Councillor John Graham of Longcummercattiff, stepped down as Chairman of Holme Low Parish Council at the annual meeting on Tuesday 8 April 2025, after 36 years at the helm.  John said he had enjoyed his time as Chairman and hopes to enjoy many more years as a councillor.

Councillor Graham is the longest serving member of the Parish Council. When John became Chairman in 1989, you could buy a pint of beer for £1.08, a litre of diesel for 36.18p and the average price for a detached three bed property was £54,034.  A lot has changed since then.

Paying tribute, Councillor Duncan Findlay, newly elected Chairman for Holme Low said……
“I’ve known John for over 40 years and been on many committees with him.  It has been an honour to have known him. His wit and sense of humour has always shone through.  I have served as a councillor with John for 25 years and have enjoyed every minute with him as Chairman and I am pleased he is staying on as a councillor.”

Councillor Graham has worked with five different Parish Clerks in the time he has been Chairman. Wendy Jameson, the current Parish Clerk added….
“Having worked with John for almost 23 years, he has been an absolute pleasure to work with.  A parish council chairman is elected for a one-year term of office but to have been elected 36 times is quite some achievement and pays testament to how well thought of he is by his fellow councillors.”

Councillor John Graham has made an enormous contribution to the council and to his local community.  On behalf of the Parish Council and the residents of Holme Low, we would like to say a huge thank you.

Holme Low is a small rural parish in the north of Cumbria, with a population of 353 [2021 census] scattered around various small hamlets; Barracks Bridge, Blackdyke, Blitterlees, Calvo, Causewayhead, Greenrow, Seaville and Wolsty.  Holme Low has a Parish Council of six members and a Parish Clerk, with meetings held every three months in Silloth Community Hall.