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Armed police were deployed in Workington after reports of a man with a firearm in the town
Officers were sent out as a precaution yesterday
Cumbria police said that they received had information from a member of the public who believed a man may be carrying a weapon in the area of Senhouse Street
Officers would like people’s help to identify the man in the CCTV images and video in connection with the incident
Armed officers drove up and down Senhouse Street and the surrounding area
There were searches carried out in back lanes
Officers also been knocked on doors showing a photo of the man they were searching for
They also went into the Union Jack Club on Senhouse Street to ask people if they had seen the man
It is understood police also brought in a dog unit
Police would like to hear from anyone who can identify the individual in these pictures or the footage above
They would also like to hear from anyone who can provide information on his location
police said enquiries remained ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the information received
there will be an increased police presence in the Workington area
You can report information online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call 101
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Construction work on the new Innovation Centre in Workington has celebrated another important milestone - with a steel-signing taking place.The steel-signing is the equivalent of a traditional ‘topping-out’ ceremony to mark the completion of the building’s steel frame.
the building will provide purpose-built accommodation for entrepreneurial businesses
as well as bringing new modern office space to Workington
something currently lacking in the town.
The Innovation Centre is located on part of the former Central Car Park in Workington town centre and will
be aimed at digital technology and advanced manufacturing businesses
The aim is to attract start-ups who are ripe for incubation
as well as small businesses ready for growth
Expert support will be available to help them achieve their ambitions from operating company
It manages a number of similar facilities across the UK
The Innovation Centre is expected to open in Spring 2026
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the project and is taking significant steps to minimise the carbon footprint of the building
The majority of the steel frame has been produced using an electric arc furnace
rather than a traditional basic oxygen furnace
This process incorporates around 95% recycled steel and has resulted in an estimated carbon saving of 159 tonnes of CO2e
equivalent to heating 424 UK homes annually
The Innovation Centre is funded by the Workington Town Deal - £23.1million of Government funding for a range of transformative projects
which also includes a new sports village and improvements to Workington Port
“Work is progressing well on the project and has hit another important milestone
“The building will fill a gap in the entrepreneurial support and high-quality office accommodation available in and around Workington.
with the neighbouring NHS Diagnostic Centre
which is also in the process of being constructed
They will also increase footfall to the town centre
which is great news for the local economy too.”
the Chairman of the Workington Town Deal Board
“The Innovation Centre will be transformational for Workington - attracting high-quality start-ups
leading to a growth in advanced manufacturing and technology jobs
and increasing footfall and spending power
We are now seeing the real value of the work which secured £23.1 million for Workington and the greater region.”
Area Director for Morgan Sindall in the North East and Cumbria
“The steel signing event marks an exciting milestone for the project and it is fantastic to see the progress being made on site
The whole team have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and I look forward to seeing the project continuing to be delivered to the highest standards.
it is rewarding to continue celebrating progress with our customer Cumberland Council with this being the first of a number of projects we’ll be delivering together in the region
creating real opportunity for local people and businesses.”
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WORKINGTON eventually got the measure of their plucky hosts
running in six tries in the final 25 minutes to claim a tidy win to unofficially open the Magic Weekend and win their fourth game on the spin
It was anything but tidy in the opening half as the sides regularly traded errors
before Town’s greater know-how put them on the front foot against a spirited but outgunned Newcastle
Australian second-rower Cooper Howlett opened the visitors’ account after seven minutes with an arcing run right
a brilliant pass from Zarrin Galea put Spencer Fulton in acres of space
Jake Carter missed his first two attempts on goal
Newcastle rallied for much of the next 20 minutes with youngsters James Farrer
Jacob Rennison and Jake Dickinson all having their moments alongside veteran forward Josh Stoker
But Workington found the line twice more before half-time as first Carter dived low after Dom Wear had been dragged down close to the line
then seconds before the half-time hooter Fulton made the most of a Wear pass for a flattering 0-20 advantage
The scrappy nature of the game continued in the opening ten minutes of the second half
only punctuated by a strong try through the middle by big Grant Reid
back in the side after missing a few games with a niggling injury
Things finally began to stick for Workington after a startling break from the influential Jamie Doran
who started off at hooker and then moved to halfback after Wear came from the field
Alex Donaghy impressed with a chip-and-chase through the defence for Newcastle
but the ball wouldn’t sit up for him
The Cumbrians found their groove and confidence
finishing a three-pass play on the right initiated by Doran
before Carter wrong-footed the defence close to the line and Jack Stephenson then strode through a big hole for their third try in ten minutes
The purple patch continued with Galea finding Jonny Hutton for a good finish at the left corner with a superb pass
A great kick from Doran had both Carter and Galea in hot pursuit
with the Maltese fullback chasing down the score after 73 minutes
Jake Carter lofted a kick that was taken well on the full and finished strongly by Rio Corkill
Carter kicked his final goal to round off a 26-point personal tally for the evening as Town move steadily up a congested League One table
GAMESTAR: Jamie Doran was impressive during stints at hooker and halfback
GAMEBREAKER: The 56th-minute Levi Atiga try made it 0-32 and sparked a one-sided finish
Redcar are bidding to build on an impressive home opener when they face Workington in the BSN Series at the ECCO Arena tonight
The Bears have the early advantage in the Northern group after taking the aggregate point from their clashes against Scunthorpe
which included a big home win over the Scorpions last week
They bring in Anders Rowe to guest for Erik Riss who is the wild card for this weekend’s German Grand Prix
and Redcar star Danny King says they are keen to follow up their 57-point haul from last time out
King said: “Obviously that’s the plan but a repeat will be tough
We all rode well last week so we are hoping that continues
there’s a long way to go but I’m really pleased with the early signs from the boys
Meanwhile the Comets race for the first time as a team in 2025 having previously been frustrated by the weather
Jacob Hook and Vinnie Foord all making their debuts
Comets stand-in boss James Wilson said: “Redcar is always a tough place to go
and even though Erik Riss isn’t riding they have a very capable guest in Anders
we won there last year and there’s no reason we can’t do it again – especially with Vinnie and Jacob at reserve it could be the edge we need to get a result.”
WORKINGTON ended their eight-year wait for a competitive victory over Whitehaven in another Cumbrian derby that went down to the wire
It was February 2017 – a 22-6 League 1 Cup victory at the Recreation Ground – when Town were last victorious over their near neighbours
But a second-half try from Levi Atiga helped to end that run and secure back-to-back victories for Jonty Gorley’s side
Defeat came at a heavy cost for Whitehaven
who lost captain Jordan Burns in the opening two minutes
The fullback left the ground in an ambulance needing hospital treatment
and it was later confirmed that Burns had broken his eye socket in multiple places and suffered a fractured cheekbone
The first half saw neither side cross the whitewash
with the only points coming via a penalty apiece off the boots of Jake Carter and Jay Weatherill
Town’s Carter struck first following Ellis Nixon’ high tackle on Callum Phillips
who was one of eleven former Haven players lining up against their old side
Soon after Haven temporarily lost a second fullback of the afternoon when Ethan Bickerdike left the field for a head-injury assessment
The scores were levelled with eight minutes of the first half remaining when an Ellison Holgate grubber ricocheted off the feet of Jake Bradley before being collected by the offside Jack Stephenson
allowing Weatherill to make it 2-2 at the break
The second half continued in a similar vein to the first half
with the home side on top and having the best of the field position and territory
They finally got the first try of the game through Atiga twelve minutes in
After Whitehaven conceded a six-again for slowing the play-the-ball down on the final tackle
who handed off two Haven defenders before grounding one-handed in the right corner
Carter couldn’t add the extras from out wide
but Town kept the scoreboard ticking over with back-to-back penalty-goals from the halfback forging an eight-point advantage
The first came just after the hour mark with Brad Brennan penalised for dissent with ball in hand
followed by a high tackle from Connor Holliday on Guy Graham high
Both sides finished the encounter with twelve men after Jack Newbegin and Will Evans were sin-binned for fighting
despite no punches being thrown in a melee
Haven finished strongly and made the final seconds nervy when Mason Lewthwaite extended his impressive try-scoring start to the season
It came from a hail-mary play as Cameron Brown chipped towards the touchline to find Jay Weatherill
who kicked the ball twice before bouncing – via the hands of Zarrin Galea – to Lewthwaite
Weatherill added the extras but it was too little
too late as the West Cumbrian bragging rights were handed to Workington in front of a partisan crowd of more than 2,000
GAMESTAR: Young Town forward Jack Stephenson was on top in attack and defence
GAMEBREAKER: Brad Brennan’s penalty for dissent while in possession ended up being the difference between the two sides
Workington Comets finally got their season underway this weekend with a Friday night away clash at Redcar and hugely exciting home opener against Scunthorpe which saw the GT Tyres Comets victorious
The season finally kicked off on Friday night as the GT Tyres Comets were way at Redcar
but the Bears made it two home wins out of two in the BSN Series despite seeing both their reserves crash out of the 51-39 victory over the Comets
Tom Spencer and Ace Pijper were involved in a Heat 2 incident and were withdrawn with ankle and shoulder injuries respectively
But the remaining Bears did enough to maintain a comfortable advantage throughout the evening
Bears Skipper Charles Wright dropped a point to GT Tyres Comets skipper Troy Batchelor in Heat 1 but was then unbeaten as he ended on 14
while guest Anders Rowe impressed with 11 from four – beaten to a maximum by Comets debutant Fraser Bowes who grabbed his first heat win on British soil in impressive style
The GT Tyres Comets looked to be a mounting a small fight back in Heat 11 after a well-orchestrated 5-1 from Batchelor and Zischke over Danny King closed the gap to 12 points but the Bears ultimately held strong to maintain their lead in the end
Batchelor top-scored for the Comets with 10 from five rides and Tate Zischke added 9+2 from six
Saturday finally saw the GT Tyres Comets return to Northside for the first time in 229 days
delivering an action-packed and thrilling meeting against the Scunthorpe Scorpions
The Comets clinched a dramatic 47-43 victory in a last-heat decider in the BSN Series at the GT Tyres Arena
The meeting started with three successive back and fourth 5-1s
before the Comets established themselves back from a four-point deficit to go six up
with strong showings from home debutants Jye Etheridge (8+1) and Vinnie Foord (7+2)
A meeting that was packed with excitement came down to the last three heats with GT Tyres Comets skipper Batchelor and Vuolas clinching a 5-1 in heat 13 over Steve Worrall and Jake Allen
but a 5-1 tactical substitute saw Steve Worrall and Connor Mountain in Heat 14 narrow the gap back to two
home duo Antti Vuolas and Troy Batchelor collected a 4-2 in Heat 15
split by Worrall to give them the win in their first home match of 2025
Vuolas top scored with 11 for the GT Tyres Comets despite a last place in his opening ride
whilst Worrall totalled 11+1 for the Scorpions and reserve Declan Kennedy won three races as he finished on 10
Comets stand-in team boss James Wilson said he saw plenty of positives from the opening weekend
He said: “Friday night was tough and we didn’t expect it any other way
“Redcar have had three or four meetings already with quite of few of their riders doubling up to the Premiership as well
said that this was probably his first start at the tapes in over three months
“But I definitely saw good signs of things to come: Fraser (Bowes) grabbing an impressive race win in Heat 14 and also Tate (Zischke) seemed to getting back to his best
we left it late which is not good on the nerves but we saw some excellent racing from both teams
Antti (Vuolas) and Troy (Batchelor) were both outstanding in the later stages of the meeting – getting that 5-1 in Heat 13 probably sealed the deal for us on the day and that’s why they were in Heat 15
“Also it was great to see Vinnie (Foord) and Jye (Etheridge) flying as well
Jye was determined to rectify a bad night on Friday and he did that superbly
“We have got another back-to-back clash next weekend and James Denham will be back at the helm
but the boys are already looking forward to that – the most important thing this weekend was them getting up to speed in our opening meetings.”
who picked up 7+2 from four rides on his impressive home debut said: “The lads were all coming together and we were all riding well
“On my behalf I thought I was riding good and making good starts
I slipped up a bit in the last one but I know to give it a bit more next time
and if I need any advice I can talk to any one of them
“Going forward I just want to keep consistent in this league and scoring points
maybe put myself in the shop window for a Premiership place or guest booking in the future.”
A West Cumbrian town’s first ever pride event has been postponed
Workington Pride is being organised by Over the Rainbow Support C.I.C and was initially set to go ahead this weekend on Saturday April 26 in Vulcan Park
But organisers have since said the event is unable to go ahead this weekend
the community interest company said: “It is with a heavy heart we have to announce that the first Workington Pride that was due to happen on Saturday April 26 will be postponed
“Our team have been busy working away to resolve some of the background issues
but unfortunately this has been unsuccessful
we have found ourselves in a position where we are unable to go ahead as planned and will be postponing the event – although we hope to be able to confirm a new date for the event later this year
“On behalf of the team at Workington Pride
we’d like to thank you for your support and hope you will join us once a new date has been confirmed.”
While a new date is still yet to be confirmed – organisers are hoping to see it go ahead later this year
The team have promised the inaugural pride will be a vibrant celebration of love
diversity and inclusivity for all while also fostering a sense of pride and belonging while raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in Cumbria
Workington Town Women lifted the Women’s Cumberland County Cup on Wednesday night
after a dominant performance against Carlisle United Ladies at Gillford Park.
Basking in glorious late afternoon sunshine
the home of Carlisle City FC was taken over by a crowd of around 500 passionate followers of women’s football
with many obviously having travelled from West Cumbria
as they set about applying persistent early pressure on United’s back line
Kirsten Donald intently carried the ball down the right before penetrating the back line and crossing to find Hayley Bracken centrally
Bracken’s first time strike forced a reaction save off Chelsea Norris who scrambled twice to deny the strikers effort
Cassie Donald fizzed an effort over from the edge of the area and Nat Broad followed soon after when she shaved the wrong side of the post from a connection off Bracken
Town eventually went ahead in the 17th minute after a Broad corner from the right had been cleared by the home defence but collected by Linzi Donaldson 15 yards inside the Carlisle half
Donaldson connected with Helen Wagstaff centrally
before the midfielder sliced the United defence open and fed Bea Barber in behind
Barber beat the advancing Norris to the ball before directing it goal bound from the tightest of angles
Town doubled their lead eight minutes later
The centre back picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove at the Carlisle line before slipping a pass to feed Kirsten Donald in behind
Donald collected before steadying and driving the ball to Barber in the box to finish with a strike which left Norris with no chance of saving
Town created a slick move from deep inside their own half which very nearly added to their lead
A Wagstaff feed forward was flicked on by Broad to Bracken when quickly released Barber
Barber returned to meet Bracken’s advancing run only to see her first time strike shave the bar and behind to safety
Bracken called Norris in to action early on in the second half after Wagstaff had released Cassie Donald down the left
Donald cut back inside and crossed to the back post where Bracken’s strong header was collected by the United keeper
Town claimed their third goal with around 30 minutes remaining
when a Cassie Donald free kick from the right was flicked on by Chloe Henderson and collected by Keeley Chatters at the back post
Chatters was calmness personified as she claimed possession and drilled the ball across Norris and in to the back of the net
This in all fairness sealed the victory as it left Carlisle with a mountain to climb and neither the time nor the guile to recover.
Mark Hunter’s final whistle was met with jubilation around the ground from both the Town players and their army of vocal supporters around the ground
Bea Barber was awarded the Kitlocker Player of the Game award before club captain Naomi Foster and the rest of the Town team lifted the county cup in front of a string number of spirited supporters
After the game and when asked about what impact the win would have on junior footballers
Foster said: “To see all these young girls through tonight was amazing
“We know these players look up to us as role models and for them to see us celebrating and be so close to us
it can’t not inspire them to want to follow in our footsteps.”
Manager Paul Mackenzie added: “It’s been a really special night for the club
that ends a really special first year as Workington Town Women
We have generated a heartbeat at the club since moving over to Workington Town and we are very excited to see how the future pans out for female footballers in the coming years
“I want to thank everyone that has supported us throughout the season
friends and those that come to our games each week
“I am fortunate to have a really awesome squad of players available to me
We are driven by strong core values and it was clear to see that in tonight’s performance and the celebrations after winning.”
“I want to say a special thank you to everyone that travelled to support us at tonight’s game
especially the Derwent Park Supporters Club who I thought were magnificent tonight
They have helped to make a special occasion even more memorable and their efforts were appreciated by us all.”
Workington Zebra Finches wrapped up their RFU League 2 North campaign on a dramatic high as they fought back from 12 points down to burgle a last minute 19-17 victory at Skipton Roses
It’s a win that puts the Finches in a good position ahead of next month’s RFU Community Plate Final and what made this success even more special was that they not only travelled with only travelled with only 16 fit players due to injuries
but were also down to 13 women for most of the second half after further knocks in what became a very physical encounter
Having beaten Skipton 52-19 at The Ellis in the opening game of the season last October
Workington were eager to complete the double and barely a minute had passed before they took the lead after Danielle Easdon found Megan Mayhew-Beach who raced in unopposed for an unconverted try
Skipton swiftly recovered and a spell of domination in Workington’s half paid off on eight minutes when thet went ahead following a neat pass and move that ended with a well taken try followed by the conversion
The next 25 minutes were pretty much even as both sides produced driving scrums and dangerous attacking surges
but each side produced firm and uncompromising defence to nullify any serious try scoring attempts
they were more physical in their tackles and charges
the deadlock was broken when Skipton stepped up the pressure and managed to scythe through Workington’s cordon to increase their lead with another converted try
The second half began with Skipton building on their domination as they pegged back Workington into their own half with fierce scrummaging and committee driving but their only reward was a penalty on 47 minutes that increased their lead to 12 points
which included Lottie Cammack receiving two black eyes but she refused to give up – however when injuries led to Workington being reduced to 13 fit players on the field the referee ordered Skipton to retire two players and scrums remained contested
Workington regained the momentum and with Megan Donald
Megan Mayhew-Beach and captain Juliet Porter all making probing inroads into Skipton’s half
allied to more efficient driving by Cammack
they were determined to snatch an unlikely win
a successfully drilled scrum led to Cammack finding space before gleefully storming home under the posts for her ninth try of the season and the perfect reply to Skipton’s heavy-handed approach
Donald added the conversion to reduce the arrears to only five points
Now it was Skipton who began to crack slightly
as from the restart they made uncharacteristic knock-ons and conceding advantage – whereas in total contrast Workington remained composed and striving for that one chance for a smash and grab triumph
Workington seized their chance as their final attack launch was polished of Donald’s dazzling run and touchdown for her 19th try of the season that made the scores level
Donald then added the cherry on the top with an absolute beautifully struck conversion and the referee’s whistle for full time triggered joy and celebration
Skipton – despite their loss – can be proud of their third place finish in RFU League 2 North and will be serious rivals to Workington for the title next season
that is if the RFU resist the temptation to restructure the divisions once again
Workington can reflect on a bittersweet league campaign which saw them lose only twice to champions Lancaster Lionesses – were it not for that controversial early ending of their narrow defeat at Lancaster
it’s a certainty that the league trophy should have been on the coach going home
several key players were missing through injuries
but hopefully they and the ones who came off at Skipton will recover in time for the RFU Community Plate Final at Worcester against Okehampton on May 17 as the Finches aim to complete a hat-trick of silverware
Workington Comets fans are set to finally get to see their new-look team in competitive action this weekend
whose 2024 season ended against Poole Pirates on September 14
were due to start the new campaign a fortnight ago with a two-legged MAXiCAB Knockout Cup clash
wet weather washed out both the Armadale and GT Tyres Arena meetings
Tate Zischke and Antti Vuolas — both back at Northside for a second season — have gained useful track time for their respective Premiership clubs
Both were also in action in Comets colours when Workington hosted the Championship League Pairs early last month
They also then travelled to Scunthorpe for the Championship Riders’ Championship at Scunthorpe the following day
when Antti narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth
who turned 30 on Wednesday and is one of four new Comets signings for 2025
was on guest duty for Edinburgh at his former Berwick stomping ground last Saturday
when he bagged an impressive 12+2 points haul at reserve
will make their first competitive Comets team outing at Redcar this Friday (7.30pm) in a BSN Series Northern tie
Redcar began their season on April 11 with a Tyne-Tees Trophy triumph against a Newcastle Diamonds Select outfit
The Bears then narrowly lost their opening BSN Series fixture against Scunthorpe Scorpions but avenged that defeat as they recorded a convincing 57-32 win over the Scorpions in the same competition last Friday
Bears skipper Charles Wright was unbeaten in that fixture with 11+1 from four rides
with Erik Riss scoring 12 from his five outings — the duo having teamed up to win the Championship Pairs at Workington
But Riss will miss his side’s clash with the Comets due to being the wildcard for round one of the FIM Speedway GP season in Landshut this weekend
Bears will instead call upon the guest services of in-form Anders Rowe
fell heavily in Oxford Spires colours on Monday evening at Kings Lynn during a dramatic heat 10 crash also involving the hosts’ Tom Brennan
Another familiar face in the Bears line-up is teenager Ace Pijper
who rode for the Comets during their National Development League campaign in 2023
sees the Comets’ eagerly-awaited first fixture on home shale at the GT Tyres Arena when Scunthorpe are the visitors in the BSN Series
Scorpions will use rider replacement as fellow ex-Comet Luke Harrison is in action for Great Britain under-19s
Their only other meeting so far this season was a Knockout Cup defeat at Oxford Cheetahs
James Wilson will step up to manage the team at Redcar and against Scunthorpe in the absence of James Denham
Saturday’s 2025 Speedway GP opener in Landshut (6pm start) will be screened live at Workington’s GT Tyres Arena after the Scunthorpe clash
with a barbecue and refreshments also available
Wilson said: “It feels like a lifetime ago but hopefully we get underway this weekend
and the weather is looking favourable so far
“Redcar is always a tough place to go
and even though Erik Riss isn’t riding they have a very capable guest in Anders (Rowe)
However we won there last year and there’s no reason we can’t do it again – especially with Vinnie and Jacob at reserve it could be the edge we need to get a result.”
“Saturday should be a real top-class meeting
Scunthorpe have assembled a strong looking team and a bit like us have opted for two strong reserves
so that will be a key battle to keep an eye on
But hopefully a good result on Friday will get that all-important momentum going ahead of our first home meeting on Saturday.”
A Cumbrian housebuilder is sponsoring a Workington Town ladies player for the new season
is backing its project manager Josie Srimgour
Josie plays a variety of positions in the backs line and has already scored four tries this season
Josie joined Workington Town women’s first team earlier this year ready for her first full season in Rugby League
Josie said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Genesis Homes for its support
it means a lot to have my workplace behind me
Playing for Workington Town is something I’m really passionate about
and knowing my employer is cheering me on both on and off the pitch gives me a real boost.”
said: “We’re thrilled to support a fantastic rugby team close to our beautiful developments and very much close to my heart
“Josie telling me that she was joining Town brought a huge amount of nostalgia having personally followed the club all over the country as a young lad with my dad
as the club went through its successful spell in the early to mid-90s
To see the club now have a growing women’s team is really pleasing
“Supporting the communities in which we build is high on our agenda
this felt like the perfect opportunity to back a local team as well as championing Josie’s dedication to the sport.”
Kick off your Magic Weekend with Magic Friday in Betfred League One as Newcastle host Workington
It’s turning out to be an extremely competitive division in 2025, and Round 8 of Betfred League One will get underway on Friday night
when Newcastle Thunder host Workington Town at Blaydon RFC
It’s Magic Friday once more – ahead of the Betfred Super League’s epic Magic Weekend extravaganza at St James’ Park
For Rugby League fans attending Magic Weekend in the Toon
why not get your Magic Friday night fix of third tier action
Blaydon is only a short trip from the Toon
We’re ready for a big weekend of entertainment in the Northeast
with Thunder showing impressive signs against Goole Vikings last Sunday
as they produced one of their best performances of the season
They will welcome Workington to the city to kick off a blockbuster Bank Holiday – and it’s a side who are searching for a fourth win in a row
But who will come out on top in this enticing Round 8 clash
The teams come into this game with confidence and momentum swinging in their favour
There are no previous meetings between the two sides – and it’s an important two points on offer
with Hornets eagerly eyeing up top spot and the Vikings equally as ambitious in wanting to climb up the league ladder and be in the Play-Off mix at the business end of the year
Whitehaven go head-to-head with Dewsbury in Cumbria
Both sides fell to heavy defeats in the previous round
so will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt
The winner of this game will leapfrog the other in the table
as they are currently level on eight league points apiece
Haven have won their last five meetings with Dewsbury
and their most recent meeting was closely contested
with the Cumbrian side grinding out a memorable 10-18 victory on the road with limited squad numbers
The final tie of Round 8 sees an unbeaten North Wales travel to Swinton
The Crusaders are flying with confidence at the top of the League One table but only one point separates themselves and Midlands
whilst they are just two points ahead of Whitehaven
It all could change in the blink of an eye
especially with their game against the Lions this weekend
Recent history shows that the Crusaders are undefeated in their last four away meetings with Swinton
having won three and drawn one – although the Lions did enjoy a comfortable 12-40 win in Cowlyn Bay last season
Keighley Cougars and Midlands Hurricanes – Bye weeks
The Betfred League One full fixture list can be found here
What happened over the Easter Weekend in Betfred League One
Enquires: enquiries@rfl.co.uk | 0330 111 1113 (Mon-Fri 10-4pm)Ticketing: ticketing@RLcommercial.co.uk | 0844 856 1113 (Calls will cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) GameDay Support: gamedaysupport@rfl.co.uk
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Cumberland Council is carrying out proactive maintenance on the A597 Mossbay Road to prevent long-term deterioration and ensure safer
smoother travel for residents and businesses
which if left untreated risks further deterioration to the integrity of the highway
Addressing this now will help prevent repairs and disruption in the future
While the road closure may cause short-term inconvenience
the long-term benefits will be a more durable
delivered by the council's surfacing contractor
and is expected to take approximately 10 working days
drainage repairs and a refresh of road markings
To complete these essential upgrades efficiently and safely
using a combination of temporary traffic lights and road closures (days and nights)
Full access will be available for emergency service vehicles
and dismounted cyclists throughout the works
The council kindly asks residents to move their vehicles from the works area between 7.30am – 5.30pm during the first phase to allow the team to carry out the works as efficiently and safely as possible
Updates about temporary bus stop relocations will be posted at affected stops
Passengers with bus route questions are encouraged to contact Stagecoach directly
To keep the community informed and engaged
Cumberland Council held a drop-in session where residents and business owners could learn more about the project
and meet the team managing the work.
Cumberland Council recognises that the A597 is a key route
and some temporary inconvenience may occur during these works
The council is working closely with local stakeholders
Cumberland Council wishes to thank the community for their continued support and patience while they improve the road network and apologise for any inconvenience
If you couldn’t attend the drop-in session and do have questions, you can visit Cumberland Council website, or contact Cumberland Council’s Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3736
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Rayogreatest hitscumbrianewsWorkington incident: police appeal to identify man linked to weapon reportPolice increase patrols in Senhouse street area as enquiries continue into reported weapon sighting
Police are asking for the public's help to identify a man in connection with a report of a potential weapon offence in Workington
Officers received information yesterday evening (3 May) suggesting a man may have been carrying a weapon in the area of Senhouse Street
Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the report
and the police are urging anyone who recognises the man pictured in CCTV footage or who may know of his whereabouts come forward
residents can expect an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance and gather further information
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A ‘Community Hub’ designed to improve access to a range of local services in one place has opened in Workington on a pilot basis
is located in Workington Library with the idea being to support residents to access support as early as possible across a number of areas
The council has brought some of its services and those run by partners such as local charities together under one roof in a convenient location
residents will be able to apply for blue badges
speak to someone about health and wellbeing support
They will also be able to speak to partners such as Macmillan Cancer Support
and many others as part of a regular schedule of drop-in sessions
Residents can still access all the services they currently enjoy at Workington Library
The council is keen to hear from residents about the services they would like the pilot hub to offer
This feedback will help shape the council’s long-term ambition to roll out hubs across the Cumberland area
Executive Member for Vibrant and Health Places for Cumberland Council
said: “Our Community Hub in Workington offers a welcoming and accessible space within the heart of the community where residents can access services to meet their needs
By bringing together a range of essential services under one roof
we are not only making it easier for residents to find the help they need but also creating a supportive environment
“The council is committed to continuously improving and adapting the services offered to ensure they meet the ever-changing needs of our community
and this pilot is supporting our ambition to support residents as early as possible with their needs
“We’re regularly assessing this pilot in Workington and are looking at how we can further enhance the offer of the Community Hub
as well as taking lessons from the project so far as we consider introducing similar hubs elsewhere in Cumberland.”
Macmillan Cancer Support from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have been one of the services involved in the pilot
Lead Cancer Information and Support Manager for North Cumbria
said: “Being part of the Community Hub project has been very beneficial for the expansion of our service
We provide information and support to anyone affected by cancer across the region
but currently only have a base at The Cumberland Infirmary
Carlisle which can be difficult for patients from Workington to travel to
“The project has given us the opportunity to reach out into the community to allow people to access support closer to home
The space provided to us at Workington Library is confidential
relaxed and accessible to allow our patients a space to meet with our Macmillan team to speak about their diagnosis and see how we can help
This could be by signposting to local agencies
support groups or just an opportunity to speak with our qualified health professionals within the service about their cancer in a non-clinical environment
“We look forward to continuing our fortnightly service at Workington Library and would welcome more projects across the region to allow us to bring support into local communities across North Cumbria
Anyone affected by cancer who is interested in accessing our service can contact us on 01228 814283 or email cancerinformation@ncic.nhs.uk.”
A planning application has today (19 February 2025) been approved to improve the Oldside site at the Port of Workington ahead of future development
Cumberland Council is managing the project which aims to use the location to create a clean energy and logistics hub
and benefit the West Cumbrian economy.
Around £4.5 million of funding is being provided by the Government as part of the Workington Town Deal and is part of a wider regeneration project which includes the Workington Gateway and the opening up of better transport links in the town centre which builds on previous investment including the £4 million Siddick Bridge which improved vehicular access over the Cumbrian Coast Line railway.
Now the planning application has been approved
and landscaping to prepare the site for future development
The land has already been assessed for pollutants which could be a legacy of its industrial past
and its stability has been assessed to inform the design of a land remediation scheme
The site is allocated for employment use and the application said: “The proposal provides the opportunity for the site to be unlocked for future beneficial use through remediation of the existing land allowing the site to be viable
attracting inward employment and investment opportunities
“The proposed development aims to revitalise an underutilised
transforming it into a viable future development site.”
The plans for Oldside are part of a long-term initiative to develop the Port of Workington as a hub for clean energy
manufacturing and intermodal logistics which will support wider regional growth.
“Oldside is a strategic location in West Cumbria with huge potential for economic growth
This is the next step in our plans to attract significant additional inward investment
creating more jobs and more opportunities for those who live and work here.”
Swinton Lions were beaten away from home this weekend as they were outgunned by a high-scoring Workington Town
The Lions who arrived into the game in good form
were stunned quite quickly by the host as they were able to take the lead within three minutes
Workington were able to move the ball smartly down the left wing with a clever kick through
that led to the Jake Bradley running onto the end and scoring
The lead was further extended with Jake Carter adding the extra points
it seemed that despite the early setback the Lions were happy to hit back
The away side had a couple of promising chances but were let down by costly handling errors at key moments
A slick passing move saw Levi Atiga crash over in the corner
though Carter was unable to convert this time
And the gap between the two sides continued to grow
with Workington Town’s flurry of tries putting pressure on the Lions in the 23rd minute
Dom Wear capitalised on a mistake by George Roby to race away and score under the posts
Carter making no mistake with the conversion
as the fourth try came from another Lions error
A kick gone wrong led to Zarrin Galea scooping up the loose ball and racing 50 metres down the middle to score beneath the posts
Although Town looked likely to extend their advantage before the break
it was the Lions who struck last in the half
with Frank Sergent crossing in the final minute and Dan Abram nailing a superb touchline conversion to keep the visitors in touch
And the Lions started the second half brightly with sustained pressure
but it was Town who once again took control
Atiga crossed for his second after a powerful break by Dave Eccleston
though Carter’s conversion attempt drifted wide
The Lions’ woes were compounded when prop Jordan Brown was sent to the sinbin for a dangerous tackle on 58 minutes
Town were unable to make the extra man count
with the Lions enjoying a better spell despite being a man down
Sergent also threatened with a chip-and-chase but lacked the necessary support
The Lions did have the final say on the scoreboard with three minutes remaining
when Gav Rodden and Morgan combined to send George Roby darting over on the left
However, by then the damage had been done, as Town wrapped up a convincing and well-deserved win. For more information on the Swinton Lions season check – here
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Workington completed their 38th campaign of Northern Premier League football with a best win of the season
sending their supporters into the summer break on a high
They emerged 5-1 winners against Ashton United
scoring five times against the Robins at Borough Park for the second successive season
And from relegation candidates just before Easter
Reds finished 12th in the Premier Division after overcoming Steve Cunningham’s side
who quickly have to rediscover their form ahead of the play-offs
Both teams fielded makeshift XIs and that meant a full debut for Workington teenager
Still three months short of his 17th birthday
He headed Workington in front after fourteen minutes
leaping high to meet Josh Galloway’s cross from the right and steer the ball past Connor Eastham
The Ashton ‘keeper was beaten by another header ten minutes later when Connor Pani met Efe Ambrose’s long throw to double Reds’ lead
with the sixth goal of his productive loan spell
who finished the regular season in 5th position
were back in contention six minutes before half time when Donald Chimalilo cashed in on some slack defending to give his side a glimmer of hope
who introduced four of their senior players from the bench at half time
conceded again two minutes after the restart and their comeback aspirations were dashed
McDonough was on hand to calmly slot his second from eight yards after David Symington and Steven Rigg appeared to get in each other’s way before the ball broke kindly for the youngster
Galloway then netted his first goal for the club after Symington had done the spadework and created the opportunity
That made it 4-1 after 51 minutes and Ashton looked shell-shocked
And scorer Galloway turned provider by providing the perfect lobbed pass to Bruce Strachan who headed home unchallenged at the far post for Workington’s fifth ten minutes from time
had guided the club to a couple of crucial wins and steadied the ship following Mark Fell’s surprise departure two weeks ago
the performance and the amount of chances we created
And two wins out of the last three games is a great way to end the season and I’m so pleased for the players and everyone associated with the club,” said a delighted Dawson
well-being and community spirit will be held in Workington next month
Reach Out will take place in Vulcan Park on Friday May 30 from 11am to 4pm
It will bring together services and activities that help people look after themselves and their families
Organised by Workington Town Council said there would be something for all ages and the festival aimed to inspire healthier lifestyles and create connections across the community
Families can take part in a health and well-being session aimed at children and their adults
designed to support young people’s mental well-being
There will also be stress and anxiety support sessions
and the opportunity to explore emotional wellness
Free NHS health checks will be available throughout the day
A variety of sports activities and interactive workshops will round out the day’s offerings
and healthcare providers will also be on hand to offer advice and information about the vital services they provide in the area
chair of Workington Town Council’s culture and community committee
said: “Our Reach Out event has gone from strength to strength each year and 2025 will showcase over 40 different organisations
charities and services that Workington has to offer
“The aim of this event is to highlight and showcase the support and guidance that is available to the community to help them in their daily lives
We hope that everyone who attends takes away at least one tip or technique to help with their own health and well-being.”
New surveys asking for people’s views on car parks in three west Cumbrian towns have been launched by Cumberland Council.
organisations and visitors are being encouraged to take part in the surveys which aim to understand people’s use of and opinions on car parks in Cockermouth
21 February) and run until Friday 14 March
follow on from ones conducted recently in Carlisle and Keswick.
The council is hoping to gather opinions of the parking options in these locations
how sites could be improved and more.
The information gathered will help inform the council as it develops a parking strategy; looking at how it can best manage and use the car parking assets it owns as well as provide the necessary parking required in different locations.
Cumberland Council took over the off-street car parking sites previously managed by Allerdale Borough Council
Cumbria County Council and Copeland Borough Council as part of local government reorganisation in April 2023.
Executive Member for Financial Planning and Assets
said: “While we’re still analysing the responses from the surveys recently carried out in Carlisle and Keswick
one thing the data tells us loud and clear is that car parking is an extremely important subject for many of our residents and visitors.
“The council’s ambition is to provide the best possible car parking service for local people and businesses
as well as those who choose to visit Cumberland
so I’d encourage as many people and groups as possible to respond to these surveys so we can build up the best picture available to help us inform our future decisions.”
Detailed design work has commenced on the Workington Gateway project
Story Contracting Ltd started site investigation on the A596 Bridge Street
Ramsay Brow and Hall Brow this week.
The work will be carried out during daytime off peak hours and in the evening is expected to last for two weeks
Most work will be carried out within lane closures with limited impact on traffic
When the work requires temporary traffic lights
the traffic lights at the bottom of Ramsay Brow will be switched off while the temporary signals are in place
These site investigations are in preparation for the £10 million Workington Gateway transformation which begins in earnest this Summer
It will enhance connectivity with employment sites in the north of the town by widening the key A66/A596 junction
as well as the A596 at Hall Brow between the police headquarters and Workington Bridge
Addressing these longstanding pinch points in the highway network will improve road safety
reduce the impact on communities from HGV traffic and improve freight times to help generate jobs and growth
New pedestrian crossings and cycle and footpaths
improving access between Workington town centre
Workington Academy and the local network of pathways
West House social enterprise is creating a centre in Hall Park’s walled garden to provide training and employability skills to adults with learning disabilities
There will be the provision of horticultural activities within on-site gardening and wildlife areas
The Gateway is part of a host of regeneration projects in Workington which are being managed by Cumberland Council and supported by £33 million of Government funding.
They also include the creation of a Sports Village stadium and a new Innovation Centre business facility
as well as remediation of sites supporting the development of the Port of Workington as a hub for clean energy
and a Digital Accelerator Hub at Lakes College has already opened to provide training on advanced technology like the creation and use of robots
artificial intelligence and building information modelling
“This takes us one step closer to the transformation of this major junction and will give a practical
employment and transportation in the north of Workington.”
For more information visit www.cumberland.gov.uk/workington
Cumberland Council is pleased to announce that passenger numbers on Route 300 between Workington and Carlisle have increased by 20%
after receiving £5 million funding from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
the council was able to introduce new bus routes and enhance the Route 300 service
providing a regular service every 30 minutes
This enhanced service has not only improved convenience for passengers but has also resulted in a 20% increase in passenger numbers
demonstrating the positive impact of the changes
“I’m absolutely delighted to see such a strong response to the improved Route 300
The increased frequency is clearly making a real difference to people’s daily lives—and the 20% rise in passenger numbers shows that getting people around Cumberland is proving both effective and essential
“We remain committed to making public transport more accessible
If anyone would like to discuss local bus routes or provide feedback
I encourage you to get in touch with our team.”
For enquiries or to discuss local bus routes, please contact the Integrated Transport team at: integrated.transport@cumberland.gov.uk
Full timetables can be found on the Cumberland Council website.
Workington Reds have three games to save their season and
while matters are still in their own hands
a five-team scrap has developed at the foot of the NPL’s Premier Division
Mickleover and Basford United have already been relegated and will be joined at Step 4 level next season by one of five
candidates who are still battling to avoid the drop
And conceding a sloppy goal less than two minutes into their game at Harrison Park didn’t help Reds’ cause as they fell to a 19th defeat of a frustrating season
headed the match winner when Reds’ reshuffled defence failed to deal with a routine cross from the right
And the early goal proved enough to rubber-stamp Leek’s status for next season – they will avoid relegation after looking in all sorts of trouble just a few months ago
They have passed the 50-point mark and can enjoy their final three games without the worry that Reds
Connor Pani was Reds main threat in the opposition area but he headed one opportunity wide and then squandered a good chance to equalise near the end
And it was from his well struck free-kick that the Cumbrians came closest to that elusive goal
He got the ball past the defensive wall only for Xander Parke to pull off his only real save of the match
The home keeper also dealt with a Jamie Allen effort but Tom Stephenson and Ceiran Casson missed the target with other opportunities
The hosts were the better side after the interval and Hayden Campbell had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside then missed a great opportunity when it looked easier to score
made his best save to thwart Ollie Shenton
Reds now go into the Easter weekend facing two in-form sides
Prescot Cables (10th) visit Borough Park on Saturday before a trip to the North East and a fixture against Morpeth Town (7th) on the Monday
Construction work has begun on the new Innovation Centre in Workington
The building will provide purpose-built accommodation for entrepreneurial businesses
The first stages of work involve site clearance and the removal of rubble and slag-material
with the groundworks expected to be completed early in 2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the project
Part of their work will involve developing a comprehensive social plan to add value back into the Workington community
This includes work with the Cumbria Youth Alliance
as well as working alongside the Council’s Employability Partnership
Morgan Sindall will improve the stretch of Hadrian’s Cycleway (Route 72) that runs through Workington and also promote training in social value and carbon literacy to businesses and potential tenants of the Centre
which also include a new sports village and improvements to Workington Port
“It will be good to see building work begin on this initiative which will fill a gap in the entrepreneurial support and high-quality office accommodation available in and around Workington
This will be transformational for Workington attracting high-quality start-ups
leading to a growth in advanced manufacturing and technology jobs, and increasing footfall and spending power
“To support the transformation of our economy
we must also support the creation of Innovation Centre hubs to foster organic economic development
These centres create an environment of creativity and stimulate a cooperative dynamic between budding businesses
which we are happy to facilitate through the application of our expertise.”
Cumberland Council will begin resurfacing works on the A597 Workington Viaduct starting Monday 28 October
These works form part of the council's ongoing efforts to improve the local road network
The resurfacing will be carried out in three phases and is expected to last three weeks
The council confirm that the road will be made safe and reopened to the public on weekends
Each phase of the works will last approximately five working days
with a signed diversion route in place for each stage
A location plan clearly showing these extents can be found on one.network.
To assist with traffic flow and provide clear guidance the council has installed digital Variable Message Signs (VMS) on major routes leading to the viaduct
these boards will remain operational helping to reduce congestion
Stagecoach will operate a reduced bus service within the vicinity of the works
passengers are advised to contact Stagecoach directly
Access to the train station car park will be via Clay Flatts Roundabout during Phase one
Waste collections will not be affected in residential areas
Cumberland Council reminds the public that businesses remain open as usual throughout this essential work and encourage the community to continue supporting local businesses
access for emergency services will be maintained at all times
Cumberland Council appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during this important project and apologises for any inconvenience caused
For further information, residents and businesses can report online via our website or contact the Highways Hotline at 0300 373 3736
The Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing team secured a criminal behaviour order against a man on 13 February to further prevent his criminal behaviour
of Workington was given the Criminal Behaviour Order for two years
Hendren’s conditions are as follows:
The punishment for breaking the terms of a CBO can be up to five years in prison
Anyone who witnesses Deri Hendren breaching the terms of his CBO should contact the police
This work forms part of Operation Enhance and the pledge towards Neighbourhood Policing.
Operation Enhance is funded after Cumbria’s Police
Fire and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £1m of extra funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county
There are increased patrols in Workington area as part of Operation Enhance
Further information on the operation can be found here - Op Enhance | Cumbria Police
The bitter taste of defeat was administered to Workington for the first time this year as their eight-match winning run came to an end as they went down 27-26 at Lancaster Lionesses
When Lancaster won at The Ellis just before last Christmas
it was against a Workington side missing several key players – but this time round the Finches were at full strength
with the lead changing four times in the second half before the match ended in controversy
Workington started brightly from kick off and a successful line out was followed by an impressive phase of play which was finished off by Beth Sunderland who nipped in to score under the posts and set up an easy conversion for Stacey Carruthers
Lancaster launched a procession of attacks that tested the Finches backline and their resistance was broken with two tries in five minutes from Emily Mander
the second of which was converted by Eudora Aladesoun
Workington regained advantage with probing attacks of their own
but they were twice thwarted by Lancaster’s doughty defensive shield.
which was picked up by Aladesoun in her own half and just as she did at The Ellis
beating several players before casually touching down and then surprisingly missing her conversion attempt
Workington were now playing catch-up and they managed to contain the Lionesses attack – and especially Aladesoun – with hard-hitting tackles from Meagan McAndrew
Beth Adams and Lottie Cammack before they proceeded to swamp the Lionesses half with attacks and drives that paid off on 32 minutes when Porter thrust herself over to score and set up an easy conversion for Megan Donald
The rest of the first half was mostly dominated in the centre and so both sides finished a lively 40 minutes with Workington trailing by only 3 points
Workington picked up where they left off with more dominant scrummaging and Porter finishing off a quick move to score her second try
followed by Stacey Carruthers’ 2nd conversion to put the Finches 21-17 ahead
This lead lasted all of three minutes as Lancaster’s dominance on the wings paid off when Aladesoun fed the ball to Rosie Pearman
who then ghosted her way into the corner for their fourth try and securing a bonus point
The advantage was now with the Lionesses as they moved up a gear in order to seal maximum points by pinning the Finches into their own half – but every red shirt was met with a thundering reply by the wall of orange and black as Adams
Workington produced a delicious payback by regaining the lead on 67 minutes when another series of drives ended with Cammack finding Porter
who bulldozed her way away for a hat-trick – her second in succession and third of the season
the Finches missed their conversion attempt
Lancaster were becoming anxious but on 72 minutes another well-crafted attack left Workington floundering and scrum-half Hannah Alarakia-Charles darted in for another unconverted try
but crucially snatching back the lead by a point
Now Workington launched one final assault in the Lionesses’ own half with more excellent scrummaging and driving that got them within fingertips of the tryline
But then the referee suddenly blew for full time – there was a brief moment of silence before Lancaster realised they’d just edged victory.
the referee blew four minutes early and had also decreed that Workington hadn’t released the ball in time – much to the anger of Finches players
This injustice will be remembered for a very
very long time indeed and Workington can and will feel very hard done by – especially as it was yet another brilliant all-round performance
Workington remain top of RFU League 2 North
but only two points clear of Lancaster who now have two games in hand – both at home – against fellow title chasers Skipton next Sunday and then bottom side Yarnbury the following week
The Finches will hope that Skipton can do them a favour before they travel to North Yorkshire on April 27
Workington will recover from thus setback in time for the visit of Harpenden at The Ellis this Saturday for the RFU Community Plate Semi-Final
with a big crowd expected to provide the Finches a big roar of support
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