Sophie Swain

Ashton Donnison of Appleby-in-Westmorland pleaded guilty at Carlisle Magistrates' Court to driving with THC above the legal limit after a one-vehicle collision. The court heard that he had admitted the offence, had multiple previous convictions and was already serving a 14-month driving ban for another drug-driving offence. Magistrates fined him £253, deducted from his benefits, and imposed an additional 17-month disqualification to run consecutively. His solicitor said he had been drug-free since February and was trying to move away from criminal behaviour.

Self-employed roofer John Mason pleaded guilty at Carlisle Magistrates' Court to assault by beating, theft from Amigos Convenience Store and criminal damage after drinking while watching a World Cup match. He took a BuzzBall without paying, damaged shop displays and punched a worker, causing a bloodied nose and pain lasting about 40 minutes. Magistrates described the incident as an immature response and ordered Mason to pay £1,395.97, including compensation for the victim and property damage, at £150 per month.

Liverpool solicitor Helen Dugdale pleaded guilty at Carlisle Magistrates' Court to two drink-driving offences committed in Liverpool, one in July and another in August. Her breath readings were 57 and 95 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres, exceeding the legal limit of 35, and she had prior drink-driving convictions in 2013 and 2017. Sentencing was adjourned for pre-sentence and psychological reports, while an interim driving ban was imposed and magistrates warned she could face imprisonment if she drove before sentencing.

A young mountain biker suffered serious injuries, including impaired consciousness and breathing difficulties, after crashing in woodland at Penrith Beacon. Penrith Mountain Rescue Team stabilised him, provided pain relief and carried him to an ambulance before he was taken to Newcastle’s RVI. Sixteen rescuers attended for two hours. The team also responded to a separate call involving an unwell walker near Lanercost, but North West Ambulance Service reached the casualty before the rescue team was needed.

The News & Star has opened nominations for its Best Bakery 2026 competition, celebrating bakeries in North and West Cumbria. Online nominations run from August 17 to 23, followed by the announcement of ten finalists and a reader vote using newspaper editions from August 31 to September 12. The winner is due to be announced the following week; The Cumbrian Baker in Cockermouth won the 2025 award.

Edenfest26, a new family-friendly music festival organised by Ian Milburn, will take place at Carlisle Cricket Club on September 19. The event will feature local artists, tribute acts and entertainment for all ages, with tickets priced at £20 for adults and £10 for under-16s. Proceeds will support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, Carlisle Youth Zone, and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust. Carlisle-based Explosive Productions will provide production services and close the festival with a music showcase spanning the 1960s to the 2000s.

Gary Richardson, 44, of Brampton, pleaded guilty at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court after failing without reasonable excuse to provide police with a blood sample requested under Section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. He was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Carlisle on May 2. The court imposed a 17-month driving disqualification, a 19-week community order with an electronically monitored 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew until December 22, and £400 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Noel Harris, 48, pleaded guilty at West Cumbria Courthouse to driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without third-party insurance. After being stopped on the A596 near Little Clifton, he received an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a further 34-month driving ban and an order to pay £85 in prosecution costs. Magistrates cited his previous offending and flagrant disregard for court orders, while suspending the sentence to allow rehabilitation.

Carlisle's former BrewDog bar on Botchergate is set to reopen as a Bees Knees pub after being acquired by businessman Phil James and his partner John Ashley. Around £200,000 will be invested in refurbishing the venue, with work due to begin after the group receives the keys and reopening targeted for October. Recruitment, including the appointment of a manager and additional staff, is expected to begin in the coming months.

Northern Irish rock trio Ash will perform at Carlisle’s Old Fire Station on October 19, 2027, marking the 30th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album, 1977. The concert will feature songs including “Girl From Mars,” “Goldfinger,” “Lose Control” and “Oh Yeah.” Tickets range from £21.50 for entry to £50 for a limited-edition vinyl and ticket package.

Businesses and community groups across Cumbria are supporting The Happy Mums Foundation’s emergency £25,000 appeal to preserve mental-health support for mothers. Fundraising efforts include a six-hour crochet challenge by Crochet Mamas, a duck collection and trail organized by Fairy Sawdust, a £165 bake sale at Willow Tree Nursery, and sales of handmade crochet items at The Buttered Cat. The foundation has supported more than 1,000 families across the county.

A free discussion on the Spanish Civil War will be held at Reiver Reads in Carlisle Market Hall on Saturday, August 15. Researcher Tony Fox will discuss letters and diaries from the International Brigades, the motivations of British volunteers, the threat posed by Franco and Hitler, and the conflict’s continuing relevance.

Cumbrian GP Laura Moss is backing an emergency £25,000 appeal to keep the Happy Mums Foundation operating after it supported her through postnatal depression and the death of her premature daughter, Alice. The charity provides non-judgmental mental health support for mothers, but has less than three months of reserves left; its Brampton and Cockermouth groups have already paused, while Carlisle and Teen-to-25 sessions are at risk of closure. Moss says the charity is vital because Cumbria’s mental health services are severely overstretched, and the appeal had raised £3,548 at publication.

A 1917 Phelon and Moore 500cc motorcycle linked to a famous 1970 photograph of Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant will be auctioned by Laidlaw Auctioneers and Valuers in Carlisle on August 29. Documentation and the motorcycle’s logbook reportedly confirm that it is the bike shown in the image, although Plant did not own it. The motorcycle, which also has a Royal Flying Corps connection, is expected to sell for between £15,000 and £25,000.

Ten and Fower Skate Shop owner Harry Palmer is organizing a free Skate Jam at Bitts Park skatepark in Carlisle on Sunday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature informal challenges, music, prizes and community activities rather than a traditional competition, with prize support from skateboarding brands including Krooked, Death and Spitfire. Palmer hopes the event will attract skateboarders from across Cumbria, encourage newcomers and former participants to return to the sport, and potentially become a regular community event.

Laura Pledger left a decade-long corporate banking career to launch Rise, a women’s fitness business based at Cumbria Wildlife Trust near Carlisle. The venture offers indoor and outdoor group classes, including specialist mum-and-baby sessions, with a focus on tailored exercise, community and support during and after pregnancy. Pledger says members have responded positively, including reporting benefits to their mental health, and she plans to expand into outdoor activities, wellness events and music-themed fitness weeks.

Jonathan Winstanley, 27, of Carlisle, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide it with food, leaving the animal severely underweight. His sentencing was adjourned after he missed both a probation appointment and the scheduled hearing. He has been granted bail on condition that he attends a probation appointment and does not possess or control a domesticated animal. He is due to return to Carlisle Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on 7 September.

The monthly Try Not To Laugh improv comedy night at Carlisle’s Crown Lane Cellar is bringing performers and audiences together through improvised games and comedy. Led by Emma Angus, Dr Steph McCullough and GRIT, the event has attracted growing audiences and positive feedback. The organizers hope to refine the show, expand the group and eventually perform at the Edinburgh Fringe and other events.

Dance Ahead CIC celebrated 18 years of creative work in Carlisle and its first anniversary as a Community Interest Company at an event held at Crown Lane Cellar. Around 30 artists, collaborators, supporters and community participants attended performances and viewed memorabilia documenting projects since 2008. Speakers highlighted founder Zoë Leigh Gadd’s contribution to confidence-building, wellbeing and community connection through dance, theatre and participation. The organisation is now developing projects including The Human Playground, Woodland Wonders, school programmes and new artistic collaborations.

A woman injured her ankle while hiking on Great Gable in the Lake District and was unable to descend because of the injury and difficult terrain. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, supported by Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, assessed her and arranged for Rescue 897 to airlift her to Wasdale Head Inn, where she was transferred to a land ambulance. The rest of her 15-person group walked toward Seathwaite to collect their vehicles.

Little VIPS Day Care in Hackthorpe, near Penrith, was rated “strong” across all areas by Ofsted following a June 17 inspection. Inspectors praised its nurturing environment, ambitious curriculum, dynamic leadership and knowledgeable staff. The assessment followed the nursery’s transition to a governor-led setting integrated into Lowther Endowed School in July 2024, creating an educational pathway from nine months through primary school. School leaders, governors and the nursery manager credited staff teamwork and commitment for the positive result.

Nineteen-year-old Henry Forsyth has been charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop for police after officers pursued a van in Linstock near Carlisle. The van was suspected of being linked to nitrous oxide use. Carlisle Police said the pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion and that several arrests followed local drug intelligence, increased patrols and concerns raised by residents in Houghton and Blackford.

More than 40 people took part in a flash mob dance in Carlisle city centre, performing routines practiced through Joanne Hearsey’s Joe’s Fun Fitness classes. The event aimed to spread positivity, build confidence and encourage people to try something new, with some onlookers joining in. Hearsey said similar events may be held in the future.

Claire Wheeler is preparing to host Cumbria’s first Empty Chairs gathering at Carlisle’s Crown & Mitre, offering an informal setting for people to meet and talk without registration, speeches or structured activities. The initiative was founded by Dean Perryman after the suicide of his best friend and aims to reduce loneliness, though it is not a counselling service.

British-American TikTok couple Tay and Alex, who have more than 320,000 followers, visited the McVitie's factory shop in Carlisle and shared their experience online. They praised the low prices, purchasing two bags of biscuits and crackers for just over £22, and highlighted the availability of Carr's, Jacob's and McVitie's products. Their video attracted more than 100,000 views.

Sophie Swain reviews the family-run Coach and Horses pub on Kingstown Road in Carlisle, which reopened after a £300,000 upgrade. She praises its welcoming atmosphere, broad menu and well-prepared Sunday roast, particularly the beef, cauliflower cheese and homemade-style trimmings. Desserts, including a warm chocolate brownie with Luxury Lakes ice cream, are also highly rated, leading her to recommend the pub as her preferred destination for Sunday dinner in Carlisle.

Into The Groove Events has announced that DJ Dan Shake will perform a two-hour headline set at CRL Warehouse in Workington on October 3. The Glitterbox regular, known for blending house, disco and UK garage, has appeared at Boiler Room, Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, Lost Village and Gottwood. Resident DJs will host an afterparty, with a pop-up from the Caianello boys, while tickets sold through Skiddle include free transport to Workington and Whitehaven.

Ongoing roadworks near Smithfield, close to Longtown, have reportedly caused a sharp decline in customers at The Robin Hood Inn and Tearoom. Owners Pippa Johnston and Andrew Scott blame inadequate signage, saying signs placed several miles away do little to reassure motorists that the business remains open. Carlisle MP Julie Minns has asked the highways department to reconsider the road management plan and install more prominent signs near the tearoom. Cumberland Council thanked residents and businesses for their patience and said concerns about signage or access should be raised with the site team or council directly.

The Happy Mums Foundation is seeking £25,000 to maintain mental-health support groups for mothers across Cumbria after funding and staffing pressures forced its Brampton and Cockermouth sessions to pause. Longtown mother Stephanie Tuddenham describes the Brampton group as a crucial non-judgmental space for discussing mental health, trauma, parenting challenges and caring for her autistic, non-verbal son. With less than three months of reserves remaining, the foundation says its Carlisle and Teen-to-25 services are also at risk; the appeal had raised £3,308 at publication.

A free school uniform swap shop coordinated by Carlisle Matters CIC and The Lanes Shopping Centre will return to Carlisle from August 11 to 13. Families can select uniforms without forms or eligibility checks, while residents are encouraged to donate clean, good-quality items at community centres or The Lanes Management Suite. Organizers say the event will help families manage back-to-school costs, support community sharing and reduce textile waste.

A walker who slipped and injured an ankle at the top of Hallin Fell was rescued by Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team. Nine team members reached the casualty on foot from St Peter’s Church, splinted the ankle and stretchered the walker to the road for transfer to North West Ambulance Service. The operation around Ullswater lasted three hours.

A section of Market Place in Cockermouth, between Castlegate Drive and Kirkgate, has been closed because of unsafe cobbles. Cumberland Council said the closure will remain in place until 5 p.m. on Friday, August 7, while essential safety repairs are carried out. A signed diversion is available, and drivers are advised to allow extra travel time.

Alligator Tears, an absurdist comedy set in 1960s Florida during the Space Race, will be performed at Carlisle’s Green Room on August 19 and 20. Cumbrian creatives Olivia Buchanan and Charlie Raine wrote, directed and produced the play through their grassroots company Frankenwalt, handling tasks ranging from props to rehearsals. The production combines visual gags, darker humour and reflective themes, with a community cast recruited through open auditions. The creators also emphasize the importance of local venues such as The Green Room in supporting emerging artists.

I Love Café in Carlisle is scheduled to reopen on August 18 under new ownership. The new team plans to preserve the café’s established identity while introducing a refreshed food and drinks menu, light refurbishment and opening-day offers. Existing staff members Amelia and Karmina will return, supported by experienced managers Angela Blair and Lori. The owners say they aim to maintain quality, improve customer experience and attract more visitors to the area, benefiting nearby businesses.

Scottish comedian Connor Burns will perform his stand-up show Flow at Carlisle’s Old Fire Station on January 21, 2027. The show is Burns’s fifth solo production, following his 2025 Forth Fringe Award win and strong ticket sales ahead of its 2026 Edinburgh Fringe premiere. Tickets cost £19.50 plus a booking fee.

Local community efforts are raising money for The Happy Mums Foundation, which aims to secure £25,000 to continue providing peer support for mothers experiencing perinatal mental-health challenges. Stone Eden Nursery School raised £262 through a bake sale, while Fairy Sawdust raised £60 through a scavenger trail and fairy treasure hunt. Volunteers emphasized the role of community organizations in reducing stigma and ensuring mothers know they are not alone.

Gary Edgar, 41, of Siddick near Workington, pleaded guilty at West Cumbria Courthouse to driving a Hyundai i20 on the A596 with 4.5 micrograms of cannabis in his blood, above the legal limit. He received a 12-month driving ban, a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge. The £253 total will be recovered from his benefits at £20 per month.

Gadabout Festival’s second event at High Hall Farm near Armathwaite attracted around 350 attendees, up from its debut, and organisers are already planning a 2027 return. The independent festival was praised for its welcoming family atmosphere, diverse emerging-artist line-up and strong local support. Highlights included performances by Beans on Toast, Youth Sector, Ciao Lucifer, The Labourers and Melanie Baker, alongside food vendors, an art workshop and a popular bar supplied by West Walls Brewing Co. Organisers credited the Stobart family and local businesses for helping deliver the event and encouraged visitors to watch for early 2027 ticket releases.

Punk band UK Subs will perform one of its final shows at The Brickyard in Carlisle on April 18, 2027, as part of a farewell tour marking 50 years in music. Frontman Charlie Harper said the band is ending its career to pass the torch to younger punk groups. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with tickets priced at £25 plus a £3 booking fee.

The Robin Hood Inn & Tearoom in Smithfield, near Longtown, says roadworks and inadequate signage have caused customer numbers to fall dramatically, leaving the normally busy tearoom with empty tables. Owners Pippa Johnston and Andrew Scott have asked Cumberland Council for greater support and raised the issue with Carlisle MP Julie Minns. Minns’s office has requested that the highways department review the road management plan and add clearer “business open as usual” signs closer to the tearoom. The business remains open several days a week and has received strong online reviews.

Rush tribute band Moving Pictures will perform at Carlisle's Old Fire Station on February 4, 2027, marking the 50th anniversary of the album A Farewell to Kings. The standing event will feature songs from across Rush's career, including deep cuts and fan favorites. The band has received praise from Judy Peart, sister of late drummer Neil Peart, and tickets cost £22.50 plus a booking fee; attendees must be at least 14, with under-16s accompanied by an adult.

Penrith Mountain Rescue Team responded to six incidents across Cumbria in June and July, assisting injured or distressed walkers and people stranded in remote areas. Callouts included a person experiencing a bad trip near the River Eden, a heat-stricken teenager at Red Tarn, a potentially hypothermic wild camper, an injured charity hiker with a damaged ankle, a stranded solo walker near Kershope Forest and an injured walker at Cawdale. Several casualties were escorted or transported from the fells and handed over to ambulance services.

Carlisle Hockey Club won the £1,000 top prize in the News & Star Win Kit for Kids competition, which was decided through a five-week newspaper-token collection scheme. The club plans to use the money to buy equipment for its Mini and Junior sections, making hockey more accessible to children. Backed by Cumbria Fostering and Adoption, the wider campaign also aimed to support regional grassroots sport and raise awareness of the need for foster carers and adopters.

The Happy Mums Foundation, which has supported more than 1,000 families in Cumbria, is seeking £25,000 to avoid closing its remaining Carlisle and Teen to 25 support groups. Its Brampton and Cockermouth groups have already shut because of funding pressures, with less than three months of reserves left. News & Star is partnering with the foundation to raise awareness, while local groups including Stone Eden Nursery School and Fairy Sawdust have begun fundraising. The campaign had raised about £2,200 at publication.

The Happy Mums Foundation, which provides free peer support for mothers across Cumbria, is appealing for £25,000 to avoid closure. Funding pressures have already forced the group to shut its Brampton and Cockermouth sessions, while Carlisle and Teen to 25 groups face the same risk with less than three months of reserves remaining. Members describe the service as a vital, non-judgmental lifeline, and the foundation says about 75% of users receive no other mental health support. Donations and fundraising are being sought urgently to keep the groups operating.

Solway STEM Academy has launched STEM in Sport, an education programme for primary school pupils in west Cumbria that uses rugby to demonstrate concepts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Developed by chartered engineer Alyx Murdock and delivered with Workington Town RLFC Community Trust, the programme includes practical workshops involving professional rugby players. Early school trials have received positive feedback, and the academy is seeking sponsorship from local businesses to expand the initiative to more schools.

More than 30 women are preparing to perform a flash mob in Carlisle city centre on August 8, organised by fitness instructor Joanne Hearsey of Joe's Fun Fitness. The event aims to build confidence, encourage women of all ages and abilities to try something new, and promote social connection through dance and exercise. Around 30 to 40 participants are rehearsing three songs, with video tutorials available on Facebook for others who want to join.

A damaged high-voltage underground cable caused a power outage affecting 102 homes and businesses in Workington for about two hours. Electricity North West restored supplies by 5:40 p.m., while a full cable repair remained pending. Parkway Cinema closed for the day and offered customers refunds or ticket rebooking.

The Sunbeams September Stroll will return to the Lake District on September 6, offering one-way and return routes along the former Keswick-to-Penrith railway line. The inclusive event supports Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust, which provides music therapy across Cumbria, and is sponsored by Penrith Building Society. Participants can register for the family-friendly walk, with funds supporting sessions at the Sunbeams Music Centre and more than 55 outreach venues.

The Rebuild Site in Carlisle has been shortlisted in two categories at the Green Awards UK 2026: Green Micro Enterprise of the Year and Excellence in Waste Management. Founded in 2021 by Emma Porter, the organisation salvages surplus construction materials and redistributes them to charities, schools, contractors, community groups and the public. It has supported more than 280 projects across Cumbria and south-west Scotland and operates one of the UK’s first dedicated construction-material reuse hubs. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London later this year.

Class of ’79, a supergroup featuring veterans of influential punk, ska and new wave bands including Eddie & the Hot Rods, The Rezillos, The Vapors, The Selecter, Department S and UK Subs, will perform at Carlisle’s Old Fire Station on September 6, 2026. Tickets cost £16 plus a booking fee and are available through the venue’s website.

Parkway Cinema in Workington closed for the day after a high-voltage cable incident cut power to the Dunmail Park site and nearby areas, affecting 102 properties. Engineers were sent to the site, with restoration initially estimated for 6:07 p.m. Customers with tickets were offered full refunds or rebooking, while the precise cause remained unconfirmed, although contractors may have damaged a mains cable.

Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team is seeking the identity of a fisherman who threw a life ring to a person in difficulty off Silloth on July 24. His quick action gave the Silloth RNLI crew time to reach and rescue the casualty, who received first aid and was later confirmed safe and well. The coastguard is asking anyone who knows the fisherman to help him get in touch so he can be properly thanked.

Stuart "Woody" Wood discusses the Bay City Rollers' return to Carlisle's Old Fire Station, where the band will perform with Cumbrian duo Ritz as the opening act. Wood attributes the group's survival more than five decades after Rollermania to the strength of its songs and values the intimacy of smaller venues. The concert is expected to attract original fans alongside younger family members, with limited tickets still available.

Carlisle wedding photographer Rachel Laidler has won Best Female Photographer at the County Brides North West Wedding Awards, based on client votes and recommendations. In her fourth year of business, Laidler specializes in relaxed, candid wedding photography across Cumbria and nearby areas, emphasizing genuine emotion and helping couples feel comfortable. After returning to photography following the birth of her son, she built her business through word of mouth and reviews and plans to continue creating wedding memories while developing the brand.

A family’s car fell five metres onto rocks at Whitehaven Harbour, prompting a response from police, fire and ambulance crews. The vehicle, carrying a family from Manchester, was recovered within about an hour and no injuries were reported. Emergency services assessed the scene near the North Shore car park, with eyewitnesses noting the unusual sight.

Luke Una will perform at Carlisle’s annual DEAD EH! Halloween IV event hosted by PARTY EH! and Dead Horse Gang at The Brickyard. Known for shaping the UK’s underground music scene through projects such as Electric Chair, Homoelectric and Homobloc, he will be supported by several local DJs. The event takes place on October 31 with tickets priced at £20.

A new Big Fish Comedy mini Fringe Festival will be held at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick on July 25, featuring four Edinburgh Fringe preview shows and day passes offering discounted entry. Founded by Stephanie Bradshaw, the event aims to bring Fringe-style comedy to Cumbria with performances by Anna Thomas, Kelly Rickard, Tom Little and a musical improvisation act. Tickets range from £10 to £15, with more details available through the venue’s website.

A community celebration of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights was held for the first time at Carlisle Castle, drawing about 60 participants in red dresses who performed the iconic dance. Organised by Michael Boone and Zoë Leigh Gadd, the event featured open rehearsals, strong community engagement and unexpected support from a volunteer videographer. Positive reception has encouraged organisers to establish the gathering as an annual July event and expand it into a broader community festival.

Carlisle hosted its first romantasy-themed event at The Crown Lane Cellar, organised by Kira Van Helsing of Periodic Fables, drawing an enthusiastic community of book fans dressed in fantasy-inspired outfits. The evening included live piano music, beginner dance sessions, a Q&A with author Samantha Middleton, themed drinks, cakes, portraits, and competitions. Organisers expressed delight at the strong turnout and plan to hold similar events in the future.

A holidaymaker from Stoke-on-Trent praised West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven after receiving treatment for severe dehydration. He described the staff as exceptionally helpful and efficient, and noted practical support provided for his wife during his three-night stay. Feeling that positive NHS experiences are seldom highlighted, he shared his story after returning home in improved health.

Emergency services responded to a building fire in Armathwaite, south of Carlisle, after it was reported around 8 p.m. The building is believed to be empty, and no injuries have been reported. Roads are closed, and residents are urged to avoid the area and keep windows shut due to smoke, with officials advising the public to follow emergency guidance.

Emergency services responded to a blue car that crashed onto rocks near Whitehaven Harbour, with police, fire crews and an ambulance present as they assessed the situation. The cause of the incident and any potential injuries remain unconfirmed, and authorities have been contacted for further information.

A man identified as Paul Muir received a five‑year Criminal Behaviour Order from Carlisle Magistrates’ Court after admitting theft, drunken disorder and notification breaches. The order bars him from all Asda and B&M stores in Carlisle and the Tesco Express on English Street, and prohibits carrying unsealed alcohol in public unless in licensed premises. Police urged the public to report any breaches, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

Members of the Castle Carrock Women’s Institute hosted corn dolly maker Margaret Rees for a talk and workshop on the history and techniques of the traditional craft. Rees explained the folklore behind corn dollies, demonstrated their construction, and guided participants in making their own pieces. She shared examples from around the world and noted her ongoing workshops across the UK, offering future sessions to interested groups in the region.

A forensic pathologist testified that Stan Smith, a 73-year-old man found dead in his Silloth home, showed internal neck injuries consistent with forceful compression. His son, Brian James Stanley Smith, who denies murder, had reported restraining his father after an argument. The examination found bruising and fractures in the neck, as well as additional bruising on the back, which prosecutors argue supports an attack from behind. The pathologist concluded that heart disease was not a credible cause of death. The trial continues.

A man from Lincolnshire received a 10‑year prison sentence at Carlisle Crown Court after police found 39 kilograms of cocaine worth nearly £4 million in his car during a stop near Penrith. Officers detained him after he tried to flee, and authorities described the seizure as one of the largest in Cumbria. Police said the operation prevented significant criminal profit and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling organised crime under Operation Alliance, urging the public to report drug‑related activity.

A power outage in the village of Dean affected 145 homes, with three additional properties impacted in nearby Greysouthen. Electricity North West attributed the disruption to an unexpected underground cable issue and began investigating while preparing engineers to repair the fault. The company estimated power would be restored by mid-afternoon.