ALLERDALE Borough Council demonstrated the shape of things to come this week when its planning committee approved the building of 114 houses in Dearham despite the objections of more than 300 people who were supported by their local MP and some councillors of integrity.

EVEN without the controversy surrounding the wisdom of Cumbria police in using a bus containing schoolchildren as a barricade to stop a car, Appleby’s historic horse fair continues to divide opinion. As the thousands of visitors made their way home this week, they left in their wake contrasting verdicts on the success or otherwise of the seven days that make up the modern event.

EACH week seems to bring with it a new proposal for the NHS — and political arguments about the best way forward — but in our

IT must have been an enormous relief to the three defendants, including former councillor Colin Nineham, in the high profile alleged recycling credits fraud case that, after almost four years followed by five weeks of nail-biting legal argument at Preston Crown Court, they learned the case against them was to be discontinued.

ONE swallow does not make a summer, nor does one shop make a retail centre, but news that the first unit in the Penrith New Squares development is to open its doors next Saturday is encouraging.

ACCORDING to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee’s report on police and crime commissioners, the office run by Cumbria’s incumbent, Richard Rhodes, is the most cost effective in the North West and the seventh most cost effective in England and Wales.

SIX months into the job, Cumbria police and crime commissioner Richard Rhodes has been outlining his future priorities in maintaining the county as a safe place in which to live. Top of the list are victims of crime, youth justice and domestic violence.

THE severe impact of the cuts Cumbria County Council is being forced to make as its grant from central government is slashed is to be felt in the loss of hundreds of jobs and a reduction in services.

THERE were contrasting reactions as the gavel fell at more than £2 million when the Crosby Garrett Helmet was auctioned in London on Thursday, delivering a blow to the hopes of campaigners in the county who wanted to keep the Roman artefact in Cumbria but bringing unforeseen riches to the finder and the Eden owner of the land on which it was discovered.