Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group

22/10/2026

Last week Ranger Gary and Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group volunteer, Rachel, attended the third and final Countryside Learning event for schools at Lowther Castle and Gardens.

Groups of primary aged school pupils took part in four different workshops - nearly ninety children in total. As well as P&DRSG, the other workshops were run by Cumbria Police, British Deer Society - official and BASC North.

Between sessions working with the young people, Gary and Rachel also got to engage with lots of people who were walking in the grounds enjoying the autumn sunshine.
Countryside Learning

18/10/2026

It’s been a beautiful weekend weather wise here in the Eden Valley, so a perfect opportunity to get out and about in the woods soaking up the wonderful sights and sounds of nature and of course being in the company of red squirrels.
We hope that you have enjoyed your weekend and managed to spot a beautiful red on your travels too.
🐿️

06/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who called by to say hello and chat squirrels at
Kirkby Stephen Craft and Food Producers Market
Last Saturday.

05/10/2026

25/09/2026

It’s always wonderful to receive messages from locals who have just spotted a red squirrel in their area.
Each time always feels like the first time and it’s lovely to sense their excitement as they report their sightings.
We would like to thank Abi from Shap for sending us these lovely photos taken at Oddendale this morning.
Our ranger Gary covers this area and is always pleased to know that folks are keeping us informed about our reds on his patch.
Another great sighting came from Ema from the Lowther area.
PDRSG trustee and Center Parcs RSR, Jerry attached one of our squirrel feeders to the fence line of Ema’s garden after she recently spotted a red squirrel nearby.
To her delight this week she noticed a visiting red from her window and watched it walking along the fence panels where the feeder is situated. Obviously she was very excited to share this news with our group and we are delighted for her.
It’s the little things in life that matter and who doesn’t love a sighting of a little red squirrel to make their day, month or even their year.
🐿️🐿️

07/09/2026

The Autumn 2026 P&DRSG Newsletter

https://www.penrithredsquirrels.org.uk/news/

30/08/2026

Center Parcs, Whinfell Forests RSR and PDRSG trustee Jerry and PDRSG volunteer Sarah were out again today raising awareness this time in the beautiful village of Great Asby near Appleby.
A huge thank you to the organisers of this amazing Summer Fayre fundraising event, and for making Jerry and Sarah feel so welcome in the beautiful gardens of the Old Rectory.
The atmosphere there was incredible and lots of money was raised for great causes.
Thank you to all who popped by to chat squirrels and to share stories about their own red visitors to their gardens in Great Asby.
The atmosphere screamed community spirit and it was lovely to be a part of.
We would like to thank Chris Hollet who kindly handed us a whopping £100.00 donation from the sale of his plants 👏We would also like to say a huge thank you to ‘The Three Greyhounds’ for donating an amazing £85.00 from their quiz night👏
We really are surrounded by great people who are passionate about helping their red squirrel friends 🐿️

30/08/2026

A lovely report from our Rangers Justin and Zoe after their day manning our awareness/merchandise stand at Patterdale Dog Day yesterday. Thank you both for your support and have a great day raising awareness of our beloved reds tomorrow at Tebay Services North of the M6 motorway 🐿️

The 121st Patterdale Dog Day started off with lovely sunshine, and the rain held off, despite it clouding over as the day wore on. Lots of local sheep breeds were being judged in the sheep Show penned area, whilst the main ring held the Sheep Dog Trials, showing off the dog handlers skills on the tricky trial course.
There were also several different categories of dog classes being judged, including Foxhound, Terrier class and Family Pets too.
We engaged with lots of locals and holiday makers at the Penrith Red Squirrel stand, getting plenty of sightings reported to us of red squirrels in and around the Ullswater valley.
Mary Bell, from Crookabeck kindly donated some of her organic home grown courgettes for donations to the reds, which made £20!! Thanks Mary 🤗
And many thanks also, to all who visited our stand and bought merchandise from us. 🙂

30/08/2026

A huge thank you to RSR Mick and PDRSG volunteer and trustee Jill on day two of manning our awareness/merchandise stand at Tebay South Services just off the M6 motorway.
There were plenty of interested people wanting to chat about red squirrels and how we are working for their safety and their future.
The footfall was none-stop with very little chance to relax with many kind donations for the cause.
The biggest thing Mick and Jill took away was the amount of visitors and locals to Scotland who expressed how few reds they saw North of the Border.
Many thanks to all who expressed support and thanks for what we are doing for the reds.
Wishing Mick and Jill well for day three tomorrow 👏🐿️
RSR Justin and RSR Zoe will be manning Tebay Services Northbound of the M6 tomorrow so if you are passing by please do pop in for a break and a squirrely chat 🐿️

29/08/2026

A huge thank you to all who popped by our stand to say hello at the Dufton Agricultural Show and Sheepdog Trials.
It was a fun filled day as always with warm dry weather and lots of smiling faces.
A huge thank you to our volunteer Rosie for her support and for doing such a wonderful job with her face painting skills. There were many children whose faces had been transformed into cute squirrrely characters.
Local film maker and PDRSG supporter Terry Abraham popped by and ended up having his face painted too! He raised further awareness of the reds when he later met up with his friends at the pub on his bicycle 👏🐿️
All was timed perfectly when packing up the information stand at the end of the day as the heavens opened on the way home! 🌪️
Manning our stand today were RSR Jerry, Volunteers Mark, Luke, Sandra, Rosie and Sarah.