As some businesses start to reopen after lockdown, proactive members within a group of heritage attractions are staying in touch with prospective visitors and trying to keep their spirits high by launching their own CD.

Cumbria’s Living Heritage has created a 15-track CD - a compilation of contemporary songs from five different decades.

The Cumbria’s Living Heritage Greatest Hits CD is the latest in a series of initiatives that have continued to engage interest in the member attractions since lockdown. So far, the group has created Post-It Notes of positivity, each Post-It Note carrying details of something to look forward to during a future visit, a quiz that asked people to visit each member’s website to find an answer, and their very own Cumbrian Flower Show, featuring garden images shared on social media at the time of the Chelsea Flower Show.

The CD opens with ‘A Good Year for the Roses’ by Elvis Costello, highlighting the rose garden delights that can be found at venues like Dalemain, where over 100 different varieties of rose can be appreciated both visually and through their heavenly scent, and at inspiring gardens such as volunteer-run Holehird Gardens.

Track two is ‘Words’ by the Bee Gees, reminding prospective visitors of the deep literary heritage running through a group that includes four former homes of the poet, William Wordsworth – Dove Cottage, Rydal Mount near Ambleside, Wordsworth House in Cockermouth and Allan Bank near Grasmere. At Mirehouse near Keswick, there are links to many Lake Poets but also Alfred Lord Tennyson, a friend of the Spedding family and a literary figure so connected with the house that he spent his honeymoon there. Brantwood was the home of author and philosopher, John Ruskin, whilst, at Keswick Museum, there is a display honouring Robert Southey, who gave us the story of the ‘Three Bears’, which became children’s classic, ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’.

From there, the focus turns to Cumbria’s Living Heritage members which could be considered ‘faith attractions’ – Furness Abbey, Lanercost Priory and Swarthmoor Hall, the birthplace of Quakerism. The track bringing all of this to mind is ‘Keep the Faith’, by Bon Jovi.

Chair of Cumbria’s Living Heritage, Peter Frost-Pennington, said: “We are staying upbeat and positive in all that we do and are continuing to communicate with local residents and prospective visitors, to strengthen our bonds with them and provide some entertainment at a time when many people are still having to stay indoors every day.

“This is not an easy time for any of us, but we are a group that draws strength from history and history tells us that positivity can win through. Rather than shutting off all communications with heritage lovers, we are building stronger relationships with them, so that we can meet again, hopefully very soon.”

Some group members have been able to open gardens or grounds to visitors thus far, but the advice is to check on individual member websites, to get their latest news on their capacity to accept visitors and also cars. more information about Cumbria's Living Heritage can be found at www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk