Honorary fellows: 2009

Honorary fellowships were conferred on the following people in the November graduation ceremonies of 2009.

The Right Honourable Lord Clark of Windermere PC DL

In recognition of his significant service to politics, the environment, communities and sport. (awarded November 2009)

David Clark grew up in Westmorland, attending Bowness Boys and later Windermere Grammar School. Leaving school at 16, he began his working life as a forest worker before moving to work in a cotton mill in Lancaster. He entered Manchester University as a mature student gaining a BA (Econ), MSc and PhD. After lecturing at Salford and Manchester Universities he was elected to Parliament in 1970. After 14 years in the shadow cabinet he joined Tony Blair’s cabinet in 1997, masterminding the Freedom of Information Act. On leaving the House of Commons in 2001 he entered the Lords. The following year he was appointed the Chair of the Forestry Commission – the first forest worker to achieve the role. Later he became a director of Sellafield and after years of standing on the terraces, joined the Board of Carlisle United. He is President of the Ramblers in Cumbria and has completed the ‘Wainwrights’ five times. In 2007, he was appointed chair of the Lake District Partnership and the World Heritage Sire bid. He has had six books published and is Visiting Professor in History and Politics at the University of Huddersfield.

Mr John Dunning CBE DL FRAgs

In recognition of his significant and lifetime contribution to the sustainability of rural businesses and communities in Cumbria. (awarded November 2009)

John is the founding and non-executive Director of the Westmorland Group www.westmorlandfamily.com/. He began farming in 1956 and the current owner-occupier of a 900-acre hill farm engaged in sheep and beef production. In 1972 he created Westmorland and has developed it over the following 40 years before handing control over to his daughter Sarah Dunning. 

Mr John Peter Allen MBE NDA ARAgs

(November 2009)

In recognition of his significant contribution to livestock industries and to the protection and enhancement of our rural environment.

Peter is a 17th generation Cumbrian hill-farmer. Peter was born in Patterdale and farms at Bampton Grange. He has chaired and served on many local, national and EU committees, including National Farmers Union, Natural England and the North West Development Agency. Peter's interests span hill farming, sheep production, animal health, common land, insurance and investment. In April 2014, Peter was appointed to the Board of the Lake District National Park Authority. He is Chairman of the Development Control Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Governance Committee. 

Mrs Saj Ghafoor

In recognition of her work in promoting multi-cultural understanding in Cumbria.

More information on Saj’s work can be found here.