There was an event in the church at which I spent some time looking at an exhibit about a hostel in Uganda. I found this fascinating especially when I learned that Orton has links with the hostel and raises a significant amount of money in its support. I was in Uganda a few years ago and found it a country full of both hope and sadness. Some would ask why we are helping the homeless in Africa whilst we have homeless in Penrith and I know that many voters believe that this kind of charity belongs at home. I have to disagree.
Perhaps it's because I grew up in St Thomas's Church in Kendal, a church whose vicar - the Revd Herbert Clayton - was a former missionary from Uganda. He had retired by the time I started to attend Sunday School but two of his daughters were faithful members of the church and I was aware of the links to Uganda.
After Orton, we went to Bampton Church which was hosting an exhibition of local arts and crafts. I think I expected hand knitted jumpers and a "farm in a biscuit tin lid" but we found some superb work by local artists and craftsmen. I commented that none of it would have been out of place in Harrod's!
I had an interesting conversation with a lady who had strong views on Europe (this happens quite a lot!) and then discovered that her daughter was the renowned novelist Sarah Hall. I have her first book "Haweswater" - one of the best books I have ever read and probably the best novel ever written about this area, an admittedly small field. I shall re read it as a way of winding down from each days campaigning.
All in all, an inspiring and a humbling day. It would be an incredible privilege to represent these people and to attempt to rebuild the trust between our communities and their politicians.
