Allerdale's mayors look back at the highs and the history of 2022

It is at this time of the year when we look back at the last 12 months and forward to the future.

I have had the honour of being Mayor of Allerdale since I was elected to the role by my fellow councillors in May.

Since then, I, and my deputy Cllr Bill Pegram, have had a great time meeting so many fabulous and interesting people throughout Allerdale. We really do live in a wonderful area.

Allerdale Mayor Allan Daniels with Jesse Rose McCourt who won this year's Christmas card competition (Image: Submitted)

I also have the honour of being the last Mayor of Allerdale, ahead of changes to local government in Cumbria from April.

This is when Cumberland Council starts to provide services to our local residents, and I wish all the councillors and officers every success.

No look back on the past year for me would be complete without mention of the truly historic events in September and the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

I was humbled to be the Mayor of Allerdale at this time and lead the local events marking her death.

It is something I shall never forget, as I’m sure will be the case for the hundreds of people who joined me on that Sunday morning in Workington for the official Proclamation of the New King, Charles III.

I must also make a special mention to the hundreds of local children who made the job of choosing a Christmas card so hard this year.

May I wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2023. 

Aspatria Mayor Alan Maxwell with wife and fellow councillor, Stephanie (Image: Submitted)

Alan Maxwell, Aspatria mayor, is dedicated to improving his town. Here's his festive message:

Aspatria Town Council has had an active year with effort going into improving facilities for the town. Several bench seats have been installed, also a shelter on the road between Aspatria and Harriston.

The allotments layout on Lawson Street has been modified to provide extra plots so that more residents have allotment access.

The council website has been upgraded to provide a more efficient and user friendly way of informing the townspeople of the council's meetings, minutes and financial statements.

The Queen's Jubilee was celebrated by the planting of a tree in the town's remembrance garden together with a plaque.

It was of great sadness when her Majesty passed away during September and as a mark of respect a minute's silence was held at a council meeting followed by the reading out of the proclamation of King Charles.

Following Covid, several events were reinstated: during August the senior citizens' trip to Liverpool took place and the Christmas lights switch on was a total success. Also the senior citizens' Christmas dinner was well attended.

For the young children, together with Park Play events are held each Saturday morning in the town park.

During the Summer the town council completed taking over the toilet block on the Library car park from Allerdale Borough Council and the toilets were then open for public use free of charge.

Other improvements provided were new town noticeboards, replacement of the park mowing machine, installation of a defibrillator at the bowling club and the cleaning of the town centre Lawson Monument with thanks going to Allerdale Borough Council.

We were very sorry to lose our town vicar, Tim Herbert who retired from the post, we wish him well for his future and we are pleased to welcome Stewart Fyfe as his successor together with curate Matthew Richards.

Anti social behaviour has this year been a problem but we are working together with the police to control this. The gates at the entrance to the towns Memorial Park, which are over one hundred years old, were damaged but have been repaired at a considerable cost.

Hanging baskets and flower mangers were provided throughout the town but due to watering problems the displays were not as we would have liked them to be and steps are being taken to improve this during next year.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended several Civic Services throughout Allerdale including the High Sheriff of Cumbria’s service which was held in Carlisle Cathedral and also the Ordination of Curate Matthew Richards which was held in St.Kentigerns church Aspatria.

The council are pleased that the town's library is about to undergo a refurbishment to provide Aspatria with a Community Hub.

The town council are fully committed to continue with improving the facilities for the townspeople of Aspatria.

Maryport Nayor Peter Kendall with one of several monuments he opened this year this ine was for the 11 killed in an explostion at the Brought arms dump in World War II (Image: Submitted)

Peter Kendall praises Maryport and Flimby communities in his festive message...

Christmas is for family and is the best time of year. Christmas cards have all been posted, shopping completed and presents wrapped and now it is time to look back on my time as Mayor of Maryport.

This year I have been able to do some of things I enjoy most - being out with and in the community.

I have attended school sports days, Maryport and Flimby Carnivals and the Maryport Taste of the Sea Festival. This was a huge success and I hope to see it continue here.

The Queen's platinum jubilee was an enjoyable weekend. There were some fantastic Jubilee shows in schools and a Civic Service of thanks.

We planted trees in every school in Maryport and Flimby to commemorate the event. We also had a Royal Fun Day in August, offering the town's children a free day of fun.

Sadly, we lost our Queen shortly after this and as an act of respect, I laid wreaths at the war memorials in both Flimby and Maryport.

One of the highlights of the year was taking my grandchildren to Maryport Operatic's production of Matilda. The talent we have in this area is outstanding.

We held a parade for Paralympian Simon Lawson to celebrate his Commonwealth Games bronze medal and it was was lovely to see so many towns folk and school children line the streets.

Once again, our Remembrance Parade was able to go ahead and the townsfolk came out to support this; we must thank the Inshore Lifeboat for their volunteering to help us close the roads for this parade, and to the Sea Cadets for helping to run the parade.

The Christmas Lights switch-on took place with the best crowd we have had in a number of yars.

The regeneration of Maryport and the High Street is still ongoing but the upgrade of the Town Hall ground floor is now completed and the building has reopened.

I would like to extend my thanks to the two Town Clerks for all of their hard work this year; each year they go above and beyond their roles to fulfil Council work.

My thanks also go to my fellow councillors for their support, to the town's teachers, shop workers, street cleaners, volunteers and all those in the general community who make this a great place to live.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and good will for the New Year.