A KEY figure in the Church of England will visit Cumbria as part of his farewell tour.

Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, will tour the county next week, ahead of his planned retirement next year as Archbishop,

He has also held the position of Chancellor since the University of Cumbria’s inception more than 12 years ago and during that time has witnessed the institution flourish and strengthen its position in the region and beyond. Dr Sentamu will also step down from this role.

The two-day visit, on Tuesday and Wednesday, will see the university take the outgoing chancellor on a whistle stop tour of the county, visiting locations that are facing three of the most pressing issues today: employment, skills and education; health and wellbeing; and rural economy.

Dr Sentamu will visit BAE Systems in Barrow, Windermere Jetty in the Lakes and Energus in Workington, before finishing with an appearance at a youth conference at the university’s Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle.

Each location will host a panel of regional experts, led by the university, who will discuss each topic and answer questions from young people.

The questions will be posed by a group of citizen journalists and the discussions will focus on how we can work together to secure a prosperous future for Cumbria’s young people.

Citizen journalists will also accompany the chancellor on his tour of the county and document proceedings using a variety of means including film, photos and podcasts.

Talking about the university’s hopes for the tour, University of Cumbria vice chancellor Professor Julie Mennell, said: “I am delighted to welcome our Chancellor, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, on his farewell tour of the county.

“The University of Cumbria was established in 2007 as an anchor higher education institution for Cumbria and the wider region, focused on raising young people’s aspirations and attainment levels and to address the county’s higher-level skills needs of Cumbria.

“Twelve years on, 33,000 graduates later, with recently awarded research degree awarding powers, the university has delivered significant impact in Cumbria, particularly in relation to health, education, environment and the arts.

“As our first chancellor, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, has supported us on this journey. It therefore seems a fitting tribute to share with him our impact to date and to provide our young people with the opportunity to share their views of current and future needs.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the chancellor for his enduring support and guidance over the years. He leaves behind a strong platform and values-base for us to continue to build on.”