New trustees and a postman's plaudits

A group of Cumbrian business, community and health leaders have been appointed to the board of trustees of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. 

The new trustees are: Gwyn Lishman, Ann Noblett, Paul Turney, Matt Hall and Paul Agnew. 

Gwyn Lishman, 43, who lives in Seaton with his wife and young daughter, has been an occupational therapist for more than 20 years and has almost 10 years’ experience with the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator for health and social care. Gwyn currently works as a wellness programme lead and lead occupational therapist in the Copeland Primary Care Network leading social prescribing, health coaching, learning disability and children’s community teams. 

Ann Noblett, a physiotherapist with almost 30 years' experience from north Cumbria, has spent all her working career in the county, predominately in the Carlisle area. She has worked in the Carlisle Community Rehabilitation Service, most recently in pain services, and latterly as a lecturer at the University of Cumbria.    

Ann, 59, is married with five grown up children and three grandchildren.

Paul Turney joins the board with more than 30 years' experience in the finance sector. In particular, Paul has extensive experience of working within health and social care while employed by Cumbria County Council and currently works for national charity Making Space as chief finance officer. In addition to his paid roles, Paul is vice-chair of governors at Trinity School and a coach and treasurer at Carlisle Junior Tri Club. 

Matt Hall, who is from the Keswick area, has a history of working as a senior manager and consultant in the arts sector but now heads up capital developments and estates for a national children’s cancer charity. He understands the challenges of providing building-based support to those unwell, their families and the friends around them. The hospice holds a special place in Matt’s heart as it’s where his mum spent her final days in 2018 and a place where he and his family forged many precious memories.  

Carlisle-based Paul Agnew, a 30-year food industry veteran who has run businesses in the USA, Poland and the UK, is currently managing director of the UK division of a European multinational food business. Formerly of Maryport, he is married with three children and six grandchildren. 

ON THE FARM

Hannah Peile has been appointed as a farm business advisor at H&H Land & Estates. A graduate of UClan (Myerscough College) with a BSC (Hons) degree in agriculture – livestock technology, Hannah has a broad range of career experience in the agricultural sector, most recently working as a nutrition agronomist and farm account manager with Origin Fertilisers.

Hannah lives with her husband Stuart and their two children on a dairy farm; she was brought up on her family’s dairy farm near Wigton.

CALVERT TRUST

This month Lynne Walker celebrates 25 years of working as assistant housekeeper at the Lake District Calvert Trust.

Lynne was born in Cumbria in the 1950s; her parents arrived in the county from Liverpool by bike to work as wardens at a local youth hostel. As a baby, Lynne suffered a rare reaction to a vaccine which left her with learning difficulties, something that she lives with to this day. When she returned to the Lakes in the 1990s she saw the Calvert housekeeping position advertised in the Keswick Reminder. In her time there she has seen many changes at the charity, but says throughout her quarter of a century she has been supported by both the Lake District Calvert Trust and The Shaw Trust.

COMMUNITY HERO

A postman has been hailed as a ‘local community hero’ after dozens of residents in a Cumbrian village nominated him in a contest to find someone helping make the county a better place to live and work.

Family firm Lake District Estates teamed up with Cumbria Community Foundation to launch the county-wide search for a 'local community hero', by asking people to nominate individuals they believed deserved special recognition for making a difference in their local communities.

Village postman in Moor Row, Garry Walker, received dozens of nominations from locals who feel he goes above and beyond to support them day-to-day.

Not only was Garry described as an exceptional postman who is friendly, helpful and efficient, residents say he takes the time to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, shows genuine concern if anything looks ‘out of the ordinary’ and actively supports local businesses - and all with a smile on his face!

The winner’s presentation took place at Moor Row Primary School and was attended by pupils and staff, members of the local community, and some of Garry’s colleagues. Garry said: “I just want to thank everybody for nominating me. I can’t believe it to be honest and I just didn’t expect this. Thank you!”