Dent, Silloth, Brampton, Keswick, Ulverston, Windermere, Carlisle, Maryport, Sedbergh, Tarns, Whitehaven …………….. No, I’m not trying to fill this month’s column by using Sir Clement Freud’s infamous technique of spinning out a minute of speaking without hesitation, repetition or deviation by employing a long list of words or places.
But what do these fine Cumbrian locations have in common? They all play host to festivals - musical, culinary and literary. For example, Windermere plays host to the Lake District Summer Music Festival which offers music ranging from popular classics to some of the most challenging and demanding pieces in the classical repertoire.
Tarns, just outside Silloth is home to Solfest, Cumbria’s ‘mini Glastonbury’ where young people from 0 to 90 come together to experience a wonderfully eclectic mix of music. The rejuvenated Carlisle Festival brings the Cathedral Close alive with vibrant music and welcomes in a secular audience that might otherwise pass by Carlisle’s most precious corner.
The other common element, and why they feature in this column, is that these events are conceived, planned, organized and run by local charities led by volunteers. We normally think of charities as being associated with delivering meals on wheels, running play groups and other caring services. But in Cumbria much of our cultural and artistic opportunities are provided through local charities and non profit organisations. Theatre by the Lake, Brewery Arts Centre, Helena Thompson Museum, Dove Cottage, Rosehill Theatre and Blackwell are just some of our permanent locations run by charitable trusts.
Music and art inspire people; at their best they can help us attain new levels of understanding and peace. In Cumbria where audiences and venues for cultural and artistic events may be small the only way to lay things on is in the old fashioned tradition of do it yourself. People with a real passion and interest throw themselves into making things happen – and they do it for free!
The benefits are so wide ranging, from enhancing the experience of our visitors to bringing art and performances to people who wouldn’t otherwise see them. I know that people choose to visit and stay in the county to take part in these events.
My own organisation has played a very small part in funding events such as the Maryport Blues Festival and Solfest. We’ve been able to watch these events grow in popularity and the people behind them grow in stature and confidence. They help build pride in towns and bring a buzz and excitement.
In these credit crunch times how about looking around and seeing what’s on offer in your own backyard and try an autumn ‘staycation’ in Cumbria provided by your very own charities.
Monday 5 October 2009
Linen league - November 2009
Was a member of your family ever a member of the Linen League in Carlisle? Do you know what the Linen League was? I certainly didn’t until recently.
The Linen League was a band of dedicated women whose role was to raise funds to purchase bedding and nurses uniforms and also to repair the bedding and uniforms at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The League’s activities, as far as I understand, ran up until the beginning of the welfare state and the creation of the National Health Service. I’m not sure if other cities and towns had Linen Leagues, but I’m pretty sure they will have done.
We’re about to enter a period of unprecedented austerity in public finances. What this will mean for the National Health Service is not yet known. All political parties have foresworn their commitment to the NHS, but out of necessity huge savings will have to be made.
I’m not suggesting we should go back to the days of the Linen League, but unless you’re closely involved in the life of hospitals and health services you may not know just how many volunteers and local charities already provide direct and indirect support to patients. Organisations such as the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service are still involved in providing coffee bars and book loan services. My own organisation has made grants to the Hospital Radio in Westmorland General Hospital and they have some of the most up to date programming and technology available in the world of radio.
As more and more is known about particular medical conditions the need for information and advice escalates. The internet is a wonderful tool, but having someone who can actually decipher the papers and talk from experience is vital. The range of cancer charities and condition specific support groups, often run by people with direct experience of an illness, are invaluable.
The importance of facilities provided near to home was demonstrated hugely a few years ago when thousands of Cumbrians took to the streets in support of their cottage hospitals. These same hospitals all have ‘leagues of friends’ who still continue the legacy of the Linen League.
These services already exist and are testament to people’s willingness and interest in giving up their time for others. So what can we expect as we go forward? We know how expensive it is to treat people in hospital and how much people normally prefer to be in their own, infection free, homes.
But after 60 years of the NHS how prepared are we to give back and do more? This article is available as blog on www.cumbriafoundation.org. If you have a view and want to continue the discussion please visit it and let me have your thoughts.
The Linen League was a band of dedicated women whose role was to raise funds to purchase bedding and nurses uniforms and also to repair the bedding and uniforms at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The League’s activities, as far as I understand, ran up until the beginning of the welfare state and the creation of the National Health Service. I’m not sure if other cities and towns had Linen Leagues, but I’m pretty sure they will have done.
We’re about to enter a period of unprecedented austerity in public finances. What this will mean for the National Health Service is not yet known. All political parties have foresworn their commitment to the NHS, but out of necessity huge savings will have to be made.
I’m not suggesting we should go back to the days of the Linen League, but unless you’re closely involved in the life of hospitals and health services you may not know just how many volunteers and local charities already provide direct and indirect support to patients. Organisations such as the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service are still involved in providing coffee bars and book loan services. My own organisation has made grants to the Hospital Radio in Westmorland General Hospital and they have some of the most up to date programming and technology available in the world of radio.
As more and more is known about particular medical conditions the need for information and advice escalates. The internet is a wonderful tool, but having someone who can actually decipher the papers and talk from experience is vital. The range of cancer charities and condition specific support groups, often run by people with direct experience of an illness, are invaluable.
The importance of facilities provided near to home was demonstrated hugely a few years ago when thousands of Cumbrians took to the streets in support of their cottage hospitals. These same hospitals all have ‘leagues of friends’ who still continue the legacy of the Linen League.
These services already exist and are testament to people’s willingness and interest in giving up their time for others. So what can we expect as we go forward? We know how expensive it is to treat people in hospital and how much people normally prefer to be in their own, infection free, homes.
But after 60 years of the NHS how prepared are we to give back and do more? This article is available as blog on www.cumbriafoundation.org. If you have a view and want to continue the discussion please visit it and let me have your thoughts.
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