ONE of the most significant figures in the UK's arts and culture scene visited Cumbria to see the wealth of cultural organisations that work in the county.

Darren Henley, chief executive of the Arts Council, spent two days in the county at Ambleside and Carlisle and described Cumbria as one of England's "most exciting and creative places."

During his stay at Ambleside he paid a visit to the University of Cumbria's campus and the Armitt Museum on Rydal Road. He heaped praise on the university after also visiting the Carlisle campus the previous day where he said that there were strong economic benefits to investing in arts and culture.

"We’re immensely proud to have welcomed Darren to the county and to give him an insight into the work that’s already going on but we want to do much more and his views and those of the Arts Council are vital,” Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria, said.

During his visit to Ambleside members of the arts and cultural industries, along with students and staff, heard from a panel made up of representatives of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Wordsworth Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, Lakeland Arts and university, discussed the organisations’ future role.

Lake District businessman Nigel Wilkinson, of the Cumbria LEP, called for the value of culture in bringing ‘health and wellbeing’ to visitors and residents to be recognised.

“This is a fantastic campus and there is a real wealth of talent and creativity and here and throughout the university,” Mr Henley said on his visit to Ambleside. “Your challenge now is to make the most of this and tell people nationally and internationally about the kind of work that is already going on here.”

The need to encourage more young people to come – and stay – within Cumbria was highlighted during both days.

Designer and honorary fellow Wayne Hemingway urged closer co-operation and called for the communities of Cumbria and North Lancashire to have their say about future arts and cultural developments.

“The university has an important role to play in achieving this and through collaborations with our existing and new partners we can make the most of the untapped opportunities Darren’s visit has helped highlight,” Professor Mennell said. “We look forward to welcoming him back to visit other parts of Cumbria later in the year.”