The Keswick Reminder has been praised for the role it is playing in helping the town and its residents cope with the global coronavirus crisis.
With increasing numbers of Keswickians living in self-isolation and many businesses closed indefinitely, the town’s newspaper has been reporting the latest developments and how they are affecting local people, their families and livelihoods – and crucially about the help available to them.
The work was publicly appreciated by Keswick’s deputy mayor Cllr Paul Titley when he spoke as chairman of the town council at its March meeting last Thursday evening.
He said: “One of the things that makes Keswick unique is the Keswick Reminder. You don’t need Facebook if you buy the ‘paper. Not everybody wants to be on Facebook. I for one am really glad the Keswick Reminder is doing a good job. Well done.”
Last week’s edition reported the initial response by Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership (KCERPS) in appointing a network of street wardens to deliver vital supplies to the homes of people self-isolating. The front page article was headlined: “Wonderful Community” Rallies In Response To Coronavirus Emergency.
Keswick Reminder editor Jane Grave responded saying: “Our community newspaper is here to support the work of KCERPS leader Heather Askew and her team of hardworking and committed volunteers who are acting as street wardens.
“They have put themselves forward to support their communities and are doing an absolutely fantastic job in these very difficult times and everyone really appreciates the work they are putting in to this. The Keswick Reminder is here to help with promoting this massive and important effort.
“We are publishing a regular paper this week, but will be moving online to our new Keswick Reminder website.
“I ask people to assist our great NHS workers by adhering to the government’s lockdown information – and keep washing your hands – all this will help save thousands of lives.”
KCERP’s safety net covers Keswick, Portinscale, Millbeck and Applethwaite but surrounding villages and areas are being contacted to see if they would like to set up a similar network.
Meanwhile, the pandemic’s death toll in Cumbria earlier this week had risen to five, including two patients at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.
