Armed forces veterans came together to celebrate the festive season and share memories at three events hosted by Westmorland and Furness Council.

The gatherings, held in Kendal, Penrith and Barrow, reflected the council’s ongoing commitment to honouring and supporting those who have served our country.

Veterans were welcomed by the Council’s Chairman, Cllr Doug Rathbone, and enjoyed mince pies, tea and coffee while reconnecting and celebrating their service. The Kendal mince pies were kindly supplied by veteran Darren Hopton of Kendal’s Little Miss Bakery, and catering for the Penrith gathering was generously funded by Penrith Town Council.

Among the guests at Kendal Town Hall was former Royal Navy submariner of 17 years, David Edwards, who recalled patrolling the North Sea one Christmas, when the crew swapped “secret Santa” presents and were allowed a couple of cans of beer on 25 December – a rare exception to the no-alcohol rule. Communication with family back home consisted of 24-word “familygram” messages.

Paul Latham also served in the Royal Navy for 17 years and remembered makeshift Christmas decorations being made from flashing roadworks cones at Portsmouth docks, covered in cotton wool “snow” from the ship’s sick bay.

Bruce Leslie recalled being deployed with the British Army on a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia just three days before Christmas 1995, when the only contact with home was “blueys” – handwritten messages on pieces of blue paper folded into air mail envelopes. Bruce met his wife Angelika towards the end of his 24-year army career while stationed in Germany, and the couple still celebrate Christmas Eve in traditional German style with a meal of potato salad and hot dog sausages. Bruce has raised money for the Royal British Legion and the Army Benevolent Fund by taking part in First World War battlefield charity walks.

Helen Fergie represented the armed forces charity SSAFA and said: “The potential benefits of these events are priceless because they give people an opportunity to connect. It’s just lovely to see so many faces and to catch up with everyone, be present and make sure people know that we are here.”

Chris Maycock, who chairs Kendal’s Royal British Legion branch, said it was very important for veterans to feel appreciated with events like the mince pie gatherings. “It’s about raising the profile of people that have served and remembering what they have done,” said the retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and former Defence Attaché for Albania and Montenegro.

“For those that are serving, Christmas can be really difficult because it’s about getting home. There’s a figure that’s something like 25 per cent don’t get home for Christmas.”

Praising the support available to veterans from the council, charities and organisations who were represented at the gathering, Chris said: “They do a fantastic job. Hopefully no matter what part of your veteran journey you’re at, there’s something that’s there for you.”

Guests also included Mayor of Kendal Cllr Richard Sutton, and Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria Colonel Chris Sanderson OBE JP DL.

The Penrith gathering took place at Penrith Methodist Church, where veterans were warmly welcomed alongside Cllr Michael Eyles, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Armed Forces Champion for Eden, and Kerryanne Wilde, Chair of Penrith’s Royal British Legion branch.

At Barrow Town Hall, the celebrations continued with strong local support. Veterans were joined by Cllr Bill McEwan, the council’s Armed Forces Champion for Barrow; the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow, Cllr Fred Chatfield and Mrs Liz Chatfield; Deputy Mayor Cllr Kay Hyland; local councillors; and Mark Kenny, the newly appointed Welfare Officer for the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) based at Furness General Hospital.

Reflecting on the gatherings, Chairman Cllr Doug Rathbone said: “It’s been wonderful to spend time with our veterans at these festive gatherings. This was a chance to wish them a very Merry Christmas and, most importantly, to express our heartfelt thanks for their service. They – and their families – have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and we can never say thank you enough.”

Cllr Vicky Hughes, Cabinet Member for Planning, Active Wellbeing and the Armed Forces, whose parents both served in the RAF, said: “It’s important to recognise our veterans and their families as well, and it’s a way of giving something back. Christmas isn’t always a good experience for some of our veterans and this allows them to meet in an environment that’s safe and inclusive, combating a little bit of loneliness at this time of year.”

Westmorland and Furness Council is a proud signatory of the national Armed Forces Covenant, committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families and ensuring they are recognised, treated fairly and able to access the services they need.

For more information about the council’s support for the armed forces community, visit westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or email armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.