Local Councillor On New Year's Honours List

Sylvia Emmott, a long-standing Kendal Councillor and former Mayor, has had her achievements and commitment recognised in the New Year's Honours List.

Sylvia Emmott has been described by Tim Farron as a "shining example of someone who has worked tirelessly to improve their community". Sylvia worked as a teacher for 30 years at Queen Katherine School, and has since been a governor at both QKS and Kendal College for seven years.

Sylvia has also been a dedicated town and district councillor in her Kendal Stonecross ward for many years, and has also served as Mayor of Kendal. She is currently Chairman of the Council at SLDC for the second time.

Sylvia is also known for her commitment to charity work. During her first stint as Chairman of the Council, she raised £8,000 for Paddlers for Life, which enabled the charity to pay for a boat which is used for cancer survivors to encourage physical activity and camaraderie. As Mayor of Kendal, her chosen charity was the Gateway Centre, for which she raised over £11,000 with matched funding. Most recently, as Chairman of the Council for the second time, Sylvia has chosen to support the Village Agents.

Tim said: "I know I can speak for all of Kendal when I say that Sylvia is thoroughly deserving of this honour. I am delighted that Sylvia's dedication to her community over the last 40 years has been recognised in this way. She has selflessly given a huge amount of time and effort, and has made an enormous difference to the communities around her. Sylvia embodies the very best of Kendal - community-minded and hard-working. Sylvia has never sought the headlines, but she thoroughly deserves this public recognition of her incredible contribution to Kendal."