About
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The Norman Nicholson House Community Interest Company was established in March 2020, on the initiative of the Norman Nicholson Society, with the aim of progressing the Society’s project to buy and renovate the lifelong home of the poet Norman Nicholson (1914-1987).
The company has a board of directors consisting of eight people: John Baker. John joined the board early in 2023. He is CEO of the not-for-profit Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners which operates Whitehaven harbour as well as running a number of facilities in the town including the very imaginative museum 'The Rum Story' which traces the history of the rum trade. John's experience in the tourism and leisure sector includes spells as MD of Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool and Group Operations Director for the Jockey Club. Dr Penny Bradshaw. Programme leader for English Literature at the University of Cumbria, Penny is responsible for the delivery of courses at both undergraduate and MA levels. She is an Editorial Board Member for Romanticism: Life, Literature and Landscape - a resource which allows scholars access to the digitised manuscript collections of the Wordsworth Trust. Janice Brockbank. An experienced leader of successful community projects including the £1.6 million Lighthouse Centre in Haverigg. A retired head teacher, in 2020 Janice headed up Good Enough Start, a project to support the mental health of parents and infants. Her work on this project was recognised when she presented with the Peter Scott Award in 2022. Sue Dawson. A retired teacher from Millom, Sue stepped in to protect Nicholson’s home from unsympathetic development when the previous owners announced their intention to sell in 2018. Sue thus became the current owner of 14 St George’s Terrace and has committed to sell to the Norman Nicholson House CIC when the CIC acquires the funding. Phil Houghton. Director/owner at Throughstone Consulting, based in Penrith, Phil has extensive experience of major construction, housing and regeneration projects, with a background in quantity surveying and commercial management. Phil is also a respected writer and poet. Charlie Lambert (chair). Charlie spent 25 years with the BBC before setting up the production company Northern River Ltd whose track record includes a radio documentary about Norman Nicholson for BBC Radio Cumbria. He was Head of Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire before retiring in 2016. In addition to his role as chair of the CIC he has been chair of the Norman Nicholson Society since 2015. Andrew Makin. Financial advisor and owner of ATM Orchard Investments in Millom, Andrew is a committed supporter of his community and sponsor of sports clubs in his home town. Mel Narongchai. Headteacher of Haverigg Primary School, Mel is passionate that the younger generation should have an awareness of their heritage as exemplified by Norman Nicholson and his writing. She is a director of the Lighthouse Centre in Haverigg, a social enterprise providing affordable childcare and school meals as well as acting as a centre for community events and conferences. Past Director: Nick Lancaster. Now MD of Lancaster & Lancaster, Nick was previously the guiding hand behind the outstanding success of Langdale Leisure Ltd, owners of two hotels, restaurant, spa and pub in the Langdale Valley. He is currently chair of the Lake District National Park Partnership Business Task Force. Nick served on the Board of Noman Nicholson House CIC from its inception in March 2020 to May 2022. |
Mission Statement
The restoration of Norman Nicholson’s lifelong home will set the standard for quality as a jewel in Millom’s designated conservation area. It will celebrate the life and works of the poet Norman Nicholson, his home town of Millom, its people, its industrial heritage, and the local landscape.
Nicholson’s house will serve the local community and attract visitors, expanding Cumbria’s western peninsula tourism opportunities. It will draw on its proximity to the UNESCO Lake District National Park, work in partnership with organisations, and develop county and national networks, to promote the area, its natural beauty and its fascinating history.
Visitors experiencing the house’s facilities and services will be immersed in the ordinary life of a 20th century family living behind a busy shop front, sparking nostalgia, curiosity and respect for our nation’s entrepreneurial heritage.
Its facilities and activities, underpinned by digital technology, will generate income to self-sustain the house and its activity programme long-term. An increase in visitors will have a positive economic impact on other local businesses.
An inclusive activity programme will operate to promote learning, social interaction and wellbeing, specifically literacy skills, the arts, local heritage and environment. The house and activities will appeal to a diverse range of people and particularly those with an interest in Norman Nicholson, literature in general, social history, the natural environment, ecology, and the Lake District.
People will also be inspired to consider the human challenges reflected in Nicholson’s poetry, including many which are still relevant: a sense of place and belonging; globalisation; managing change; and an urgent need to care for the environment.
The restoration of the house will create opportunities to enrich lives, promote connections and personal wellbeing, increase skills and knowledge, and raise aspirations.
Nicholson’s house will serve the local community and attract visitors, expanding Cumbria’s western peninsula tourism opportunities. It will draw on its proximity to the UNESCO Lake District National Park, work in partnership with organisations, and develop county and national networks, to promote the area, its natural beauty and its fascinating history.
Visitors experiencing the house’s facilities and services will be immersed in the ordinary life of a 20th century family living behind a busy shop front, sparking nostalgia, curiosity and respect for our nation’s entrepreneurial heritage.
Its facilities and activities, underpinned by digital technology, will generate income to self-sustain the house and its activity programme long-term. An increase in visitors will have a positive economic impact on other local businesses.
An inclusive activity programme will operate to promote learning, social interaction and wellbeing, specifically literacy skills, the arts, local heritage and environment. The house and activities will appeal to a diverse range of people and particularly those with an interest in Norman Nicholson, literature in general, social history, the natural environment, ecology, and the Lake District.
People will also be inspired to consider the human challenges reflected in Nicholson’s poetry, including many which are still relevant: a sense of place and belonging; globalisation; managing change; and an urgent need to care for the environment.
The restoration of the house will create opportunities to enrich lives, promote connections and personal wellbeing, increase skills and knowledge, and raise aspirations.