Anne Pickles

Football fantasy has got me off the subs’ bench

If all the world were a football ground and all the men and women merely players – I suspect I’d be spending a lot of my time on the subs’ bench.

Last updated 18 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

What did you do with all our money, Silvio?

Never having had much of the stuff – more’s the pity – what I know about money tends to be strictly limited.

Last updated 15 November 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Please keep your special advisers away from kids

Something tells me the Government could do with a specialist advisory team to help ministers make better decisions about who they’ll appoint as special advisers. (5 comments)

Last updated 8 November 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

If it’s feral you expect, guess what you’ll get?

The brim of her pointy hat just about reached my letterbox. Her face was a paint palette of green and mauve; long-lashed eyes, as big and round as dinner plates, gazed with an intensity to break hearts.

Last updated 4 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

The littlest witch cast a spell on me!

The brim of her pointy hat just about reached my letterbox. Her face was a paint-palette of green and mauve; long-lashed eyes, as big and round as dinner plates, gazed with an intensity to break hearts.

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

St Paul’s protesters’ inconvenient truths

Having been told by churchmen – in the gentlest possible terms – to pick up their tents and walk, protesters camping outside St Paul’s Cathedral are proving more than a little tricky to handle.

Last updated 1 November 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

How a flower can make us realise what matters

When a big magic poppy appeared on the side of Carlisle’s Shaddon Mill, reality check kicked in.

Last updated 28 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Time to wake up and smell the poppies

When a big magic poppy appeared on the side of Carlisle’s Shaddon Mill, reality check kicked in.

Last updated 28 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Europe: In or out?

It always was a dirty word. Referendum: to have or to hold – that’s the killer question. (11 comments)

Last updated 25 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

I’ve lapsed from all of my clubs – except Cranstons

I was asked this week whether I was a member of anything. A simple enough enquiry but, to be honest, the question threw me a bit.

Last updated 21 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Put some energy into helping your customers

So, now we have to have to ask the question all over again. Just where is the root of all evil?

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

Welcome to the world, William – how it’s changed

It happened in a life-changing instant. Like finding your first grey hair or not immediately remembering your own phone number.

Last updated 14 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

I’m too young to be a great aunt, let alone older than a jazzman!

It happened in a life-changing instant. Like finding your first grey hair or not immediately remembering your own phone number.

Last updated 14 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Should we really look through morose-tinted spectacles all the time?

Optimism is one of our biggest failings. Looking on the bright side, while whistling a happy tune, is a weakness, a hindrance, it’s holding us back... from facing miserable reality.

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

Country retreats

eshott810 Sharing a garden pergola with a tipsy bridesmaid on a balmy autumn evening, it was easy to understand from where Doxford Hall had won its reputation for spinning magic.

Last updated 8 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Professionals in our own premier partying league

We were a visibly happy little bunch as we gathered at Carlisle Rugby Club for a couple of sherbets and a sausage roll apiece.

Last updated 7 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

I love rugby. Mostly for the parties

We were a visibly happy little bunch as we gathered at Carlisle Rugby Club for a couple of sherbets and a sausage roll apiece.

Last updated 7 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Dave, a letter of advice on your recent conduct (don’t worry, I’m not cross)

An open letter to David Cameron from a woman in no need of an apology. (4 comments)

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

You know you’re local when the pong’s your own

Leaning too far over the harbour wall, like a couple of fishwives who’d just lost their menfolk’s catch, we were breathing in deeply... and coughing rather a lot.

Last updated 30 September 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk