Busking Cumberland Chair supports Cockermouth charity event

Cllr Andy Semple with guitar

The Chair of Cumberland Council, Cllr Andy Semple, will be swapping his gavel for a guitar this Saturday (20 July) for Cockermouth’s Charities Week.

The former bandmember will be busking on the streets of Cockermouth in aid of his chosen charity, Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Cllr Semple is former member of punk bank, The Limps, who’s songSomeone I Can Talk To’ featured on the soundtrack of coming-of-age comedy Snack Shack, by US director Adam Rehmeier.

Cockermouth’s Charities Week starts today Monday 15 July and will culminate with stalls around the street on Saturday 20 July.

The event is organised by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade.

Most of the businesses are organising their own fundraising efforts, with competitions, games, prize draws and more for the charities of their choice. There will also be a free children’s treasure hunt and an Eat in To Help Out initiative to encourage residents to cook for their friends in return for a donation.

To find out more about Cockermouth Charities Week visit www.cockermouthonline.co.uk or follow Cockermouth Town on Facebook or Instagram.

The Chair of Cumberland Council, Cllr Andy Semple said:

“I’ve been a long-standing supporter of Cockermouth’s Charities Week and I’m delighted to take part on Saturday. It’s a great event which raises thousands of pounds for a range of charities and showcases the businesses within the town.

“I hope it attracts lots of visitors. There will be lots to see and hopefully I’ll raise some cash for my chosen charity too.”

A spokesman for Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade added:

“It’s great to see Andy joining the fun, and the fundraising, at Charities Week - especially as his former band is going global with one its tracks in a Hollywood film this year! We hope loads of people will come to see him play, and support all the other activities in town too.”

To find out more about the Chair of Cumberland Council and how to invite him along to community events or activities, visit the Cumberland Council website

Cumberland Council’s highways team reopened the Cocker Bridge in Cockermouth to two-way traffic on Friday, 12 July.

Following a further structural assessment, a new safeguard has been put in place that has allowed the bridge to reopen and remain protected from the partially collapsed Old Courthouse building.

An alternative screening protection has been put in place and the scaffolding on the bridge has been removed.