Cumbria stories you might have missed this week

Waterbird first flew on Windermere in 1911

A headteacher hits out about "unfair" debt, fly campers made to litter-pick and the return of a historic seaplane.

Here are some of the stories from Cumbria you might have missed this week.

Litter-pick for fly campers instead of fine

Cumberland Council said the three young men collected seven bags of litter

Fly campers caught leaving waste behind at a beauty spot have been spared a fine but made to litter-pick for three hours.

Cumberland Council said the three young men, from Wigan, breached a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place at Ennerdale, in the Lake District, to safeguard the landscape.

The authority can punish the breach with £100 fines, but got the culprits to take part in a litter-pick covering about 12 miles (19km) instead, "in line with the principles of restorative justice".

• You can read more about this story here

Historic seaplane returns to lake

Lieutenant Commander Götke was set to pilot the craft over Windermere

A replica of a historic seaplane returned to the lake where its original took its first flight in 1911.

Waterbird, the UK's first successful seaplane, flew over Windermere in the Lake District in 1911, but was destroyed in a storm when its hanger collapsed.

A replica of the aircraft took almost 20 years to complete and pilot Chris Götke flew it over Waterbird's native lake to celebrate its history.

The team behind it wants to find a permanent home for it and create a Heritage Seaplane Centre in the area.

• Read more about it here.

Legacy of closed school debt 'unfair to children'

Headteacher Simone Beach said Sacred Heart had huge costs associated with the building's closure

A headteacher starting term in temporary classrooms again has hit out at the "unfair" financial hole her school faces.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Barrow, Cumbria, was forced to close in January 2023 when a routine inspection found the floor was rotten and at risk of collapse.

Many of the pupils have had to be transported to other schools since the closure and headteacher Simone Beach said the "significant deficit" of transport costs should be written off.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it was working with the school.

• And you can read more on this story here.

Proposal to rebuild home destroyed in explosion

Three homes were damaged in the explosion on New Year's Eve

A house which was damaged in a gas explosion may be demolished and rebuilt, if plans are given the go-ahead by the council.

Three terraced homes, on Hugh Street in Bransty, Whitehaven, were damaged on New Year's Eve, leaving three people seriously injured and a number of families forced to move out.

Optera, which specialises in structural repairs for the insurance sector, has subsequently applied to Cumberland Council to carry out an extensive overhaul to 27 Hugh Street.

• Read more on this story here.

Bus station refurbished ahead of 100th anniversary

Workington bus station is believed to be the oldest purpose-built covered bus station in England

A bus station has reopened after a £100,000 refurbishment ahead of its 100th anniversary.

Buses returned to the station in Workington, Cumbria, after six weeks of work by operator Stagecoach.

Internal work changed the layout of the bays, meaning passengers no longer need to cross the bus station to reach their stop.

The building, which celebrates its centenary in March, is believed to be the oldest purpose-built covered bus station in Great Britain.

• And you can read more on this story here.