This newsletter is normally emailed weekly, to inform you of local events, clubs, businesses, community organisations, services, support, and volunteering opportunities.

The finalists in the returning Heart of Ulverston Awards have been revealed.

Close to 300 nominations were submitted for the 2024 awards which will be held for the first time since 2018 at Ulverston’s Coronation Hall on Thursday, May 16.

The entries have been shortlisted to 86 finalists, with 13 award winners to be crowned at the glittering black tie awards ceremony next month.

Ramsay & Roberts Eyecare Excellence, which has a base in Ulverston’s King Street, is sponsoring the Helping Hand Award, and has been blown away by the popularity of the returning awards.

Elysia Roberts, the company’s Optometrist Director, said: “At Ramsay & Roberts Opticians, local people are at the centre of everything we do. We’re thrilled to officially be part of the Heart of Ulverston Awards, an initiative that encourages strong community spirit and aims to celebrate individuals in our area, providing them with well-earned recognition.

“The Heart of Ulverston Awards present an incredible opportunity to highlight the achievements and successes of our neighbours who make Ulverston the amazing place that it is.

“The remarkable influx of nominations demonstrates just how many fantastic people we have in our community. As eyecare professionals that care deeply about the Ulverston community, we’re thoroughly excited to see the awards unfold on the evening.”

The finalists are as follows:

Sponsored by Westmorland and Furness Council

Sponsored by JF Hornby & Co Chartered Accountants

Teacher of the Year

Sponsored by Cumbria Teaching Agency

Outstanding Courage Award

Sponsored by Chattaway Inns

Apprentice of the Year

Sponsored by Siemens Energy

Helping Hand Award

Sponsored by Ramsay & Roberts Eyecare Excellence

Employee of the Year

Sponsored by Bender UK

Hospitality Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Bluebell & Ivy

Sports Volunteer of the Year

Sponsored by LOCALiQ

Business of the Year

Sponsored by Rachael Bell Wealth Management

Business in the Community Award

Sponsored by Ulverston BID

Sports Performance of the Year

Sponsored by 32West

A further award, the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Ulverston Town Council, will be given to an individual who has shown exceptional levels of commitment to the town over a sustained period across any field.

The winners of all but one award were chosen by the Heart of Ulverston Award’s judging panel made up of James Higgins (32West), Ulverston Mayor Michelle Scrogham (UlverstonBID), Tony Martinez (Cumbria Teaching Agency), Dr Gerry Murray (Dr GR Murray & Partners), The Rev. Madi Simpson (Ulverston Parish Church), Rebecca Athersmith (Chattaway Inns), Helen Irving (Ulverston Town Council) and Richard Butler (Ulverston Victoria High School).

The Hospitality Venue of the Year Award was decided by a public vote after the judging panel shortlisted the five finalists. The Ulverston community really showed their great support for their favourite pub, club, hotel or restaurant, with 1,500 votes submitted.

Network Rail engineers have successfully repaired the railway embankment and are completing work on the tracks after a train derailed at Grange-over-Sands on 22nd March. A void in the ground was found around 150m away from the train.

Northern have advised that they plan to run test trains on the repaired tracks over the weekend. They anticipate that normal scheduled passenger services will resume in the morning of Monday 22nd April.

Passengers are advised to visit northernrailway.co.uk/service-updates for the latest travel advice.

As you may be aware, the Lloyds Bank branch in Ulverston will finally close later this year.

It has now been announced that a new bank hub will open, in the New Market Street shop previously occupied by Salmons newsagents. Conversion work is already underway in the building, and the hub should be open for business before Lloyds closes. It will look something like the photo above when complete.

The hub will have counter services operated by Post Office staff, where you can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. In addition, there will be private spaces where you can speak to someone from your own bank about more complex issues. These spaces work on a rotating basis, so there are staff from different national banks available on different days.

St George’s Day celebrations will be taking place at Market Cross:

11:00am – Brass Band
11:30am – St George and the Dragon re-enactment [1st performance]
12:00noon [approx] – Brass Band
12:30pm – St George and the Dragon re-enactment [2nd performance]

23rd April at The Coro

Tickets: Book here

Join us to celebrate World Book Night after dark. Take part in the free Quiz Night and win prizes. You can either form a team or join one on the night (maximum of 6 people per quiz team).

Bring a pre-loved book for a book swap. Free book giveaway as part of The Reading Agency for World Book Night. Paying bar for refreshments and snacks.

Booking essential via Eventbrite or in person at Ulverston Library at The Coro. This event takes place in the library room.

How often are you told in a movement class – go slowly, listen to your body, if it hurts do it slower or make the movement smaller?

In Bones for Life this is how you get the best and longest lasting results for improved posture, reduced pain and ease of movement.

Curious to know more and learn processes that you can start doing at home right away Contact Liz for more information and to book a class.

Website: Printfest

This year is a celebration of 21 years of Printfest!

The artists are busy planning their stands, editioning their prints, mounting and framing their work, organising their travel, and are looking forward to coming to stay in Ulverston.

The stewards are signing up to take part. The t-shirts have been ordered! The Crew are checking the display boards and the lighting. The team is working to bring together all the elements that make up the festival. The Coro are selling tickets!

Printfest co-founder Ronkey Bullard says: “I’m always so delighted to see the strength of the event has never ever waned from its unexpected and risky start, to embedding itself in the Artists’ calendar. Wonderful, what an achievement!”

The Artists: The headline Artists are Bronwen Sleigh, Printmaker of the Year, and Sally Adkins, Printmakers’ Printmaker. There are 10 Artists from the North West, 10 Artists from the North East, 10 Artists from the South, seven from Scotland, six from the Midlands and one from Wales - we are looking forward to welcoming them all to Printfest 2024.

17 venues and six cafès are taking part in Ulverston Fringe, celebrating the arts & culture over the Printfest weekend. You can download a map to find out more.

23 schools have submitted work in response to a prepared brief as part of the Printfest in Schools programme. Their work will be displayed at The Coro up the stairwells, along the corridor, in the Supper Room, and on a reel on continuous display in the Vintage Bakes cafè: you can have a cuppa while you watch it.

The workshops at Printfest places are filling up fast! Places still available on the Chine Collè and Tetra Pak workshops.

You can also book a workshop in Ulverston. Workshops take place at Printshare Lakes,which is open for booking now, or you can talk to them at Printfest and book then if places are still available.

You can find out which artists have won the Sponsored Awards, with presentations taking place at the Preview and on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Saturday for the Printmakers’ Printmaker and the two Young Printmakers of the Year selected from the schools' displays. Sunday for the Visitors' Choice Award sponsored by James Cropper.

You can also become a Friend of Printfest and get a little bit of red carpet treatment.

Opening Talk
Thursday 2nd May, 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Tickets £5
Limited tickets available online only
Hear from Printfest’s headline artists Bronwen Sleigh and Sally Adkins as they talk about their work and inspirations

Printfest Preview
Friday 3rd May, 6.30pm - 9pm
Ticket £5
Limited tickets available online only
Also valid for the Main Exhibition
Discover which artists have won sponsored awards. Friends of Printfest go free and have access from 5.30pm.

Main Exhibition
Saturday 4th May, 10am - 5pm
Tickets £5
Tickets available online and on the door
Sunday 5th May, 10am - 4pm
Tickets: £5
Tickets available online and on the door
Tickets valid for both Saturday and Sunday

An exhibition and sale of ceramics, pottery and sculpture organised by Ulverston Potters Collective. Evemore Vintage is in the old Barclays Bank building at County Square.

Website: Ford Park Events

Not just one FREE event, but two FREE events at the same time. Come along to enjoy the day, and support our local enthusiasts and artists.

Art in the Park takes place in the walled garden and Coach House. This is the first of two Art in the Park events at Ford Park this year, showcasing some amazing local artists, including Peter and Marie Graves, Val Stangoe, Rebecca Bennett, Sarah Brown, and Nisha Halo.

The car show takes place in the main part of Ford Park, where you'll see all manner of vintage cars and bikes. There are almost 70 exhibits registered. You are welcome to talk to the owners, who are always keen to share stories of their pride and joy.

There will be a bouncy castle and face painter to help keep little ones happy, and several food and drink vendors so you can make the most of these two fabulous events.

Facebook: Dave Day

Thousands of bikers from all over the contry are planning an extraordinary event - The Hairy Bikers Ride Out in Tribute to Dave Myers. This is not just a ride; it's a journey of remembrance for the legendary Dave Myers of the Hairy Bikers, bringing together communities and fans in a heartfelt tribute.

Led by Si King, alongside Jason ‘Woody’ Woodcock, this ride promises to be an event to remember. The BBC will be capturing every moment for a documentary.

The ride finishes in Barrow town centre. Prepare for an explosion of culture with events, bands, plays, food stalls, and an exhilarating concert by chart-topping band, "Massive Wagons"!

All profits from the day will be dedicated to Childline and The Institute for Cancer Research, embodying the spirit of giving and support that Dave always stood for.