Anne Pickles

Newspapers step forward and question, on behalf of those who can find no answers on their own

Leveson inquiry photo A good press gets a bad press when it’s doing its job well... and that isn’t all the time, by any stretch.

Last updated 16 May 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Has Cumbria learned nothing from the horrors of Mid Staffs?

The sorry tale of woe that is the biography of north Cumbria’s hospitals rumbles on relentlessly, each new chapter bringing yet more sorrow. (3 comments)

Last updated 14 May 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

This language barrier needs fixed before I trip again

Words are tricky little blighters. You learn that early in this line of work. They’re forever lying in wait to ambush the unsuspecting – or should that be for ever? See? Fiendish devils, words.

Last updated 10 May 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Love that £3 T-shirt now? None of us can pretend we didn’t know how Primark’s clothes were made

The pursuit of Primark for Carlisle has gone on for so long now, it has grown into a standing joke. (33 comments)

Last updated 30 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

I will not be influenced by kisses on the bottom

This week I was the happy recipient of kisses on the bottom. And not wishing to be boastful in any way, I reckon it’s a fair bet not everybody can say that.

Last updated 26 April 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

We told you before that we didn’t want a commissioner

Richard Rhodes photo It was bound to happen. Everyone knew it would. The world and his wife predicted it. (29 comments)

Last updated 23 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Why I kidnapped Tony Blair and lied to David Cameron

I once kidnapped Tony Blair. Funny how you remember these things right out of the blue. Not that he was ever blue – not royal or navy blue anyway. In fact, on the day of his abduction, he’d looked decidedly pinkish – whether from anger, horror or embarrassment was hard to tell.

Last updated 19 April 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

It seems I’m ill as I’m no longer angry with Maggie

This would have been a good week for anyone considering a career change or entrepreneurial launch into anger management services.

Last updated 12 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

It seems I’m ill as I’m no longer angry with Maggie

This would have been a good week for anyone considering a career change or entrepreneurial launch into anger management services.

Last updated 12 April 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

The end of an era: Good or bad

EM Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher. What does a girl from a West Yorkshire mining community say of her? (4 comments)

Last updated 9 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Really, this should come as no surprise

You know that creepy feeling you get when you strongly suspect something isn’t going to work – and then it breaks? Yes. That one. (2 comments)

Last updated 9 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Your pond life is no match to majesty of our Lakeland

There’s a school of thought held by charitable types, church people and other assorted kindly folks, that if you’re blessed with good fortune you should share it willingly.

Last updated 5 April 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Your pond life is no match to majesty of our lakes

There’s a school of thought held by charitable types, church people and other assorted kindly folks, that if you’re blessed with good fortune you should share it willingly. (2 comments)

Last updated 5 April 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Even beer drinkers won’t raise a glass to this Budget

My old friend Phil has been adjusting his household accounts. Budgeting, you might say – should you feel like being topical.

Last updated 22 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Even beer drinkers won’t raise a glass to this Budget

My old friend Phil has been adjusting his household accounts. Budgeting, you might say – should you feel like being topical.

Last updated 22 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Cynicism keeps coming back

Cynicism is an affliction as incurable as a cold sore. You might shake it off for a while – but it keeps coming back. (1 comment)

Last updated 20 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Politics can be a funny old game

If we’re honest we could all do with a bit of a laugh a lot more often. We just don’t generally expect laughter to come from councils... at least not without a tax increase.

Last updated 20 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Please excuse my ignorance, but I don’t use public toilets

It was news to me. And for obvious reasons I’m partial to a bit of news – particularly the smiley kind. There is, it turns out, an august and busy body (as opposed to busy-body) called the British Toilet Association. Who’d have thunk it?

Last updated 15 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk