As the nation remembered the Fallen last week, a handful of people gathered at a railway bridge on the Cumbrian border to lay a wreath commemorating a forgotten tragedy of World War One. On 22 May 1915 a troop train carrying 500 soldiers smashed into a passenger train at Quintinshill near Gretna. Fewer than half survived. Yet more than 100 years la…

As part of our activity for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024, we're sharing an interview with Denise Gosney - founder of Razzamataz - which was previously shown at our 'How To Slay the Dragons' event held in partnership with North and West Lancs Chamber of Commerce in November 2024. Hear Denise's inspiring story all about how she started her Razza…

Offering a welcome oasis of calm after the hell of Bonfire Night and the US Election, we take a leisurely look at the big stories of the week in Cumbria. Rare cine film reveals how bullfights, donkey rides and mass punch-ups in Benidorm were key to Carlisle United's 1974 promotion triumph; a Grange woman's world record biscuit bid is ruined by her …

Tara is otherwise muzzled, so this week Nick is joined by teacher, podcaster, stand-up comedian and Jilly Cooper fanatic SARAH LEDGER to discuss the week's hot news in Cumbria. As fires rage in Barrow, a grenade is found on Catbells, a thief is cornered in a sheep pen, and the trending news reporter files another earth-shattering scoop, what could …

Welcome to the first episode of Cumbria Eh! This week: 50 years after she was almost kidnapped in broad daylight, a Royal visitor has been visiting the county -- but what's the secret of her hairdo; are Victorian-era diseases making a comeback thanks to Gen Z kids; a rockfall fails to cause traffic chaos in the lakes; and as Halloween approaches th…

We're joined on the podcast by Martha Wood, founder of Chamber member Martha Wood Marketing. We discuss the role of social media in the marketing industry and how a marketing strategy can help you take advantage of the platforms available. To learn more about Martha's freelance marketing services visit her website: https://marthawoodmarketing.com/…

Welcome to Cumbria Eh! Join us every week for a round-up of all the news you might have missed in Cumbria, as well as big interviews and on-the-spot reports. If you're after some real Cumbria crack, then Cumbria Eh! is the only place to go. Contact us at cumbria.eh@gmail.co.uk And for more details about the show, visit the website…

We catch up with Head of Debt John Gray and Investment Manager Jonathan Nelson following River Capital's recent expansion into Cumbria after securing the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Smaller Loans Fund. We discuss investment solutions currently available to Cumbrian businesses; getting investment ready; common challenges and how River Cap…

We're joined on the podcast by Clare Atkinson, Founder and Director of R&D at NuGreen, a sustainability consultancy researching the use of plastic in the health care sector and how resources from medical waste can be recovered and recycled. We discuss NuGreen's work to date, the challenges and opportunities when it comes to using plastic in the hea…

This month on the podcast we discuss the Brighter Futures programme with Deborah Naylor (Inspira) and Claire Sands (Cumbria Youth alliance). Brighter Futures aims to support young people in Cumbria who are leaving care, through a range of activity inlcluding mentoring, work experience placements and life skills development. Click below to learn mor…

We're joined by Sue Reeve of Chamber member and bookkeeping and training services provider, Windmill BTS. Our conversation centres around self assessment and expenses with lots of useful tips and advice for sole traders when doing self assessment and other ways to save money! Chamber members can access a 10% discount on Windmill BTS's Business Fina…

We discuss Cumbria Business Growth Hub’s Mentoring Programme with business mentors, Jacqui Jackson and Keith Jackson. Join us to hear about the mentoring process and the powerful effect it can have, supporting business owners to achieve their goals and deliver the business they want. We also discuss some of the success stories of mentoring clients …

A conversation with Tim Bloomer, co-founder of Fell Brewery, about the business's project aimed at bringing down carbon emissions at their brewery in Flookburgh. We cover: How the business started from two friends brewing beer into a well-known brand with over 40 employees Tim's thoughts on carbon offsetting Carbon accounting - identifying which pa…

Our guest on the podcast is Veronica Waller of the Farmer Network, who joins us to discuss financial business support available to farms and other land-based businesses in the form of £500 vouchers to work with a consultant of their choice. We discuss recent changes to agricultural policy and subsidies and how farmers can use the vouchers to pay fo…

We're joined by Mark Bowman, CEO of careers advice and guidance organisation, Inspira, for a conversation on how the organisation supports people into the workforce and key insights on the current Cumbrian labour market in 2024. We cover... Current challenges faced by clients and what this says about the wider labour market Changing application pro…

In this Episode.... How Icons are created as an Exhibition of locally painted icons is on show in Kendal Parish Church. We hear from the new Archdeacon of Carlisle and a group of street pastors. Reverend David Newlove has our pause for thought and a story of how God has put a calling on his life from Cumbrian Vet Chris. All of that plus the Church …

We're joined by Kate Fraser of Chamber member Hutton John Estate. The family-owned estate is home to a range of luxury holiday lets which are busy throughout the year. The topic of conversation is on the business’s innovative approach to becoming more environmentally friendly. We also discuss the green business support Kate has received from the We…

Winning moves is a social enterprise combining business diagnostic, digital, and research and evaluation consultancy with the aim of improving economic, environmental and societal outcomes. We’re joined by Colin Bell and Maddison Walker to discuss the topic of innovation in business and Winning Moves’ new Innovation Sprint project delivered as part…

How Cumbrian's are affected by the happenings in the Holy Land, Rest under the stars on tour and Curate Hannah tells the story of her calling to ministry. Hear about events happening in Cumbrian churches from the church noticeboard and our Pause for Thought is on the subject of prayer. Your host - The Reverend Richard Corrie! If you have a Cumbrian…

We're joined on the Cumbria Chamber podcast this month by Mel Kinsella, Director of Chamber member Kinsella HR Solutions. Our conversation is on theme of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), delving into definitions, combatting stereotypes, creating positive work environments for all employees, and the benefits to decision making of diverse thi…

A healthy workforce is good for business! Mentally and physically healthy employees mean reduced staff turnover and less absences, which can increase productivity with less money being paid out on sick leave. To help businesses improve the wellbeing of their staff, the government is piloting a new scheme in Cumbria and Lancashire, which will give b…

We talk to Chamber members Julie Doherty and Helen Vanroose-Brydon from the Plastic Bottles Company about their work advising small businesses on the packaging they need; some of the unusual requests they've had over the years; the environmental impact of plastic packaging and how the industry is working to become more sustainable. Check out their …

Launching our Supply Chain Programme with Martyn Staveley This month we’re joined by Martyn Staveley of 3 Peaks Consulting. Martyn is leading on our new Supply Chain Pilot Programme, which will offer 1-2-1 support to twelve businesses in Cumbria who are looking to enter new supply chains. In our conversation we discuss… Martyn’s background working …

This month on the Cumbria Business Growth Hub podcast we’re joined by Martyn Staveley of 3 Peaks Consulting. Martyn is leading on our new Supply Chain Pilot Programme, which will offer 1-2-1 support to twelve businesses in Cumbria who are looking to enter new supply chains. In our conversation we discuss… Martyn’s background working in national and…

This month on the Growth Hub podcast we're joined by Mags Bradshaw of Red Button Marketing Training. Our conversation focusses on Mags’ innovative, straightforward approach to marketing strategy. We discuss: What is marketing Misconceptions surrounding marketing The role of the marketing process Communication about marketing accross the business He…

We're joined on the podcast this month by Greg Johnston, Founder and CEO of Chamber member Team Evie. Our conversation delves into Team Evie's new Peer Support Service. A newly-launched service pairing the families of sick children with Peer Supporters, trained volunteers who have also experienced time in hospital with their baby or child. Team Evi…

We're joined this month on the podcast by Steve Curl, Chair of the Strategic Oversight Board for Zero Carbon Cumbria, an initiative which brings together efforts to reduce carbon emissions across Cumbria. We discuss: What is Zero Carbon Cumbria and what are its aims? How are we going to reach net zero by 2037? What does this mean for businesses in …

Colin Bell is the Founder and Director of Leap the Crowd and Co-founder and Director of WeDo Content. We've been working with Colin recently to deliver High Performance FLOW training to business leaders in Cumbria. High Performance FLOW is a programme designed to help ambitious and hardworking business owners to break through to their next level of…

In this episode of the Directors Forum podcast we’re joined by Danny Sawrij, Owner of Leo Group, one of our Cumbria Chamber Patrons. We discuss Danny’s career from selling chocolate bars in the playground as a boy and then leaving school at 14 to buy and sell cattle, to owning and operating one of the UK’s leading specialists and animal by-products…

We're joined by Molly Hogg of Cumbria Action for Sustainability and Lesley Robinson of Cumbria Business Growth Hub to discuss the launch of the W&F Green Enterprise Hub, a dynamic initiative dedicated to supporting local organisations on their journey towards decarbonisation and sustainability.Bởi Cumbria Business Growth Hub

This month we're joined by business mentor Gail Gravett who is leading on our pilot Mentoring Programme. Tune in to hear how important mentoring is for success in business with lots of examples and insights. Click here to get involved in our pilot mentoring programme starting January 2024:Bởi Cumbria Business Growth Hub

We're joined on the Cumbria Growth Hub podcast by Growth Hub client, Matthew Stockwell, Director of Three Hills Gelato. During the episode we discuss: Matthew's journey to starting Three Hills Gelato How he learned the necessary skills The partnership with Torpenhow Farmhouse Dairy Sourcing high-quality, natural ingredients Coming up with new flavo…

In this, the first podcast of our Autumn season, We are Curious join Gilcrux and District Social Fund for a day out in, and on, Windermere, 18 October 2023. And, on 14 October, we visited a community event in Denton Holme, Carlisle, where we met some really inspirational people...Bởi We are Curious Cumbria

We talk to Judith Smale of Chamber member Cumbria CVS about the benefits of volunteering for individuals and businesses. Our talk also covers CVS's new volunteering database where individuals can register and search for opportunities (volunteering.cumbriacvs.org.uk); employer supported volunteering (ESV); support for businesses; and the ESV subgrou…

We talk to Sarah Peak from the Department for Business & Trade about: The UK's position as an exporter How Cumbria compares to the rest of the UK in terms of export How DBT can help businesses overcome export challenges DBT's Export Academy Export Champions Trade missions Find out more information about support on offer from DBT here: https://www.g…

Benchmark Index is a diagnostic tool which provides real time business performance data to create a baseline of the business’s current levels of attainment, an assessment of strengths and weaknesses, and the means to track progress over time. Cumbrian businesses can now access the Benchmark Index free of charge through Cumbria Business Growth Hub. …

In the latest episode of the Cumbria Chamber podcast we discuss investment opportunities for Cumbrian businesses through Regionally, an investment service designed to connect private investors with established businesses based in the UK outside of London. In part two of the podcast we talk to Chamber members RfM Accountants who work with Regionally…

Cumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led and locally owned initiative which aims to set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy. August 2023 saw the release of this year's LSIP report for Cumbria. Find out more. T…

Cumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led and locally owned initiative which aims to set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy. August 2023 saw the release of this year's LSIP report for Cumbria. Find out more. T…

Welcome back for season 2 of the Directors Forum Podcast, we've had a break, a little bit of a brand refresh but we're back. In this episode Eve talks to Barrie Roberts of Ennerdale Brewery about beer, socialising, the passion that keeps driving him and how he did it all because 'he only wanted a pint' If you do want to look at any of the beers we …

Belfast-based supplier Fibrus have embarked on a project to connect 60,000 premises in the Cumbria to the fastest broadband on the market under the government’s Project Gigabit programme. As well as creating jobs for local residents, the project will also present opportunities for local businesses to become suppliers of Fibrus and its primary contr…

On this month's episode we're joined by Rebecca Smith of Box Box Solutions. As a business and management consultant Rebecca frequently looks for new and innovative solutions to problems faced by her clients. One of those is distributed leadership, a model which moves decision making from one individual to a collective group. In our conversation, we…

We’re joined by DC Jon Hill of Cumbria Police’s Cyber and Digital Crime Unit to discuss recent updates in cybercrime which businesses need to be on the lookout for. Our conversation also covers the range of current free resources available for businesses to protect against cybercrime. Useful links discussed in the episode can be found below: Police…

We complete this Series by having a chat with our Wellbeing Coordinator Dan Alexander who we are bidding a fond farewell to this week. We take the opportunity to discuss the project so far, highs, lows and goodbyes. If you would like anymore information about any of our groups please contact jenna@icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk…

Our guest on the podcast today is one of our business start-up clients, Kellie Cox. After serving as a bomb disposal expert in the British Army, Kellie has now left the army to start her own meditation and wellness consultancy due to launch in September. We discuss Kellie's career in the military, how she got into meditation and how it has helped h…

On this episode of the Cumbria Chamber podcast we discuss personal brand with CEO and founder of Chamber member Natterjack Marketing, Lindsay Gray. Our conversion covers: The importance of personal brand How to create your own personal brand How Lindsday's own personal brand has helped shape her career LinkedIn and the personal brand pros…

A special edition podcast, thanks to your feedback.Bởi We are Curious Cumbria

On this month's episode, Joe is joined by Dr Zoe Billings and Mark Pannone of Adapt & Evolve Consultancy. The conversation covers Mark and Zoe's careers in the Police and how this led them to set up Adapt & Evolve, the importance of biological wellbeing and recognising the physical signs of stress, and steps we can take towards reducing stress. To …

Disability Connect's mission is: "to enable organisations to harness and maximise the powerful use of disability awareness to create and sustain an inclusive and supportive working environment." They do this by pairing business leaders with talented disabled mentors, as well as offering diversity mentoring training and speaking events. In our talk …

... and (continuing our mini series about Macbeth and his connection to the Lords of Allerdale,) the history of Old Siward.Bởi We are Curious Cumbria