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Kendal Town Council  |
What an exciting year this is going to be for Kendal there are numerous events and anniversaries to be celebrated over the next 12 months.
The Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations take place during the Jubilee Bank Holiday. There are many community events being held around the town and a Songs of Praise Jubilee Service being held at the Parish Church on Sunday 3rd June. I hope the weather holds well for all of us.
I am proud and delighted that the Olympic Torch is starting on the morning of Friday the 22nd June from one of our best known landmarks, Kendal Castle. The route will take the Torch through the centre of Town. What a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone in Kendal young and old to cheer it on its way. The press and the Olympic sponsors will be here so let's be warm and welcoming and show the world that Kendal is a place worth visiting.
The Town Council's "Kendal in Bloom Committee" has asked businesses, organisations and individuals on the route of the Olympic Torch to display flowers, planters and hanging baskets to make our streets look attractive and colourful for the event.
The Romney Sketch Book Exhibition opens in the Kendal museum at the end of June. This exhibition will display works by George Romney and is based around his sketchbook drawings.
On the last week of June the W.I. have a flower display in the Parish Church celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee culminating with a concert on the 30th June.
Kendal's Mintfest is the United Kingdom's showcase for outdoor arts and takes place at the very end of August. It attracts thousands of people into Kendal who bring money into our local economy. It brings music, colour, laughter, and drama into our streets. I think it is a terrific event. It is good to know that this is supported by businesses and the community. We must ensure that it continues in the future.
In the middle of September the Kendal Torchlight procession parades along our streets. The Community gets on board their floats that are sponsored by businesses and voluntary organisations. Once again our streets are filled with music, colour and laughter. Many charities benefit from the money given into collection boxes by the crowds.
The Kendal Mountain Festival runs from the 15th November until 17th November. This is the largest Festival of its type in the World and raises Kendal's profile globally. It is reputed to be the main social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK. Last year thousands of people came to Kendal and drew almost 2 million pounds into our economy.
I am delighted that the Kendal Mountain Festival has won the Environment and Culture Category awarded by Action for Market Towns in this region.
On Sunday 18th November Santa Claus has promised to be here with his reindeers to help switch on our Christmas lights.
All of these events are supported by Kendal Town Council and many by South Lakeland District Council, local businesses and voluntary groups. It is so important that we all get involved and work together. And to that end I would be pleased to come and support your activities throughout the coming year.
There are a number of organisations that are celebrating anniversaries whilst I am in office.
- The Kendal - Rinteln Twinning group celebrate 20 years.
- Kendal Castle WI and the Brewery Arts Centre 40 years.
- The Cumbria Wildlife trust, Kendal Bridge Club, and Abbot Hall 50 years.
- The Amateur Operatic Society and Kendal Parish Church Hall celebrate their 100 years.
On the 18th and 19th October the Action for Market Towns Convention comes to Kendal. Councillors, businesses and officials from other market towns will be at the convention to swop good ideas on how we can keep our towns alive and open for business.
It is a prime opportunity for local businesses and our councillors to hear what is being said and being done in Market Towns across the country. Small towns need a national voice to represent their views and to influence Government thinking. Kendal is ensuring that its voice is being heard. Our Town combines being a tourist destination as well as a community where people live, work and play.
From personal experience visitors who stay with me from other parts of the country are impressed with the choice and diversity of our businesses and shops as well as the activities and events that take place in the town. I believe all of this marks us as a vibrant town but we do need to build on it.
My Mayoral Charity for the year will be raising funds for the Kendal Lads & Girls Club. The club is run in partnership with Young Cumbria and a management committee. The Lads & Girls club runs youth clubs for 8 to 11's year olds and 11 to 19 year olds. Their activities include supervised outdoor pursuits camping weekends and Duke of Edinburgh awards. I give the Lads and Girls club my full support and hope that we can raise lots of money for them.
One of the events to raise money for the Lads & Girls Club is a 3 mile charity run. (And) I take this opportunity to invite everyone to take part in this run starting at 11am from Kendal Rugby Club on Sunday 17th June. If you don't want to run the 3 miles come and support the children taking part in the fun run at Kendal Rugby Club at 11:15am.
Anne and I look forward to an exciting and interesting year. It is a very great honour for me to represent you all as the Mayor of Kendal and I will do my best to raise the profile of this wonderful Town".
For more information on the Mayoralty see Kendal Mayoralty page.
During the year there are a number of Civic Occasions within Kendal.
These are:-
Mayor Making - held on the third Thursday in May.
Mayor’s Sunday – held on the first Sunday in July.
Remembrance Sunday – held on the second Sunday in November.
In addition there is usually a Civic Reception held in the Town Hall on the evening of Kendal Torchlight Carnival, where distinguished guests are received and dignitaries from our Twinned Towns, Rinteln and Killarney, are welcomed.
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