inspired by new paintwork

Cockermouth hit the headlines in November 2009 when the town suffered severe flooding. 30cm of rain fell in just a couple of days. 130 businesses had been reduced to hollow, dusty shells. Twelve months later, around 200 homes were still unfit to live in. It is difficult to appreciate the long term disruption this must have caused to so many families and businesses.

However, when we visited Cockermouth today, the whole town reverberated with freshly painted exteriors, different colours sitting happily side by side. This was no lucky coincidence. Owners had been granted a 50% discount on external paint and advice was given to make sure that they choose the right paint for their properties which would complement the colour scheme of neighbouring buildings.

We followed the town trail, past Kirkgate, the Georgian square and the revitalised Marketplace, established in 1221, with its old market bell which had to be rung every market day at twelve o'clock. It felt like the town and its people had been given a fresh start. Let's hope the bad times are all behind them.