I CAN'T believe we are in September already. Where has the summer gone?

Saying that, I’m still waiting for it to arrive. This is my favourite time of year. I love the autumnal colours, the crisp mornings and trying to light the log burner for the first time. Although I’ll admit it’s not exactly my forte. All that messing about with kindling and it still goes out after about five minutes.

As I write this, we are putting the finishing touches to our float for Kendal Torchlight Carnival which takes place this Friday. I always see Torchlight as the official start to autumn. Cumbrians are the hardy perennials of the North. Last year thousands lined the historic streets to watch the spectacular parade, even though we were in the midst of a ferocious monsoon - the sort of rain where you stop persisting with an umbrella because you’ve reached the stage where it’s not actually possible to get any wetter. Even your thermal undies and socks are drenched. Yet this didn’t deter the crowds one jot. The people of Kendal donned wellies and smiles and made it into a great night.

I have written a letter to Michael Fish asking if he can pull some strings for a dry time this year though! I hope you can make the journey to Kendal on Friday, it’s always a top night and incredible to see all the effort that goes into the floats.

Talking of top nights, I’ve just about recovered from last Thursday. I’m off to the dry cleaners with my only suit that fits after the most prestigious event of the year. It was the inaugural Bay Living Awards which celebrates and recognises the best business has to offer in the Bay area. Held at the swanky Great Hall at Lancaster University, it was a night to remember. There were 24 categories in total ranging from Best Boss, to Best Country Pub and Apprentice of the Year. Congratulations to all the winners who dressed to impress for the red carpet. Think glamour and air kissing, darling.

The acceptance speeches had tears and thank yous for everyone from mum to the window cleaner! It was an amazing night full of wonderful stories, inspirational people and plenty of prosecco! It’s a good job I wasn’t on the judging panel, I’d have made them all winners.

Have you heard the brand new single, Cry Baby, from Paloma Faith? I love it. It’s received such a good reaction from Bay listeners too. It’s her first new material in over three years and the first since she became a new mum. I’ll be chatting to Paloma on my show on The Bay this week and I’ll let you know all the gossip in next week’s column.