New Cockermouth mayor Andrew keen to promote town council

Andrew Semple was made mayor at the recent Annual Meeting of Cockermouth Town Council, in the town hall chambers. Coun Semple, who joined the town and Allerdale Council in 2019, was recently elected to the new Cumberland authority.

He was delighted to be elected as mayor. "It's a real honour. I have lived in the town for four decades, this is where we brought our boys up," he said.

"It's a great town and I'm looking forward to getting to know more of the groups here."

He moved to Cockermouth to work for the town's job centre but has since retired.

He is keen to promote the positive role the town council plays and encourage more people to get involved.

"Various councillors have been putting up the bunting on Main Street and we have organised lots of jubilee celebrations," said Coun Semple.

"People know that we organise the Christmas Lights and fireworks but there's so much more than that.

"We are custodians of Memorial Gardens and our local heritage is so important.

"None of it happens by magic, there are 12 of us working together to do this."

His chosen charity for the year is Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

"My wife Helen has lost her brother and we have lost a dear friend to cancer in the past few months," said Coun Semple.

"Hospice at Home is a fantastic charity which people sometimes do not appreciate until a loved one is affected.

"It's been really, really tough for all charities throughout the pandemic so I really want to do what we can to help."

He takes over from Coun Alan Smith. His wife, Helen, will be his mayoress.

The town council elected Coun Julie Laidlow as deputy mayor.

ELECTED: Mayor Andrew Semple and his deputy Julie Laidlow

The mayor thanked Coun Alan Smith and his wife Christine for all their hard work during their year in office. He also thanked fellow councillors for their nomination.

Council work: https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/20035572.council-mural-brightens-cockermouth-courtyard/