Colourful Characters of Cumbria's Eden Valley by John Sharpe, £10

JOHN Sharpe is well-known in local history circles for his lively talks. This book is chance the wider public to enjoy the fruits of his researches.

What particularly fascinates is the number of the 'colourful characters' with Westmorland connections who had significant influence far beyond these shores. They include:

l the brothers David and William Workman emigrated to America where they become 'amazingly adventurous' traders and pioneers in the Wild West;

l Henry Bloom Noble who 'had a major impact on the life of the Isle of Man';

l William John Woodhouse, the railwayman's son who became a professor of Greek in Australia;

l Joseph Scott, who was an influential figure in the development of Los Angeles from 'a sleepy pueblo' to the third largest city in the USA; and

l George Washington, the first American president, whose ancestry can be traced back to Burneside Hall.

Back in Westmorland, Mr Sharpe tells the stories of such characters as the notorious James Lowther, First Earl of Lonsdale; and John Metcalfe Carleton, described as the 'Old Etonian rake of the Eden Valley'.

Fascinating stuff!

ALLAN TUNNINGLEY