Opinion & columns

Strong leadership is the way forward

IF WE are not careful, we are in danger of seeing a pall of gloom, despair and inevitability settling over north Cumbria.

Last updated 3 April 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

A difficult choice for our farmers

Is it a question of pouring away your milk or your money?

Last updated 27 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Reassess the SATS

SATS have a troubled and bitter history.

Last updated 27 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Pilates is hardly on a par with a new Aston Martin

When an old friend of mine hit one of his mid-life crises, he bought a Harley Davidson and set off for Wales.

Last updated 27 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Surgery should be accessible for all

HEALTH chiefs seem determined to press ahead with plans to site a new super surgery at Hilltop Heights – probably the steepest street in Carlisle.

Last updated 20 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

It’s hard to deal with when moles bite you on bum

My word, they’re naughty, these free-spirited country girls. Off the homestead leash, out and about in their lippy and heels... they’re positively wicked. Border Ladies NFU, I salute you.

Last updated 20 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

A sad souvenir of a crushing strike 25 years ago which did no one much good

I’m ashamed to say, I envy Eric Martlew. The Carlisle MP has something I want and – if truth be known – more than envying, I covet it.

Last updated 13 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

No defence hiding this sick individual

THE bravery of an elderly woman subjected to a brutal sex attack in her own home in Harraby has been praised by police hunting her assailant.

Last updated 13 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Leave me alone or my generous nature means I'll have to resort to charity binbag chic

To whom it may concern – and I mean this most sincerely: Please go away. I have no more clothes.

Last updated 6 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Scrutiny necessary to learn from error

IT’S true that social workers don’t qualify for headlined praise and plaudits when they get things right. When a child’s life is lifted from risk into happiness and safety, it tends to happen in quiet confidentiality.

Last updated 6 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Sports scheme can be a timely boost

The opening of new leisure facilities gives a boost to any community, but the plans for new facilities at the Richard Rose Morton Academy site would provide the whole of Carlisle and beyond with a major fillip.

Last updated 27 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Maggie, in life and death an inspiration

JOHN Briskham’s wedding in Brampton last weekend was a joyous celebration, in which the whole town shared.

Last updated 27 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

The pie’s the limit for Cumbrians – just don’t ask for consensus on Cranstons’ versus Colin’s

British Pie Week starts on Monday. Not an event likely to stop the world mid spin – nor pull the brakes on Royal Bank of Scotland’s slide into the soup – but of interest, you might think. Particularly to banking gravy train travellers.

Last updated 27 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

I’ll forgo a twitter for a natter over a cuppa any day

My friend Jane has newly become a Twitterer. That is to say, she has started tweeting.

Last updated 20 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

How to be more open to lessons in life from those flying barn doors who’ll do what they like

There’s talk of trying to reintroduce flying barn doors into Cumbria – a novel plan guaranteed to capture the imagination. Well, it captured mine anyway.

Last updated 20 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Best wishes for a very special couple

WE aren’t the first to offer Maggie Atkinson and her fiance John Briskham warm wishes for the best of deserved happiness in marriage. Neither will we be the last.

Last updated 20 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Recovery is not an impossible task

IT is perfectly feasible to talk yourself into a recession; entirely possible to invite the kind of trouble an economic slump will bring. Some would say we’re pretty good at that.

Last updated 20 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

Best wishes for a very special couple

WE aren’t the first to offer Maggie Atkinson and her fiance John Briskham warm wishes for the best of deserved happiness in marriage. Neither will we be the last.

Last updated 13 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

How to be more open to lessons in life from those flying barn doors who’ll do what they like

There’s talk of trying to reintroduce flying barn doors into Cumbria – a novel plan guaranteed to capture the imagination. Well, it captured mine anyway.

Last updated 13 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk

It will take more than foreign weather to make us shut up shop and shiver

Best to forgive southern softies for meeting a once in two-decade snowfall with wildcat strikes. They were surely demanding British snow for British workers.

Last updated 6 February 2009
Published by http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk