Today is Harry Potter’s birthday, and we’re looking back at the boy wizard and the joy he’s brought Cumbrians.


Harry is the eponymous hero of the best-selling books by JK Rowling who, on his 11th birthday, learns he is a wizard.
He attends Hogwarts school of magic, where he receives guidance from the headmaster Albus Dumbledore and becomes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Harry learns that during his infancy, the dark wizard Lord Voldemort murdered his parents but was unable to kill him as well.
The novels (and the films based on them) revolve around Harry’s struggle to adapt to the wizarding world and defeat Voldemort.
Harry is regarded as a fictional icon and has been described by many critics, readers and audiences as one of the greatest literary and film characters of all time. He is portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe in all eight Harry Potter films.
His birthdate is recorded as July 31, 1980, which means he turns 44 today.
University of Cumbria performing arts students were in for a treat when, in 2016, actor James Phelps who plays Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter films paid them a visit.

(Image: Mike McKenzie)
The same year, Broughton Carnival took on a magical feel when Harry Potter (aka Charleigh) cast spells during the procession.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

Six-year-old Alicja Sapieha also got a taste of magic with ‘Dumbledore’ Chris Horsfield at St Margaret Mary’s RC Primary School, while Lawson Degler got into his role at a Harry Potter Book Night at Whitehaven Library.

(Image: Newsquest)

At the same event, Chloe Pennington picked Gryffindor during the sorting ceremony.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

A Harry Potter Day at West Lakes Academy saw Tess Richardson as professor Sproat work with students who were planting Mandrakes in the herbology department.
It also saw the arrival of owl Biggles, as pictured with student Emily Grove.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)

When Workington Library held its Harry Potter Night, Sam Chilton, left, and Ellis Cannan tried out a spell, while fans queued up outside Waterstones in Carlisle for its Harry Potter Book Night.