Historic environment research workshop: unlocking the asylum archives
2026-03-03 12:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Carlisle Archive Centre, Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, CA1 3AJ
Join us for an exciting skills workshop at Carlisle Archives as part of a new volunteer research project “Melancholy, Mania and Metallurgy: Unlocking the Asylum Archives”. This project will be uncovering the stories of North Pennines lead miners and their families who spent time in county asylums.
The workshop, on Tuesday 3 March, 12 noon to 4pm, is an opportunity to learn archive skills and interact with historical material from the Garlands Hospital collection (formerly known as Cumberland and Westmorland County Lunatic Asylum). It will include:
• A behind the scenes tour of the archive
• A display class with historical material from the Garlands Hospital collection (patient registers, illustrated casebooks, post-mortem reports) exploring how to use them and what they can tell us
• An illustrated history of Cumberland and Westmorland County Lunatic Asylum
• Introduction to palaeography skills (reading old handwriting) with an activity using original documents
• Introduction to digital resources session with an activity using Ancestry records
Please note that this project is for adults only. Historical documents use outdated terminology to describe disability and mental health conditions and may also contain material that some people find offensive or distressing.
Please sign up using the volunteer platform Better Impact
Image (c) Ninesergeants

Northern Adders Conference
2026-03-14 09:30 - 16:30 | Tullie House Museum, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8TP
The North Pennines National Landscape is hosting the Northern Adders Conference on Saturday, 14 March 2026, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The conference will focus on adders in the north, exploring conservation, research, education and engagement, and the particular challenges and opportunities that exist in northern landscapes.
This full-day conference is open to anyone with an interest in adder conservation, and delegates will have the opportunity to learn about efforts to protect this vulnerable species and hear about ways that adders are being celebrated in the North.
There is an opportunity for people who are undertaking research in this field to submit and display a research poster at the conference. If you are interested in this option please email samuel@northpennines.org.uk
Booking is essential – if you would like to attend, please book online using the booking form below. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Westgate Village history evenings
2026-03-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Westgate Village Hall, Front Street, Westgate, DL13 1RX
As part of the village histories project, we’ll be exploring and recording the natural and cultural heritage of Westgate and its surrounding area. There are sessions every month on a Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm, starting 25 February in the village hall at Westgate.
This exciting project aims to bring together local knowledge, memories, and research to create a lasting record for future generations, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved.
The group is aimed at residents of Westgate, those who live nearby, or simply have an interest in the history of the village.
Free refreshments will be available throughout the session.
Please use the Ticketsource link to book.

Image (c) – Westgate Glebe Farm, Phillipson

Part of the Land of Lead and Silver project led by the North Pennines National Landscape team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
