NEARLY 100 people turned up to an event to celebrate the fact that Westmorland is ‘still alive’.

Forty years ago Westmorland County Council was disbanded and Cumbria County Council was created.

“The object was to make sure people remember West-morland is still a place even if it isn’t a county council,” said organiser Guy Greenwood.

“Twenty-three organisations have used the name since 1974 which proves the word is still remembered.”

Held in the Westmorland Hall at Kendal’s Leisure Centre on Sunday, the day included performance from Burneside Brass and the Westmorland Youth Orchestra, a Westmorland chant and step dancing demonstrations.

Among those who attended were the mayors of Kendal and Appleby, Sylvia Emmott and Andy Connell, the chairman of Cumbria County Council Alan Barry, the Under Sheriff of Westmorland Tony Fitch and the High Sheriff of Cumbria Martyn Hart.