COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Last updated 11:30, Tuesday, 05 February 2008

THE head of the region’s regeneration funding agency has been in West Cumbria to applaud economic enterprise.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency, was rightly proud of the entrepreneurship and job creation that has sprung up.

He wasn’t here to discuss the biggest regeneration project of all - Derwent Forest - but we asked him about it anyway, curious to know whether delays and financial machinations were in danger of concocting one big pie in the sky.

No, he assured us, he was “very optimistic” because there were four “serious and authentic developers.” Great news!

The business people behind Utropia, an eco-theme development, state that they’re still keen; showing patience six years after they unveiled their plan.

But what about claims that opencast coal mining is also on the agenda? Mr Broomhead confirmed there was an interest but, like many people, he appears concerned that this would be a backwards step.

What is clear is that local people should have more information.

Mr Broomhead’s statements are useful, but we shouldn’t have to beg for answers about a project that may affect the lives of so many people.

Don’t leave us in the dark any more, Mr Broomhead.

In Distington on Friday there was a celebratory evening to thank those who’ve worked to improve the image of the village.

Meanwhile, we learned that although Maryport Christ Church’s small congregation couldn’t afford to buy a new steeple clock, townsfolk felt sufficiently motivated to raise the cash on their behalf.

These are two fine examples of people putting wider interests above their own, and it shows that community spirit is alive and well.