December 4, 2023

Our South Copeland Development Officer, Beresford Moyle Rosser, gives us an update on what’s he’s been up to recently, and provides details of forthcoming drop-in sessions + more:

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‘It NEVER snows in Millom’, I was told when I relocated to the town from Brighton in Sussex.

And yet, looking out my window I see nothing but snow! And piles of it! But the community spirit is strong here and neighbours are looking out for each other, warm hubs are busy, and cars are being dug out from the snow drifts.

And it is this sense of community spirit here in South Copeland – and no doubt throughout Cumbria itself, which I love and keeps me busy.

Recently, we held our first Drop-In session, inviting local voluntary organisations to come and see us at the Village Hall in Drigg. I was not sure what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised at how busy we were with people coming in with some fascinating issues to discuss – from funding applications, to making pathways accessible, restoring churches, and improving village halls so remote that the SATNAV will prove unreliable if attempting to get there! Over coffee, tea and biscuits, plans were drawn up, meetings scheduled, and new partnerships forged.

Our next Drop-In session will be in Muncaster at the Village Hall on the 11th January and then on the 22nd February at the Waberthwaite Village Hall, 21st March in Millom and finally on the 18th April in Eskdale Village Hall.

At a recent Community Panel Meeting held at Kirksanton, one thing that came across was the need for local voluntary organisations to get together to network and meet one another. It can be quite lonely running a voluntary group and it can also be so busy that there is little time to just stop, take stock and link up and hear one another’s stories. With that in mind, in the New Year I will be arranging quarterly Networking Events around South Copeland giving an opportunity for local voluntary groups to get together, have a brew and just simply meet and network with each other. I am planning on the first event to be held on the 8th of February so look out for details in my next blog.

Another date for the diary is the 20th of February when I will be holding a Trustee and Volunteer Recruitment Event. If you would like to have a stand, please let me know so I can reserve your space. This is a free event to help support local community groups who would like more volunteers or trustees to join their group and I expect it to be very busy!

The festive season is upon us, and my kitchen is smelling very Christmassy as I have decided to make my own mince pies with an extra glug of brandy! This is NOT the time of year to worry about calories! Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a BRILLIANT New Year in 2024!

 

Berry can be reached on 07826 284 929 or by email Beresford.moylerosser@cumbriacvs.org.uk