Sarah Millington

The Settle-Carlisle Railway, built by the Midland Railway in the 1870s through the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines, is marking 150 years since its first passenger service. The 73-mile route required extensive tunnels, bridges and viaducts, including the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. After passenger decline and proposed closure by British Rail in the 1970s and 1980s, local communities, enthusiasts, businesses and authorities organized a preservation campaign led in part by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line. The government agreed in 1989 to keep the railway open, enabling station restoration, increased tourism and revived freight traffic.

Cumbria developed a strong golfing tradition in the late Victorian era, with clubs founded in Carlisle, Kendal, Silloth and Keswick during the 1880s and 1890s. The expansion of railways helped link golf with tourism in the Lake District and along the Solway coast. The 1910 formation of the Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs further supported competitions, county teams and junior development. The county’s courses are portrayed as important community institutions that combine sporting tradition, social connection and access to scenic landscapes.

Head chef Simon Ulph describes his 23-year culinary career, beginning with weekend work at The Romney Grill before progressing through The Swan, The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe and The Hambrough. He credits Andrew Clarke and Robert Thompson with teaching him foundational cooking skills and finesse, marking his transition from cook to chef. At Rowan at Rothay Manor in Ambleside, his signature dish is raw Orkney scallop with avocado bavarois, King's caviar and buttermilk dashi. Ulph hopes to establish Rowan as a destination restaurant and create a legacy his children can be proud of.

Cumbria’s August events calendar features agricultural shows, sheepdog trials, family entertainment, traditional sports, the Lake District Summer Music Festival and a major classic-car event. Highlights include shows at Cartmel, Dalston, Dalemain, Appleby, Hawkshead and Grasmere, offering livestock competitions, local food, music, crafts, motorsport and outdoor activities throughout the county.

Cumbria’s coastline offers a range of beaches suited to family outings, coastal walks, wildlife watching and water sports. The feature highlights St Bees, Silecroft, Roanhead, Allonby, Drigg and Haverigg beaches, describing their scenery, facilities, wildlife, recreational opportunities and accessibility. Several locations provide quieter alternatives to busier summer destinations, while visitors are advised to consider tide times and coastal conditions.

Oras Al-Ani received the Special Recognition for Mentoring award at the 2026 Pride of Cumbria Awards for her work supporting hundreds of learners undertaking nuclear apprenticeships in electrical and mechanical engineering at Lakes College Nuclear Skills in Workington. She was praised for adapting teaching to individual needs, building learner confidence, explaining complex technical concepts clearly and helping apprentices improve results and raise their aspirations.

The Rita and Joy Irving School of Dance, later associated with Terry Irving, was a prominent Carlisle dance troupe active from the 1950s through the 1970s and beyond. Led by Rita and Joy Irving, its young dancers performed at local galas, fêtes, fashion shows, civic celebrations and charity events. Archival photographs document appearances including the 1969 Harraby Community Centre Gala and a Crown & Mitre Hotel fashion show benefiting the NSPCC, highlighting the troupe’s enduring role in Carlisle’s post-war social and cultural life.

Tufty Clubs, launched by RoSPA in the 1960s, taught young children road safety through the character Tufty Fluffytail and became widely adopted across Cumbria. Schools and community groups offered badges, lessons, events and materials promoting safe road‑crossing habits, including the Kerb Drill that later evolved into the Green Cross Code. By the late 1970s the programme diminished as newer campaigns took precedence, but it left strong memories among those who grew up with it.