A first step towards setting up a group that would tackle jobs around Keswick to further enhance its appearance has been made by the town council.
Councillors were supportive of a proposal put forward by Benita Lapthorn to form a Keswick Smarter group, similar to one that has been running successfully in Appleby for seven years.
Addressing a meeting of the town council, Benita said that there was an opportunity to take a broader approach to Keswick, looking wider than just improving the look and feel of the general environment.
She conceded that there were areas of the town and the surrounding footpaths that could do with a bit of TLC and said that the people of Keswick were great at responding to rallying cries for help and cited the responses to litter picking and Himalayan Balsam bashing.
But she said there was a lack of central focus that enables people and organisations to make connections and she said it was important to address this issue first to raise awareness and interest in:
- Creating social connections;
- Creating formal opportunities to join in/volunteer;
- Providing suggestions – encouraging an attitude of shared ownership and responsibility;
- Opportunities for businesses, schools, youth organisations and other groups to identify and/or participate in activities that make a difference.
She initially raised the suggestion at the annual meeting of the council. She attended the meeting to call on the authority to create the central information point as a launch pad for the Keswick Smarter group.
Benita said there was currently a vacuum of information in the town and that it needed an essential focal point and wondered whether the council was prepared to create a community support section on its website.
Council clerk Vivien Little said there was already a community section for residents to send in information on the town council website but people had not been doing so.
Cllr Paul Titley asked if Benita would be prepared to become the “electrical prod” to enthuse people to get involved and look at the mechanics of setting up a central information hub. It was a challenge that she accepted.
Cllr Sally Lansbury said: “Perhaps we need a page that does not look like a town council website and looks more like a community group link but is hosted by our site.”
Appleby Smarter has a core volunteer group of 40 and their focus is on maintaining and not repairing. Volunteers originally used their own tools and paints but as the group has grown they have been successful in receiving grants.
It has a small committee of three – a chairman, treasurer and secretary – who review and prioritise tasks that have been suggested . They work with the town council, and in particular the town clerk, who helps with gaining permission for work.
The group has taken over some core jobs from the council such as cleaning benches and cutting back overgrown areas. Its primary engagement is with the retired community, particularly men, and the group provides a valuable social outlet.
Benita has already set up an email address – [email protected] for clubs, organisations, societies and groups to make contact with her if they wish to get involved.