Fastest creature on the planet

The fastest creature on the planet can be found in the Lake District.

Peregrine falcon

No, it's not me on hearing the phrase "Let's go and do the shopping". It's actually the peregrine falcon holds the world speed record achieving an astonishing 200mph when it dives to attack its prey. You might be lucky to see one when you go walking up Wallowbarrow - or you might just notice a 'blur' shoot past you at 200mph!

* The destruction of Sal Madge's headstone has provoked a lot of response on our website. I took the opportunity to re-read her obituary in The Cumberland Pacquet (I'm afraid to say it's much better written than The Whitehaven News' account of her death). It included the line, "Her face had defied a thousand storms". As a pen portrait, that could only be Sal Madge!

* Having mentioned about an Uppies and Downies' style football match having taken place in Lamplugh in the 18th Century, I have also heard about a day-long match that took place up by Haig pit in the 19th Century. They knew how to play football in those days!