A TOUCHING response to the coronavirus lockdown has been put together by one very thoughtful group – with the help of sticky-notes.

In the spirit of the Post-It Notes' 40th birthday, members of Cumbria's Living Heritage have created 34 notes to put into a planner, suggesting ways to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Each one offers a spirit-lifting idea, aiming to put smiles back on faces, with suggestions heavily influenced by Cumbrian poets, including reference to Wordsworth's Daffodils, encouraging people to "study the clouds".

Another simple suggestion, put forward by Furness Abbey, is to "say a prayer".

Whinlatter Forest suggests allowing the renowned healing power of trees to play a role in keeping spirits high, while Grizedale Forest, with its inspiring woodland sculptures, invites visitors to look forward to visiting again one day.

The group have also put forward ideas including following DH Lawrence's footsteps, who made marmalade to beat the blues, enjoying the historic-recipe marmalade of Dalemain – the home of the World Marmalade Festival.

Peter Frost-Pennington, Cumbria’s Living Heritage spokesman, said: “The healing and uplifting powers that arts, culture and journeys into the past provide are well-known and documented.

"Whilst we cannot open our doors to visitors yet – and who knows when we will be able to – we can offer suggestions of what we can offer to people after these unprecedented times. Our Post-It notes do that.

“Each physically and mentally restorative suggestion can be popped into a planner and used by those who know their needs, mental health and perspective post-coronavirus may be very different from what they were previously."

Cumbria’s Living Heritage also wants people to feel that it will soon be safe to resume hobbies and smile from ear-to-ear while outside once again.

And helping people to get grinning is Muncaster Castle, with its tales of former jester, Tom Fool, showing that resuming some Tomfoolery will be a tonic.

Peter continued: "By issuing these notes, perhaps we can create something to look forward to and somewhere to turn, if a person needs help, peace, contemplation, solitude or family time.

"There is no greater poem to uplift the spirits than Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’.

"By channelling some of that inspiration into a modern-day, to-do format, we hope we can be there for visitors, from all over the world, when they most need us.”

For more details and suggestions, visit www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk.