Newsquest Cumbria celebrates Cumbria Tourism at Bowness Bay Brewery

Business representatives from across the county gathered at the Bowness Bay Brewery in Kendal on Wednesday, October 23 for the second event hosted by Newsquest Cumbria as part of the Cumbria Tourism 50th anniversary celebrations, following a successful event held in Carlisle in May.

The evening began with an introduction from Newsquest Cumbria regional editor, Joy Yates, who was 'delighted' to host the event.

Maria Whitehead MBE, director at Hawkshead Relish (Image: NQ staff) Speakers throughout the evening included Rick Eastwood, operations director for Bowness Bay Brewing; Andrew Beeforth OBE, CEO of Cumbria Community Foundation; Maria Whitehead MBE, director at Hawkshead Relish, as well as Simon Stephens, executive director and joint CEO at Theatre by the Lake.

The speakers talked about some of their own special anniversaries this year, and the ways they had been working to support the Cumbria Tourism anniversary fund.

Andrew Beeforth OBE, CEO of Cumbria Community Foundation (Image: NQ staff)Mr Eastwood said: "I have had the opportunity to network with a beer in my hand which as you know is the best way to network. I have had the chance to talk about what we have been doing for Cumbria Tourism's 50th in terms of the products that we sell bringing money into the fund, and finally meeting some old friends people who have had a great time and keep coming back."

Networkers listen to the speakers at the event. (Image: NQ staff) Ms Whitehead said: "I think it's really good, it's nice to speak to people that you don't always get to speak to at these things.

"It was also really nice because everybody had that connection of they were celebrating something, so there was a real feeling of camaraderie and quite a cross section of people. It was good, I really enjoyed it!" 

Simon Stephens, executive director and joint CEO at Theatre by the Lake (Image: NQ staff) The evening was rounded off by Cumbria Tourism managing director, Gill Haigh, who thanked networkers for their contribution in celebrating the organisation's 50th birthday, and praised the many hospitality and tourism businesses on offer throughout Cumbria.

Ms Haigh said: "I think it's been a really lovely informal networking evening bringing people together in a lovely, beautiful space, learning a lot about each other's anniversaries and each other's businesses and doing what Cumbria does best really, which is trying to look at the opportunities there are to work together."

Regional Editor Joy Yates speaks to networkers. (Image: NQ staff) Ms Yates said: “It was a delight, as always, to host a networking event at the Bowness Bay Brewery in beautiful Kendal to celebrate Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary. 

"Thank you to Rick for his hospitality and expertise and it was incredible to hear about our speakers’ anniversaries and vision for the future.”