It seems ages since I have sat down to update my Blog, with the changes to the Gazette site, the usual technical problems arise and my Blog decided to hide itself! Alas here I am again.

The Mayors parade went well, the Sea Cadet Corps band were fantastic. Not a note out of tune and very professional, immaculately turned out a credit to themselves.

It was good to have some community groups joining in, Brownies, St Johns Ambulance, Tenants association, Sandgate pool, Salvation army to name a few.

We are hoping to change the date next year, in an attempt to be more inclusive. This is a parade which should be full of Towns People for Towns People and visitors to enjoy. By changing the date we hope that lots of other groups will be free to join in.

I had the pleasure in meeting two very dedicated people, Steve and Dawn. They travelled from Kathmandu to Kendal on a motorbike to raise money for the Sarimilla Trust. The approx 12,000 mile journey made on a Royal Enfield called Tara took almost two months to complete. Their route took them through India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and through Europe all the way to Kendal.

The Sarimilla Trust works towards providing education for Women and children in Nepal. A fabulous trust doing some fantastic work, please take a look at www.sarimillatrust.org or email sarimillatrust@yahoo.co.uk to find out more. I believe they are having an additional fundraising event in the Castle Street Centre on the 12th of July, a chance to taste some exotic food, get in touch with the Castle street centre or email above address for the details.

I have been very lucky over the last two weeks to meet some very interesting people, visiting some of the Towns 420 allotments; The Kendal Lions annual Dinner – a group of fun loving people dedicated to helping our Town; Town Centre shoppers whist giving out Kendal in Bloom nomination forms; the committee behind the Castle Street Centre and an insight into how their hard work and dedication paid off to allow them to buy the centre for the community; Kendal air cadets; the staff and customers at ASDA on their 18th Birthday celebrations and a fantastic concert at the Parish Church to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra. Such talented young people, the music was quite outstanding and complemented by the quite beautiful voices of the young ladies of the Amabile girls’ choir.

Last Tuesday, Toby, Vicky ( Mayors Cadet) and I set of on a stroll around Abbott Hall Park and along the Riverside . We couldn’t have wished for better weather, the sun was shining and our fellow walkers were quite amazing individuals. We were taking a most informative stroll to raise funds for the victims of strokes. I learnt quite a lot about the area and the riverside from our guides I can imagine it now - all the Towns women washing their laundry by hand in the River, quite a thankful change in the right direction! Tonight I am very lucky to be the owner of two guest tickets to go and see the Queen Katherine School production at The Brewery Arts Centre, I am really looking forward to it.