Last updated 11:24, Friday, 28 November 2008

Follow that! Chrissie Patterson has handed over the title of Cumbria Woman of the Year after raising thousands of pounds for charity, organising events, making countless appearances and entertaining hundreds of folk in West Cumbria.

But it was just a normal year for the 85-year-old born entertainer.

And she says she has no intention of slowing down, let alone stopping.

Chrissie is a fantastic force of nature who was rightly honoured with the title last year.

Modestly, the Maryport dynamo says that this year has been a memorable one, as she has received standing ovations everywhere she went.

“It was quite daunting, but it was an honour.”

It was an honour richly deserved by her – and by the latest woman to be crowned.

In the great scheme of things, the title is only a small thank you for all the hard work quietly put into life in Cumbria by its women folk.

They don’t seek recognition, let alone praise, but the honour is a heartfelt thanks for all they do.

Newly-crowned Cumbria Woman of the Year Kath Queen is the latest in a long line of inspiring women and certainly has a hard act to follow.