Over 800 people across Cumbria took part in free sports, fitness and wellbeing activities at leisure centres last weekend.
It was part of Team England’s National Sports Weekend and gave people of all ages and abilities the chance to try activities at venues including Penrith, Kendal, Appleby and Ulverston leisure centres, Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre and The Sands Centre in Carlisle.
People could take part in gym taster sessions, fitness masterclasses and gymnastics and try their hand at pickleball, badminton and table tennis.
There was also the opportunity to get involved with Restart the Heart CPR training and water safety sessions.
It even extended to a dog show organised by Westmorland Canine Association. Kendal Leisure Centre welcomed almost 200 exhibitors with over 20 different pedigree dog breeds taking part.
The weekend was organised by charitable social enterprise GLL, which operates Better leisure centres across the UK, in partnership with Team England ahead of the Commonwealth Games opening in Glasgow this week.
Chloe Nixon, community sports manager at The Sands Centre, Carlisle, said: “Our open weekend was a fantastic celebration of community, inclusivity and the power of sport. It was wonderful to see so many people of all ages and abilities getting involved.
“It was inspiring to see visitors getting active, learning new skills and stepping outside their comfort zones. Inclusivity was at the heart of the weekend, with activities ranging from junior wheelchair basketball, delivered in partnership with CWSC Panthers, to pickleball, senior water polo and a variety of family-friendly experiences.
“The success of the weekend reinforces our commitment to make sport and physical activity accessible to everyone, and we look forward to welcoming even more people through our doors in the future.”
Jennifer Graham, of Crosby, brought her husband, son and grandson to a pickleball taster session at The Sands Centre.
She said: “Being able to give my family the chance to try a sport I love for free was brilliant. My grandson, Henry, enjoyed playing pickleball with me, his grandad and his dad.
“He hears us talking about pickleball when we come to the senior sessions here, so being able to bring them along and show them how much fun it is was great. He now wants to come back and play again.”
The weekend also provided opportunities for people to learn potentially life-saving skills.
Julie Farrey, of Easton, near Longtown, attended the CPR training session with her two grandsons.
She said: “When I saw the opportunity to learn CPR and what to do if someone is choking, I wanted to take part. I live in a rural area, so I think it’s important to know what to do in an emergency.”
