A plaque has been unveiled in memory of the man who led the restoration project for Penrith’s Coronation Garden.
The assembled crowd who had gathered for the unveiling of a the plaque to Jeff Fawcett, who died last year, included members of his family.
At the event, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Penrith, speeches were given by Rotary Club president Dawn Smart; Charlie Shepherd, on behalf of the Friends of the Coronation Garden; Eden Council architect Paul Brunsdon and Angela Rush, daughter of Jeff and Anne Fawcett.
The plaque was then unveiled by Jeff’s widow, Anne, and a tea was provided by 4Eden café, during which musical accompaniment was provided by Penrith Town Band.
Mr Fawcett was born in Workington in 1939. At the age of 16 he joined the Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary as a cadet and rose through the ranks.
As a police inspector he graduated in law. He retired as the assistant chief constable of the Cumbria Constabulary.
On retirement, he joined Penrith Rotary, becoming an active member dedicated to charitable work.
He was a member of the team that helped established the BEEP scheme in Penrith, was involved in fundraising events in aid of Polio Plus, organised a walk across Morecambe Bay that had county-wide support and raised £17,000 for the polio-eradication charity, led a fundraising team which raised over £100,000 for the Ratlingate Scout Camping Centre and was chairman of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Carlisle and Eden.
However, his retirement was not all work and no play, as he enjoyed travel and was an enthusiastic member of the Wine Appreciation Society of Penrith.
Coronation Garden was opened in 1938 to commemorate King George VI’s coronation in 1937. It was a popular Penrith amenity, but over the years became run down.
In 2012, Penrith Rotary and Eden Council, working in partnership, were able to realise Jeff Fawcett’s vision for its restoration.
A Rotary spokesman said: “Jeff was the driving force in securing a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £200,000.
“The scheme involved protracted negotiations with planners, architects, design artists and landscape gardeners. He was supported by his fellow Rotarians, including the club’s oldest member, Peter Armstrong.
“After the official reopening, Jeff kept a close eye on the Coronation Garden, often picking up litter and cleaning the information boards.”
