don't know what all this regeneration is supposed to be," concludes an anonymous note handed to Egremont Today's editor, complaining about all the shops that Egremont has lost since 1990. Perhaps it is a question which we should answer.
Egremont Regeneration Partnership, under the guidance of Regeneration Manager, Simon Walker and his team, has brought benefits to Egremont which are now visible both to traffic on the A595 and to people with eyes within the town. This is the answer to complaints that the bypass killed trade in Egremont by taking traffic away from the town. Many visitors have praised the beautifully designed roundabouts at Gillfoot, East Road and St Thomas Cross which advertise a town of some distinction worth a small detour to see. Low walls in interesting shapes and constructed out of the natural sandstone of Egremont enclose artistically designed gardens of trees and shrubs, and plantations of crab apple trees proclaim the heritage of Crab Fair. To see these features at their best it was necessary to take our camera out at 5.30 one lovely June morning, before the view was cluttered with Sellafield traffic.
An engaging pathway curves its way between gardens of shrubs and flowers in the pocket park that has now developed beside the walls of the castle. Egremont folk are already using it as a matter of habit, providing a more direct way to the lower castle gate, avoiding the old waterlogged path that used to pass directly under the walls.
"No one would dare go into the Castle after 7pm," someone complained as recently as 2003, looking at all the broken glass that followed binge parties and the reckless antics of cyclists. The first step in the reclamation of the castle from neglect and abuse came with the initiative of the Friends of the Castle in close partnership with Copeland's award winning Parks Department. Since then Friends have taken responsibility for closing the gates in the evening and strolling through regularly during the day. Beautiful flower borders designed by local children have been respected throughout the summer months, seats robustly constructed out of recycled materials have been dedicated to the memory of loved relatives and friends, and the grounds have become a natural theatre for summer concerts and plays, most recently for the concert reported on page 13. The Castle has won and retained both a Green Flag and a Green Heritage Award for four years.
 

This work established the case for the Regeneration Partnership to invest substantially in the castle grounds as "the proud face of Egremont" in the words of local historian, John Todd. Heroic drama groups have continued their performance in the pouring rain but next year they will have the protection of a beautifully designed pavilion performance space that will be able to house festivals lasting several days. Electric cables are being fitted to provide subtle illumination during the evenings, and in case anyone is concerned about light pollution, the total output of all those lights will be less than those used in a normal living room. Paul Bainbridge's bass relief of the Horn of Egremont will be joined soon by his sculpture of the Gurner, modelled on the fabulous Ron Looney, and on 18th June Lady Egremont will come to open the Sensory Garden which the Parks Department is constructing.

All this is not only a pleasant amenity for Egremont families but a strong attraction to visitors. The cycle barn developed by Rob, Ralph and Nisha Merrett on the site of derelict premises is already accommodating visiting groups and will soon be opening new windows onto the Market Place. The appeal of Egremont as a centre for cyclists internationally is being enhanced by a network of cycle paths running up Uldale as far as the Cold Fell road, as well as the cycle way that links with the C2C route.

It is true that we no longer have shoe shops, ladies dress shops or a men's outfitter, but this is because they could not compete with out-of-town shopping centres when most people drive cars. However, enterprising businessmen are finding ways of serving changing public needs. Simon Walker sets out the facts. When the Regeneration Partnership started its activity there were twelve empty business units on the Main Street. Now there are only four. The enterprise shown in painting shop fronts is having a knock on effect. It pays for itself by boosting trade. The windows of the cycle barn will look out on the new De Lucy Centre, beside the new Enchanted shop, beside the The Horn, resplendent in its new coat of paint, beside a pasta restaurant soon to replace Chattanooga Fried Chicken. Another restaurant will open on the premises of the former Black Bull, Fraser's is opening its own cafe, the former Old Hall is being developed by Two Castles to provide attractive town housing, and West Lakes Laundry Service will open in the former Fearon's shop in about six weeks' time.
It is true that Egremont will never be the same. A revived town is preparing to meet the challenges of the 3rd Millennium. Such is the force of economic activity in the Egremont area that our paper, which started as a four page newsletter in 1990, is now forced to produce 28 pages.

Gillfoot Roundabout	St Thomas Cross Gateway
View of the Pocket Park from the Castle	London based group, the Children, found the Castle the most beautiful theatre they had ever played in