Penrith BID (Business Improvement District) has expressed deep disappointment following the sudden announcement by Eden Arts that Penrith’s iconic Winter Droving festival is relocating to Carlisle.
Penrith BID has worked with Eden Arts constantly throughout this year, expecting the event to go ahead and had been assured repeatedly that it would. We are hugely disappointed to have learned of the move via social media without notice or prior announcement to current stakeholders and sponsors.
For over a decade, the Winter Droving has been the crown jewel of Penrith’s cultural calendar. It celebrated the town's unique agricultural heritage. It brought vital economic benefits to independent shops, pubs, and hotels. The move marks the end of an era.
The sudden decision by Eden Arts comes despite the dedicated, long-term backing of town organisations. Penrith BID and other local institutions have consistently provided funding, resources, and hands-on help to keep the event vibrant and successful.
The festival recently faced substantial hurdles, including last autumn's last-minute cancellation due to weather safety concerns. Despite these challenges, the people and institutions of Penrith have consistently rallied behind Eden Arts, contributing to crowdfunding campaigns and lottery schemes to keep the festival alive.
Although there will be concern about what this departure means for the town's future events programme, Penrith BID, Penrith Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Penrith Town Council and the community will continue to work together to find new ways to support and create high-quality cultural events directly within Penrith.
Penrith BID extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the Penrith Winter Droving so special over the last 14 years. The memories of the torchlit procession, the masks, and the vibrant street markets will remain a proud part of Penrith’s history.
Eden Arts Director Adrian Lochhead told Penrith.Town News this afternoon in responce statments issued by organisations and public comments on the announcment "The suggestion that this was a decision made over three months ago is not correct. When we submitted our Arts Council application in April, our intention was to deliver Winter Droving in Penrith. The Carlisle option only developed later, as the funding position for Penrith became less secure and a viable alternative partnership began to emerge. We first raised the developing Carlisle option with Arts Council England in early August and the move was only finalised two weeks ago, hence us only just being in a position to announce it now."
"As you'd expect with an event of this scale, we have had to explore options and undertake practical discussions before a final position could be confirmed."
Adding to the statment issued by Eden Arts earlier today that said:
"Winter Droving was created by Eden Arts in Penrith and we are enormously proud of the fourteen editions we have delivered there, and of the contribution made by local people, businesses, volunteers and partners over many years.
"The decision for 2026 was fundamentally about financial viability. Last year's event had to be cancelled because of unsafe weather conditions the day before it was due to take place, leaving Eden Arts carrying a loss of around £20,000, which is significant for a small charity. This year, while there was continuing local support, the overall package of funding and sponsorship needed to deliver an event of this scale in Penrith was not secure. Our Board could not responsibly expose the organisation to that level of risk again.
"At the same time, a new opportunity developed in Carlisle which gave us the ability to keep the artistic programme together and deliver a major event this October rather than cancel or substantially reduce it.
"This is not about abandoning Penrith, nor have we said that Carlisle is the permanent new home of Winter Droving. We very much hope Winter Droving can have a future in Penrith again if a sustainable funding partnership can be rebuilt. We think that most people will understand that a small charity can not be expected to underwrite an event for the public repeatedly.
"For 2026, though, the opportunity is in Carlisle and our focus now is on making the best possible event we can there on 24 October."
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