257 email: kendaladultlearning@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Activities / Things To Do:
* National Trust: Memory Cafe at Wray in collaboration with Joey's Cafe Please Join Us
People living with Dementia, carers and family are invited to take some time out and socialise in the relaxed atmosphere of Joey's Cafe. Afterwards, feel free to enjoy the stunning grounds of Wray Estate. Every 1st Friday of the month. Drop in at Joey's between 10am and 12pm for a complimentary coffee or tea -- All other items are offered at a 20% discount.
* Hill Top, National Trust:
My Dear Beatrix...
Dates: 23 June – 31 Dec 2025
Send Beatrix Potter a letter about your connection to her, her stories, and the Lake District that she loved and was inspired by
Where to send it: Beatrix Potter, c/o National Trust Hill Top Near Sawrey, Cumbria, LA22 0LF
* Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have launched a new website to encourage people to walk, wheel, or cycle for regular journeys instead of driving. Click here
News / Misc. Information:
* Reporting different types of Anti Social Behaviour: click here for information.
* Grants available from the Council for making your home more energy efficient
Eligible households are those with an energy efficiency rating of D to G, and either a total annual household income below £36,000 or a resident receiving a means-tested benefit.
To find out if your property is eligible and register your interest contact:
Cumberland Council
Telephone: 0330 056 5698
Email: housing.energy@cumberland.gov.uk
Westmorland and Furness Council
Email: better.homes@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
* National Trust Update on Wray Castle Restoration: click here
* Post-16 Transport and the 16-19 Bursary Scheme from Westmorland and Furness Council click here
Young people in Westmorland and Furness can receive support with transport costs to access education and training with the 16-19 Education Travel Bursary programme. The programme is now open to new applicants.
* Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs): Westmorland & Furness now have their consultation live for extensions to their Public Space Protection Order to include 3 Key National Trust Sites, one of which is the Windermere West Shore. You can find out more and express your views here
* The Charity "Future Proof Cumbria" - Crisis Support Scheme - Help for Residents in Crisis – Fuel Vouchers & More
Through this scheme, eligible households can access a range of free support, including:
• Fuel vouchers of up to £300
• Energy-saving appliances such as electric throws, air fryers, microwaves, and dehumidifiers.
• Access our professional draught-proofing service to help keep homes warmer and reduce energy waste.
This support is specifically targeted at residents who are in crisis or vulnerable situations. Alongside these measures, each household will also receive tailored energy advice to help them achieve ongoing savings and improve their wellbeing in the long term.
Referrals can be made in the following ways:
• By email: homes@futureproofcumbria.org.uk
• By completing our webform: Apply for Homes Assistance - Futureproof Cumbria
• Or by phone: 01768 216 500
* Cumbria Police are currently conducting research to help them understand more about Hate Crime and Hate Incidents in Westmorland & Furness. Please complete the survey here
* Westmorland and Furness residents are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them. Click here to check or email elections3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
* Help shape Nature Recovery in Cumbria - Have your Say -click here to complete online survey
* Report an environmental problem - like flooding or polution click here
* An email address for reporting crime in addition to 999 and 101 numbers. The address is southlakesneighbourhoodpolicing@cumbriapolice.uk
* Help Westmorland and Furness Council shape the future of your waste and recycling services - complete survey here
* Postal Votes - Council urges voters to submit new postal vote applications: Click here
* Wray Castle Restoration Project. Click here for latest updates
* Road Closures information by area Click here
* United Utilities are completing Ground Investigation works at Near Sawrey . Map of area involved.
* 525 Bus Service Return The 525 Mountain Goat Bus Service: Ferrry Landing/Ash Landing NT car park/Hill Top/Hawkshead/Hill Top/Ash Landing NT car park/Ferry Landing - will operate between April and October 2025. Dates to be confirmed.
* Unitary Councillor Surgeries: Unitary Councillor Suzanne Pender holds monthly surgeries within her Ward. Residents are welcome to go along and raise issues of local concern with Suzanne. Drop In Surgery are held on the morning of the last Friday of the month in Coniston and The Minsrells Gallery, Hawkshead.
* Environment Agency Water Quality Monitoring: The Environment Agency have now installed several sondes to measure water quality around the Windermere catchment. The real-time monitoring results are available on a public site Hydrology Data Explorer - Explore The Environment Agency are monitoring the results and will interrogate any unusual readings. Please note that the Brathay sonde has not yet been deployed.
* Claife Parish Council Grants Policy: The Parish Council considers grant applications from local community organisations. The Policy and Application Form are available to download: Claife PC Grants Policy & Application Form, or alternatively can be requested from the Parish Clerk.
* Lake District National Park - South Lakes Distinctive Area: This includes details about Claife Community Bridlepath
* C5028 High Cunsey Bridge: The weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes continues to be in place at High Cunsey Bridge until engineering works take place at a future date.