Monday 29 June 2009

Thursday 25th June 2009

SUMMER PARTY - given by The Trustees of Cumbria Community Foundation, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Cumbria Community Foundation

This lovely summer party was given at the home of Peter and Claire Hensman and it proved to be a delightful evening with many familiar faces present. It also gave those present the opportunity to see an excellent video regarding the work done by The Foundation. And also to meet some of the very enthusiastic and hardworking members of staff. Andy Beeforth, Director, spoke and also Peter Hensman who is a Trustee of The Foundation.

Monday 22 June 2009

Sunday 21st June 2009

11.30am
BARROW IN FURNESS TOWN HALL
CIVIC SUNDAY


As guest of The Mayor Barrow, Councillor Mrs Dorothy Dawes, I attended the Civic Procession from the Town Hall to St Mary's Church. I was accompanied by the New Chairman of Cumbria County Council, Cllr Roger Bingham, as we lined in pairs for the Procession.

A lovely church service with some rousing hymns and after the National Anthem, the Mace Bearer collected the Mayor's Chaplain, and Father Watson and escorted them from the Church.

After the procession we went back to the Town Hall. All the Organisations marched past the saluting 'dais' where the Mayor took the salute and the parade was dismissed.

Afterwards the Mayor's party and guests were invited into the Town Hall for luncheon.

(I took the opportunity to mention the Old Courthouse in Windermere and its dilapidated state, to the Chairman of the County Council. He promises to look into the matter)

Thursday 18th June 2009

5.45pm
Evensong at The Temple Church, Temple, London, including a tribute to The Office of High Sheriffs of England and Wales by The Rt Rev John Pritchard, The Bishop of Oxford who gave a most interesting and moving account of how he sees the Office of High Sheriff.

This was followed by an excellent Dinner for High Sheriffs in The Inner Temple Hall. 47 High Sheriffs and Consorts were present, plus members of the Judiciary and distinguished guests, solicitors or Masters.

An altogether memorable evening which it was a privilege to attend.

Monday 15th June 2009

A DAY WITH THE CUMBRIA FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE AT HEADQUARTERS
IN COCKERMOUTH

We were collected by Dominic Harrison, Corporate Director Safer & Stronger Communities/Chief Fire Officer and driven to Cockermouth where we were able to visit the Communication Centre where all incidents are monitored and acted upon.

We then met with the Senior Management Team, who described the considerable amount of work that they do with the public in their own homes so that the risk of fires is reduced. This has been very successful - the evidence being the greatly reduced number of incidents in the County over the past year. They also have a very strong educational programme with schools.

We were shown films of the serious road accidents to which the fire service is called where the officers are required to release the injured and the dead.

The day should have ended with an exercise with the Windermere Fire Service where they would have simulated the release from a crashed car. However, the crew within 3 other teams from Staveley and Kendal were attending a fire in Staveley and Dominic took us to the incident which he needed to attend.

I don't think we appreciated until today just what some of these brave officers have to contend with and like our Police Force they are very special types of people.

Tuesday 16 June 2009

Saturday 13th June 2009

THE DUKE OF LANCASTER'S REGIMENT,
Croxteth Hall, Liverpool

As guests of The Commanding Officer 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and his Officers, David and I attended a Beating Retreat and Cocktail Party at Croxteth Hall.

An enjoyable evening with many new faces and so we were very pleased to see the Mayors and Mayoresses of Carlisle, Barrow, and Westmorland as well as the High Sheriff of Lancashire, as well as others that I met when I was High Sheriff Elect.

Thursday 11 June 2009

Thursday 11th June 5.15pm

MEETING AT WINDERMERE BUSINESS CENTRE

With the Committees of The Order of St Lazarus and The Calvert Trust Ball Trust.

A continuation of the meeting last Wednesday re Parties of 2nd and 3rd July and the Ball on the 4th July.

Tuesday 9th June 2009

11.00am WINDERMERE POLICE STATION

I had arranged to see Inspector Janice Spedding who introduced me to various members of her team and explained a little of how they operate in the area. Having lived in Windermere since the age of 19 I have known the police station for many years and seen many changes as an onlooker, so was particularly interested.

I was also shown the Old Court House which I gather is owned by the County Council. It was sad to see such an attractive building having fallen into such disrepair. I intend to try an find out if it is as forgotten as it looks. In such an ideal position between Windermere and Bowness it could surely serve as an asset to the area in some capacity.

Wednesday 10th June 2009

H M HAVERIGG PRISON - MILLOM, CUMBRIA

A visit to Haverigg Prison by invitation of the Governor, Mr Martin Farquhar. I was accompanied by David, my PA, Katy Glass, my Chaplain Revd James Richards, the Mayor of Windermere Bill Smith and the Town Centre Manager for Bowness,Windermere,Ambleside and Grasmere Paul Holdsworth and Mrs Anne Robinson.

Monday 8th June 2009

CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY HEADQUARTERS, CARLETON HALL, PENRITH
(A fascinating building built in 1800 on the site of a much earlier house).

As guests of Mr Craig Mackey the Chief Constable, David and I were welcomed by the Staff Office Inspector and taken to meet the Chief Constable and his Team.We joined then for coffee and were introduced to the new Deputy Chief Constable and two Assistant Chief Constables - the Head of Personnel and the Finance Officer.

I was asked about my aims for my year. I explained that I saw myself as a facilitator and that my aim was to encourage people/businesses etc. from different parts of the County to communicate.

After this we were introduced to the Sergeant in charge of Dog Handling and Training and spent an interesting time talking to him. Unfortunately there were very few dogs there that day - they were all 'on duty'. We hope to go back to see more.

Our third appointment was with an Inspector and Constable at the Armed Response Unit. A highly dedicated group of Officers, dealing with often very extreme situations. Members of this Unit all volunteer their services.

Here, calls from throughout Cumbria are responded to having been allocated levels of priority. This complex centre is powerful and impressive.

After a buffet lunch with the Chief Constable and Officers we were taken to the Communications Centre.

Wednesday 27th May 2009

THEATRE BY THE LAKE, KESWICK

Visit of HRH The Duke of Gloucester for the 10th Anniversary of the Theatre

Very wet, windy weather prevailed and prevented his helicopter from landing at Keswick for 11.30am. It was diverted to Carlisle where he was driven to Keswick.

Meanwhile the assembled guests, The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, The Chairman of Cumbria County Council, The Mayor and Mayoress of Allerdale, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Keswick and other distinguished guests enjoyed a light buffet lunch.

After the late arrival of HRH he was introduced to several people, we had a light lunch and then accompanied Ms Vicki Robinson and Mr Graham Lamont (Joint Chairs of Cumbria Theatre Trust) on a guided tour of The Theatre.

Tuesday 2nd June 2009

The Rt Revd James Newcome, The Bishop of Penrith suggested an evening looking at Kendal and district and Appleby at night.

We were collected by Constable Ward at 9pm, but before we left Castle Hill the merits of the police car were pointed out to us.

A most interesting but quiet evening, although I was fascinated by the number of travellers, caravans, ponies and people lining much of the road between Kirkby Lonsdale and Appleby.

We returned to Castle Hill shortly after midnight.

Wednesday 3rd June 2009

MEETING AT RYDAL HALL

A meeting was held with Jonathan Green, General Manager of Rydal Hall, Members of The Order of St Lazarus, and the Calvert Trust regarding arrangements for the two parties and Ball to be held there in July.

Thursday 4 June 2009

Monday 25th May 2009

CARTMEL RACES

My husband and I attended Cartmel Races as guests of Lord Cavendish and Mr Hugh FitzGerald.

Monday 1 June 2009

Thursday 21st May 2009

OFFICIAL OPENING OF CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY'S NORTHERN BCU HQ AT DURRANHILL

11.30am
Invitation from Cumbria Constabulary to the above Opening of the Northern BCU HQ at Durranhill, 4 years after the Basic Command Unit HQ station at Rickergate was suddenly submerged under nine feet of fast rising flood water.

This wonderful new building was officially opened by Mr Reg Watson OBE, Chairman of Cumbria Policy Authority.

The building itself is most impressive with numerous energy saving features and is an inspiring workplace which is obviously greatly appreciated by the staff.

The Chief Constable and other dignitaries attended and the Police Chaplain, Canon Graham Bettridge.


2.00pm
COMMENDATION AWARD

I attended Carlisle Crown Court at the invitation of His Hon Judge Paul Batty to present a Commendation and Reward to a very public spirited lady. These Commendations are only handed out on very rare occasions to members of the public.


7.30pm
ANNUAL MEETING OF KENDAL TOWN COUNCIL AND ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR
My husband and I attended the Election of Kendal Town Mayor, Cllr John Bateson (Lab)taking over from Mrs Claire Feeney-Johnson (Lib Dem). After the Election of the new Deputy Mayor,we attended a buffet supper.

Wednesday 20th May 2009

MEETING AT MUNCASTER CASTLE

12.30PM
A meeting at Muncaster Castle, about which more later.

7.00pm
INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WORKINGTON DERWENT

I was invited to speak at Hunday Manor Hotel at the 29th Charter Anniversary Dinner of the Inner Wheel Club of Workington Derwent.

After a reception where I met a number of members and had a delicious dinner, speeches were given by President Gail Inglis and other Officials. I spoke about the Office of The High Sheriff.

Evidently there are two Inner Wheel Groups, Workington and West Derwent, the 'younger' of the two organisations.

A very enthusiastic group of ladies who appeared to be really interested in the Shrievalty.

Tuesday 19th May 2009


DAY WITH CUMBRIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION



10.30AM
Meeting with Deb Muscat, the Grants Development Officer for the above. We visited PITSTOP Project at Barrow in Furness.

P.P.B. is an approved provider of alternative curriculum being both an approved Centre for the open College network as well as Oxford, Cambridge and Royal Society of Arts Examination Centre. I was very impressed with what they do. They provide "real world work" for the students. I was delighted to remember that this was something that had been helped with funding by The Princes Youth Business Trust some years ago. So much enthusiasm and hard work goes into this most worthwhile project.

12.00noon
We visited a Supported Housing Project in Barrow in Furness for young people at risk and homeless, aged 16 - 25. A very down to earth form of help and encouragement for the future.

Monday 18th May 2009

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CARLISLE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE NEW MAYOR, CLLR W J GRAHAM

11.00am
I attended the above Meeting at the Civic Centre, Carlisle. A most impressive Ceremony, as Councillors 'robed' for the occasion.

1.00pm
Luncheon at Tullie House in Carlisle

Thursday 14th May 2009

CIVIC DINNER AT KENDAL COLLEGE, MILNTHORPE ROAD, KENDAL

A most interesting and enjoyable evening as Guests of Cllr Jonathan Brook,JP

Cllr Brook, Debbie Storr (Corporate Director of SLDC) and Stephen Broomhead (CEO of North Western Development Agency) were excellent speakers. We watched a video, skilfully put together by the students showing some of the achievements of SLDC

I was asked to say Grace as The Rt Revd James Newcome was unable to attend.

An excellent dinner cooked and served by College Students.

I think the College has an exciting future ahead.