The Brathay Trust is open next Wednesday, September 16,  1-4pm, prebooking on Brathay’s website, where for the past 80 years, Brathay has been a place where young people come to learn, grow and discover their potential. Visitors can view the newly displayed archive, and short walking tours take place at 1pm and 3pm. Also next Wednesday, Allan Bank in Grasmere, former home of William Wordsworth is holding free tours by historic building conservator Paul Lewis at 11am and 1pm exploring Grasmere’s first villa, Wordsworth’s tenancy, and later alterations. Booking not required. On Friday September 18, the Armitt Museum offers free admission and rare behind-the-scenes tours of the museum storeroom; Hawkshead’s ancient Grammar School is also open free on September 12-13 and 19-20^th, 11am-4pm, with special Library talks. Troutbeck’s historic house at Town End, is also free to enter on September 15 & 16, 10am-4pm, no booking required, on the theme of the 1940s, with activities including wartime cooking, rag rugging, vintage vehicle display in the courtyard and displays about the Browne family, its historic inhabitants. Finally, on September 19, the Quaker Meeting House at Colthouse, Hawkshead is open when visitors can explore the beautiful 17^th century meeting house, built in 1688, with short introductory talks about ‘Quakers Then and Now’, including its contemporary work regarding peace, equality and the environment.

Ambleside Parish Centre’s recent Craft Fair Café volunteers raised £1,091 for Parish Centre funds from serving breakfast rolls, hot drinks and home made cakes throughout the busy day.

Over a hundred children and adults are participating this autumn in weekly training and competitive matches at Ambleside United Football Club, on their ground at Hillard Park, adjacent to Rothay Park. There are four competitive junior teams available for boys and girls, including under 9s, 10s, 12s and 14s. Many of the junior matches are played on the Kelsick Field, and others at Benjamin Park, off Rydal Road. Over the past year, the Club constructed a new building to house its tractor and other equipment, which also sells ice cream and drinks. This season, The Lily is once again the Clubs’ men’s team sponsor, providing food for both teams after each home match, and the first team kit has been sponsored jointly by The Lily, with Elder Grove B&B. Supporters include Lakes Parish Council, local businesses and individuals, and many players and supporters spend hours as volunteers looking after the pitches and buildings, and managing and coaching the teams. For more information, email amblesideunitedfc@hotmail.com.

Events this week at The Armitt Museum include Anthony Padgett’ s ‘Kurt Schwitters Walk Around Ambleside’, Saturday September 12 12.30pm, £12, visit locations frequented by the famous avant-garde artist who lived in Ambleside during the last 2 years of his life, from 1945. Book at The Armitt.

Alison Pickering will also Walk Round Hawkshead on Wednesday September 16, 1pm, £15, tracing the steps of Beatrix Potter to discover the actual locations in Hawkshead which became settings for some of her famous Tales. This includes how she modelled stories on some of the people she knew, with extracts from her letters and journal, to give a fuller picture of this strong woman, who was so much more than a naturalist, artist, storyteller, farmer, and Herdwick sheep breeder, country woman and pioneering conservationist. Email info@armitt.com or book tickets direct on the Armitt website, www.armitt.com or on the d

Christmas Lights big Switch On is going ahead this year, despite doubts that it wouldn’t take place due to rising costs and falling donations. However, there will be no firework display at the end of the day, and the organisers will return it to its traditional roots, by focusing fully on the magical switch-on parade. The event began about 25 years ago as a simple community celebration, centred on Santa casting his magic dust to switch on the lights and illuminate Ambleside through the darker winter months. “The decision comes as a result of significantly rising operational costs across the board, alongside the need to repair and replace aging infrastructure,” a spokesperson for the Ambleside Christmas Lights Committee said. “In addition, mandatory requirements for us to double our insurance coverage for the parade and fireworks has created a substantial new financial burden on our budget. By scaling back the fireworks, we can safeguard the core event, invest directly in essential equipment and ensure that our town remains beautifully illuminated for residents, visitors and local businesses throughout the festive season. We remain immensely grateful for the continued support by our community, volunteers and local businesses who make this event possible year after year”

The 2026 Switch-on date is taking place on Saturday November 15, with activities running from mid-morning onwards until dusk falls, when the roads are closed and the lantern parade takes place. The return Santa cruises to Bowness to pick up Father Christmas will run at 11am and 2pm from Waterhead pier and tickets go on sale at 10am from October 1. The cruise includes entertainment, a visit from Father Christmas and a small present for each child. Book early to avoid disappointment, amblesidechristmaslights.com