A Cockermouth group which has worked hard over the decades to maintain the unique identity of its town needs new members to secure its future.
Cockermouth Civic Trust was founded 56 years ago - in 1967.
Since then it has taken part in a huge range of projects - from saving historic buildings to protecting riverbanks.
"Our objective has always been to seek to maintain the unique identity of our town and ensure that it remains a place where we are all proud to live," said chairman Phil Campbell.
"We are effectively a pressure group with no statutory powers but we believe that we have secured many achievements for the benefit of Cockermouth over the years."
New members are needed though, to secure the group's future.
"If we are to continue as an organisation into the future, we need new members," said Mr Campbell.
"We need people who both care about our town and are willing to take a more active role in our activities."
John Dent has been trust secretary for many years.
"We had a big recruitment drive about five years ago and leafleted houses.
"We had 150 members but it has gone down and down, Covid hasn't helped.
"All the members on the committee are getting older and we have not had any new committee members for over six years," he said.
"I am in my 80s and would like to see someone coming into the committee to take over as secretary."
The group has installed a number of public information boards around the town - including at the castle, Tute Hill, Kirkbank and the former railway.
In 2021 it organised Cockermouth’s celebrations of the 800th anniversary of receiving its first royal market charter.
Civic trust volunteers have undertaken Himalayan Balsam removal over the past six years, to protect local river banks.
In 1970, the Trust was concerned about the lack of public access to the castle and introduced annual, volunteer led tours which continue through to today.
In 1975, it led the study which concluded that the Waterloo Street buildings should be renovated rather than demolished.
In 1990, the trust purchased an old school building from Allerdale BC for £5 and handed it on to the newly formed Kirkgate Trust to develop into a community centre rather than be demolished to extend the car park.
In 1995, it introduced the self-guided town trail, which was recently enhanced it with an app in association with Cumbria Archives.
Annual membership is £7.50 per person with additional members at the same household just £5 each. For more details email cctmember@btinternet.com.
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