Restaurant reviews

Have you tried the new autumn menu from McDonald's?

I tried McDonald's new autumn menu - these 2 items need to stay forever

Madonna is due to perform two more sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London in December - if you are going to see her, here is what to expect.

Madonna: The Celebration Tour review - she made me wait 3 hours, but was it worth it?

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Staveley Village Hall delighted locals with its performance of Pirates of Penzance

Pirates avoid the plank in this hit production at the Staveley Village Hall

Have you spotted the new Nando's inspired range at your local Aldi yet?

Why I thought Aldi’s new fakeaway range inspired by Nando’s is like no other

Costa Coffee's autumn menu is one of my favourite seasonal menus

Leaf what you're doing and get to Costa Coffee - My thoughts on the autumn menu

The choir performed in Kendal on Saturday, March 25.

'Full of character and verve': Levens Choir give excellent live performance

The Crucible review: National Theatre 'brought to life' in 'unsettling' new show.

The Crucible review: National Theatre 'brought to life' in 'unsettling' new play

Life of Pi review: 'Mind-blowing' West End show you cannot ignore

Life of Pi review: 'Mind-blowing' West End show you cannot ignore

We visited Ulverston's newest food offering

Food review New restaurant is a must-try addition to town's hospitality offering

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Amy Macdonald led the 10,000-strong crowd at Lowther Estate

Amy Macdonald brought the crowd pleasers in a rousing set

I spent £10 on Too Good To Go and this is what I got

Review Is Too Good To Go worth it? I spent £10 on the surplus food app and this is what I got

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I tried Iceland's new Slush Puppie ice lollies but did they live up to my expectations?

I tried Iceland's Slush Puppie ice lollies - but are they as good as the real thing?

Latest theatre performance was

Latest theatre performance was "beautiful to watch"

EVENT: This Living Hand’ which was staged at the Heron Theatre, Beetham CREDIT: Google Maps

REVIEW: This Living Hand at the Heron Theatre, Beetham

Dotty EastEnders

What's happening in the soaps this week – Gray is in the red

COMING: outdoor cinema in the South Lakes is coming soon...

Outdoor cinema promises classic films in dramatic setting

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DRAG: an example of how the tool works, looking at Leyland in Lancashire

Tap before 'eating to help out' to find participating restaurants near you

Carole Baskin in the video promoting Wrexham's Rock the Park festival.

Netflix star to tune into Cumbrian festival later this week

ROYALTY: Christine Knipe at the county show in 2017 with Prince Charles and then President John Geldard

Agricultural shows are 'part of the rural fabric' says county show chief executive

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Martin Roscoe gave a superb performance of Grieg’s ever-popular Piano Concerto and his technical control was masterly

REVIEW: Lakeland Sinfonia's 50th anniversary concert was a joyful celebration with many memorable moments

Darren Lawrence who plays Scrooge and Claire Storey as Ghost of Christmas Present in Theatre by the Lake's festive production A Christmas Carol. Picture: Steven Barber

REVIEW: A festive tale with a completely new approach

Miniatures by Craft Market Kendal organiser and well respected artist Jan Huntley-Peace

Prestigious gathering is much more than an art and craft fair

The Bridge String Quartet - which has featured in concerts throughout the world since 1989 - shared the Kendal Midday Concert Club stage with tenor, Charles Daniels, and pianist, Michael Dussek

REVIEW: polished performances by six very experienced artists

Ashley Fripp is a remarkably controlled pianist and possesses an immaculate technique, producing a powerful sound from the piano when required and a wonderful pianissimo tone in quiet passages

REVIEW: Young pianist gives truly remarkable performance

The choir was in fine voice under the musical direction of its conductor Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

REVIEW: Pro Nobis performance perfectly illustrates wealth of region's cultural talent

The five members of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble are fine players

REVIEW: All items in the programme were presented with great panache and a breathtaking virtuosity

Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Kyra Humphreys played Philip Glass' The American Four Seasons superbly. Picture: Ben Hughes

REVIEW: High quality of playing throughout cleverly devised programme

The Mystery Of Martha

Eliza Harrison's engrossing new novel tells of two fascinating women who lived to millennia apart

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Twenty-year-old mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chandler won the hearts of adjudicators and audience alike with her winning performance in the Keldwyth Award final

Talented singer hits all the right notes in prestigious music awards final

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Asha Kingsley as Helena and Dominic Gately who plays Marcus in Dear Uncle, running at Theatre by the Lake. Picture: Robert Day

Keswick theatre brings Ayckbourn and Chekhov together

A strong feature of Voice's beautifully blended performance was the group’s communication with the audience and smiles were present throughout. Picture: Zoe Maxwell

"A dazzling display of pianistic virtuosity"

I Fagiolini has established a reputation not only for the excellence of their singing but also for a series of imaginative and innovative productions. Picture Matt Brodie

REVIEW: impeccable and successful singers really know how to communicate with an audience

With voice, accompanied by chitarrone and viola da gamba, Dramma per Musica aims ‘to explore the confluence of emotion and drama through sound and language'

REVIEW: Blackwell proves an ideal venue for award-winning consort

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Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson

BOOK REVIEW: Vivid depictions of what it might be like to live on the Moon from science fiction giant

The young singers in the King's Men, from the famous King's College Chapel Cambridge, performed superbly at Kendal's St George's Church

REVIEW: a concert that the audience didn't want to end

Furness Bach Choir, under the baton of their young inspirational Italian conductor Marco Bellasi, provided an evening of truly Italian delicacies and delights

REVIEW: choristers sung with such confidence and pure enjoyment

During the Levens Choir concert accompanist Ken Forster (pictured) performed two of Czech composer Janacek's piano pieces. Picture: Jon Granger

Evening’s excellent music concludes with Finzi’s Clear and Gentle Stream

Star turn Georgina Ambrey who plays Little Voice in the Rise and Fall of Little Voice which runs at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake until November 1. Picture: Robert Day

REVIEW: a production of two very separate halves

Pro Nobis Singers 50th anniversary concert was a night to remember and acknowledged the inspired leadership of their conductor, Clive Walkley. Picture: JON GRANGER

Pro Nobis celebrate a triumphant 50th anniversary concert

Maggie O'Brien (Doris) and Georgina Ambrey (Rosie) in Charlotte Keatley's My Mother Said I Never Should. Picture: Robert Day

REVIEW: a beautiful production with a script that's natural and funny yet keeps a grip on reality

Professor Marcus and his criminal quintet with the adorable Mrs Wilberforce looking on in BATS marvellous version of The Ladykillers

Play is perfect vehicle for BATS

A Fabulous Creation

BOOK REVIEW: An excellent evocation of the LP era

Soprano Tracie Penwarden singing one of her solo parts in Ambleside and District Choral Society’s glowing performance of Haydn's The Creation, under the baton of Jolyon Dodgson

Glowing performance of Haydn’s perennially popular oratorio

Out Of The Blue

New greatest hits package - plus three new tracks - from Mike + the Mechanics

Kendal South Choir, under the expert direction of their new conductor, Geoffrey Field, sang with confidence throughout the evening

Kendal South Choir rise to the occasion

As always the understanding and interpretation of the music, and the attention to detail brought to the programme by Levens conductor, Ian Jones (pictured), was much in evidence

Works were ideal choice for a concert designed for Eastertide

Concerto violinist Lucy Gould well known to audiences from her performances in the eponymous Gould Piano Trio

Players put the pedal to the floor and kept the music driving along

BOOK REVIEW: Monty Python star Eric Idle's 'Sortabiography'

BOOK REVIEW: Monty Python star Eric Idle's 'Sortabiography'

Alongside performances of major repertoire, the Primrose Piano Quartet has uncovered long-neglected music by 20th century English composers

In spite of the change of venue, concert was much enjoyed by all

Gabriela Montero's skill as an improviser led to a dazzling display of virtuosity

World class pianist performs dazzling display of virtuosity

Clare Hammond displayed her dazzling technique and had complete control of the piano

Young pianist's amazing display of virtuosity and musicality lifted the spirits

The Magnard Ensemble is a hugely talented group whose infectious enthusiasm for music came across in every item in their well-planned Kendal Midday Concert Club programme

Delightful concert performed by a hugely talented group

The Royal Northern Sinfonia leader Bradley Creswick is the Kendal Midday Concert Club's new president

Fine works in the chamber music repertoire expertly performed by five superb players

Pianist, Suling King, Catriona McDermid, bassoon, and oboe player, Mana Shibata, immediately engaged with the Keswick Music Society audience by coming on stage with lots of smiles and suitable introductions to their pieces

Trio display amazing individual technical abilities as well as superb ensemble playing