A year ago this morning, residents in Kirkby Lonsdale were coming to terms with a fatal fire which shattered the pre-Christmas festivities in the town.
Well-known businessman Ben Taylor died in a blaze at his family’s business, GR & RD Taylor, known as the towns Aladdin’s Cave.
Last night many braved the poor weather to pay their respects to him at a service held at St Mary’s Church where a permanent memorial, In memory of all that was lost, was unveiled in the churchyard during a short ceremony.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident the community and wider county rallied around to provide support and help for those made homeless by the fire and the businesses that faced an uncertain future.
Now, twelve months on, the town is taking stock of the past year and looking forward.
“The town is now more upbeat and overall I think we’re now looking forward after a business weekend when the Christmas markets were popular,” Councillor Paul Cassell, chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council, said.
“We were pleased to have the support from many over the past 12 months. We’re really looking forward to the reopening of the brow.”
An appeal led by the Cumbria Community Foundation saw over £120,000 raised for the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal.
In partnership with the Kirkby Lonsdale Business and Community Recovery Partnership and Westmorland and Furness Council, the Foundation has awarded grants totalling £120,500 across three phases to support 83 households and 4 community groups.
And while the appeal has now closed other projects aimed at offering continued support to the town are continuing.
A Building Back Kirkby Lonsdale fund will be held by the Kirkby Lonsdale & Lune Valley Community Interest Company has been set up and will be awarded by the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Partnership.
A year after a fire which will never be forgotten, Kirkby Lonsdale’s recovery is maybe testament to the resilience and sense of community that exists there.
