• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Friday, June 20, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Petition grows in Kirkby Stephen to ‘keep the sheep’

by Andrew Keogh
10 May 2023
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
The stone sheep sculpture seats outside Kirkby Stephen’s Upper Eden Visitor Centre which some town residents want to keep where they are

A “keep the sheep” campaign is gathering momentum in Kirkby Stephen.

More than 200 people have signed a petition against a proposal to move two “landmark” sheep seats from outside the Upper Eden Visitor Centre to another part of town.

Beverley Howarth, of Kirkby Stephen’s Berry Grape & Vine business, which overlooks the sheep seats, said 41 people had signed the ‘Save Our Sheep’ petition which had been in her shop since the weekend.

There were also about 100 signatures on the petition at the Church Gallery, in Market Street, as well as about 60 on the sheet at the visitor centre, while many people on social media were also backing the “keep the sheep” campaign.

“Everybody feels very, very passionately about it,” said Beverley.

“People sit on them and have pictures taken all the time. They are used and they are a big feature,” she added.

It is understood that the proposal is to move the sheep seats down to Silver Street garden where there are plans to create a memorial garden for Joan Johnstone who played a huge part in the life of the community, serving for three decades on the town council and as its chairman for many years.

A volunteer at the Upper Eden Visitor centre said: “Most people believe or know that the sheep were made for here. One of the sheep actually has an OS map in its mouth which would suggest that it should be outside a place where people come in to get maps. 

“They are made for there and fit there. People come in and get a map, then go out and sit down and look to see where they are going – it just works – and they are part of our heritage, if you like,” said the volunteer. It was also stressed nobody had anything against a memorial garden being created for Joan Johnstone, that was said to be a “lovely idea”.

Phil Dew said he had been asked to raise the issue of the visitor centre sheep at a meeting of Kirkby Stephen Town Council. He said there was a rumour in town that the sheep were going to “migrate” to the Silver Street gardens.

Town council chairman Paul Richardson said: “The idea is that as Silver Street gardens are being upgraded the sheep seats might look quite nicely relocated within the boundary wall. So it is an idea that the sheep could be moved.”

He told the meeting that the architect had a 3D scanning facility, so he had been able to scan the sheep and will be able to produce a photographic image of what they would look like in place, without moving them.

“Then we can judge if they would look suitable or not,” said Mr Richardson.  

He added that he would like people to see the image first, rather than make up their minds before looking at it. Town councillor Sandy Lancaster said there was also a plan for two new information boards going on the walls behind the sheep and a question as to whether the sheep seats would then interfere with people being able to get to these boards to look at them. 

Alex Birtles, who also sits on the town council, said they were Eden District Council commissioned seats. One of them has a map in its mouth to associate it with what was then a tourist information centre and is now the Upper Eden visitor centre, he said.

“Would it be possible for us to commission another similar sculpture for Joan’s garden?” asked town councillor Mike Walker.

Following the meeting, a spokesman for Kirkby Stephen Town Council said: “Correspondence had been received regarding the refurbishment of the exterior of the building and the creation of a memorial garden celebrating Joan Johnstone at Silver Street. The suggested inclusion of the sheep seating currently situated outside the Visitor Information Centre in the memorial garden was opposed by correspondents. 

“It was agreed that the correspondence was premature and that the proposals would be consulted on when finalised. Correspondents had received a reply advising them of the council’s intention to consult on any proposals and asking them to keep an open mind on the subject.”

Related Posts

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges
Latest

MP asks for Government help over plans to replace M6 bridges

20 June 2025
Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days
Latest

Resurfacing work to start in Shap – road to be closed for 21 days

20 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith
Latest

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose
News

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
New vicar appointed for churches
News

New vicar appointed for churches

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer
News

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

20 June 2025
Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

15 June 2025
Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
New vicar appointed for churches

New vicar appointed for churches

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald