Latest news with #LordLieutenant
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Amazing surprise' to be appointed Staffordshire Lord-Lieutenant
Staffordshire's new Lord-Lieutenant has said she believes the job is still "really important" and provides a way for the royal family to keep in touch with what is happening around the Barnes formally took up the role on 15 July following the retirement of Sir Ian Dudson who had been Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire since had been a deputy lieutenant since 2020, but said it never crossed her mind that she might be asked to take on the position herself."It was the most amazing surprise," she said. Ms Barnes added it was fitting that her first engagement in the role was with the MOD Stafford, as historically Lord-Lieutenants were appointed by Henry VIII to oversee the armed forces in their taking up the position, Ms Barnes has also attended graduation ceremonies at Keele University and the University of Staffordshire, which she felt was also fitting given her previous started out as a PE and Maths teacher at Longton High School and Bilbrook Middle School, before working for role was "really important" due to the potential for engaging with the community, she told BBC Radio Stoke. "The King's very passionate about his awards – particularly for voluntary services, and for businesses, for enterprise," she said."It's keeping the royal family in touch with what's going on across our country," she added she had been supported "hugely" by her predecessor Sir Ian, and had met with other Lord-Lieutenants at Windsor Castle to help her prepare for the "a little daunted", she said she had been warmly welcomed during her first few engagements."What is great is that we recognise how important our Royal Family are, still, to our communities."Ms Barnes added it was also a "huge honour" being Lord-Lieutenant for the county hosting the National Memorial Arboretum. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Voting open for a new county flag which 'best represents Cumbria'
JUDGING is now underway in the search to create Cumbria's first ever community flag, following an 'overwhelming' response to the design competition launched earlier this year. The Lord-Lieutenant and the former High Sheriff of Cumbria, with support from Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Carlisle Cathedral, the University of Cumbria, and the Flag Institute, launched a design competition earlier this year to create a community flag that represents Cumbria. The competition was open from 12noon on Monday, March 24 until 12noon on Friday, April 25. Nearly 200 'creative and heartfelt' designs were submitted by individuals, schools, and community groups from across the county, each reflecting what Cumbria means to the people who call it home. A panel of judges, made up of representatives from the Lieutenancy, Carlisle Cathedral and community leaders have now reviewed all the entries and shortlisted six designs that will go forward to a public vote, opening today, Friday. Although the timing of the competition coincides with the ongoing Cumbrian devolution movement which could see the county gain a mayor, the competition organisers sought to distance the vote from politics. "The initiative is independent and solely intended to celebrate Cumbria's shared identity, heritage, and community spirit," they said. The six shortlisted designs are as follows: To cast your vote, visit this surveymonkey page. Voting will close on Sunday, July 13 at 5pm, a date known as Five Kings Day, commemorating the historic gathering of five monarchs in Penrith in 1290, a moment of unity that reflects the spirit of the new flag. The winning design will be revealed at a special unveiling ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral this autumn, where the new Cumbria Community Flag will be formally presented to the public. All those who submitted a design will be invited to attend the event. The Cumbria Community Flag will stand alongside the historic county flags of Cumberland and Westmorland, offering a 'modern symbol of unity and identity' for the whole region. It will be free to use by anyone from schools and community groups to individuals and businesses. To cast your vote, visit this surveymonkey page. His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant Alexander Scott said: 'This has been a remarkable response. "It's clear how much pride people take in their communities, and the designs showed such creativity and care. "We're excited to now hand over the final decision to the people of Cumbria.'
