Dozens of armed forces veterans came together to celebrate Christmas 2024 and share memories at three events held by Westmorland and Furness Council.
The festive gatherings took place in Barrow, Penrith and Kendal to show the council’s commitment and gratitude to those who have served our country, past and present.
Former service men and women were invited to enjoy mince pies, coffee and tea with the council’s Chairman, Cllr Matt Severn, and Linda Jones, Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer and Armed Forces Lead Officer.
Cllr Severn said: “We started with one festive get-together last year and this year wanted to extend the invitation right across the council area.
“We had a lovely time. It was an opportunity to wish our veterans “Merry Christmas” and to thank them for their service. They and their families have made such great sacrifices and we can never say thank you enough.”
Among the guests at Kendal Town Hall were the council’s Leader, Cllr Jonathan Brook; Cllr Vicky Hughes, Armed Forces Champion for South Lakeland; and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kendal, Cllr Jonathan Cornthwaite and Cllr Richard Sutton.
Chris Maycock, Chair of the Royal British Legion’s Kendal branch, said: “I just think it’s super that the needs of veterans are being well-recognised by the council and that the council is really committed to helping veterans old and new and in the future.”
The retired Lieutenant Colonel, and former Defence Attaché for Albania and Montenegro, said: “At Christmas veterans tend to remember the times they were away. You’ve always got that empathy with people that haven’t managed to get home for Christmas. In a life of service, it just comes with the job, really. If you can get home for Christmas it’s marvellous.”
Among those attending the event at Penrith Parish Rooms was Marie Kearney who served 22 years in the Royal Air Force, from 1971 to 1993, at bases across the UK and in Northern Ireland, Germany and on the Falkland Islands.
Now retired, Marie has been kept busy with her role as a trustee for veterans’ charity STEPWAY, volunteering on the local Royal British Legion committee and supporting the Women’s Royal Air Force, including attending the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at London’s Cenotaph.
Speaking about the Penrith gathering, Marie said: “It’s been really useful to find out what’s going on and to meet with everyone involved in local veterans’ activities and events. I like to keep myself involved, so this has been great.”
At Barrow Town Hall, guests included Cllr Bill McEwan, the council’s Armed Forces Champion for Barrow, and the town’s Mayor, Cllr Judith McEwan.
Meanwhile, this Saturday (21 December) veterans are invited along to the United Reformed Church Hall in Grange-over-Sands to enjoy bacon sandwiches and coffee, from 2pm to 4pm. The event is being funded from Armed Forces Champion Cllr Vicky Hughes’ Locality budget to bring people of all ages together, including several residents from Grange Cottage Care Home.
Westmorland and Furness Council is planning to hold events in 2025 to find out from veterans what kind of support they would find helpful from the council and its partners. Through the Westmorland and Furness Armed Forces Board, the council is working with partners to develop a programme of work to offer support and pathways to veterans and their families.
The council signed the national Armed Forces Covenant in June 2023 to show that it recognises the value of serving personnel, veterans, reserve forces and military families, and promises to ensure that they and their families, will be treated fairly and will not be disadvantaged by their military life.
Armed forces personnel or veterans who meet the essential criteria for a council job are guaranteed to be offered a job interview.
To find out more about support for veterans, visit Westmorland and Furness Council website l Armed forces personnel or email armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk