COUNCILLORS and former city councillors have looked back on almost half a century of Carlisle City Council, as today marks the last day the council will exist.
Over its 49 years, Carlisle City Council has served residents with a variety of schemes and projects which have added value to the city centre and beyond.
“We made it a vibrant economy, people wanted to come to Carlisle.”
Former Carlisle City councillor Elsie Martlew was there from the start. As a 22-year-old ,the wife of former MP Eric Martlew joined the council in its shadow year of 1973 before serving the city for many years.
Speaking fondly, Elsie said: “I was on from the shadow year of 1973 and it became operative in 1974. I was only 22 and I was taken under the wing of two very experience councillors, Hughie Little and Alan Graham, and they nominated me as deputy chair of the finance committee.
"It scared the life out of me but it’s stood me in good stead ever since.
“People accepted me for what I was - young and inexperienced - but wanted to do things. In the 70s to the 80s Carlisle just transformed, there was the Sands Centre and The Lanes."
Elsie fondly remembers the redevelopment of the centre of Carlisle throughout those decades, including major projects such as Tullie House. She said: “The Lanes development, which won a European award when it was complete, that was a big achievement.
“We made it a vibrant economy, people wanted to come to Carlisle.”
I have great memories
The Queen passes through a guard of honour laid on by local scout groups at Tullie House with Joanne Orr and Mike Mitchelson (Image: Newsquest)
Long serving councillor Mike Mitchelson also remembered his 28 years with pride. He said: “13 of the years I was leader of the council and I have great memories of Carlisle City Council.
"Obviously we had some challenges, we had to go through foot and mouth, the floods and latterly a Covid pandemic, but the city council have pulled out to support those residents who needed help during those disasters.
“But there are a lot of positives of the great things the city council has done in its 49 years.”
The former leader hailed ‘great changes’ to Carlisle such as the Lanes development, the major investments around the new Sands Centre redevelopment and bringing the university into Carlisle city centre.
He also saw over The Radio One Big Weekend coming to the city, which saw national and international artists descend on the city.
We’re an ambitious city
The official opening of The Sands Centre (Image: Stuart Walker Photography)
Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr John Mallinson, said: “Our city centre has been pedestrianised, The Lanes Shopping Centre built, and now more exciting plans are in place for the Greenmarket and Market Square after government funding was allocated to regenerate the sites.
“Our Town Deals have secured funding for Tullie House, a digital and community learning hub at Carlisle Library, a Carlisle Business Exchange Centre as part of the University of Cumbria’s new campus at the Citadels and Start with the Park for St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
“Schemes are underway across the city centre that include the redevelopment of the Citadels into a new campus for the University of Cumbria and the transformation of the Carlisle Railway Station.
“During my time as leader, I have been lucky to see the development of schemes that have been years in the making.
“The Sands Centre Redevelopment was decades in the making and I was delighted to lay the first tile in the new swimming pool - although I suspect it might have been repurposed soon after - and be part of the official opening alongside partners including Sport England and the NHS.
“It was a significant step forward for leisure provision within the city.
“It’s not all about buildings. We also appreciate the importance of green spaces too. Work was completed last year on a new 42-acre wildlife haven for birds, bees and butterflies in Carlisle. The Swifts golf course and driving range in Carlisle city centre is an urban oasis for bees and butterflies.
“We’re an ambitious city and have been accused of punching above our weight. Not something I think we should apologise for. We want to grow as a city and attract from investment, employment opportunities and business. Gateway 44 is a shining example.”
I am proud to have been part"
Dr Les Tickner in Carlisle city centre (Image: Stuart Walker Photography)
Former Carlisle City Council Leader Les Tickner said: "I was lucky enough to be elected back in 2012 as part of the Labour team that took control of the City Council from the Conservatives.
"As well as being ward councillor for Belle Vue the new Council Labour Leader Joe Hendry entrusted me with the executive portfolio for finance, governance and resources.
"It was a challenging role particularly in light of the Conservative’s ongoing austerity programme which resulted in year-on-year cuts to the council’s revenue budgets.
"Despite these challenges, and thanks in no small part to the vision and enthusiasm of Colin Glover as leader, I am proud to have been part of the Labour administration that delivered the new Sands Leisure Centre, initiated the Garden Village and Borderlands, supported the eleven community centres, brought Primark to the City, delivered the Junction 44 retail outlets and maintained the 100 per cent council tax discount for the most vulnerable in the city.
"I was also lucky enough to become both deputy leader and leader of the Labour Group. I will miss my colleagues and constituents... but not the endless meetings.
"I will miss the pageantry and the ceremonial events and I do hope the new Cumberland authority will find a way to retain the ceremonial Mayoralty for the City."
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