Community Projects in Eden

Eden Community Unit has been working closely with local residents and partners to enhance the experience of Appleby New Fair for both residents and visitors.   They have   organised a series of consultation meetings and have contributed to the development of planning arrangements for the Fair. The community unit has also funded the design, creation and maintenance of a new website for the Fair. www.applebyfair.org is designed to make the Fair as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone, while aiming to reduce the impact on local people. Leading up to the fair, the site attracted 1500 visitors per day.

Following a 12 month consultation process on the Alston Moor Community Travel Plan a ‘concluding’ meeting was held where those attending voted on alternatives presented by Cumbria Highways. Those present were asked to choose their top five priorities, and, after discussion, this was focused down to two. These choices were accepted by the Highways Engineer and became the top priorities for the succeeding 12 months. This process provided an opportunity for residents to be engaged and have a direct say in decision-making. 

The Penrith Neighbourhood Forum organised a 'fair' at which a range of partner organisations provided displays and/or publicity material. Many   groups including   the Police Service; Fire Service; Residents’ Associations in Penrith; Eden Housing Association; Penrith Multi-cultural Group; and others. The ‘fair’ was attended by all Penrith County Councillors,   District Councillors and Chief Executive. The very successful event  enabled exchange among individuals, groups and elected representatives and provided an opportunity for groups to publicise their activities and to raise issues with local District and County Councillors.

Working in partnership with Age Concern, two drop-in sessions were organised in Appleby. They formed part of consultations on Public Transport and the replacement of care homes in Cumbria. The result was two well attended events which were felt to have been useful by both local residents and those managing the consultations. This joint approach with appropriate partner organisations, enabled us to target meetings at particular groups, and helped to reach individuals and groups who are difficult to reach.

To provide local citizens the opportunity to have their say on plans to Parish Penrith, the local area support team organised two public meetings with speakers both ‘for’ and ‘against’ the plans. Working in partnership with the District Council, both meetings were very well attended and provided useful background information for everyone there. Following a poll organised by the Electoral Reform Society, the people of Penrith voted against the plan.

Formed in 1998, the Mungrisdale Creative Writers Group met fortnightly to enable local writers in the community to come together on a regular basis and expand their skills. In 2004 they received a neighbourhood forum grant to set-up a website. The site provides a shop-front for their work as well as information and links. It has received many accolades from other writing groups. To enable all members to participate fully, the group has now been awarded a further grant to set-up a member’s forum. This will allow those who cannot physically attend meetings to contribute and exchange views and will strengthen the group.