People

Young Cumbrian powerlifter eyeing world championships glory

Richard Goddard photo The life of a record-breaking powerlifter is not all glamour. The bulk that’s so effective at lifting heavy metal causes complications in the outside world.

Last updated 4 May 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Retirement hasn't put brakes on Cumbria's mister perpetual motion

Forget turbines, nuclear, fracking and wavepower, you could solve any energy crisis by using Geoff Brazendale. Strap him into a harness, wire him up, fit him to some pedals, anything that could capture his output.

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

Helga Frankland: The ultimate Cumbrian land girl

South of the village of Ravenstonedale roads soon turn into dirt tracks. Horses and sheep wander across them and an expanse of green scored with drystone walls forms the view as far as the eye can see.

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

The Cumbrian priest with a chapel in his attic

It is a treasure tucked inside a tiny two up two down terrace sandwiched into a blink-and-you-miss-it side street. It is a work of art, an amazing display of dedication, almost a minor miracle.

Last updated 5 April 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

From father to son...Cumbrian bowls club manager hands over reins

Bowls is a sedate sport. Slow and steady. Perhaps the occasional trot of white shoe down manicured green. But nothing to raise the blood pressure too much.

Last updated 30 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

I get death threats... my job can be scary

Caroline Thomson is number two at the BBC and has been tipped for the top job. She tries to relax at home in north Cumbria but confesses to being a 'news junkie.'

Last updated 16 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

‘Gymnastics is a powerful tool to motivate children’

Howard Todd picks up a pile of cuttings and places them on his knee. They cover just a fraction of the achievements he amounted during a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years, focusing on his passion for teaching gymnastics and helping school children win countless competitions and medals.

Last updated 24 February 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Oscar nominated John Hurt set for starring role at Keswick Film Festival

The Naked Civil Servant. I, Claudius. The Elephant Man. Midnight Express. Alien. These are the films and TV programmes John Hurt thinks will be nearest the top of the page when his obituary is written.

Last updated 17 February 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Cumbrian man's love of words pays off

For 22 years Terry Jones taught English Language and English Literature at Carlisle College. He left last year to turn his passion for poetry into a career. And his new life was christened by winning one of the world’s richest poetry prizes.

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

How an ex-world champion boxer is helping to fight flab in Carlisle

Charles Shepherd’s workplace is on Raffles Avenue, Carlisle, in a sparsely furnished brick building called The Annexe.

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

Fictional detective investigating crime in Carlisle 100 years ago

In Carlisle’s historic centre, along Paternoster Row, to the corner of Dean Tait’s Lane, through the cathedral grounds, Martin Daley is walking in other people’s footsteps to forge his own path.

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

Life is good for Carlisle woman whose early career dreams were shattered by an accident

Carolyn Dunn had always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father Brian by becoming a police officer. She left school at 16 to join the police cadets. All was going to plan.

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

Cumbrian woman's motivation driven by tragedy

Jan Hawkins became chairman of the Friends of the Pride of Cumbria air ambulance in 2004. Her journey towards this vital fundraising role began many years earlier, in terrible circumstances.

Last updated 2 December 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

Camp Bastion matron Helen at Palace to receive MBE from the Queen today

A nurse who was brought up near Carlisle has a date with the Queen today. Proud Helen Singh, 45, is at Buckingham Palace to pick up an MBE for services in Afghanistan.

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

‘They had the gun in my mouth. I thought my days were numbered’

When Ged Crooks smiles, two rows of pearly white teeth are revealed, bright against skin that sees a lot of Spanish sun.

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

Carlisle Blues Festival is labour of love for its one-man organising committee

If Nick Westgarth decides to write a song, don’t be surprised if he calls it Hometown Blues. Nick is about to see all his hours organising Carlisle Blues Festival come to fruition.

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

To the First Nation people, Cumbria's Kathleen Johnston is simply ‘sister’ – guided by a bear

Kathleen Johnston cuts an incongruous figure in one of her photographs. The tall Cumbrian, wearing plain black and white clothes, stands next to indigenous Canadians dressed in rainbow outfits.

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

Cumbrian Olympic hopeful Ruth Edge has sights set on London 2012

Two Thyme stands in his field, contentedly munching grass and blissfully unaware of what could have been.

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

Battling to make Cumbria less hostile towards gay people

"I think Cumbria is changing, slowly but surely,” says Pam Eland. “Unless you introduce things, it’s not going to change.”

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

Ice baths in a wheelie bin and being sick in bushes - training is tough for Cumbrian athlete

Her head feels fuzzy, her legs are trembling and her stomach is churning like a washing machine. Angela Kelly’s hard training session has just become too hard, as she stumbles into the bushes and vomits.

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