Evie Lake

A 19-year-old man died after getting into difficulty in Grasmere in the Lake District. Emergency services were called at about 16:35 BST on Saturday, and the man was rescued and taken to hospital before later dying. Cumbria Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and appealed for witnesses to help establish what happened.

Jessie and Joe Roper left Manchester to take over Jessie’s late father’s 80-acre Greenbank Farm near Cockermouth after his death in 2023. With little farming experience, they chose not to pursue traditional farming and are working with Environment Bank on a 30-year nature recovery project using cattle grazing and hay cuts to restore habitats. The arrangement provides lease payments, management income and greater financial security, while diversifying the farm and supporting biodiversity, although some local farmers remain sceptical.

Jessie and Joe Roper have moved from Manchester to take over Jessie’s late father’s 80-acre Greenbank Farm near Cockermouth. With support from Environment Bank, they are beginning a 30-year nature recovery project using grazing animals, hay cuts and habitat restoration, while earning lease payments and management income. The arrangement offers financial stability and diversification after the challenges of traditional farming, although some local farmers remain skeptical.

Sara Butler and Chris Hall took part in the hilly Gateshead parkrun with members of Low Fell Running Club and some of their wedding party just hours before marrying in North Shields. The couple, who began running through the club's Couch to 5K programme two years earlier, said the club had become like a second family. Butler joked that she was more concerned about completing the run than the wedding, although she was also carefully managing the remaining preparations.

A man in his 70s died after slipping and falling a considerable distance at Moss Force waterfall in Buttermere, Cumbria, on 2 August. Members of the public and emergency services, including Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and the Great North Air Ambulance, attempted to help him, but he was pronounced dead. Cumbria Police said the death was not suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.

Kielder Forest is approaching 150 fledged ospreys since the birds returned to Northumberland in 2009. The forest has eight active nests and recorded eggs in each one this year, with three chicks already fledged and more expected to follow. Conservationists attribute last year’s lower fledging total to storms and predators, while calm weather has made it harder for this year’s chicks to take flight. The naturally established colony’s chicks have been named after local forests, hills, hamlets and villages.

Barrow indie rock band The Silver Bars will open the main stage at Kendal Calling for the first time, marking their fifth appearance at the Cumbria festival. The five-piece initially suspected the offer was a scam because of a spelling mistake in the email, but the opportunity has since become a major milestone. Vocalist Dylan Grafton and drummer Matthew Grosvenor described the festival’s importance to local musicians and credited years of work alongside full-time jobs for the band’s progress.

A male beaver known for escaping his Northumberland enclosure has produced his first kit after being relocated to a Welsh farm and paired with a mate named Doris. The kit, believed to have been born in late May, marks a successful match following the beaver’s repeated escape attempts, which rangers attributed to his instinct to find a mate. The National Trust’s Wallington estate separately reported the arrival of two additional beaver kits, indicating a third consecutive successful breeding year. Conservation staff highlighted the positive signs of healthy and stable beaver populations across both sites.

A male beaver named Steve, known for repeatedly escaping his enclosure in Northumberland, has fathered his first kit with his mate Doris after being relocated to a farm in Wales. Staff at Cefn Garthenor confirmed the birth and said the pair are thriving. Steve’s earlier escape attempts were attributed to his instinct to find a mate, leading to his rehoming after multiple recaptures. The National Trust also reported two new kits born at Wallington, marking a third consecutive successful breeding year and indicating a healthy beaver population.

A major photography and film archive documenting working‑class life in north‑east England will be loaned to Newcastle University to protect and expand access to the collection. Supported by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, the AmberSide Trust is relocating the extensive archive through a project aimed at long‑term preservation and public engagement. The move follows funding challenges that forced the Side Gallery to close in 2023, with a new curatorial office established at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

A public art trail featuring 96 Peter Rabbit sculptures has been launched across Newcastle and North Tyneside to raise funds for St Oswald's Hospice. Larger artist‑designed sculptures will be auctioned in October, while smaller ones created by schools will be returned to them after the event. A paid app and sticker book enhance the interactive experience and support the hospice’s fundraising efforts amid rising demand for care. The trail runs until 14 September, continuing the charity’s previous successful themed sculpture events.