A parade of old and new classic cars will mark the official opening of the new look Appleby-in- Westmorland town centre next Thursday (31 August).
The cars, along with a ribbon cutting ceremony, town crier Michael Wilding, local brownies, guides and rainbows, and music from acclaimed local musicians been and Kirsty MacDougall are all part of the celebrations to formally mark completion of a £500,000 enhancement scheme funded by Cumbria County Council and Eden District Council.
A limousine provided by local man Glyn Jones will transport local MP David Maclean and council leaders to a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a parade of classic and contemporary cars comprising a Rolls Royce, Austin 7, soft top VW Beetle, a BMW 5 Series and a Porsche 911.
Members of the media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting which takes place at 11:00am.
Work on the enhancement scheme began in January of this year and was completed in July. The actual elements of the scheme were agreed upon after extensive consultation with the local community. The scheme aims to support the economic regeneration of the town centre, introduce environmental enhancement, provide safer space for pedestrians and improve accessibility. The work has included:
- creating a footpath/pedestrian area between the Low Cross and Bull Ring
- Widening the footpath along the Moot Hall on Boroughgate
- putting block paving in the parking bays
- paving the footpaths
- putting in granite kerbs
MP David Maclean will cut a ribbon which will be strung between the Moot Hall and Branthwaites on Boroughgate to mark the official opening of the new look Appleby. Also at the ceremony will be Chairman of Cumbria County Council Allan Caine, Chairman of Eden District Council Gordon Savage and local county councillor and member of the county council's Eden Local Area Committee, Councillor Mary Warburton. It was this local committee which approved a grant of £350,000 for the scheme.
Also at the ceremony will be Appleby Chamber of Trade & Community Association, Mayor of Appleby Councillor Stan Rook, the Appleby Alliance and the Appleby-in-Westmorland Society.
After the ribbon cutting the parade of classic and modern cars will make its way down from the castle, representing the historic characteristics of Appleby-in-Westmoreland alongside the modern, forward looking aspects of the town.
Councillor Mary Warburton said:
"I am delighted to be celebrating the culmination of the work that began at the start of the year.
"The town centre looks marvellous; we wanted it tidied up not 'tarted up' and that is what we have got. I am pleased that our local committee agreed to provide funding for this very worthwhile project which will help the town continue to thrive.
"An exhibition and local consultation helped ensure that the people and traders of Appleby-in-Westmorland played their part in coming up with a scheme for the enhancements, and it is a scheme that succeeds in making the town centre more attractive to residents and visitors alike.
Cllr Stan Rooke, the Mayor of Appleby-in-Westmorland, said:
“It is wonderful to see the renewal of the town centre rising from the past. We can look forward to welcoming local people and visitors to Appleby-in-Westmorland with pride.”
Councillor Gordon Savage is the Chairman of Eden District Council. He said:
“Today is all about showing that Appleby has a vibrant new town centre for local people and tourists to enjoy. We are delighted to have contributed £130,000 towards modernising one of Eden’s most welcoming towns that is full of character and history.
“The people of Appleby are working hard to promote their town as a vibrant place to visit and these initiatives are paying off with Appleby contributing greatly to Eden being the first District in the UK to be awarded Coach Friendly Status.”