A community orchard was among a range of projects funded by the Border, Fellside and North Carlisle Community Panel recently.
The community panel, made up of ward councillors, funds local community groups.
Brampton Allotments and Smallholdings was awarded £4,000 towards buying a 100-year-old orchard next to its allotments. Some of the money will also be used to buy the land the existing allotments stand on. It means the whole site will now be owned and managed by a co-operative of allotment holders.
Carlisle Matters received £2,000 towards Summer Splash - a family fun event planned for Belah this summer.
Stanwix Rural Parish Council received £2,000 towards replacing old wooden noticeboards in Brunstock, Crosby-on-Eden, Houghton, Linstock, Park Broom, Rickerby, Tarraby, Vallum and Walby. They will be replaced with more robust recycled plastic ones.
Brampton and Beyond Community Trust received £4,000 towards refurbishing part of Brampton Community Centre as a home for the relaunched Brampton Youth Project.
The panel also rubber stamped a number of investments below £1,500, which had been approved separately by the panel chair, a senior manager and a ward councillor.
These were:
£610 to St Cuthbert Without Parish Council for a bench, made from recycled plastic, in the new play area at Speckled Wood estate.
£500 to Meals on Wheels Cumbria towards setting up an emergency hardship fund - this will provide free meals to people in need who have been referred by a professional.
£500 to The Laurie Brewis Trust (Better Together) towards aerobics and crafts sessions for vulnerable adults. these will be based at Harraby Community Centre and Currock Ccommunity Centre.
£1,000 to Carlisle Mencap towards a 12-month pilot supporting people with learning difficulties.
£1,208 to Nether Denton Parish Council to repair a patio and reinforce banking damaged by heavy rainfall at Low Row Village Hall.
£1,000 to Downagate Community Centre towards sound absorbing materials to improve the acoustics in the hall.
£240 to Rockcliffe Short Mat Bowling Club for new bowls and jacks - the club's membership has grown in recent years and more sets were needed.
£250 to the Border Rambler bus service to help update its ticket machine. This Community Interest Company, and its volunteer drivers, provides scheduled journeys between rural villages around Carlisle, Brampton and Gilsland. The software upgrade to the ticketing machine will allow users to pay by contactless card, making it more efficient and accessible.
The Chair of Border, Fellside and North Carlisle Community Panel, Cllr Roger Dobson, said: "I am delighted the panel has been able to support an inspiring range of projects. Every one of them is an important part of life in their community, and we are proud to invest in them."
Cllr Lisa Brown, Cumberland's Executive Member for Adults and Community Health, said: "What an amazing set of community investments. Our Community Panels continue to go from strength to strength- listening to their residents and supporting exactly what those communities need."
Cumberland Council has eight Community Panels, covering the entire council area. Community group representatives wishing to find out more about Community Panel investment should visit How to apply for investment from a Community Panel | Cumberland Council. Those interested are advised to seek advice from the community development officer for their area before making a formal application. Contact details are available at Community Panels | Cumberland Council.
The deadline for the next round of investments from the Border, Fellside and North Carlisle Community Panel is May 17, 2024.