Cumbria Crack

2 weeks ago | cumbriacrack.com | Lucy Edwards

Cumbria’s first Reform UK councillor has spoken to Cumbria Crack about his win and plans for the future. Chris Colley, 43, of Egremont, won a seat on the town council’s south ward earlier this year with 359 votes, beating candidates from Labour (226 votes) and the Conservatives (156 votes) – making him Cumbria’s first Reform UK councillor. It was described as a success for Reform UK, which is led by Nigel Farage and has been called a prime challenger to Britain’s main traditional parties.

3 weeks ago | cumbriacrack.com | Nigel Thompson

A pioneering conference, bringing together groups concerned with the health of the marine environment off the Cumbrian coast, is to take place later this month. The inaugural North West Marine Ecosystems Conference 2025 will be held at The Storey Institute in Lancaster on June 30. The event is organised by the North West Coastal Forum and the North West Wildlife Trusts.

3 weeks ago | cumbriacrack.com | Lucy Edwards

A hidden Kendal art gallery is spicing up the Lake District. Cross Lane Projects is tucked away just off the town’s main street, and is based in the old mint cake factory, has been quietly bringing contemporary art exhibitions to the town since 2018. Its latest exhibition, Formula + Fetish, which will run until June 28, is a striking display of objects that mesh together jewellery, fine art, fetish objects and items from cabinets of curiosities.

3 weeks ago | cumbriacrack.com | Nigel Thompson

Extreme adventurer, mental health advocate, and award-winning charity founder Alex Staniforth has passed a major milestone in his bid to climb all 446 mountains in England and Wales in one continuous, self-powered expedition in under 50 days. Launched last month, the challenge marks the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Nepal earthquake where Alex survived being stranded on Mount Everest while three of his Sherpa teammates lost their lives at Base Camp.

3 weeks ago | cumbriacrack.com | Nigel Thompson

Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer says up to 12 new submarines will be built at the Barrow shipyard replacing the Astute Class attack submarines which are still under construction in Cumbria. Speaking in Glasgow this morning he confirmed that a dozen boats will be constructed for the UK as part of the SSN-AUKUS programme – the collaboration between Australia, the UK and US. The conventionally armed boats will replace the Astute Class submarines and come into service from the late 2030s.