Top ten feel-good stories of 2023 from south Cumbria

In fact many good things happened in our region in 2023 that pay homage to the strength and character of the people we are lucky enough to serve. 

We wanted to share with you our favourite feel-good stories from across the year that you might have missed. 

1. Heroic woman saved four children from Barrow fire

Shipyard worker Carolanne McInally ran through billowing smoke to grab four children when she spotted a Salthouse Road property on fire on her way back home.  

She said: "I did what I expect someone would do for me in that situation. I did what any person should do. I didn't even think twice."

The heroic woman rushed in when she saw smoke billowing out (Image: Submitted)

2. Mum of Georgia Stanway downsized home twice to support career

Former teacher Joanne Stanway gave some indication of the sacrifice her family had to make to support her talented daughter's career, who now plays as an attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich and was part of the England squad that won the Euros and got to the finals of the World Cup. 

Georgia Stanway's mother had to downsize her home twice to finance her career (Image: Behind the Boots)

3. Man United academy star Martha Allington scores goals for England U-16

Speaking of talented footballers, 15-year-old Martha Allington from Millom has been making waves as a Man United academy star and a regular goal-scorer for the England youth squad. 

Her dad Steve said: "It's a bit of a surreal feeling when she is playing for England." Martha was the leading goalscorer for two England youth squads simultaneously at the end of the last season. 

Martha is a rising star in the England and Man United youth squads (Image: Steve Allington)

4. Dogs missing in the Lake District has been found

A year ago, mother-daughter spaniels Lola and Juno went missing in the Lake District. Lola was found in Rydal Valley two days later on New Year's Eve. After a huge effort from the local community Juno was found in Rydal Valley on January 3. 

Owner Ashleigh Louise called the response to the appeal to join searches 'amazing.' 

The dog owner called the community response 'amazing' (Image: Submitted)

5. Barrow bodybuilder wins Miss Universe and Miss Britain titles

40-year-old bodybuilder Kelsey Yung returned with a bang after a five-year break from competitions. The Barrow barber beat competitors from across the world to win Miss Toned Figure of 2023 at the NABBA Universe Championship in Bradford. 

The Barrow barber shone at the international bodybuilding competition (Image: Submitted)

6. Old Stamp House in Ambleside named as the best restaurant in England

This Lakes eatery, under brothers Ryan Blackburn and Craig Blackburn, achieved national recognition by winning the award for the AA's 'Restuarant of the Year for England 2023.' 

Ryan said: "There’s no doubt at all that this award speaks volumes about the dedication and unwavering commitment of every single member of the Old Stamp House team." 

The acclaimed Old Stamp House in Ambleside (Image: Google Maps)

7. Wild Side Vets open doors in Barrow town centre

A new 24-hour veterinary centre opened on Abbey Road, Barrow had been without an emergency vet for a year prior. Barrow Business Improvement District congratulated the business and wished it well in its new venture. 

When Wild Side Vets opened it finished a long period of Barrow not having an emergency vet (Image: Barrow BID)

8. Taylor Swift song triples Lake District holiday searches

A holiday provider claimed that a song from one of the world's biggest artists that mentioned Windermere has tripled searches for getaways to the Lake District. 

The song went viral on TikTok in May with more than 3.4 million views tagged #thelakestaylorswift. 

UK operator Parkdean Resort said that the number of searches in June went up by 217 per cent. 

Swifties were googling Lake District holidays when the song went viral earlier this year (Image: PA)

9. Love Barrow Families unveils sculptures for Tall Ships event

When the tall ships arrived in Barrow in the summer, they were greeted by a 12-foot tall mermaid on top of a seahorse. Love Barrow Families commissioned the sculptures from Barrow artist Tom Mortlock Jackson. 

It took Tom 300 hours of his time to create the sculptures.

The 12-foot tall mermaid greeted the tall ships when they entered Barrow (Image: Submitted)

10. Miniature Lake District village finds new home near Windermere

Retired builder Edward Robinson spent 30 years creating one hundred slate models of the Lake District's most distinctive buildings. He ran the model village as a tourist attraction in the garden of his Flookburgh home, but in 2021 he decided to close it in the hope he could pass it on.

The miniature village is now on the grounds of a hotel (Image: Louise Dewhurst)

Two years later, hotelier Jonathan Denby answered his call, and the village now sits on the grounds of the Damson Dene Hotel near Bowness.