Cumbrians have a genius for voluntary work and community action. I would like to pay tribute to all those volunteers and local organisers that help to run a seemingly endless number of local community initiatives, from credit unions to care at home. Too often it can seem as though society is set in an immovable – if slightly wobbly – jelly of conventions, regulations and procedures that makes change feel almost impossible.
The solution in my view is to rediscover the energies of the local. If Cumbrians do not generally seem powerless, it is because they are often changing or protecting their surroundings. When I visit the village of Bampton, I am struck that nearly everyone seems to be involved in some local volunteer scheme or community initiative, be it a community library or a recycling scheme – and they are not the exception.
Penrith and The Border MP Rory Stewart on Saturday visited the Calvert Trust’s stables at the foot of Latrigg Fell near Keswick, to learn more about their BHS-approved riding establishment, which runs a range of outdoors trap and driving sessions, and indoor lessons, to aid people with disabilities who come from all over Cumbria and […]
Today, in response to campaigning for the Hospice movement by Rory Stewart MP and other MPs the Chancellor has agreed to provide financial support for Hospices by refunding their VAT. Rory Stewart committed in his manifesto to ensuring that community and voluntary organisations are fully supported in Cumbrian health-care; and he has particular focus […]
Rory Stewart MP has joined the worldwide movement marking November as annual Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (PCAM). It is a major awareness-raising tool about the disease, which is the fifth most common cause of all cancer deaths in the UK with only around 4% of people diagnosed surviving five years or more – a figure […]
The future of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society project looks to have been secured, after local MP Rory Stewart, and patron of the STRPS group, Lord Inglewood, met with the Secretary of State, Elizabeth Truss, to ask that Defra review the way in which state-aid rules have so far been applied to the project. The […]
Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, is encouraging young people in need to be aware of the important services provided by Carlisle Key, a local charity whose work Rory supports. Rory met with Trustee Peter Ryan, Project Manager Julie Spence and apprentice Sophie Edwards, who introduced Rory to young Penrith resident Catherine Harper who has benefited from the […]
Rory has met with Lieutenants Stuart and Jenny McPhee at the Salvation Army Hall in Penrith, in an opportunity to hear about their fantastic work in the community and the services they offer; ranging from a community garden project in co-operation with Penrith Action Community Trust, to luncheon clubs and parent and toddler groups. He […]
Rory has celebrated Trustees’ Week 2013 by thanking charity Trustees in Penrith and the Border for their dedicated work in supporting local charities, and highlighting the benefits of becoming a charity Trustee. He met, on Friday, with Trustees of local charity Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust, of which Rory is a Patron, and visited the site […]
Rory is calling on constituents and Cumbrians to vote for local charity the Watchtree Wheelers, who have made it to the final six of this year’s ITV Peoples Millions Regional Funding competition. The Watchtree Wheelers – who provide cycling opportuinities for all whilst specialising in providing facilities, equipment and training for disabled and disadvantaged people […]
Rory spoke to Radio 4’s ‘Analysis’ about his experiences setting up Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan in a programme looking at the increased relationship between NGOs and governments, both as clients and as donors. While still available on the BBC iplayer it can be heard here.
Rory was invited to practice his woodwork skills at Caldbeck’s Men-in-Sheds initiative, where he had the chance to see firsthand how this local workshop project is helping Caldbeck residents stay active and engaged in the local community. The Men-in-Sheds project has only been running for three months, and was set up by Philippa Groves of […]