Honorary fellowships were conferred on the following people in the November graduation ceremonies of 2011.
Harry King
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to broadcasting, the arts and the Cumbrian community (awarded November 2011)
Harry King is a proud Cumbrian. Born in Whitehaven, He joined Border Television as a mail-room assistant in 1961. While with Border he progressed through the ranks from Assistant Floor Manager to eventually spending over 25 years as one of the station’s Network Producer/ Directors. Following his retirement from Border Television in 1999, he was invited to join BBC Radio Cumbria, where he produced and presented his own weekly programme of music and memories from the golden era of entertainment For nearly 50 years he has produced and directed many theatrical performances including his connection with his much loved and much missed Carlisle Musical Society, as their stage director and production manager. Harry is still often asked to host and to suggest ways of fund raising for many local charities. One of his long career’s highlights was to have proudly received the honorary degree from his local and the much-loved University of Cumbria. Sadly, far too many of his great show business friends have passed on, but happily Harry still fondly remembers them, and the pleasure they gave so many people. Harry finally retired and hung up his earphones in 2020, but still walks along his” memory lane” and remembers his many friends he has worked with, and thanks his Border Television viewers and his BBC Radio Cumbria listeners for allowing him into their homes to share his many wonderfully happy memories for over 63 years.
Helen Skelton
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to broadcasting, the Cumbrian community and her charitable work (awarded November 2011)
Helen Skelton graduated from Cumbria College of Art & Design in 2004 with a first-class honours degree in Journalism. She began her career in broadcasting, working at ITV Border, CFM commercial radio and BBC Radio Cumbria. In 2008, Helen joined the ‘Blue Peter’ team as the 33rd presenter of the long running show. She has achieved many feats of endurance to raise funds for charity including the Namibia Ultra Marathon, kayaking down the Amazon, and high wire walking between the towers of Battersea Power Station.
In 2012, she walked, cycled and kite skied to the South Pole.
In 2023, Helen was announced as a regular host on BBC’s flagship daytime show, Morning Live. Helen also hosted Channel 5’s Dan & Helen’s Pennine Adventure alongside Dan Walker, where she explored the countryside and took on a series of challenging local activities. She also hosted Channel 5’s On The Farm, bringing the best stories from the farm, and beyond, and was announced as the voice of a new character, farmer Anne Morris, in the children’s animated series, Fireman Sam.
Previously Helen has worked across numerous channels including BBC’s Countryfile, Channel 4’s Superleague Rugby and ITV’s Tonight Show. And on radio hosted her own Sunday morning show on BBC Radio 5Live, as well as covering regular shows on BBC Radio 2.
Set to air in 2024, Helen’s new series on the BBC ‘Lost and Found in the Lakes’ will show Helen leading a team of experts searching for lost treasures around the beautiful Lake District, reuniting them with their previous owners.
In addition to several children’s books, she released her debut book: In My Stride: Lessons Learned Through Life and Adventure in October 2023.
Sir James Cropper, KCVO
In recognition of his definitive contribution to Cumbria, the local economy and its charitable causes (awarded November 2011)
Sir James Anthony Cropper was born in Kendal, Cumbria. He trained as a Chartered Accountant before joining the family paper-manufacturing company, James Cropper plc, Kendal in 1966. He retired as Chief Executive in December 2000 and as Chairman in July 2010 and the Board in July 2013, at which date he took up the title of Honorary President. Sir James has held a number of public service roles within the region throughout his career and is very supportive of organisations and charities in Cumbria. Most notably he was involved in the formation of the Cumbria Community Foundation in 1999 and remains a Patron today. Sir James is also President of Sight Advice South Lakes. Sir James served the county of Cumbria as Lord-Lieutenant from 1994 to 2012.
Jeffrey Fardon
(05 February 1937 – 05 July 2011) (Posthumous Award)
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the academic development of the understanding of the social history of learning disability.
Jill Ward
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the academic development of the understanding of the social history of learning disability (awarded November 2011).
