Historic buildings help South Lakeland to celebrate the NHS

Kendal Castle and Kendal Parish Church will be among the iconic buildings illuminated in blue to mark 70 years of the National Health Service.

The medieval castle and the historic church will be lit up on the evening and night of Thursday 5 July as part of the national celebrations to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to the NHS.

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has arranged for both buildings to be lit from 8pm until around midnight.

Councillor Philip Dixon, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “As a council we are committed to supporting health improvements and encouraging our residents to live healthy lives.

“We have all been in need of the NHS at some point and it continues to play a very special part in all of our lives.

“In this country we are incredibly fortunate to have a health service which helps us to live longer lives and we’d like to wish the NHS well on its special birthday.”

Across the country churches, castles, historic homes and landmark buildings in cities, towns and villages will be illuminated in blue as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Councillor Chris Hogg, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Culture and Leisure, said: “Kendal Castle and Kendal Parish Church are both significant historical buildings which are part of our rich local heritage.

“We are delighted they will be lit up in blue to celebrate the considerable achievements of the NHS and allow the people of South Lakeland to play their part in the national celebrations.”

Members of the public are being encouraged to celebrate the occasion by taking images of the buildings and landmarks and sharing them across social media with the hashtag #NHS70lightupblue.