Cumbria stories you might have missed this week
Bluebird returns 70 years on
The return of Donald Campbell's Bluebird to the spot where the adventurer set his first water speed world record 70 years ago is "humbling", his daughter says.
Campbell clocked 202.32mph (325.6km/h) aboard the hydroplane at Ullswater, in the Lake District, in 1955 and the craft was on show near Glenridding Pier to mark the milestone.
Gina Campbell said her father had shown resilience to set the record at a time when many experts believed a boat could not reach such a speed without breaking up.
He died in 1967 when Bluebird somersaulted on Coniston Water as he attempted to push one of his subsequent records past 300mph (480km/h).
Read the full story on the return here
Calls to save hospital's critical care unit
A petition urging the NHS to reconsider permanently removing the highest level of intensive care at a hospital hit 12,000 signatures.
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) intends to close the level 3 unit at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow-in-Furness, due to staff shortages and demand.
One of those who signed, Rosemary McGerty, 77, who lives in a retirement apartment complex nearby, said plans to send the sickest patients more than an hour's drive away were "very, very worrying".
The ICB said those patients would be stabilised at the hospital before being transferred to Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
More details here
Cows stuck in sand rescued
Four cows were rescued after they broke out of their enclosure and got trapped in quicksand.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it had received reports of the animals being stuck up to their necks near Newton Arlosh.
It said the cows had broken through a gate overnight and entered a river, but thankfully it was "an udderly good ending for all".
Read more about their rescue here
'Shock' rent rises
A tenant living in a tourist hotspot said he was left in shock when his landlord told him his rent would rise by 40%.
Tim Greaves lives in a one bedroom flat on Compston Road in Ambleside.
He said he received an email from his lettings agent notifying him of a £225 monthly rise.
He claimed others living in the flat-block had also been hit with rises and were concerned about their options, saying: "There's nowhere to move, not a shoebox - nothing."
Read all about it here
Mosque abuse leads to extra patrols
Police patrols are being stepped up following a rise in online abuse directed against the construction of a new mosque.
The South Lakes Islamic Centre in Dalton-in-Furness is being spearheaded by a group of Muslim doctors at Barrow's Furness General Hospital.
Last month, UKIP leader Nick Tenconi filmed himself visiting the site and shouting "traitor" at several of the site's construction workers.
Mr Tenconi said he had "deliberately stood up" for the people of Dalton and criticised the local authority for allowing the "Islamic caliphate" into Britain.
For all the details on this story click here
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bicester Garrison completes 24-hour static bike ride for charity
Personnel from Bicester Garrison have completed a 24-hour static bike ride to raise more than £1,500 for The Firefighters Charity. The event was organised in response to the recent tragic loss of two firefighters in a fire at Bicester Motion. On the evening of Thursday, May 15, a fire started – for reasons not yet known – that blazed throughout the night and led to the deaths of three people. Local police supporting the fundraiser (Image: MoD) These were firefighters 38-year-old Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan, 30, and member of the public and father-of-two Dave Chester, 57. Two more firefighters also suffered severe injuries from the fire. Sergeant Kamal Shrestha, supported by 1 Regiment RLC, led the initiative, with service personnel across garrison units volunteering for one-hour cycling slots to ensure non-stop pedalling. Static bikes were placed in Bicester town centre for four hours to promote the challenge on the day of the event. Volunteers taking part in the challenge (Image: MoD) The main effort took place at the Garrison Hub in Ambrosden, running continuously from 11am on July 16 to 11am on July 17. The finish was marked by a celebratory gathering attended by garrison commanding officers, the deputy mayor of Bicester, and children from Five Acres School. Special guest Hari Budha Magar - a double amputee and Mount Everest summiteer - attended the event to inspire and support participants. The funds raised will be donated to The Firefighters Charity, which provides vital support and rehabilitation services to serving and retired firefighters and their families.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Conservation efforts spark revival of rare flower on the Island
A rare plant is making a strong comeback thanks to focused conservation efforts. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is celebrating the return of field cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense) at St Lawrence Field Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. The plant, once widespread in southern England, has declined sharply due to habitat loss and changes in farming practices. Now found at just four UK sites, St Lawrence Field is the only location where the species is believed to have survived without reintroduction. Field cow-wheat (Image: Dominic Price) Emma Hunt, senior reserves officer for Wilder Wight and Solent at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "The display of flowers this year was absolutely incredible. "It's so great to see the field cow-wheat in such abundance here. "Field cow-wheat thriving at this scale is hugely encouraging. "This tiny but mighty reserve is proving how even the smallest spaces can have big impacts for biodiversity when managed sensitively." READ MORE: Wildlife trust backs campaign to ban bottom trawling near the Island The population survey, carried out by the trust in partnership with the Species Recovery Trust, highlights the success of targeted habitat management. This has included rotational cutting and careful scrub control to maintain the open, species-rich grassland the plant needs. Dominic Price, director of the Species Recovery Trust, said: "Field cow-wheat is not only a spectacular plant but is also now one of our rarest wild blooms, with this site now considered to be the only surviving native site. "So, to see it growing this well, especially in a year where many sites have been stricken by drought and high temperatures, is just amazing." St Lawrence Field Nature Reserve was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1993 to protect its population of the plant. Verity Foster, reserve officer (Isle of Wight), said: "This species is clinging on at just a handful of sites in the UK, and to witness such a strong recovery here fills me with hope." The trust encourages the public to support conservation efforts and explore nearby nature reserves.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cumbernauld town centre evacuated as church fire continues
CUMBERNAULD town centre has been evacuated due to smoke from a nearby church fire. The B-listed St Mungo's Trinity Parish Church has been destroyed after a fire which broke out on Saturday night. Fire crews have been in attendance since, with local residents evacuated as a precaution. Now The Centre, a large brutalist structure containing more than 100 retail units, has been evacuated too. It is understood that the decision was made for health and safety reasons, as the surrounding areas are very smoky from the ongoing blaze at St Mungo's. It is not clear when people will be able to access The Centre building again. "It smells really smoky everywhere," one person evacuated told The National. The latest fire comes after another blaze ripped through the historic Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre just last week.
