A strong further education college is vital for the future growth and prosperity of our area.
And there is lots going right now to get Furness College back on track and deliver that.
I discussed all this with college principal and CEO Scott Cubitt recently where I heard more about their ambitious plans and got an update on the proposed merger with Blackpool and the Fylde College.
The fantastic news that Furness College has been confirmed as only one of five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in the UK, is huge for our area. It is something that I have been campaigning for since the Government announced that it was looking for sites for these national centres that will support the UK defence industry and provide increased opportunities for young people.
As a designated Defence Technical Excellence college Furness College can now look forward to gaining access to new, dedicated defence-focused investment – including national funding streams linked to priority skills. However, it will have a positive impact across the whole college, not just those linked to defence and manufacturing.
I am also pleased to be able to confirm an additional £400k will be invested by Government this year to improve buildings and facilities at the college. That creates more opportunities for the improvements we all want to see.
In other news, an interesting development has emerged from my appeal in last week’s column for information about an abandoned boat on Walney Channel which is reputed to have seen action in northern France during the second world war.
My plea came as I outlined plans for measures to tackle discarded wrecks that litter the channel.
I’m pleased to report that a Walney resident has supplied some information about this particular boat – which still can be seen in a gully near North Scale.
Retired former local government officer Ann Quayle was born on Walney and when growing up she helped her dad with his boat – named Ruby – which was moored on the channel.
During those years she heard many stories about maritime adventures and of characters that had been around in years gone by.
Ann tells me that a certain Ronnie Ather was regarded as a local hero for his exploits as news broke in May 1940 that more than 300,000 British troops were trapped were on the beaches of Dunkirk.
Ronnie heard the cry for help and decided to do his bit by climbing into his boat and heading for France.
It’s understood his brother – whose first name isn’t known to Ann – did the same thing in another similar vessel.
The brothers are reputed to have taken British troops off the Dunkirk beaches – which were under sporadic attacks from German planes – and delivered them to larger vessels that were waiting further offshore.
Our brave boys were then returned to Blighty.
While similar events played out at many different English locations – including river boats making the journey south – this Walney story is heroism of a high order.
I’m very obliged to Ann for her help, I would also be grateful if any readers have extra information to share.
If it can be proven beyond doubt that this little boat took part in one of the most spectacular military rescue missions of modern times, then we might need to consider giving it a more proper resting place than in a gully on the channel.
Please contact me here: michelle.mp.scrogham@parliament.uk