Welcome

Welcome to the Mayor’s blog for 2011-12.   This is the first blog ever from a Mayor of Carlisle.   I feel that Councillors should use modern technology to communicate with all age groups and  I want to let you know how I  represent the City and my future commitments.   I would also like to seek your views on important issues currently pending.   My priority this year is to improve the visitor and local people’s perspective of the City by making Carlisle a litter free zone.   This I hope to do by communicating with local schools, businesses and the media and to go out with the local area teams to ”grot spots” to assist in the clean up.   Let all of us be PROUD OF OUR COMMUNITY.

20th – 26th February

20th   A quick glance at the calander and I suddenly realised that 13 weeks today a new Mayor will be elected.   The time has simply flown by  – always a good sign.   A windy and cold day and certainly not ideal for litter picking but the Mayor’s Diary read – 12.30 p.m. Mayor and Mayoress accompanying Area Team Leader on Litter Picking Duty in the City Centre.    Donning 2 layers of clothing and the Hi-Viz jackets we reported for duty.   We walked up Scotch Street worked our way passed M & S to the traffic lights then down Devonshire St to Lowther St.   Along to the Bus Station and then down Chapel St under the Georgian Way under-pass to Trinity School.   Back along to West Tower St and to Tullie House and the under-pass to the Castle.   Returning to the Civic Centre with 2 full sacks of LITTER!!

13th – 19th February

13th   An early start for “a day with a difference”.   The Mayoress and I were invited to join His Honour Judge Paul Batty at Carlisle Crown Court.   After an initial briefing we entered Court No 1 and heard 15 cases reviewed including one murder and four cases video-linked to Durham Gaol.   We then had lunch with Judge Batty and the other judges sitting that day.

14th   A significant date to toast the opening of the long-awaited Carlisle Northern Development Route, i. e. The  Western Bypass.   The 5.1 mile route from Junction 44 at Kingstown opened 2 months ahead of shedule and will certainly reduce journey times through the City.   In the evening the Mayor of Allerdale invited the Mayoress and I to join him at St. Mary’s Church, Wigton to hear the Pendyrus Welsh Male Voice Choir.   The choir was absolutely fantastic and the acoustics brilliant.

15th   We were delighted to invite the Pendyrus Choir  and their wives to the Civic Suite.   They had enjoyed a day touring Carlisle and we welcomed them for tea as long as they sang in the Council Chamber.   At 7.30 p.m. we attended a meeting in Cumwhinton Village Hall to listen to the debate with regard to the forthcoming Public Enquiry caused by Balderstone’s appealing against the Wind Turbine refusal.   If only we, in England, had the same protection as Scotland and Mainland Europe, this case would be null and void.   I will continue to give my support to the Group “NO to a Windturbine at Newlands” on the grounds that it is too near the properties.

16th   Planning ahead we bought raffle prizes for the Mayor’s Charity event on the 18th and ordered T-shirts, and had them printed, for the runners taking part in the Hawswater half-marathon on the 4th March , competing on behalf of the Mayor’s 4 charities.   These are Hospice at Home, NSPCC (Carlisle), Citizens Advice Bureau (Carlisle) and Carlisle Key.   The afternoon was spent at the Civic Centre.

17th   The Mayoress attended a luncheon and I spent what seemed like hours trying to bring order to my filing system!!

18th   The car required its MOT so the morning was spent Litter Picking!   In the afternoon we dashed to Warwick Hall to make sure that we hadn’t forgotten anything with regard to the Charity event being held there in the evening.   Returned home to change and back for 6.30 p.m.   It was a most successful evening raising £700 and the Abbey Singers were a delight to hear.   Our thanks to David Sutton ,their conductor, and Frankie and Alec Grieve for the canapes.   Our hosts Val and Nick Marriner I am greatly indebted to.

19th   We attened the 10.45 a.m. sung Eucharist service at St Cuthbert’s Church, the last Sunday before Lent.   Cllr Heather Bradley read the 1st Bible Reading and I was presented with a cheque for £500 towards the Mayor’s Charity which was raised at the Henry VIII  evening.   After coffee in the Tithe Barn we left for luncheon at Gallo Rosso with the Vicar and his wife.   Afterwards we drove down the new Western Bypass and were delighted to see so many motorists using it.

6th -12th February

6th   Today I met up with Kate Norman who is helping me with the production of an audio/visual presentation that I can give to schools to promote my campaign to rid Carlisle of litter, chewing gum and dog fouling.   In the afternoon the Mayoress and I attended the bi-monthly Mayor’s Charity Committee meeting to get an update of future fund-raising events and to promote other events in “the pipeline”.

7th   Occasionally the Mayor receives a formal or informal request from past Mayors’ relatives who wish to look at the Official photographs which adorn the corridors of the Civic Suite.   The earliest photograph dates back to 1834 and this morning we showed the family of former Mayor David Moffat Hamilton 1963/64 his.   Mayor Hamilton was in post when the new Civic Centre was built and was Mayor at the opening.   Afterwards we chatted in the Law Library over coffee.   Early afternoon we attended a funeral service at the Crematorium of one of my former neighbours.   I returned to the Mayor’s Parlour at 6 p.m. for a briefing with the Chief Executive, Director of Governance and the Deputy Mayor prior to the Special Council Meeting to determine the Budget for 2012/13 at 6.45 p.m.   Amendments were passed and so the proposals have to be referred back to the Executive  and a further meeting called for the 23rd February at 6 p.m.

8th   I have just finished reading the Cumberland News and I was delighted to see that Fred Story, Chief Executive of Story Homes, had won the prestigious title of best house builder in Britain.   Well deserved.   A friend telephoned and brought to my attention that the Sunday Times  featured a survey published by Rightmove as to the happiest 10 Cities.   Guess who came out top?   CARLISLE of course.   I would be really HAPPY if some children/adults did not drop their litter, dispose of chewing gum on the pavement and did not let their dogs foul within the 30 mph limit.   In the evening I attended the Wetheral Parish Council monthly meeting as ward member for Scotby Ward.

9th   The Mayoress and I attended a rehearsal with Judge Paul Batty, the Chief Executive Jason Gooding, the Director of Governance Mark Lambert, the senior Committee Clerk Morag Durham and my P. A. Pamela Martin prior to the installation of Judge Batty as Recorder of the City.

10th   The Mayoress and myself always look forward to the Schools visiting the Civic Centre.   Today we received Cumwhinton and St Margaret Mary junior schools.   The children ask many questions which show just how interested they are in the history of the City.   The favourite being “Is the chain heavy?”, “When was it made?” and “Which Mayor wore it first?”.

11th   We attended St George’s United Reformed Church in Warwick Road for the induction of the Rev’d Sarah Moore as Cumbria Area President of the North Western Synod.   The service was attened by the Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcombe, the President of CTiC Rev’d John Goddard, the Chairman of the Cumbria District of the Methodist Church Rev’d Richard Teal, the Moderator of the North Western Synod Rev’d Richard Church and the Rev’d Elizabeth Peterson from Knoxville Tennessee who gave the sermon.   Many other clergy were also present as well as parishoners from her previous parish in Darwen Lancashire.   In the evening the Rev’d Keith Teasdale, the Civic Chaplain from St Cuthbert’s Church, put on a production of Henry VIII in the Tithe Barn  for the Mayor’s Charity.   It was a splendid performance along with the Choir singing Tudor songs and the three course dinner was served by Glen and Sharon the new licencees of The Sportsman, Heads Lane.   An excellent repast and the vicar was brilliant.   The end of a busy but rewarding week.

30th January – 5th February

30th   The Mayoress and I arrived at the Civic Centre early afternoon to meet with Sarah Baker, Bakerwood Catering, to discuss arrangements for the forthcoming Appointment of Judge Paul Batty as Honorary Recorder of the City.   200 people will be attending this special ceremony in the Civic Chamber last performed in 1985.   In the evening I attended a Parish Council Planning Committee which discussed the Appeal against the proposed Wind Turbines at Cumwhinton and the Anaerobic Digester Plant for Murray House Farm, Cumwhinton.

31st   Two visits to the Civic Centre the first to discuss forthcoming items for the Mayor’s Charity and find a way forward with regard to improving Rosemary Lane and the problems of fly-tipping and City litter.   After lunch we returned to meet “Scranbition” a young enterprise group from Caldew School, Dalston who have set up a food bank in and around the Dalston/Carlisle area.   Cllrs Willie Whalen, Joe Hendry and Trevor Allison were also in attendance.   This project has been held in conjunction with The Salvation Army and Churches Together in Carlisle and District.   I was very impressed that these youngsters aim to diminish hunger in homes and deliver a more nourished and cared for lifestyle.

1st February   Tullie House was the venue fro the Carlisle Access Group’s 21st Anniversary celebration.   The Group champions the local disability groups  and continues to ensure that facilities within the City are open and accessible to all.   Individual members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of disability related issues.   We all enjoyed the tour of The Roman Frontier Gallery and our guide Tim Padley brought the Roman story to life.   After the tour a full afternoon tea was served in the Function Room followed by speeches and the cutting of the 21st birthday cake.   The chairman of the group Mr Peter Emmerson gave the vote of thanks.

2nd   As I have previously mentioned my chosen charities are Hospice at Home, NSPCC (Carlisle), Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Carlisle Key.   This morning the Mayoress and I attended the Annual General Meeting of the NSPCC (Carlisle) at their headquarters in Chatsworth Square.   It was interesting to hear at first hand about the exciting new changes to the role the Carlisle Service Centre will now play.   With 13 staff it will offer Theraputic Services to Sexual Abuse referals from the whole of Cumbria.   Later that day we were present at the funeral of Mrs Barbara Tiffen at the Crematorium.   The Mayoress andI first met Barbara when we asked if she would cater for a dinner dance to be held in Wetheral Village Hall to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.   “Time flies but happy memories stay”.

3rd   Once again it was my duty to attend the Civic Centre in order to open Tenders for work that is needed to be carried out by external contractors for the City Council.   These need to be opened after 12 noon in the presence of the Mayor and one Governance Officer only.   This should have been followed by a School visit from Brampton  which had to be cancelled at the last minute and has now been resheduled at a later date, so it was back home and a chance to re-charge the batteries and catch up with Ward matters

4th   Saturday morning, and the first in the month, so it was that I attended the Christian Men’s Breakfast at Carlisle Golf Club at 8.30 a.m. to hear the speaker  Judge Alan Taylor .   It is always interesting to hear the views and experiences of other people in public life and  to meet up with friends each month to discuss current affairs.   The end of another week and only 15 more weeks as Mayor how the time has flown by,and yet I still have so much more that I would like to achieve.

23rd – 29th January

23rd   The Mayoress was recovering from the seasonal ‘flu virus so instead of  the monthly litter picking in the City Centre I sent her on another mission i.e. to source the artists who painted the murals on the wall in Rosemary Lane.   Meanwhile I donned gloves and Hi Viz Jacket and met the Area Team Manager outside the Old Town Hall.   Our route took us via the Georgian Way Underpass, Strand Road, Spencer Street, Chapel Street and the public right of way outside the Brickyard Gym, along Chiswick Street and Lonsdale Street.   One thing for certain there is variety in the content of litter!!

24th   A day off duty.   The time flew by as I researched material for Burns Night and caught up on Ward work.   I eagerly awaited 6.30 p.m., BBC 2 and the Great British Railway Journeys.   Michael Portillo continuing his journey through Hadrian’s Wall Country, Wetheral and Carlisle.   I had been asked in July if I would agree to be interviewed by Michael when his train stopped at Wetheral station.   It was a beautiful day thankfully as the shooting experience took 2 hours.   The Mayoral schedule slipped slightly!

25th   Burns Night, but the Mayor’s Charity Night Supper was to take place on the 27th.   Instead, together with the Mayoress and Cllr Joe Hendry we met with the Youth Council, two officers of the City Council and one from the County Council.   The purpose of the meeting was to hear the views of the Youth Council with regard to the election of a Youth Mayor.   (Up until last year a Junior Mayor was elected to serve for one week only during Democracy Week).   After many discussions it has been agreed to change the format and to elect a Youth Mayor.   Afinal decission will be forthcoming in February.

26th   Back to the Civic Mayor’s Parlour to familiarise myself with the arrangements for Friday’s Charity Night.   In the post this morning was a letter from France addressed to The Mayor, Carlisle.   Unfortunately, it was written without a word of English so I sought the help of a former French Teacher.   Guess who is writing the reply.   In the evening I attended the meeting of Scotby Village Hall Committee on which I am the Wetheral Parish Council representative.

27th   The Burns’ Night Supper held in Foxy’s Restaurant, Brunton Park, Carlisle was a huge success thanks to Cllr Jessica Riddle’s organising skills and my P. A. Pamela Martin’s secretarial expertise.   The meal was enjoyed by all and the Master of Ceremonies Ian Husband kept the proceedings flowing.   When it came to Auld Lang Syne I thought the evening had passed all too quickly.

28th   It was very frosty when we left to attend the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Coffee Morning in Dalston Village Hall and the scenery most picturesque with the backdrop of snow on the lakeland hills.   I had been invited in my role as President of the local RNLI branch.   Each year the Mayor of Carlisle holds this position.   The Coffee Morning was well supported and Ronnie Auld, the secretary, showed a film on Rescue Missions by the RNLI.   When the raffle was drawn I won a prize, which I will donate to the next Mayor’s Charity evening.

29th   The Mayoress and I attended the Farewell Service of our local vicar the Revd Gary Cregeen and his wife Julie.   Gary will become Team Rector of the South Barrow Team Ministry and in June Rural Dean of Barrow.   Vicars come and go but Gary has been in our parish for 9 years and we will miss his presence in the village.   We thank him for his friendship.

16th – 22nd January

16th   After a visit to the dentist for a check up I, together with my wife, met up with Cllr Mrs Riddle at Foxy’s Restaurant, Brunton Park, to discuss the arrangements for the Burns Night Supper, which will be held on the 27th in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

17th   The Mayoress and I, together with Cllr Whalen and the City Solicitor, Stephen Brown, met Mr Chris Nicholls, the franchisee of McDonalds to discuss the improvements to Rosemary Lane, Scotch Street.   Following on from this meeting we hosted a Civic Reception and Buffet for 22 Students and 2 Teachers from Flensburg, with which we, the City, are twinned.   The students are here in Carlisle on placements with local businesses, schools or with the City Council.   They had a tour of the Civic Suite and a photo-shoot by the local press.

18th   Today we met up with Cllr Paul Nedved and David, the conductor of the Abbey Singers, at Warwick Hall, Warwick Bridge.   Paul has organised a concert at Warwick Hall, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Nick Marriner, in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Fund to be held on the 18th February, and arrangements needed to be made.   In the evening the Mayoress and I attended a dinner and presentation of Certificates for long service to volunteers of the local branch of Oxfam, at Casa Romana Restaurant, Warwick Road, Carlisle.   I followed this with a meeting of Trustees of the Hartley Trust of which I am a member, the Trust being responsible for the Playing Field  and children’s Play Area in Scotby.

20th   The morning passed all  too quickly as I tidied my office and wrote two speeches for forthcoming events.   Then a quick dash to the Civic Centre, with the Mayoress, for 1.30 p.m. to meet and greet two Junior Schools – Rockcliffe and Crosby-on-Eden 55 children plus teaching staff.   We took them on a tour of the Civic Suite for an hour and answered questions in The Chamber before they were served fruit juice and biscuits prior to their departure at 2.50 p.m.   The next engagement commenced at 7.30 p.m. in the Sea Cadets Headquarters, Nicholson Street, Carlisle where the Mayoress and I attended the T. S. Cumberland Presentation Evening when the Cadets received trophies for their individual achievements this year.   I, accompanied by the Commanding Officer, took the General Salute before inspecting the Guard.   This reminded me of my days in the Royal Army Medical Corps.   On closure of the ceremony I presented the trophies and certificates and then toured the unit.   The cadets should feel justifiably proud of their success as the standard was so high.   I also had the pleasure of meeting a former serving shipmate of HMS Cumberland that was decommissioned last year.   It was most interesting to hear the history of the Frigate built in 1989 by Yarrells on the Clyde.   Pictures of the ship are to be found in the Civic Centre.

22nd   Sunday, and our daughter’s 51st birthday.   The Mayoress and I attended the Third Sunday of Epiphany Cathedral Eucharist Service.   The preacher was the Venerable Kevin Roberts and his sermon drew comparison with the television programme “The Secret Millionaire”.   At the end of the service we listened to a rare announcement as Canon McConnell called, for the first time, the banns of marriage for his son and fiancee.   This has only been read in the Cathedral 12 times since 1902 and as Cannon McConnell said the book will last till the next Millennia!!

9th – 15th January

9th   Had a meeting with the Leader Cllr Mike Mitchelson, the Director of Governance Mark Lambert and the Town Clerk and Chief Executive Jason Gooding regarding the arrangements for the Civic Dinner (including the Civic Awards Ceremony), the installation of His Honour Judge Batty as Recorder of the City of Carlisle and the appointment of a Youth Mayor.

10th  This evening I chaired the Council Meeting at the Civic Centre, the main decissions being the need of more affordable housing, the lack of amenities at Carlisle Bus Station and the provision of Council Tax Discounts for certain properties owned by local charities.

13th   The Mayoress and I had been invited to the Awards event for ADS (Addiction Dependency Solutions) namely “Bridging the Gap” at The Crown and Mitre Hotel.   The 18 students had undergone a 16 week course before graduating and together with their 8 mentors were awarded their Certificates by me.   Also present was Lady Rhona Bradley the Chief Executive  of ADS who gave the final address.    We then had to return to the Civic Centre in order to meet the pupils from Inglewood Junior School and Longtown Junior School.   Both Schools were well behaved, asked some very interesting questions and took an active interest in the history of the Mayoral role of the City.