Just messing about on the river

The sunshine has brought out the best in people. After such a long, hard winter it is a real tonic to feel the warmth on your face, and as I walked into Appleby to take a photograph of a donation to the Appleby-in-Westmorland Society, I saw so many young lads making the most of the wonderful spring weather.

To read the news story about the society, click here.

As I walked over the bridge into the town it was packed with youngsters with buckets of worms, fishing. And as seasoned fishermen and women walked past they gave as few hints and tips on where to aim their line. No Wii or computer game can replace the thrill of getting outside and trying to pick your wits against the fish in the Eden, as these young lads had discovered.

And next to the river for the past three days the youngsters have been getting their white on and playing cricket.

Anyone who accuses the young people of Eden of been anti social, time wasters should take a walk through Appleby on a sunny day – or any day - and see the majority of children and teenagers at play – doing what their parents, grandparents and great grandparents did for fun at their age along the banks of the River Eden.