CUMBRIA News from and about members The power of appreciation TWODAYSafter my Declaration, lockdown started. My diaryemptied andfor abrief time my years of planning seemed wasted. Not surprisingly during an international pandemic,noone’s first thought was: ‘ohImust contactthe High Sheriff’. Iwas, however, determinednot to do some quiet nightshift. Instead, out of necessity my year to date has been aproactiveone, and as there is no blueprint for aHighSheriff in lockdown, Iwas free to take afresh approach to lendingactivesupport. Initially Iconcentrated on contacting virtually those charities and projects which were workingtotackle social isolation and loneliness, the focus for my shrieval year.Organisations have Presenting Ian Gaynor with his Special Recognition Certificate appreciated both ‘meeting’the High Sheriff and having the office recognise with ‘Happy to Chat’benches in Kirkby BBC Radio Cumbria, everyrecipient was their workvia social and local media. The Stephen, climbing mountains for charity given the option of an interviewresulting COVID-19crisis has made fundraising and visiting natural flood defences on the in the most wonderful stories and pride in so difficult for charities but press coverage River Eden, to visiting mental health, farm- local communities being broadcast. This has brought visibility to their causes. based charities, delivering reminiscence in turn led to morenominations being Summer has enabled me to get out boxesinMilnthorpe, sitting on the bench submitted and local newspapers running and meet people. From launching awalk in Carlisle Crown Courtand celebrating positivestories about those who havedone VJ Daywithcarehome residents in so much to supportothers. Everytime I Whitehaven, Ihavemet some amazing posted recipients’stories on Facebook, they people. Most of these activities only were shared many times over and up to happened because Iproffered avisit. This 12,000 people per post were reached. It is has been met with enthusiasm, as havemy certainly appreciated when the Office of efforts to shareeach visit on social media. High Sheriff publicly acknowledges and In June Ilaunched aHighSheriff of thanks others. Cumbria'sSpecial Recognition Award Looking ahead, newrisks keep Certificate to acknowledge and thank those emerginginour strangenew world. The volunteers, voluntaryorganisations and Lake District has been inundated with Presenting Joan Johnstone with aBench Walk individuals who havebeen outstanding in morevisitors than ever before, while Map which includes Happy to Chat benches in Kirkby Stephen their supportofothers during the COVID- local businesses elsewhereare struggling. 19 crisis. Iwas inundated with amazing Cumbria has twenty mayors and Iam stories of generosity and kindness shown proactively planning walking tours with s w to often complete strangers and it was a each of them. These areopportunities to e r d n privilege to select and send out certificates put aspotlight on ‘shop local’,and ‘visit A n and personal letters to recipients. Judging local’, as well as tackling social isolation e r r a from the replyletters Ireceived, Ihavealso and loneliness. Inow havesomany D : t i made alot of people cry… but in agood other newplans in the diaryfor what d e r c way.Iam pleased Iincluded in my letters is developingintoaverydifferent, yet o t o the option for recipients to contact me to thoroughly engaging year in office. h P givepermissiontosharedetails of their Delivering aPowsowdie Box to Butty Hayhurst. The box contained reminiscence award. Iwas delighted that the majority Julie Barton resources, activities and afternoon tea wrote back in agreement. Working with High Sheriff of Cumbria 2020-21 Winter 2020 | High Sheriff 19.