Cumbria stories you might have missed this week

10 August 2025

News image — The Benson family farm at Great Langdale in the Lake District

BBC The Benson family sat on a red quad bike with the fells in the background. Dad Jonathan is standing behind the quad bike, while his two boys are on the left of the image, sat on the bonnet, mum Nicola is in the middle and their daughter is on the right, sat on the back. They are all in informal sportwear and wellies or trainers. They are looking at the camera and smiling. — The Benson family farm at Great Langdale in the Lake District

An island home to just three people, a dog trapped underground for four days and the disappearance of two pine martens - here are some stories which made the news in Cumbria this week.

Progress for teen shelter plans

Cumberland Council Councillor Graham Minshaw (Egremont North and St Bees) and Michael Rowell, Chair of Trustees for the Adams Recreation Ground, St Bees are smiling at the camera outside the recreation ground. Graham Minshaw is wearing a grey t-shirt, black sweatshirt, a blue lanyard and glasses. Mishael Rowell is wearing a black sweatshirt with grey sleeves. His glasses are on top of his head. There is a sign reading The Adams Recreation Ground on the wall behind them. — The new teen shelter will be at the Adams Recreation Ground

Plans to create a shelter where teenagers can hang out have received £5,000 from a community fund.

The money was given to the Adams Recreation Ground, in St Bees near Whitehaven.

It will provide a space for about six young people, with gym equipment and football pitches outside, and could open next year.

You can read more about the plans here

Life on island with three residents

A pier stretching out to the sea with people and a border collie waiting for a boat. The boat is a large rowing boat to the left and a man is steering it. In the background, Piel Island can be seen - it has rocky ruins and a few small buildings. — Steve Wilcock ferries people from all over the world to Piel Island on his boat

Just three people live permanently on Piel Island, including its king - who runs the only pub there.

The only way on and off is by a 12-passenger boat operated by Steve Wilcock.

"I'm never the last ferry, if there's 13 [passengers], I'll take 12 and go back for the one," he says.

You can read more about Piel Island and listen to Steve's interview here

How glamping props up farm

Jonathan Benson in front of a drystone wall at his farm, with the fields and fells in the background. He has short dark blond hair and a beard. He is wearing a blue polo shirt and is holding a wooden walking stick. — Jonathan Benson's family have been sheep farmers for generations

A family of hill farmers say uncertainty in the sector made them turn to glamping to prop up their traditional business.

Jonathan Benson was born and raised in Great Langdale in the Lake District, and like his father and grandfather before him, he farms the fells with his flock of 800 sheep.

He says dwindling subsidies in the wake of Brexit and changes in the industry meant he and his wife decided to invest £250,000 in three glamping pods on their land.

You can read more about the Benson family here

Dog's badger sett ordeal

Mike McGrath Gordon Bottomley coming out of a hole in the ground holding Sherlock the Lakeland terrier. Mr Bottomley is wearing a light chequered shirt and brown trousers and he covered in dust, including on his face and clothing. He is standing at the entrance of a narrow underground tunnel, which is as tall as the length of his body, from his shoulders to his toes. Sherlock is in his arms and he is the same colour as the sandy soil surrounding them. — Volunteer Gordon Bottomley dug a 6ft (1.8m) hole to free Sherlock

A dog trapped for four days in a badger sett has been reunited with his owners after a search involving drones and rescue teams.

Mandy McGrath was walking her Lakeland terrier Sherlock at Brampton's Ridgeway Woods, near Carlisle, when she lost sight of him as he chased a rabbit.

It took countless attempts to locate the terrier before he was freed from the inactive badger sett, 6ft (1.8m) underground.

Read more about the Sherlock's recovery here

Pine martens' disappearance 'suspicious'

The Wildlife Trusts/PA A pine marten on the side of a tree trunk. It is small and brown and is looking into the camera. Plants can be seen out of focus behind the tree. — Two pine martens, which were being tracked, have gone missing

The disappearance of two tracked pine martens is being treated as suspicious, police have said.

Cumbria Police and South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project are appealing for information to help trace the rare animals that were released near Grizedale Forest earlier this year.

It is believed one of the mammals has two dependent kits.