President’s speech launching our Centenary Year
100 years of support to rural communities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Transcript of the speech given by our President, Mrs Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM, Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire at the press launch for our Centernary celebrations
During these centenary celebrations I am honoured to continue the long held association the Lieutenancy has with Cambridgeshire ACRE by acting as its President. It was my esteemed predecessor, Lord-Lieutenant Charles Adeane CB JP, who led the initial discussions that took place in the 1920s regarding the plight of the local countryside and where the idea to establish the Cambridgeshire Rural Community Council was first proposed.
Along with Henry Morris, the newly arrived Chief Education Officer for Cambridgeshire, he had grave concern that Cambridgeshire was the second poorest county in England with no separate secondary school provision for children in rural areas. Radical solutions had to be found and, through a grant from the Carnegie Trust, the Cambridgeshire Rural Community Council was established with Mr Adeane being appointed as its first Chairman.
From a small acorn and those early ideals, Cambridgeshire ACRE has grown into a substantial oak tree, with many branches proudly representing the significant voluntary and community sector infrastructure we have in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough today. The need for specialisation of services for older and younger people, charity infrastructure support, landscape protection and housing management has led to the formation of voluntary organisations that thrive independently today. If we look back over our 100 years, we see many of the same challenges recurring now for our rural residents but now we have an established voluntary sector on our side.
Our communities are remarkably diverse, with extremes of social and economic wellbeing, sometimes in challenging proximity. I am aware of these inequalities and particularly the extra hardships identified by those residents living in the county’s rural communities.
Cambridgeshire ACRE’s role, as an advocate for rural communities, is just as relevant today as it was when it was founded. Issues facing countryside residents such as a cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages and rural isolation are still present.
I particularly want to thank all the volunteers involved in Cambridgeshire ACRE’s work. It is impossible to calculate the hours that have been given over all these years, but I know how fortunate we are to have such a strong network of volunteers working tirelessly to support others living in their own rural communities.
This year gives us all a chance to reflect and celebrate what is a remarkable achievement. Our planned year-long programme of activities seeks to involve our volunteers, members, supporters, and all rural communities across the county. There should be something for everyone to engage with and to enjoy, whilst at the same time, raising awareness of the significant challenges faced by those living and working in rural Cambridgeshire today. The Lieutenancy will be supporting these events and my representatives and I look forward to meeting you.
