She enriched the lives of our family for generations, as she did our community and nation. Her first visit to Westmorland in August 1956 was hosted by my great-grandfather James Cropper as Lord Lieutenant, and he made sure it included Burneside: being responsible for the route he arranged a small diversion off the main road to pass the mill.

It was, he said, the greatest day of his life.

Decades later, my father echoes these feelings: his eighteen years of service to Her Majesty as Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, including four visits to our county and his subsequent knighthood, have been the highlights of his life.

So too was the Queen’s visit back to Burneside in July 2013 to open the James Cropper CupCycling plant. That day, Her Majesty’s humility, warmth and deep care shone through. It was the greatest and proudest moment in our company’s long history and I feel hugely fortunate to have been part of the occasion alongside family, friends and colleagues.

Her life of tireless service is worthy of the greatest celebration and provides an example to us all.

My thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty the King and his family, wishing them my deepest condolences.

Mark Cropper,
Chairman, James Cropper PLC
9 September 2022