Anne Pickles

60 years as monarch is a remarkable achievement

She has seen them come and she has seen them go. There may well even have been a few she’d have liked to have had seen off the premises.

Last updated 7 February 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Keith’s having a laugh – no, really, he is!

I reckon Keith Adams may be onto something. He might actually have put his finger on a trick that’s close to useful.

Last updated 3 February 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

If we thought Hester’s pay was obscene, we ain’t seen nothing yet

It’s unfashionable to sympathise with fat cats and bank CEOs who have more money than conscience. (11 comments)

Last updated 31 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

When we spenders lose our outlets – situation’s serious

Life’s full of disappointments, let-downs, short-term traumas. You learn to rant a lot, cry a bit – and then you move on.

Last updated 27 January 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Good on yer, Helen

You really have to take your hat off to chatty, cheery, ever smiling Helen Skelton. A slip of a wee thing, she is. And at 28, no’but a bairn.

Last updated 24 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

How to beat the January blues – bump into Arthur

Depending on who you Googled, Monday was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Though some sites reckon it’s the one to come.

Last updated 20 January 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Arthur, a sure cure for the January blues

Dpending on who you Googled, Monday was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Though some sites reckon it’s the one to come.

Last updated 20 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

No, Mr Gove, I won’t buy the Queen a new yacht

A job well done for a very long time deserves recognition of sincere thanks. And a reward, if budgets stretch that far. (19 comments)

Last updated 17 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Christmas oddity merry-go-round has no losers

There was a raised eyebrow in my neck of the woods when some local charity shops complained people were being mean with their unwanted Christmas gifts this year.

Last updated 13 January 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

All human life is here. In a charity shop

There was a raised eyebrow in my neck of the woods when some local charity shops complained people were being mean with their unwanted Christmas gifts this year.

Last updated 13 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Patient comes first in breast implants saga

The storm in a DD-cup that is the current breast implants saga is no less worrying for it having showed up clearly as a forecast on the public health barometer years ago – and nobody having paid any heed. (3 comments)

Last updated 11 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

I’ve resolved to cancel my resolutions

Muddy footpath squelching underfoot, a leaking boot and the kind of lashing rain that hits all exposed bits horizontally and painfully.

Last updated 6 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

It’s not just the teachers who should smarten up

So the new head of Ofsted reckons our teachers are too scruffy and should smarten up for the classroom.

Last updated 27 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

If I was Mary, I’d be texting too. Probably my mum to be honest

A visit to a living Nativity scene is a bit like a secret Santa gift. You never quite know what you’re going to get – but you’ve an idea it won’t be what you imagined.

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

All Mary wanted for Xmas was a Travelodge room

A visit to a living Nativity scene is a bit like a secret Santa gift. You never quite know what you’re going to get – but you’ve an idea it won’t be what you imagined.

Last updated 23 December 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

All together now people, ‘Mistletoe and whine...’

By now it should be a simple business of relatively plain sailing. It should be but...

Last updated 20 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Hard of hearing? It makes gossip more exciting

She was a hairdresser confidently claiming to be a cut above the rest... she being an accomplished pianist and all.

Last updated 16 December 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Befuddled about the affordability of recitalling and recycling

She was a hairdresser confidently claiming to be a cut above the rest... she being an accomplished pianist and all.

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

Margaret Thatcher may not deserve a state funeral, but I can’t imagine her having anything else

I raised an eyebrow on reading that Baroness Thatcher was to have a state funeral – the first British prime minister to be honoured in such a way since Sir Winston Churchill. (43 comments)

Last updated 13 December 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk