Thursday, 28 January 2010

Tuesday 26th January 2010

Probation Board Meeting - Lime House, Wetheral

I was invited by Richard Rhodes, Chairman of Cumbria Probation Board to attend one of their Monthly meetings.

Annette Hennessy, whom I met at the AGM last year and other members of the Board were also there. I found the meeting most interesting but realised how little I really know about the Probation Service.

If I can find the time before my Year of Office ends I would like to spend some time with Annette learning more about the way the Organisation operates. It would also be nice if James Carr is able to accompany me as I am sure it would help him during his Year.

Monday, 25 January 2010

Thursday 21st January 2010

Cumbria Constabulary Police Awards Ceremony
Held at the Roundthorn Country House

7.00pm

I was asked by the Chief Constable, Craig Mackey, to be present at this Ceremony together with members of the Cumbria Police Authority.

Several long service Awards were presented as well as Certificates of Commendation, Memorial Awards and Shields. As before, I found it very moving hearing of the bravery of these Officers.

After Presentation of Awards the Chief Constable gave a closing Address, after which there was a buffet and social evening,greatly enjoyed by everyone present

Wednesday 20th January 2010

Leighton Hall - Carnforth, Lancs
The High Sheriffs Association of England and Wales
North-West Regional Meeting

10.30am

After a warm welcome by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Suzie Reynolds, and coffee - Hugh Burnett, a Council Member for co-ordinating the Regional Meetings, introduced himself, and talked about the purpose of the meeting.

There were then County reports from the High Sheriffs of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

Current issues were discussed as well as The Judiciary, and the Emergency Services. After a delicious buffet lunch Tony Harrap from Crimebeat spoke about the Organisation.Keith Tondeur from Debtcred and Credit Action also spoke.

There was then a question and answer session and the meeting ended shortly after 3.30pm.

Tuesday 19th January 2010

9.15am

I was invited by HH Judge Forrester to sit in Court together with Iona Frost-Pennington. We both had a very interesting day. We had lunch in the dining room and HH Judge Batty, HH Judge Hughes and District Judge Simon Smith were also there.

Thursday 21st January 2010

County Council Meeting - County Offices, Kendal
9.30am for 10.00am

David and I were delighted to be able to attend this meeting which we found extremely interesting. We were to have attended on the 19th November 2009 and so it was nice to be able to do this under better weather conditions.

The Chief Constable was present and he paid tribute to Constable Bill Barker, and others who had suffered during the floods and he also mentioned Haiti. He asked everyone to observe a minute silence.

The damage done by both floods and the snow and the gritting of the roads were discussed in much detail, as well as other matters.

We had an excellent viewpoint sitting in the public gallery but I did mention to the Chairman that the sound up there was not very good. He agreed, and I think it is possible that they might install some sort of loud speaker to enable people in the public gallery to have better sound.

The meeting did not break at 12.30 as planned,, but by popular consent continued to nearly 1pm until the majority of the business was finished.

After this the Chairman had invited us for lunch in the Chairman's Room, where we joined the Leader of the Council, Group Leaders, Chief Executive, Vice Chairman and Cllr Bill Cameron who is the longest serving County Councillor.

Monday, 11 January 2010

Thursday 7th January 2010

9.15am
WORKINGTON

A pre-arranged meeting with The Revd. Bryan Rowe at the Washington Hotel to hear a little about how the Town is faring after the floods.

CARLISLE CROWN COURT
12.45PM

FREEZING TEMPERATURES HERE -12 DEGREES

His Honour Judge Batty asked me to deliver an Award and a cheque for £500 to a very public spirited man who did not want any publicity.

I had been in Court on the day of the Judge's Service on 17th November 2009,when Mr Justice David Clarke made this Award, and asked me if I would deal with it in due course. This was the first time I had been present when an Award was actually suggested and I was delighted to have seen this.

At the invitation of His Hon Judge Batty I had lunch at the Court with him, Her Hon Judge Forrester, His Hon Judge Hughes,and District Judge John Park.

Wednesday 6th January 2010

WORKINGTON

7PM

I was to have attended a Talk about the Theatre Royal at The Helena Thompson Museum but it was cancelled due to the state of the pavements and the extreme cold.

I did however meet with Pat Hall and Pat Evans and they kindly showed me round the Theatre which was extremely interesting. I should like to attend a play at some time in the future.

We all had coffee together and afterwards.

Thursday, 7 January 2010

Tuesday 5th January 2010

Yet again, I had to postpone two engagements because of the snow.

10.00am I was to have visited Kendal Police Station and meet with Chief Superintendent Paul Kennedy.

David and I were to have had lunch with the Under Sheriff Hugh FitzGerald and his wife Cheryl, so that we could meet with the High Sheriff Elect, James Carr and his wife, to discuss my year, and give him any information he needed.

We have now arranged to catch up after a meeting later in January - to be held at Leighton Hall, if Suzie Reynolds is happy about this.

Monday, 4 January 2010

Tuesday 22nd December 2009

I had been invited to the Christmas Party at the Helena Thompson Museum from 12.30pm onwards. I had particularly wanted to attend this as having been on previous occasions it is always a very happy event. I had also hoped to talk to the people there about the limited edition Print that my family is hoping to sell so that the proceeds can go to The Cumbria Community Foundation for the flood relief appeal.

However, once again I was unable to go and I know they had no snow in Workington at all!

The roads in the South of the County are appalling and little seems to be being done other than to major roads.

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December 2009

We had booked to stay at our favourite B & B in Carlisle on the 19th as we were attending a Concert at Carlisle Cathedral at the invitation of The Comandant, Officers and Adults of Cumbria Army Cadet Force and a curry supper afterwards.

However, there was very bad snow here and we were unable to even get down the lane where we live.

I had hoped that the weather might be better the following day because the reason for staying overnight was that I had been invited by the Dean of Carlisle Cathedral, The Rt Revd Mark Boyling, to read a lesson at the Carol Concert at 3pm. I was really disappointed not to be able to do this, but it would have been foolhardy for us to even try to go.

The sad thing is that I gather there was very little snow in Carlisle and it is often very difficult for people to appreciate how bad it can be in other areas.

Thursday 17th December 2009

Tour of Furness General Hospital

As guests of Tony Halsall, Chief Executive of the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, I visited the Furness General Hospital where I had a most interesting afternoon and was made most welcome.

Accompanied by Tony Halsall, our first visit was to Ward 6 - Medical Ward, where I met the Matron and was shown around.

I was then introduced to the Catering Staff and shown the unbelievable size of the kitchens and the dining room itself and was truly amazed by the number of meals that were catered for every day. The hospital even provides certain foods for other hospitals in the Trust.

More details later.....

Wednesday 9th December

The Cumberland Pencil Company

As guests of David Sharrock I invited a party of ten people to be shown around the Pencil Factory at Lillyhall.

I had visited the Museum in Keswick some years ago and found that excellent, both from my own point of view and the children I had with me. However, to actually see the pencils made was very interesting indeed. We were made very welcome and enjoyed a buffet lunch and a gift of some pencils before we left.

Legend has it that in the early 1500s, a violent storm in the Borrowdale area of Cumberland led to trees being uprooted and the discovery of a strange black material underneath. This material turned out to be graphite, and shepherds began using it to make their sheep. A cottage industry of pencil making soon developed, culminating in the formation of the UK's first pencil factory in 1832.

Friday 27th November 2009

7pm Reception for 7.30pm
Cumbria Sports Awards
Presentation Dinner at The Low Wood Hotel Windermere


I managed to get back from Workington in time to get home and changed.
David and I arrived at about 7.30pm but dinner did not start on time so that was perfect.

As guests of Richard Johnson of the Cumbria Sports Partnership (an event that we had not known about before), we were welcomed by Eddy Edge, Chair of the Organising Committee. We found it an interesting and inspiring evening, both to see those who were winning Awards as well as to hear Dr Alison Mowbray, Olympic Medallist PhD in Genetic Engineering. who was an Olympic silver medallist at the Athens Olympics. She gave a most inspiring address.

The Major of Carlisle, Cllr Bill Graham and the Mayor of Allerdale, Cllr Binky Armstrong, The Chairman of Cumbria County Council, Cllr Roger Bingham plus Sports Personality Jonathan Edwards were also present.

Thursday 26th November 2009

Kendal Town Hall
5th Annual Conference of the Cumbria local Family Justice Council


I was invited by Her Hon Judge Barbara Forrester to attend this Seminar entitled

Drink, Drugs and Children don't mix

Unfortunately I was only able to stay for the morning because of extreme busyness caused in part through the floods. However, I was extremely interested in the excellent lecture given by Dr Raja Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Specialist in FASD.

There must have been over 100 people present at this Conference. Lunch was provided which sadly I was unable to stay for. I gather that the afternoon ended at 4.30pm.

I would very much like to attend this event next year if possible.It opened my eyes to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Saturday 28th November 2009

Ulverston Dickensian Festival 2009

We were asked by the Town Mayor, Councillor Norman Bishop-Rowe, to attend what was a two-day event on Saturday and Sunday in Ulverston.

Unfortunately because there was a Memorial Service for David's cousin, Michael Thornely at Sedbergh School that morning we felt we really would like to support the family , so we did not arrive at the Festival until about 2.30pm

It was very nice to see the Mayor of Kendal, Cllr John Bateson, the Mayor of Ulverston, Mrs Dorothy Dawes and the Mayor of Millom, Cllr Joan Hobbs - and other dignitaries.

We learnt as we were processing round the town, behind the excellent Town Band, that between 20 and 24,000 people attended last year and it certainly looked as though similar numbers were there on that day.

Many people had made a tremendous effort to dress in Dickensian costume and prizes in different categories were handed out by a charming lady representing "Her Majesty Queen Victoria." She was also accompanied by an excellent "Mr Brown."

After prizes were given out we walked through the main part of the town again and were asked to switch the Christmas lights on.

It was altogether a very interesting and enjoyable afternoon and I believe it made us all feel that Christmas was getting very close.