cumbrian MPs to host ‘cumbria day’ in westminster to celebrate cumbrian tourism and business in the nation’s capital
The six Cumbrian MPs Sir Tony Cunningham MP, Tim Farron MP, Jamie Reed MP, John Stevenson MP, Rory Stewart MP and John Woodcock MP in association with Cumbria Tourism and Taste Cumbria, will together host a day in Parliament celebrating Cumbria and raising Cumbria’s profile, on Wednesday 13th February in the Jubilee Room at the Houses of Parliament. The event will be opened by eminent mountaineer, Doug Scott, and follows the campaign to launch an Associate Parliamentary Group (APG) on Cumbrian Tourism, which will also have its inaugural launch on the same day.
‘Cumbria Day’ – already being widely advertised within Westminster – will give a selection of Cumbrian businesses a chance to market and promote themselves to a wide audience of MPs, Lords and guests from the tourism industry. Tourism is important to Cumbria with the county now attracting around 30 million visitors a year.
Suppliers from all over Cumbria will provide samples of Cumbrian delicacies. Cumberland Sausages, Penrith Fudge, marmalade from the Dalemain Marmalade Festival, ales from the Ulverston Brewing Company, Hard Knott Brewery and Coniston Brewery, cheeses from the Lake District Cheese Company and Appleby Creamery, pies and cakes from the Broughton In Furness Village Bakery, Green’s Bakers and Confectioner and Grasmere Gingerbread will be among those in attendance.
A selection of Cumbrian businesses will also attend the day in Westminster including the Derwent Cumberland Pencil Company, New Balance Trainers, Stobart Air as well as representatives from Visit England, the National Trust, English Heritage, the Lake District National Park and Cumbria County and District Councils.
Sir Tony Cunningham MP said: “We who live in Cumbria know just what a fantastic place it is. Cumbria Day gives a much wider audience the chance to share in part of the world we all know and love.”
Tim Farron MP said: ‘In Cumbria we are lucky to be the home to world class food producers and businesses. I want other people to see for themselves how fantastic they are and this exhibition in the Houses of Parliament in London offers a real opportunity to put Cumbria in the shop window!’
Jamie Reed MP said: ‘Bringing these producers to Westminster is a great way to showcase the fantastic range of products that Cumbria has to offer. It gives us an opportunity to showcase some of the very best that the region has to offer.’
John Stevenson MP said: “As Chair of APPG on Food and Drinks manufacturing, I am delighted that the food manufacturing sector along with other sectors from Cumbria such as tourism and hospitality will be represented in Parliament to promote Cumbria and our varied economy.”
Rory said: “Cumbria Day is one of the most significant events in the calendar this year – raising Cumbria’s profile in Westminster and setting the agenda for the months and years to come. I am so proud and pleased to celebrate Cumbria in Parliament. I think the day will be a brilliant opportunity to show that there is more to Cumbria than lakes and mountains.”
John Woodcock MP said: “Suppliers of quality food and drink have been delighting the tastebuds of Furness folk for generations – and that tradition continues to the present day. I will be proud to accompany our producers to the House of Commons on Cumbria Day so the excellence of their delicacies can be brought to the nation’s attention and we can help attract more people to the area.”
Eric Robson, Chairman of Cumbria Tourism said “We are delighted and immensely proud that Cumbria and the Lake District is having this opportunity to showcase the world class tourism and food and drink we have here in Cumbria. We are particularly grateful for the support of all the Cumbrian MPs who can us this platform to bring a range of issues to the heart of Government in London. Cumbria Tourism has a vital role in coordinating the £2 billion visitor economy in the County and Cumbria Day is just one snapshot of the range and quality of work that Cumbria Tourism does with private and public partners.”
Mary Houston, Food Tourism Co-ordinator of Taste Cumbria said “Food, drink and agriculture is vital to our visitor economy. Recent research showed that £429m was spent by visitors to Cumbria on food and drink in 2011 – the highest spend of any other tourism activity in the county, even accommodation. Our producers work with our stunning landscape to create amazing and award-winning produce, some of which we’re proud to be showing off today.”
The day will also see the launch of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Cumbria Tourism which will involve all Cumbrian MPs and Lords as well as any individuals or bodies outside of Parliament who have a strong interest in the promotion of Cumbrian tourism affairs.
