Opinion & columns

Disgraceful way to treat our elderly

Hidden horrors faced by some old people in their own homes, care homes and in day centres are unspeakably shameful.

Last updated 2 April 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Super hero with gift of planting seeds of success

Margaret Jones is a bit of a mover and shaker in these parts. Put her in a cape and a jewelled bandana and you could easily mistake her for Wonderwoman.

Last updated 26 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

United at the heart of Cumbrian life

FOOTBALL’S powers of entertainment are as easy to see as flicking on Match of the Day.

Last updated 26 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Bobbing daffodils do not run to a tourism timetable

When all at once I saw a crowd... a host of short green stubby things. Even the weeds are growing faster than my daffs – yours too, no doubt.

Last updated 19 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Grace’s legacy lives on and on

When Grace Little died last year at the age of 94, no one suspected that she would leave anything other than warm memories of a kind and thoughtful woman.

Last updated 19 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Happy Mother’s Day, the designer proggy is yours

All fingers and thumbs – every one of them swollen and sore. Ah yes, those were the days. Funny how pain can form so large a part of happy memory.

Last updated 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Don’t forget to say thank you, Mother

Mothering Sunday gives opportunity for reflection on all that has been shared, sacrificed and selflessly given by the most important women in all our lives.

Last updated 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Carlisle needs to find clarity and purpose

Carlisle’s drawing board is in danger of buckling under the weight of the plans currently residing on it.

Last updated 5 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Guess what? The nights are fair drawing out, again

Has spring sprung? This tongue-twister for beginners is a hot topic – or at least a warm one – as daffodils finally stir from the hardest winter in 30 years. I like to think my fascination shows I am in tune with the natural world, preferring to discard the alternative explanation that I have no life.

Last updated 5 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Culture bid failure may have done Carlisle a favour

No one should run away with the idea that Carlisle’s UK City of Culture bid was a total, unmitigated failure. It was anything but.

Last updated 26 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

If only we could compete on our ungritted streets

Before the Vancouver Olympics started rudely butting in on perfectly adequate news bulletins, I’d been under the impression luge was a name for a woman who drank too much.Oh but we’re good.

Last updated 26 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Cut losses and put Plan B into action

Possibilities of a bidding war for what was to have been the site of a new Tesco store at Morton can’t now be ruled out.

Last updated 19 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

A Heaven hotline? There must be something I need

Surprise of the week came yesterday when I discovered – late in the day – I could email God during Lent.

Last updated 19 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Renaissance scheme needs rejuvenation

It is clearly time for a long, hard look at Carlisle Renaissance.

Last updated 12 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

There’s a lot to be thankful for in ordinary lives

This is for Agnes, whose friend Margaret will be reading out loud to her today as they share their weekly newspaper coffee morning – because Agnes can’t see well enough to read this column. And it isn’t included in her talking newspaper.

Last updated 12 February 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk