Helen is the licensee of the White Hart in Kendal, Cumbria – a busy town centre pub. She is one of the original founder members and Chair of the Kendal Barwatch which has been in place for over 11 years. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that local licenses understand the benefits of joining the partnership and that it operates efficiently. She is said to be an excellent organiser and can be fully relied upon to carry out her duties. At the launch of the Barwatch scheme she even arranged for Border TV to cover the event.
As the scheme evolved Helen took on the role of voluntary Night Time Co-ordinator. She monitors the radio link, ‘checking the pubs in’ every evening. Messages are passed via her and she ensures that all radio link users receive them. She also contacts the police if they have any trouble and provides liaison throughout the night until four in the morning – even though her pub closes at midnight!
Although Helen has been troubled by ill health over the last few years she has always managed to attend the monthly meetings and to support the scheme. She welcomes new managers and helps them to get to know local troublemakers. She has the respect of other Kendal licensees and her dedication and professionalism has led to the success of the Kendal Barwatch.
Local Inspector Paul Latham of Cumbria Police says:
“Kendal Barwatch continues to contribute positively to the reduction of anti social behaviour. There is no doubt that the threat of a ban from all the pubs has had a marked effect on potential troublemakers. Without Helen’s commitment, I believe that the Kendal Barwatch would probably not have got off the ground and certainly would not have been the success it has proved to be”.
Joe Murray National Pubwatch Committee member says:
“Helen is an excellent role model for the type of person who will make a Pubwatch scheme a success and she is a worthy candidate for the Award of Merit”.
