'Our city is a far better advertisement than any glossy advert could be'

This is the time we begin planning for upcoming events in our lives; not just holidays, but other occasions such as sport, visiting families and other important dates.

It does seem that we are in a better place to begin planning these events than we were this time last year, which should give us all a bit of hope.

Here in Carlisle, we will be commemorating at least three significant events this year.

The first is a national event – the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne. It is quite an extraordinary event to commemorate given that the reign of Elizabeth II has seen such huge social and economic change over the past 70 years.

To put this into a bit of context, the Queen has reigned over the UK for well more than a quarter of the existence of the USA.

The Queen marks her Platinum Jubilee this year

The last seven decades have transformed our country from a nation recovering from the ravages of war to a modern 21st Century country. The Queen will have witnessed extraordinary revolutions in areas such as society and technology.

Throughout it all she has been a constant stable force – and as a result, a source of immense consistency for the whole of the UK (and beyond, in fact). She has been a unifying personality rising above politics whilst giving the nation a focus.

I look forward to the celebrations, and I am sure Carlisle will deliver.

On a more historical note, we will also be commemorating the 1,900th anniversary of the start of the constructions of Hadrian’s Wall by the Roman Emperor Hadrian – marking the furthest north where the Roman Empire effectively operated.

Hadrian’s Wall is a World Heritage Site, and it is likely that there could be close to three million visitors visiting over the course of the next year. There will be hundreds of activities and events to celebrate – and Carlisle will serve an important part in these commemorations.

The sun shining on the Hadrian’s Wall

Finally, 2022 is the 900th anniversary of the construction of Carlisle Cathedral.

The Cathedral really is one of the jewels of our city. Everyone who visits is awed by the astonishing star-covered ceiling, pictured above. Construction began under the reign of Henry I, son of William the Conqueror – and it is amazing to think this is exactly 1,000 years after the first stone of Hadrian’s Wall was put down.

Carlisle Cathedral Picture: David Hollins

We are fortunate in Carlisle to have such a rich history stretching back through the Victorian era, the Middle Ages and back to the Romans. It is important we celebrate this history by marking these events – and that we share it with the rest of the world.

I am sure that there will be many people planning their year ahead by looking to our city as a destination.

After all, the history of our city is a far better advertisement than any glossy advert in January could be.