THE BEACON Museum’s next exhibition spotlights one of history’s most colourful characters.

Hugh Lowther – known as The Yellow Earl because of his fondness for the colour – became the fifth Earl of Lonsdale in 1882.

He owned much of Whitehaven and its coalfields, as well as assets around the country, but is said to have lived an extravagant lifestyle and spent the family fortune.

The Earl was a sportsman and an adventurer – creating modern boxing and donating the Lonsdale belt. He was a patron of the Automobile Association (hence its yellow livery) and set up an animal charity.

This new exhibition covers the extraordinary highs and lows of Hugh Lowther’s unusual life.

It includes lots to do for children and families – igloo-making workshops (the Earl visited Alaska and claimed to have reached the North Pole), circus skills, Wii boxing and dressing up – as well as all the museum’s normal galleries and hands-on exhibits.

‘The Yellow Earl – the Life of Hugh Lowther’ opens at 10am on Saturday, April 2.
To book, or find out more, visit www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk, or call 01946 592302.

The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to sign up for this year’s Poppy Trek events taking place on the 13th and 14th of August, to raise vital funds for service personnel, veterans and their families.

Fundraisers will have the opportunity to hike one of two iconic routes – a 9-mile trek to England’s highest war memorial at the summit of Scafell Pike, or a 9-mile trek to Great Gable, its beautiful neighbouring mountain and a brand-new route for 2022.

Both the 9-mile and 6-mile routes will take participants through the picturesque and unique landscapes of the Lake District before reaching the 963-metre or 886-metre peak. After stopping to take in the views across Cumbria, participants will share a moment of reflection in a minute’s silence, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community past and present.

A 2 day course (Saturday 27th August & Sunday 28th August) learning how to spin wool from the sheep in the Ennerdale Valley, using a traditional spinning wheel in the atmospheric Wild Wool Barn overlooking Ennerdale Water.

Get Wednesdays off to a great start with a fun, friendly, fitness kick in the forest! Enjoy a fun-filled, varied fitness session in the beautiful surroundings of Whinlatter Forest. We will make use of the spaces, terrain and features of the forest to strengthen your mental and physical health.

Each week will be different – with a range of exercises, individual and group challenges, and activities. All abilities welcome, and we offer lots of adaptations to make sure you can work hard at your level.We will be moving around outdoors in the forest, so bring waterproofs, or suncream, or whatever the weather dictates.

Each session lasts approx 50 minutes.

Well behaved dogs on leads, buggies, walking poles etc all welcome. Enjoy a well deserved post exercise brew in the cafe.

Booking essential
£5 per person

Get Wednesdays off to a great start with a fun, friendly, fitness kick in the forest! Enjoy a fun-filled, varied fitness session in the beautiful surroundings of Whinlatter Forest. We will make use of the spaces, terrain and features of the forest to strengthen your mental and physical health.

Each week will be different – with a range of exercises, individual and group challenges, and activities. All abilities welcome, and we offer lots of adaptations to make sure you can work hard at your level.We will be moving around outdoors in the forest, so bring waterproofs, or suncream, or whatever the weather dictates.

Each session lasts approx 50 minutes.

Well behaved dogs on leads, buggies, walking poles etc all welcome. Enjoy a well deserved post exercise brew in the cafe.

Booking essential
£5 per person

Whinlatter Adventure Club is an amazing holiday club for children aged 7 – 12. We will have different fun activities each day all led by our talented Adventure Club leaders. Activities will include: Foraging, fire pit foods, fire lighting, den building, pond dipping, wild play games and more! Adventure awaits in the forest this summer!

All children will need a packed lunch, outdoor clothing, waterproofs, sun cream and plenty to drink.

£30 per child per day
Advanced booking essential

For more information or to book contact the Visitor Service team at Whinlatter: 017687 78469

Whinlatter Adventure Club is an amazing holiday club for children aged 7 – 12. We will have different fun activities each day all led by our talented Adventure Club leaders. Activities will include: Foraging, fire pit foods, fire lighting, den building, pond dipping, wild play games and more! Adventure awaits in the forest this summer!

All children will need a packed lunch, outdoor clothing, waterproofs, sun cream and plenty to drink.

£30 per child per day
Advanced booking essential

For more information or to book contact the Visitor Service team at Whinlatter: 017687 78469

The Taste of the Sea is now in its second year on Allerdale Borough Council’s events calendar and will be held in various locations along Senhouse Street, Shipping Brown and the Harbourside in Maryport, Cumbria. The event includes, a producers market, musical entertainment, kids activities, fairground rides and a picnic area with drinks provision and hot food stalls. We will also be hosting a comedy night and cooking demos. All activities will take place on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August 2022

The Taste of the Sea is now in its second year on Allerdale Borough Council’s events calendar and will be held in various locations along Senhouse Street, Shipping Brown and the Harbourside in Maryport, Cumbria. The event includes, a producers market, musical entertainment, kids activities, fairground rides and a picnic area with drinks provision and hot food stalls. We will also be hosting a comedy night and cooking demos. All activities will take place on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August 2022

Minions 2: The Rise of Gru (U)

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader — the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles.

When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance — Wild Knuckles himself — and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Starring Steve Carell, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin

This is a free guided walk organised by the Lake District National Park. Places are limited. Book online

Start point: Dalegarth Station , Boot
Length: 5.5km (3.5miles) with 148m (480ft) of ascent
Time: 3.5 hours (approx.)
An Easy+ grade walk which begins from Dalegarth Station and follows the river Esk before culminating in the short, steep ascent of Stanley Ghyll with stunning views, from the viewing platform, along the gorge and the surrounding mountains. Visits to 16th century St Catherine’s and Eskdale Mill, one of the oldest water-powered mills in England, are included.
Paths are generally good but there are some sections that are stony and others that will be muddy in poor weather.
Participants will need to dress appropriately for the terrain and weather and bring a packed lunch.

Krankenhaus is a mega-magical micro-festival, taking place on the August Bank Holiday 2022, at Muncaster Castle, where rock music meets the highest rocks in England – towering sounds by the peak of Scafell Pike – on the beautiful western edge of the English Lake District. Gruff Rhys, Low, This Is This Kit, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Richard Dawson and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage are all scheduled to appear – alongside two full sets from local legends and founders of the festival Sea Power.

Krankenhaus is a mega-magical micro-festival, taking place on the August Bank Holiday 2022, at Muncaster Castle, where rock music meets the highest rocks in England – towering sounds by the peak of Scafell Pike – on the beautiful western edge of the English Lake District. Gruff Rhys, Low, This Is This Kit, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Richard Dawson and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage are all scheduled to appear – alongside two full sets from local legends and founders of the festival Sea Power.

Krankenhaus is a mega-magical micro-festival, taking place on the August Bank Holiday 2022, at Muncaster Castle, where rock music meets the highest rocks in England – towering sounds by the peak of Scafell Pike – on the beautiful western edge of the English Lake District. Gruff Rhys, Low, This Is This Kit, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Richard Dawson and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage are all scheduled to appear – alongside two full sets from local legends and founders of the festival Sea Power.

Krankenhaus is a mega-magical micro-festival, taking place on the August Bank Holiday 2022, at Muncaster Castle, where rock music meets the highest rocks in England – towering sounds by the peak of Scafell Pike – on the beautiful western edge of the English Lake District. Gruff Rhys, Low, This Is This Kit, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Richard Dawson and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage are all scheduled to appear – alongside two full sets from local legends and founders of the festival Sea Power.

Minions 2: The Rise of Gru (U)

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader — the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles.

When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance — Wild Knuckles himself — and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Starring Steve Carell, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin

Minions 2: The Rise of Gru (U)

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader — the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles.

When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance — Wild Knuckles himself — and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Starring Steve Carell, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin

Minions 2: The Rise of Gru (U)

The untold story of one 12-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader — the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles.

When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance — Wild Knuckles himself — and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Starring Steve Carell, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin

Whitehaven Theatre Group take you on a ‘behind the scenes’ look into the world of the maternity ward in this Janet Shaw farce, Stand & Deliver. Join sex-mad nurse Lindsay Walker, and the four ladies on C Ward. The patients are: Vivien Withrington whose husband forgot to pay the private health insurance; Lizzie who has been caught out in the change of life; Nicola who gets confused easily and whose baby will have to match the soft furnishings in her house, and Michelle, whose only mistake was drinking alcopops and being 16. Three of these four have the husbands they deserve, who each tries to help his wife during the last few hours before ‘the big push’ in the only way they know best – by being a man, and either not being there or retiring as often as possible to the TV Room. Michelle, though, has her mum – a domineering matriarch who is desperate that the baby is adopted to prevent the shame of having to reveal that her daughter is an unmarried mother. The delivery rooms are full and so Vivien (who insisted on delivering in the birthing pool at the private ‘Fairhomes’ nursing home) and Nicola have to deliver in their beds on the ward, during which Sister Mitchell and Nurse Walker show their compassionate side. Through all this, the two domestics (Dot and Brenda) provide a down-to-earth patter of comfort to the labouring mothers, and barbed wit to the hospital staff. It may sound like an unlikely setting for a comedy play, but Janet Shaw has a talent for turning the most incongruous situation and poking fun at it, or the people in it. A side-splitting comedy that will leave you in stitches… from laughing.

Whitehaven Theatre Group take you on a ‘behind the scenes’ look into the world of the maternity ward in this Janet Shaw farce, Stand & Deliver. Join sex-mad nurse Lindsay Walker, and the four ladies on C Ward. The patients are: Vivien Withrington whose husband forgot to pay the private health insurance; Lizzie who has been caught out in the change of life; Nicola who gets confused easily and whose baby will have to match the soft furnishings in her house, and Michelle, whose only mistake was drinking alcopops and being 16. Three of these four have the husbands they deserve, who each tries to help his wife during the last few hours before ‘the big push’ in the only way they know best – by being a man, and either not being there or retiring as often as possible to the TV Room. Michelle, though, has her mum – a domineering matriarch who is desperate that the baby is adopted to prevent the shame of having to reveal that her daughter is an unmarried mother. The delivery rooms are full and so Vivien (who insisted on delivering in the birthing pool at the private ‘Fairhomes’ nursing home) and Nicola have to deliver in their beds on the ward, during which Sister Mitchell and Nurse Walker show their compassionate side. Through all this, the two domestics (Dot and Brenda) provide a down-to-earth patter of comfort to the labouring mothers, and barbed wit to the hospital staff. It may sound like an unlikely setting for a comedy play, but Janet Shaw has a talent for turning the most incongruous situation and poking fun at it, or the people in it. A side-splitting comedy that will leave you in stitches… from laughing.

Whitehaven Theatre Group take you on a ‘behind the scenes’ look into the world of the maternity ward in this Janet Shaw farce, Stand & Deliver. Join sex-mad nurse Lindsay Walker, and the four ladies on C Ward. The patients are: Vivien Withrington whose husband forgot to pay the private health insurance; Lizzie who has been caught out in the change of life; Nicola who gets confused easily and whose baby will have to match the soft furnishings in her house, and Michelle, whose only mistake was drinking alcopops and being 16. Three of these four have the husbands they deserve, who each tries to help his wife during the last few hours before ‘the big push’ in the only way they know best – by being a man, and either not being there or retiring as often as possible to the TV Room. Michelle, though, has her mum – a domineering matriarch who is desperate that the baby is adopted to prevent the shame of having to reveal that her daughter is an unmarried mother. The delivery rooms are full and so Vivien (who insisted on delivering in the birthing pool at the private ‘Fairhomes’ nursing home) and Nicola have to deliver in their beds on the ward, during which Sister Mitchell and Nurse Walker show their compassionate side. Through all this, the two domestics (Dot and Brenda) provide a down-to-earth patter of comfort to the labouring mothers, and barbed wit to the hospital staff. It may sound like an unlikely setting for a comedy play, but Janet Shaw has a talent for turning the most incongruous situation and poking fun at it, or the people in it. A side-splitting comedy that will leave you in stitches… from laughing.

Dan and Boff decided to run a series of routes from the centre of the city in which they found themselves, to the top of the peak overlooking the city.

In story and in song, this is the story of what they found out – about the relationship between city and country, between wild and controlled, about land ownership, about why we’re drawn to wild places – and about what we’re really running from.

Funny and genuinely moving, These Hills are Ours consists of stories by Dan and songs by Boff, interspersed with conversation between them, and with the audience. The stories and songs each tell of a particular running route and its significance. It is at once gentle and raw, delicate and robust. This show is for the ‘good night out’ audience – warm, funny, friendly, and combining songs and stories – it is a celebration of place and local pride and changing our perspective when we get just outside our town and look at it from that beautiful green hill not so far away.

Show length: Approx 80 minutes

Rosehill’s Comedy Club brings you a lorry load of laughs on a bi-monthly basis through 2022!

Don’t miss your chance to see our latest hand-picked selection of multiple stand-ups from the national circuit, featuring a fantastic group of three or four comedians every time.

Check back for line-up details nearer the date of each event.

Book your tickets now!

*Any published line-ups are subject to change at short notice, particularly due to sudden filming or writing commitments