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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

29th   After a couple of days respite we were invited to a fund raising buffet lunch in Stanwix held by one of my Councillor colleagues.

1st January 2012   A New Year has dawned and with it the hope of new beginnings and an improvement with the economy.

5th   Today we attended the Celebration of Life of Donald Scott, a local icon as entertainer who had given so much joy to the people of Carlisle and district, who died suddenly just before the New Year.   He will be sadly missed by his wife and family as well as all those who knew him.   In the evening I attended a Group meeting prior to the Council Meeting on the 10th January.

6th   Visits to the Civic Centre by Year 6 from the Primary Schools in Carlisle District started today and we had pupils from Hayton and Wreay Schools present, who asked many interesting questions during their time in the Council Chamber and whilst on the tour of the Civic Suite.

20th The Mayoress and I had been invited to the Labour Councillors Christmas Party and we went from there to the Careline Control Room in Botchergate that is controlled by Riverside Housing.   Next we went to the Carleton Clinic at Garlands and then to Croftfields Residential Home at Cotehill where we sang some carols with the residents before proceeding to the Henry Lonsdale Home at Rosehill where we had tea.   I admire the dedication and hard work that the carers put in especially at this time of year.   They all appeared very happy and many had been at their place of work for many years.

21st Today I attended the Civic Centre  in order to open tenders and to catch up with correspondance.

22nd  Another early start to go to Longtown in order to meet the residents at Eskdale House before we travelled to Brampton.   There was just enough time to have  Morning Coffee at Farlam Hall, where we were requested to put the cost to the Mayor’s Charity, which was much appreciated.   We then met the residents at Moot Lodge in the centre of Brampton before going on to the Cottage Hospital.   It was then on to The Knells, Houghton to meet some more residents and have out Photograghs taken by the local newspaper, The Cumberland News, that had also been at Longtown in the morning.   We returned to Carlisle in time to meet up with Lord and Lady Henley, as we had been asked to attend the opening of the new extension to the Outrageous Bar in English Street.   Lord Henley is the current Minister of State reponsible for the reduction of Anti-social behavior especially in licenced premises and Outrageous has won the Best Bar None this year.   A very pleasant afternoon of entertainment occured.

24th   Christmas Eve and the Mayoress and I had been invited by the Dean to the evening service at the Cathedral.   It was the annual Christmas Eve Carol Sevice and I had the honour of reading the 4th Lesson “The Birth of Jesus”.   The Cathedral was full to overflowing and we met many friends and collegues and as the congregation left shook them by the hand and wished everyone a Happy Christmas.

May I take this opportunity to wish all persons who read my blog a very Happy Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year.

13th The Mayoress and I were asked to attend the presentation of certificates to those students that had attended the “Fit Factor” course.   The students all of whom have learning difficulties and who had been classed as over weight, had under gone a strict regime of exercise and diet and had lost weight and become more confident.   It was a joy to see how much they had enjoyed the course and it is hoped that they will continue to loose weight and become more active.   In the evening there was an informal Council Meeting when the new Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Dr Jason Gooding, gave an overview of the Council’s achievements over the year, and this was followed by a Christmas reception that I held for my fellow councillors and members of the Senior Management Team.

14th The Mayoress and I spent the morning visiting the Cumberland Infirmary, we were shown round the Maternity Unit as well as the premature baby ward, and then on to the children’s ward and finally to the elderly persons unit.   We were very impressed by the standard of cleanliness and hygiene,and all our queries were honestly answered.   We were introduced to a very recently born baby, who is to be called “Charlie” and were photographed with the “family”.    As a honorary member of the Rotary Club of Carlisle the Mayor and his wife were invited to their Christmas Lunch at The Auctioneer by their President and a very pleasant time was spent with friends old and new.   In the afternoon we attended the Craft Fair at Morton Manor which should have been followed by Carols in Chances Park, but again due to the weather conditions it was decided to hold it indoors.  Members of the Musical Societyand pupils of Yewdale school led the singing,but we had to leave before the end as we were due to be at the Cathedral in order to attend the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment’s Carol Service.   Again a very moving and poignant service as the regiment has been serving in Afganistan  and has had casualties and some loss of life.   After the service we were invited to the Officers Mess at The Castle for mulled wine and mince pies.

15th Today was the Oath of Allegiance Ceremony for those who wish to enter Her Magesty’s Service was held at the Civic Centre.   I was in my formal ceremonial robes and was accompanied by the Mayoress as well as the Town Clerk and Chief Executive and the Mayor and Mayoress of Allerdale as some of the recruits  were from Workington.   The ceremony was held in the Council Chamber and most of the recruits were accompanied by their family and friends.   In the evening I attended the “Celebration of Learning” event in Tullie House where emplyees and members who have over the year undergone training and reached a certain standard are awarded their certificates.   As Learning Member Champion I am invited to the event each year and it was a pleasure to see so many employees who this year have undergone training and have reached their gaol.

17th Another Christmas Carol Service but this time held at the Crematorium for those who had lost their loved ones over the last year and who hung candles on a Christmas Tree in memory of those who had died.   The service was conducted by the Civic Chaplain, the Reverend Keith Teasdale.

18th Three services today, starting with the Civic Carol Service at St Cuthbert’s Church at which I read one of the lessons and at the end of which we dedicated at tree donated by the Eden Valley Hospice in the Churchyard.   This tree will be lit up every Christmas in future years at the “Light a light” service to be held in memory of those who have lost their life at the hospice.   It was then on to the Candlelight Carol Service at Wigton Road Methodist Church, where I again had to read a lesson, have a quick cup of coffee and a mince pie, before arriving at the Salvation Army Carol Service  in Abbey Street.   At the end of the service I was asked to go onto the platform where I was presented with a cheque for £1,000 to go towards the Mayor’s Charity Fund.   This was a magnificent sum and I was totally surprised and honoured to receive this money.   This ended a very busy week for the Mayoress and me.