2.7% Art galleries 17% More entertainment 11.6% More activities 12.5% More events 40.2% New theatre 16% New music venue FARMING COMMUNITIES Farmers and their families are often at the centre of community life and frequently step in to provide valuable help in rural areas, particularly during poor weather. But growing pressures are forcing many farming families to leave the sector, often ending generations of farming traditions. In addition, growing evidence is pointing to the declining mental health of farmers, compounded by concerns over finances, policy changes, rural crime, poor work life balance and climate change.35 North of Carlisle there is a huge area of productive farmland in the lowlands around Longtown and then rises up to the more challenging hills of the Borderlands. The community here is very isolated, and they can fall between the cracks in terms of environmental support funding. They are not in a National Park or National Landscape area. They have always missed out. They have had very little in terms of any support and these farmers have often struggled. The Farmer Network has helped them establish a working group called the Forgotten Lands, and this has brought the farming community together to work and learn. It is hard to make a living from farming when support is limited, marketing opportunities are scarce and there isn’t much tourism in that area. We have done some excellent farming tests and trials with Defra to try and bring sustainable farming opportunities to these areas, but isolation remains a problem. Farm Sector Representative SPORT AND LEISURE People are enthusiastic about the many opportunities across Carlisle for informal and formal sports participation. This includes the Sands Centre, Carlisle Campus Sports, Carlisle United Football Club, Carlisle Racecourse, Creighton RUFC, Carlisle Cycle Track, and several good quality swimming pools, tennis courts, football pitches and golf clubs. Carlisle is also praised for its access to the natural environment including its parks which include Rickerby Park, Chances Park and Hammonds Pond and local nature reserves such as Talkin Tarn, Kingmoor and Geltsdale. Several cycling and walking routes, including the Hadrian’s Wall Path, also pass through the area. 16Energy efficiency of dwellings in your local area (MSOAs) up to March 2024: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government https://www.ons.gov.uk/ peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/energyefficiencyofhousinginenglandandwales/2024#data-on-energy-efficiency 17Food poverty or household food insecurity is broadly defined as being a household that cannot (or are uncertain about whether they can) acquire an adequate quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways. Research Briefing: Food Poverty: Households, Food banks and Free School Meals: House of Commons Library, 2023, https:// commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9209/ 18Food Poverty: Households, Food Banks and Free School Meals, House of Commons Library Research Briefing, 2023, https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9209/ 19Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden (CACE) Key Statistics for Carlisle District for 2024 20Last winter, the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales was only available to those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. This year it will still be means tested but available to many more pensioners. 2https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/food-cumberland-strategic-framework/food-governance-and-strategy 22https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-and-wellbeing/food-cumberland-food-insecurity-survey-results 23Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden (CACE) Key Statistics for Carlisle District for 2024 24https://policyinpractice.co.uk CULTURE AND HERITAGE People also appreciate the local museums, attractions and cultural spaces including Tullie museum and art gallery – part of Carlisle life since 1893 and often referred to as “Carlisle’s first learning centre”; Carlisle Castle, the principal fortress of England’s north-western border with Scotland; Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, covering over 300 years of military history; Carlisle Cathedral, which started life as a Norman Priory Church in 1122; and Lanercost Priory which stands close to Hadrian’s Wall and suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars. Prism Arts delivers programmes of work for learning disabled and neurodivergent visual and performing artists. Several venues host live music including The Old Fire Station, The Brickyard and The Source Collective; live theatre takes place at Harraby Theatre and at The Green Room Club. Carlisle hosts regular events including an annual fireworks display, winter markets, agricultural shows including Dalston Show and the Cumberland Show, and a range of outdoor live music events in the summer months. There is a real sense that Carlisle is benefitting from multiple regeneration initiatives such as the redevelopment of the Green Market and the Citadels that will create environments for further investment. However, these developments are currently causing some disruption to the day-to-day life of the city centre, albeit only over the short term. However, people concur that there is much more that could be done, particularly in the city centre. People feel that the history of Carlisle is underexploited, particularly the Roman heritage when compared to places like Chester and York; and that assets such as the Market Hall and empty buildings such as Bulloughs and Debenhams department stores could be developed into dining destinations, arts venues and music spaces to create a more ‘city-like’ feel. Our recent survey found social and/or cultural activities such as music, cinema and theatre was the area that individuals wanted to see improve the most in Carlisle, with 45.4% of respondents identifying this issue. Our survey also saw calls for better arts and cultural activity including improved cultural programming and having new buildings and spaces for art and cultural activities, particularly a theatre. This is a strong message from the people of Carlisle. It is amazing how many people know each other or know somebody that knows somebody you know. But it does need to take a good look at itself from an identity perspective. If you go to other cities and see what other cities are like, Carlisle feels completely different to that. It has got more of a ‘big town feel’ about it. But it has got such a lot to offer – architecture, the history, the river, the walls. It is a fascinating place. Business Representative I go to Manchester often and you can be walking around at 9 o’clock at night in Manchester and there is a whole demographic of young people that live and work and just exist in the city centre. They are finishing work, getting changed, going to the gym or something in the city centre. In Carlisle people just disperse, go to the suburbs and there's not much to bring them back in. Place Promoter The issues facing rural and agricultural communities in the north of Cumbria are multifaceted and interconnected. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort from government agencies, local organizations, and community members to create sustainable solutions that support the wellbeing and economic viability of these communities. By fostering resilience and promoting access to resources, we can work towards a brighter future for Cumbria's rural and agricultural populations. Rural Business Leader Better culture / arts breakdown (113 answers) Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 36 37
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