RECENT speculation about a general election was a reminder of times when political skirmishes were fought on village greens and in parish halls, rather than heated debates between leading figures, on television screens.

RECENT speculation about a general election was a reminder of times when political skirmishes were fought on village greens and in parish halls, rather than heated debates between leading figures, on television screens.

CAN Cumbria take any more outside pressure? City slickers in faraway places try to interfere with local government and mess about with the county police force by making it part of a neighbouring constabulary.

CAN Cumbria take any more outside pressure? City slickers in faraway places try to interfere with local government and mess about with the county police force by making it part of a neighbouring constabulary.

TOWN halls could be forced to take action over petitions with more than 200 signatures, under new proposals to devolve powers to voters.

TOWN halls could be forced to take action over petitions with more than 200 signatures, under new proposals to devolve powers to voters.

CONCERN over violence among young people has led to letters in the national press, bemoaning the decline in numbers of boys’ clubs.

CONVERSATION flowed at Penrith Cricket Club’s splendid ground centenary celebrations at Tynefield Park, when the company included ex-presidents, life members, former club captains like Harold Millican, Brian Nixon and Eddie Waite, one-time professionals of the stature of David Ash, John Moyes and Graham Monkhouse and a mixture of bowlers, batsmen, stumpers, scorers and supportive enthusiasts.

WHEN portly PC George Dixon plodded the pavements of Dock Green, villains wilted into inactivity or thought about getting an honest job.

THE remote stone symbol can be described as multi-purpose — a nugget of local history, an eye-catching landmark, a remote signpost which tells travellers they are nearing Penrith.