Last updated at 15:32, Monday, 10 May 2010

This is the first glimpse of some of the 80-plus postcards that will go on display in Cockermouth later this month, to tell the world that the county is open for business.

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Postcards penned by actor Robbie Coltrane, rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, broadcaster Jon Snow, Hollywood actress Carey Mulligan, BBC 2 comedienne Miranda Hart, girl band The Saturdays, BBC TV presenter Helen Skelton and Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts and many other celebrities will go on display to the public on the first floor of Cockermouth Town Hall from May 20 to June 2.

Cumbria Tourism launched its Wish You Were Here campaign to aid the county’s recovery after the floods and invited stars and celebrities to send postcards to Cumbria and spread the word that it is open for business.

The response has been overwhelming with more postcards arriving each week.

Rather than just sending simple autographs, the country’s most famous faces have instead contributed postcards with watercolour paintings, personal anecdotes, private photographs and drawings.

Jon Snow says: “The blue skies are back in Cumbria!”. Robbie Coltrane says he was amazed by the beauty of Cumbria when he visited while making TV series B-Road Britain, and adds: “There is so much more than the lakes, and heaven knows, they are amazing!”

Carey Mulligan, who starred in An Education, says: “Well, I’ve never been to Cumbria, but it looks beautiful!”

Other postcards include one from an Oscar winner, who tells how she learned to row a boat in the Lakes as a child and an actor, screenwriter and director who said he owed his career break to Cumbria.

The identity of the rest of the stars is a closely guarded secret.

Ian Stephens, chief executive of Cumbria Tourism, said: “We are touched by the thought that so many famous people have put into their postcards.”

The exhibition, supported by Jennings Brewery, is free, with voluntary donations going to the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association and Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.

After the exhibition, the collection will be auctioned to raise money for the recovery fund.

Wish You Were Here celebrity messages

When my son Daniel was 18 months old I hiked, with my son on my back around the Langdale Valley and the Langdale Pikes. Now he is 42 and 6ft 4ins and very soon will be carrying me. I’ll suggest we return to Langdale which I loved and will always remember.

Cumbria is a national treasure.

Sir Patrick Stewart OBE
Film, television & stage actor

Supporting the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund, I sincerely wish the region of Cumbria and its fantastic people all the very, very best in the efforts to return to normal and better as soon as possible.

Jonny Wilkinson OBE
Rugby Union Player for England & The Newcastle Falcons

I have wonderful childhood memories of Maryport! If you haven’t walked along the harbour front, you’ve never lived…

Here’s to Cumbria!

Fiona Armstrong
BBC News Presenter

Cumbria is the Strongest Link!

Best wishes

Anne Robinson
Host of the BBC’s The Weakest Link

Kendal is my favourite place because I went there as a child.

Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff
Former England Cricket Captain

The blue skies are back in Cumbria!

Jon Snow
Presenter of Channel 4 News

I owe my career break to Cumbria where we filmed “Withnail & I” in 1986 at Wet Sleddale and in Penrith.

Cheers and “Chin Chin”

Richard E. Grant
Actor, screenwriter & director

Dear people of Cumbria,
Yours is one of the most beautiful counties in the country. I have played versions of my one-person shows in Kendal and Whitehaven and it is always such an enormous pleasure to come to your part of the world. It is so very lovely. I am about to prepare another show and I fervently hope you will invite me again.

Honor Blackman
Actress, Avenger & Bond Girl

Me wandering lonely as a little cloud in Langdale. Lovely!

Ted Robbins
Comedian, Actor & Radio Presenter

Good luck Cumbria. Your beauty deserves it.

Trevor McDonald OBE
News Presenter & Journalist

I have very fond memories of a wonderful weekend in Windermere in Oct ’09. The sun was shining and I hired a boat and pottered around the lake – heavenly!

Sorry you all had to go through such a difficult time.

Best wishes

Miranda Hart
Actress, Writer & Comedienne

Me on Nape’s Needle

Griff Rhys Jones
Comedian, Writer, Actor and Presenter

Would love to visit anywhere in Cumbria, it is so beautiful!

Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean
Former British, European, Olympic & World Ice Skating Champions

The Lake District is one of the most popular places to visit in England. I have spent some great holidays there and thoroughly recommend it.

Beautiful scenery, exhilarating walks and tranquillity, restaurants and night life for those who want it and, of course, the lakes!

Please put it on your list and help Cumbria to get ‘back on its feet’

June Whitfield CBE
Actress

As I left catering college I needed a holiday to calm me down and prepare me for the greatest adventure of my young life…That of leaving home and starting my career in London at the tender age of 17.

I spent a wonderful week in the Lake District in the beautiful region of Cumbria, an area I return to regularly with happy memories. The hills, the lakes, the people, the tranquillity – still the same today as then.

Visit and enjoy, you, like me, will love it.

Brian Turner CBE
Celebrity Chef

As a small boy growing up in Yorkshire, Cumberland and Westmorland (as they were then) represented an exciting escape to dramatic mountains and seemingly bottomless lakes. The majesty of Skiddaw and the silent stillness of Wastwater have always entranced me. There are funny memories too. Carrying my yellow Labrador Lulu up the final few feet of Great Gable 25 years ago and flopping down on the summit to get my breath back while the dog (when my back was turned) tucked into an unsuspecting rambler’s picnic! Happy, happy days. I continue to live the magic by reading Wainwright and Walpole’s ‘Herries Chronicles’.

Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL
Broadcaster & Novelist

With fond and happy memories of my school days at the Ferry Hotel, Windermere in the 1940’s. What years…

Prunella Scales CBE
Actress

Hope to see you all in Cumbria soon! An amazing and beautiful part of England.

Best wishes

Alison Steadman OBE
Actress

To All in Cumbria.
Best of luck with the Flood Recovery Fund! I have spent many wonderful and romantic nights in the Lake District, there are few places like it on earth!

All the best

Ben Shephard
Television presenter

To the good folk of Cumbria – Bowed but never down

Good wishes

Philip Glenister
Actor

The Lake District

Worst memory - Being bullied by the instructor on an outward bound course when I was 16.

Best memory - Every other visit, whatever the place, or the weather. Cumbria – Where the squirrels are well red! But not so well drawn…

Bill Oddie OBE
Author, Actor, Broadcaster & Conservationist

With Loweswater love

Hunter Davies
Author & Journalist

A busy day’s fishing on Windermere…!!

Chris Tarrant OBE
Radio Broadcaster & Television Presenter

Whenever I meet new people one of the first things I tell them is where I’m from. I never need to “sell” Cumbria, most people have heard how beautiful it is and they’re not wrong. I don’t think people know what they’re missing. There really isn’t anywhere that compares!

Helen Skelton
Blue Peter Presenter and Cumbrian

I love the Lakes. It’s a bobbydazzler of a place.

David Dickinson
Antiques Expert & Television Presenter

To choose one favourite place in the Lakes is an impossible task. Every step and every view is magical. If you haven’t yet – pop a foot in this glorious landscape.

Julia Bradbury
Television Presenter

Cumbria – A great part of England.

All the best

Sir Henry Cooper OBE
Former British, European & Commonwealth Heavyweight Boxing Champion

I have been a regular visitor to the Lake District since I was a child and have always enjoyed the scenery, people and the lakes.

My favourite time would be on my boat on Lake Windermere at dawn on a summer’s day, followed by a pint at the Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank.

Best wishes

Bill Beaumont CBE
Former Captain of the England Rugby Union Team

I was deeply saddened by the recent floods in Cumbria, a beautiful part of England that has made me welcome over many years.

I remember turning the Christmas lights on in Cockermouth and many trips to play concerts in the county.

My very best wishes go to all and I hope life will return to normal as soon as possible.

David Essex OBE
Singer & Actor

Greetings from Cumbria, the most beautiful county in Britain. Sorry to be strong about this but it’s true. The food is amazing from the Michelin starred delights at L’Enclume in Cartmel (voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world) to magnificent Sharrow Bay. Or fancy a good pub lunch after a walk in the spectacular lakes – well it’s there for you – the best food, chefs and beer. Our towns are cosy and quaint, great shops, but the Lakes speak for themselves. Us locals? We are very friendly – come and see us.

Love

Dave Myers
Celebrity Chef and Hairy Biker

I love Buttermere…One of the most glorious places on earth.

Lots of love

Penny Smith
Television presenter and newsreader

Sending much love & best wishes

Melanie Sykes
Television Presenter & Model

I wish all of you in the community the very best for the future. It’s so hard to lose things you love.

You are not forgotten.

Good luck

Lynda Bellingham
Actress

A boat trip over Derwentwater to the foot of Catbells. Up and over Maiden Moor and down through the woods to a little wooden jetty at the lake edge. Here we’ll explore until the boat comes to take us back to Keswick, our achievements etched above us in the sky. We love Cumbria.

Gary Kemp
Actor & Musician

A couple of summers ago I did the coast to coast walk through Cumbria. Doing 6 or 7 miles of foot slogging before picking the most beautiful vantage point to sit and have my pack-lunch was a truly special experience.

Frank Skinner
Comedian & Writer

I love the “Lakes” and my friend Jimmy McGovern worked in a hotel in the Lake District and met his now Wife there. He based his great TV series “The Lakes” on his experiences there. I bought my first camper van to visit the Lakes and we used to go there regularly. But a friend of mine (Harry Black) had a “Banjo Parlour” in a pub in Milnthorpe so I had many great nights there also. The beauty of the Lake District is comparable to anywhere in the world and a must see place for any tourist.

I hope to visit the Lakes again this summer and look forward to visiting new places and seeing new sights.

All the best

Ricky Tomlinson
Actor

Baldrick’s Top 5 Things in the Lake District:

Kendal Mint Cake
Kendal Mint Cake
Kendal Mint Cake
A Big Turnip
Kendal Mint Cake

Love Baldrick

Tony Robinson
Actor, Author & Broadcaster

Steve Coogan and I at Whitewell. The Lake District is lovely!

Rob Brydon
Actor, Comedian & Radio Presenter

(Whitewell is actually just outside Cumbria but we forgive him!)

“For Cumbria raffle”

David Walliams and Matt Lucas
Comedians, Writers & Actors

I’ve loved the Lake District all my life!!! Such awesome childhood holidays!!

With love

Tess Daly
Television Presenter & Model

“Good Luck”

Charlie Watts
Drummer of The Rolling Stones

Lovely memories of the Lakes and walking up Haystacks. Such a special place – such beauty and peace.

You can’t beat Cumbria.

All best wishes

Richard Briars CBE
Actor

Dear all,
Just a P.C to say Go!!! To anyone thinking of visiting this beautiful part of the world. On the TV series “B-Road Britain” we travelled extensively in Cumbria and were amazed by all the fascinating and beautiful landscapes off the usual tracks. There is so much more than the Lakes and heaven knows, they are amazing!

All the best

Robbie Coltrane OBE
Actor, comedian & author

I learnt to row a boat in Grasmere as a little girl with my family.

I’ve had so many lovely times in the Lakes since – and I always want to go back.

How lucky you are!

Dame Judi Dench CH, DBE, FRSA
Film, Stage & Television Actress

Best wishes

David Haye
WBA World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

My best wishes as you recover and build, and remind us all that Cumbria is such a great community – and very much open for business.

Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom & Leader of the Labour Party

I’ve been coming to the Lakes all my life - to Crummock for picnics when I was a kid, toboganning down bracken hillsides on old tin trays; running in the Derwentwater relay as a school boy; and walking, sightseeing and eating myself silly as an adult! I hope to be back up in May. Cumbria is unbeatable.

Cheers!

Kevin Whately
Actor

Playing with my dog in the Lakes.

Alan Davies
Comedian, Writer & Actor

Cumbria evokes so many happy memories of my childhood, particularly when I was a boy scout.

We stayed for two weeks on a camp site near lake Coniston and had the time of our lives. Since then I have made many visits with ‘My Family’ and we always bask in the warm welcome of the countryside and the local people.

Fond wishes to everyone in Cumbria

Robert Lindsay
Actor

The unique beauty of the Lake District is accessible from the window of any car, travelling along the valleys or passes between the tops. But the sheep know best. The greatest views and headiest exhilaration can only be found on foot. The memories which abide are of Striding Edge, Crinkle Crags, Great Gable and the exquisite Harter Fell. The latter is in Eskdale, which is pretty empty because it has no lake. Please don’t tell anyone about it.

Sir Ian McKellen CH, CBE
Film, Stage & Television Actor

Good Luck

Sir Bobby Charlton CBE
Former England Footballer & World Cup Winner

I have much fond memories of family and school trips as a child to the Lake District – always stunningly beautiful, in whatever weather. We all owe it to the courage and resilience of the people of Cumbria at the time of the floods to show our supports now – Britain is better when Cumbria’s open for business!

Nick Clegg MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Dear all,

My pipes burst on New Year day but instead of throwing a wobble I thought of all your folks and what you’ve been through – So thanks for saving my bloody pressure. Hope you’re all getting your lives back to near normal – You have my sympathy and my admiration.

Best wishes

Paul O’Grady MBE
Comedian & Television & Radio Presenter

Help Cumbria Flood Relief

Richard Wilson OBE
Actor, Theatre Director & Broadcaster

Love Frankie, Vanessa, Mollie, Una and Rochelle

The Saturdays
Pop Group

The Wastwater screes in snow
My favourite Lakeland place

Eric Robson
Broadcaster, Author & Documentary Film Maker

Swallows and Amazons!!!!

Yes!

Matthew Horne
Actor & Comedian

Well, I’ve never been to Cumbria but it looks beautiful!

All the very best wishes

Carey Mulligan
Actress & BAFTA Award winner 2010

Yours is such a beautiful county and your people are so resilient, now the flood waters have receded Cumbria can be revealed – and enjoyed – once again in all its natural glory.

Angela Rippon OBE
Journalist, Newsreader & Presenter

I remember during my days as a BBC Radio Carlisle (now Cumbria) reporter, and later at Border Television, I simply could not get over my luck at working in such a stunning part of the world; a place people travelled continents to visit. And I was being Paid to go around the Lakes covering news and features. Such good fortune.

Even today on that last “home stretch” of the M6, where the mountains suddenly hove into view, I get a surge of that old excitement and delight. Cumbria remains one of the most special, compelling landscapes on the planet. Good luck to the Flood Recovery Fund.

Richard Madeley
Journalist & Presenter

My fondest memory was my first visit to the Lake District. As a seven year old I couldn’t believe that such an extraordinary and stunning location was literally right on my own doorstep!

To walk within the most awesome backdrop is truly connecting with nature and oneself.

Robson Green
Actor & Presenter

Please find a quick doodle of the view from our hotel in Nov. We were filming for BBC2’s Autumnwatch. The hotel was Lodore Falls Hotel, Borrowdale.

View from our hotel 4/10/2009.

Chris Packham
Naturalist, Photography, Presenter & Author

Cumbria is God’s country! Every aspect of its beauty makes my soul dance. Since my childhood I have explored every nook and cranny! What wonderful people! Such courage they have! The salt of the earth! Above all they give total love and attention to every visitor!

Big love

Brian Blessed
Actor, Author & Adventurer

My memories of Cumbria are of being in a magical land. The beauty of the Lakes is unparalleled and the fighting spirit of the Cumbrians after the terrible floods has been inspiring –

We must all support this beautiful place – Cumbria.

All my best wishes

Twiggy
Model, Actress & Singer

My favourite place in Cumbria is Ennerdale Lake for many reasons. I have lots of great childhood memories there from walking and cycling round the lake to swimming with all my mates in the summer.

Scott Carson
Goalkeeper, West Bromwich Albion

Life is bliss… Having such a wonderful time in the Lake District…
I’ve done the Italian Lakes but nothing compares to what I’m witnessing on my own doorstep… Stunning vistas, brooding mountains, amazing lakes and wonderful communities… It literally has it all… And the locals are so friendly.

We’ve got to come back, there is so much to see and do that I’m never going to capture everything in one visit…

Cumbria and the Lakes has so much to offer… It’s time to cancel Italy, so last year!!... And as a bonus you don’t get stuffed with the Euro exchange rate.

Love

Antony Worrall Thompson
Celebrity Chef & Presenter

Having travelled the world searching for adventures I’ve found my home the Lakes as good as anywhere for a mission in the hills.

Come and check it out.

Leo Houlding
British Rock Climbing Prodigy and Adventure Capital Ambassador for Cumbria

Cumbria is wild!!!

Love the space, the place, the pace

Peace and light

Simon King
Wildlife Presenter, Photographer, Writer & Filmmaker

All good wishes!

Zoe Wanamaker CBE
Television, Film & Stage Actress

As a youngster growing up in Salford, the Lake District provided me with the perfect escape. In my teens I spent at least a week every year camping in Borrowdale and have climbed every peak. We filmed ‘Mahler’ and ‘Tommy’ in the Lakes, what a location! Very fond memories. I wish the Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund every success and my best wishes to Cumbria and Cockermouth in particular.

With kind regards,

Robert Powell
Television & Film Actor

Sunny days ahead and high pressure in charge for Cumbria!

Sian Lloyd
Television Presenter & Weather Forecaster

Big love

Tamzin Outhwaite
Actress

I’ll never forget my day of wrestling. I’ve still got the bruises but the gorgeous surroundings made it all worth while. Dink dank do Cumbria!

Best wishes,

Paddy McGuiness
Stand-Up Comedian & Comedy Actor

I love Cumbria; I’ve had some wonderful holidays & peace & quiet, beauty, charm & friendliness. I’m not sure you can beat it.

Big love,

Liza Tarbuck
Actress, Television & Radio Presenter

In my opinion, Cumbria is the most beautiful county in all of England. I grew up in Carlisle and love the history that the city offers, but for peace and tranquillity I recently stayed in Ashness Bridge in the Lake District – I will be back there very soon!

If you don’t visit Cumbria, you are missing out on a great trip with the stunning scenery and the warm welcome of the Cumbrian people.

Steve Borthwick
Captain of the England Rugby Union team

Tarn Hows is my favourite place.

I visited as a child and felt it was truly magical!

Swallows and Amazons… Here we come!

Dame Ellen MacArthur
Sailor and World Record Holder

First published at 12:46, Monday, 10 May 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk