Features

Cockerels, dogs and loud music - all in a day's work for Carlisle 'noise cops'

Janet Blair photo What would you do for a quiet life? You could have a polite word with the heavy metal fan next door, kick your snoring partner out of bed and into the spare room or buy some earplugs.

Last updated 23 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

First Swallow of the blockbuster season spotted in Cumbria

af coniston1 CUMBRIA will be the backdrop of a new series of films that BBC chiefs are tipping to become potentially as big as Harry Potter.

Last updated 23 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

So what do you think is ‘normal’?

neurop2mw Victim, stupid, lazy, useless... these labels are too often placed on people just because they have a disability.

Last updated 23 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

How to take up voluntary work

There is a burst of activity from June 1-7, National Volunteers’ Week, when organisations hold events and activities to highlight volunteers and the work they do.Top Ten Tips to help you start volunteering

Last updated 21 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Smart thinking

boffin1 At one end of the room, Cerys and Eughan Simpson and Arthur Harvey-Chadwick are running around the room, giggling and trying to catch smoke rings.

Last updated 21 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

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General Pinochet’s people said ‘We would like to take you somewhere’. I thought that sounded a bit ominous...

Cumbria has its fair share of singer-songwriters, but there can’t be many of them who have appeared on the equivalent of Top of the Pops in Chile.

Last updated 21 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Your chance to meet the mountain men

raymears195 Ray Mears’ approach is one of understanding rather than conquering nature. He has travelled the world in search of survival techniques from indigenous peoples.

Last updated 19 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Sitting comfortably?

type2fun195b A weekend in Cumbria. You could lie on the couch, drinking lager and eating pizza. Or you could spend four days and nights propelling your body through the Lake District in a painful parade of running, cycling, swimming and staggering.

Last updated 19 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Do Cumbria's high streets need a makeover?

In case you hadn’t heard, the high street is struggling. A perfect storm of economic downturn and competition from the internet and out of town shopping centres has hit hard.

Last updated 18 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Occasionally I’d love to eat a big cream cake I see in a shop... but it’s not the end of the world

vernagarlick175a Imagine feeling unwell for years on end, never quite able to put your finger on what’s wrong. That was Olivia Blackburn’s experience growing up; from the age of 11 she felt tired and rundown, had stomach cramps on and off and was susceptible to any illness going around.

Last updated 17 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Cumbria's rapping farmer is an internet sensation

Dicky Dippinson photo Who is Dicky Dippinson? Dicky is an internet sensation, which is pretty good going for a farmer from Shap.

Last updated 16 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

‘Success is to find something you like doing as a hobby and then convince someone to pay you to do it’

author111 A cop with a drink problem hunts down the serial killer who murdered his wife and daughter while he was out boozing.

Last updated 12 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

One year on, has the coalition government been a success?

A year ago today Britain got the first coalition government it had seen since World War II.

Last updated 11 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Don’t dismiss our illness

ME04 Ruth Stirrup was a PE teacher and keen sportswoman and had been active all her life.

Last updated 11 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

I won't be starting a career as a life model

David Harkins photo For thousands of years, men have been drawing naked women. Painting them, sculpting them, from idealised statues to unforgiving Lucian Freuds.

Last updated 9 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Do our supermarkets have too much power?

Jonty Chippendale photo Does every little help? Tesco often says so. But the giant supermarket chains do little to help our town centres.

Last updated 4 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Feeling on top of the world

walk1viv According to Living Streets – a charity which encourages people to walk instead of driving – May is National Walking Month.

Last updated 4 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Lakeland in black and white

grav5 Cumbria is well known for its ever-changing climate. Drive from one end of the county to the other; climbing fells, crossing valleys and circling lakes, and it’s quite possible you’ll encounter sunshine, black, threatening clouds and bursts of rain all in one trip.

Last updated 3 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

I will marry you – but I won’t change my name!

wed001 It’s traditional for a woman to change her surname to her husband’s name when they get married but it can be a big step for some brides, so much so that more women are now bucking this trend.

Last updated 2 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

‘Beer’s for drinking, not for sipping...’

camra222 Alan Welsh lifts a pint glass to his mouth and takes a sip. No surprise there. After all, Alan is chairman of the Solway branch of Camra – the Campaign for Real Ale.