Tuesday 23 February 2010

Thursday 18th February 2010

ROTHAY MANOR HOTEL
Rotary Lunch

12.15pm

I had been asked to speak at this lunch by The Reverend Reg Harper, who I know quite well through my Church. He asked me to speak about the role of High Sheriff.

The 18 gentlemen present expressed their interest in having learned more about the role as very few of them had know very much about it.

I hope I enlightened them!

A very delicious lunch.

Friday 19th February 2010

YWCA - 1.30pm

I was invited by Impact Housing to South Lakes Foyer, Kendal - 'Sod Cutting Event' at Stricklandgate, Kendal and met representatives from Impact Housing Association for the residential accommodation and YWCA for the Resource Centre, who intend to build 14 self-contained flats for young people ages 16 - 24 years of age, two of which will be fully accessible for disabled young people.

The plans for the Centre look terrific and a wide variety of Agencies have contributed substantially to the capital funding for Kendal Foyer.

I have been invited to visit the Eden Rural Foyer in Penrith, which I look forward to doing.

Wednesday 24th February 2010

VISIT TO BAILIFF IN CARLISLE COURTS

A most interesting visit to the Deputy Bailiff, Marilyn Burgess who made us very welcome and also introduced us to her colleague, Kieth Speck.
I had also asked if I could take James Carr with me. This visit should be of future use to James, especially with him living in Carlisle.

I am only sorry that I was not able to make this visit earlier as I would really have liked to know more about the work they do.

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

12.30pm
HELENA THOMPSON MUSEUM
A quick lunch with Pat Hall and Pat Evans to catch up with how fund raising for Cumbria Community Foundation is going and how well the Workington Bridge Print is selling



1.30pm
THE RISING SUN TRUST - WORKINGTON - MEETING WITH DAVE SMITH
To present a High Sheriff's Shield for the very special work he does there. He also showed us some new initiatives he was taking with Primary Schools. I am full of admiration for the work that is done there.

There are three High Sheriffs' Shields that can be presented during the Shrievalty Year. One is always awarded to Neighbourhood Forum for the work they do. This year I have decided another should go to The Rising Sun, The shield is being engraved at the moment.

2.30pm
CUMBRIA ACTION FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT - CASS
I had asked for £350 from the High Sheriffs' Fund at the Cumbria Community Foundation, and a High Sheriff's Award Certificate for the work they do there.

The C.A.S.S. Floating Support Scheme aims to prevent homelessness by providing support to people whose personal and support needs make it difficult for them to manage a tenancy. The support is not permanent (it can be for a period of up to 2 years) as its purpose is to assist people become more independent.

Rachel Holliday the Project Worker there does an excellent job.

7.00pm

WINDERMERE FIRE STATION
When I took a group of girl friends last year on a Heart Start Course, everyone found it very interesting. Some of them asked if I could organise one for their husbands.

To this end, four attended the evening and felt it was a most worthwhile exercise. David and another friend should have been there but because heavy snow was forecast and they did not manage to get there. Again, thanks to Suzanne, who makes the whole exercise so enjoyable, as well as worthwhile.

Tuesday 16th February 2010

Visit to North West Ambulance Service - Bolton, with Mary Whyham MBE, Chairman

2pm

David had met with Mary Whyham when he attended the opening of the Centre last September and I was delighted to see the Centre for myself and meet Mary, and also Kevin Mulcahy and Gillian McGill. We were fascinated to see how the Centre operates and to meet some of the highly trained staff.

Wednesday 17th February 2010

University of Cumbria - Professor McCaffery
Working Lunch

Professor McCaffery had kindly invited me to meet with him at Paternoster Row and I had asked if I could take the High Sheriff Elect - James Carr with me. We had a most interesting time listening to Professor McCaffery explaining some of the problems that had arisen and also his hopes for the future.

I was glad that James had been with me, as there is now more likelihood of some continuity (the lack of which poses problems for the Office from time to time in my opinion)

Thursday 11 February 2010

Wednesday 10th February 2010

CARLISLE CROWN COURT

10.15am

His Hon Judge Paul Batty QC invited me, together with the High Sheriff Elect, James Carr DL, to sit with him.

A particularly interesting case on which judgement will be made tomorrow.

The day ended at 4.15 to enable the Jurors to catch their trains etc.

Tuesday 9th February 2010

CARLISLE CASTLE

2pm

At the invitation of Colonel Tom McMullen I visited the Castle again where we discussed several issues, and especially the floods in the Workington area.

I was presented with a beautiful Cumbria Army Cadet Force Commemorative Medal.

Monday 8 February 2010

Thursday 4th February 2010

Judge's Mess in Carlisle (black tie)

A combined High Court and Circuit Judge's Mess at The Crown Hotel, Wetheral. The Honourable Mr Justice Ryder had been invited to attend.

The dinner had been arranged by Natalie Cornwall, Junior of the Northern Circuit and the food was excellent and the ambience delightful.

A stimulating evening, some excellent speeches and some charming fellow guests.

Friday 5th February 2010

ST OSWALD'S CHURCH, GRASMERE
Funeral Service of Elizabeth Braithwaite, MBE 1932 - 2010

I travelled with Bill Smith, the Mayor of Windermere to Grasmere. We sat with the Leader of the County Council and other dignitaries.

A very lovely service celebrating the life and achievements of this splendid lady, who did a very great deal for Grasmere and for the County.

Thursday 4 February 2010

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

EDEN VALLEY HOSPICE
12.30PM

I had long wanted to learn more about the Hospice and especially Eden House, the only Children's Hospice in Cumbria (for more information see their website www.edenvalleyhospice.org.uk) Their motto is 'Making every day count, NOT counting every day). The whole day was a heart warming experience.

I was welcomed by The Chief Executive Sheila Goodliffe and the Hospice Chairman Carole Ferguson and given a most excellent lunch by the Head Chef Doug McGarr. We were also joined by Gillian Ward, Head of Nursing Services.

The facilities are excellent - I gather Martyn Lewis, CBE, described it as a "Five Star Facility".

I promised that I would make a point of telling people about what they do.




WEDNESDAY 3rd February (Evening)

TTHEATRE BY THE LAKE, KESWICK

Accompanied by my PA, Katy Glass, I attended a Concert for Cumbria when Opera star Lesley Garrett and actor Brian Blessed gave their time to entertain a packed audience in aid of the Cumbria Flood Victims. The Concert was organised by Cumbria County Council, and half the money raised will go to the Flood Recovery Fund and half split between the Rescue Teams including Lake District Search and The Mountain Rescue Association, Bay Search and Rescue, Red Cross and North West Air Ambulance

Monday 1st February 2010

BARROW IN FURNESS COUNTY COURTS

10.45AM

At the invitation of His Honour Judge Paul Batty QC, I spent the day sitting in Court with him. I found the whole day most interesting and stimulating. And was especially interested to see Jurors being chosen for one of the cases. I left the Court at 4.25pm having really enjoyed the day.

It is interesting to compare the many differences between the Carlisle and Barrow Courts. The former is of course much more modern.

Saturday 30th January 2010

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY

10.00am for 10.30am (George Fox Building)
ANNUAL MEETING of the COURT of the University.

Sir Christian Bonington, Chancellor, presided and opened the meeting. And then requested Mr Gordon Johnson, Deputy Pro-Chancellor to take the Chair on his behalf.

Then followed the business of the day and the Annual Report of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Paul Wellings. After which the University Accounts were discussed and the President of the Lancaster University Students' Union Mr Michael Payne gave an excellent.

Friday 29th January 2010

VIP LAUNCH OF THE STOREY CREATIVE INDUSTRIES CENTRE
Followed by Drinks and Networking

5.30pm

Thomas Storey was known to say "if anything can be done to give an impetus to the study and practice of science and the Arts, it would be of advantage to the town."

This Event marked a new beginning for The Storey in the cultural landscape of Lancaster, following three years of renovation work, and it will provide a home for the creative industries to grow and thrive, and facilitates the work of its creative partners to lead contemporary culture. Having known the Institute for some years I was delighted to see what has been achieved there and to meet some of the people involved. Also to renew my acquaintance with Baroness Henig who I knew in the late 1970's at Lancaster University.







Susan to draft notes on this