The Miners Arms Community Association (MACA) was formed to explore options for a

community buy-out of the local pub.

The Miners Arms, Nenthead, Cumbria has been at the heart of the village for generations, first

opening its doors nearly 200 years ago. It closed in 2020 and has not reopened, it is now for

sale. Residents of Nenthead came together at a special community meeting recently to discuss

how they might go about saving their local, the Miners Arms. Since its formation, the Miners

Arms Community Association (MACA) has been busy researching what is required for a

community to successfully take ownership of a local pub and reopen it to the public.

MACA completed a survey with residents to better understand local people’s appetite for the

project.

“When we asked local people whether we should save our pub, the response was an

overwhelming YES!” said Simon Walker, Chair of MACA.

“The Miners Arms was a favourite of the village and a huge part of our local community. We want

to see it open again. It won’t be easy, but with the right support and the dedication of this

community I believe we can reopen The Miners Arms together.”

MACA has continued to research the possibility of a community buy-out, arranging meetings with

other successful community pubs and seeking support from The Plunkett Foundation – a charity

that supports community businesses.

A community buy-out requires significant investment. It is hoped that community fundraising

activities will raise a significant portion of the funds required, and there are options for grant

funding being explored by MACA. The intention is to form a Community Benefit Society and

issue a share offer scheme, where anyone can purchase shares in the Miners Arms, in exchange

they become a member of the Community Benefit Society and have a say in how the pub is run

in the future.

Simon Walker added: “There is a long way to go, and we are counting not just on the residents

but all those that visit our beautiful village to come together to restore this community asset. If

you would like to volunteer your support or have ideas for fundraising, we would love to hear

from you.”

The Miners Arms Community Association meets regularly, with members focussed on specific

activity that supports the plan to complete a community buy-out of the pub.

A justgiving page has been established to raise funds for initial project costs such as registering

as a Community Benefit Society and setting up a share offer.

If anyone has any questions, or would like to offer skills or resources to help the Nenthead

community to be successful in a community buy-out of the Miners Arms, please contact

minersarms.community@gmail.com 

justgiving – Miners Arms Nenthead

www.minersarmsnenthead.com

Facebook group – Miners Arms Nenthead

X @minersarmsnent

What inspired the creation of AJ Security and AJ Training Academy in Adrian Kirkbride’s words:

I’ve been in the industry since 1989 & in 2017 a good friend of mine & the town was fatally wounded in an unprovoked knife attack. 
Overnight I decided that this would not happen again to the best of my ability, or would be hindered.
I founded AJ-Security with the sole intention of protecting & reassuring people & businesses that Assets & properties are safe. In doing so it would also be an intention to welcome tourist trade to Maryport & also encourage new or established businesses to set up in Maryport which may also increase revenue for the area.In early 2018 I managed to get all the boxes ticked in order for us to go ‘live’ and hit the ground running to benefit others, as well as gain a foothold in the industry currently covered with National security service suppliers.
What are you working on making happen for the people and businesses in Maryport? 
My aim is to employ CSO Safety Wardens to operate during silent hours & weekends and have a presence on High Streets, other business areas plus have boots on the ground in known trouble areas for ASB or criminal activity (minor or major).
The Emergency services are stretched beyond their means through no fault of their own and my vision is to fill a gap which would allow Police to concentrate on serious crime & incidents leaving my qualified & experienced CSO SW’s to deal with traffic management, ASB, minor call outs, incidents requiring minor 1st Aid treatment, low level 999 calls, as well as liaise with shop workers, vulnerable & elderly people plus report back immediately on a regular basis via radio or weekly/monthly meetings with seniors of the relevant agencies.
This has so much potential to benefit so many walks of life, as well as offer employment to some unemployed male & females who we train using the sister company AJ Training Academy, also based in Maryport.
Those who attend our courses, pass & proceed to gain their Security Industry Authority licence, AND who portray the qualities & personality needed to maintain the company standard and reputation, are offered an interview and should they still fit the description needed then they are offered employment and utilised among my already experienced security officers.
Helping reassure communities while also reducing unemployment figures and improving individual wellbeing and quite possible for their families too.
My spare time activity outside of owning a company & being a father & husband is to run & manage a boxing club in Maryport, renamed ‘Wilters Gym- The home of Nemesis Boxing Club’ in memory of my friend, and to keep his name alive. William Richardson nickname was ‘Wilter’.

I do hope after reading the above that you get a feel for my passion to protect, reassure & also help people & areas.
This is the tip of the Iceberg & there is so much more detail surrounding my vision. If you would like to help or get involved on how Adrian to get this vision happening, you can contact me via our website 

AJ-Security

Submitted by Suzanne Elsworth, Elsworth Communications

People living in and around Cockermouth are being given an Easter treat by a town centre shop owner and her customers.

Lyn Osbaldeston, who runs the New to You by The Cumbrian Wordsmith shop in Market Place, at the bottom of Castlegate, is making up seasonal goody bags for the Linking Lives charity. It’s the second time she has donated gifts to the charity after sharing vouchers for local businesses at Christmas.

Lyn sells quality second hand items and also has a mug printing business and a percentage of her sales goes to charity. She had been approached by Linking Lives to create some mugs and decided to keep supporting the befriending service it offers.

Lyn said: “I just want to bring a smile to people’s faces and this means I can take the generous donations of local people and put the benefits right back in the community.

“I’ll be putting Easter eggs and some lovely toiletries in the bags for Linking Lives to share through its networks.”

Linking Lives is a befriending service aimed at adults who want additional friendship and support. It can be a lifeline for those living alone, or are unable to leave home regularly, or otherwise have little community contact. The charity has a team of volunteers who provide weekly home visits or phone calls, as well as social events.

Terry Peate, of Linking Lives Cockermouth, said: “We are so grateful for Lyn’s support and want to say thank you to her for thinking of the people we befriend. Little gestures like this go a long way and we look forward to seeing the smiles from the gift recipients.”

Linking Lives volunteers need to commit just one hour a week to help with the befriending service. If you can help call 07957 515140 or email cockermouth@linkinglives.uk. More information is available at www.linkinglives.uk/project/cockermouth