This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-35073947

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Storm Desmond: Carlisle and Cockermouth host festivals despite floods Storm Desmond: Carlisle and Cockermouth host festivals despite floods
(about 1 hour later)
Festivities planned in Cumbria this weekend are under way despite the devastation of Storm Desmond.Festivities planned in Cumbria this weekend are under way despite the devastation of Storm Desmond.
Organisers of the Taste Festival in Cockermouth and Carlisle's Christmas Fayre said they wanted to show the county's "resilience" a week after the storm hit.Organisers of the Taste Festival in Cockermouth and Carlisle's Christmas Fayre said they wanted to show the county's "resilience" a week after the storm hit.
Taste Festival organiser, CN Events, said the event is fitting in with the on-going street, clear-up operation. Meanwhile, boxer Amir Khan has pledged his support and is visiting Carlisle to give out hot meals and toys.
More rain is predicted to hit the county over the next 48 hours. Chancellor George Osborne has also promised a further £2m to help victims.
An online appeal set up to help flood victims has topped the £1m mark. Mr Khan, two-time world light welterweight champion, said his visit was part of a joint operation with his charity, the Amir Khan Foundation, and humanitarian charity Penny Appeal.
Carlisle City Council said the fayre is helping support local traders. He said: "The UK community has been so supportive of me and this is just a small way I can give back.
'Temporary smile' "Once the flood water disappears, the hard work really starts, as families, most with children, return to severely-damaged homes and destroyed possessions.
Marie Whitehead director of CN Events, said: "We want to promote this county's resilience, while respecting the fact that these floods have, tragically, claimed a life, and so many people have been forced out of their homes and businesses. "We will be giving out toys to kids, as well as hot meals. We will also be trying to give out moral support as people have had a very tough time."
The Cumbria 2015 Flood Appeal, launched online on 5 December, has now reached £1m - a third of its target.
Chancellor George Osborne, meanwhile, has said an agreement to meet up to £1m of the cash generated by Cumbria Foundation's Flood Appeal will be increased to £2m and widened to include the Community Foundation for Lancashire's Flood Recovery Fund's Appeal.
Mr Osborne said: "The Government is determined to stand by the communities affected by these devastating floods."
Marie Whitehead, director of CN Events organiser of the Cockermouth's Taste Festival, said: "We want to promote this county's resilience, while respecting the fact these floods have, tragically, claimed a life, and so many people have been forced out of their homes and businesses.
"If we can bring a temporary smile to people's faces as they go through this ordeal, then that's what it's all about.""If we can bring a temporary smile to people's faces as they go through this ordeal, then that's what it's all about."
An online appeal set up to help flood victims has so far raised more the £1m. It is the second time Cockermouth has been under water in recent years as it was badly affected by the 2009 storms.
The Cumbria 2015 Flood Appeal, launched on 5 December, has now reached a third of its £3m target.
It is the second time Cockermouth has been under water - it was badly affected by the 2009 storms.
The chair of the Taste Festival steering group, Andy Walsh said the festival was showcasing the festive produce of local businesses and many firms devastated by floods had pledged to still attend.
The Christmas fayre, which is on all weekend in Carlisle city the centre, is offering free activities including Christmas decoration and drama workshops, as well as food and drink stalls.The Christmas fayre, which is on all weekend in Carlisle city the centre, is offering free activities including Christmas decoration and drama workshops, as well as food and drink stalls.
The Environment Agency said it was checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers, ahead of a predicted 2.5in of rain on Saturday. The Environment Agency said it was checking the condition of flood defences and the position of pumps and temporary flood barriers ahead of a predicted 2.5in of rain on Saturday.
River levels in the county remain high having deluged homes and businesses for five days after Storm Desmond.River levels in the county remain high having deluged homes and businesses for five days after Storm Desmond.
The agency said people could expect to see further flooding on ground that is already saturated. An agency spokesman said: "We're not expecting flooding like last weekend, we can see where the rain is coming in and where the ground is saturated but (its difficult) to know precisely where the rain will fall, so we will be reviewing the forecasts and issuing flood warnings and alerts as soon as necessary."
A spokesman said: "We're not expecting flooding like last weekend, we can see where the rain is coming in and where the ground is saturated but (its difficult) to know precisely where the rain will fall, so we will be reviewing the forecasts and issuing flood warnings and alerts as soon as necessary."
A yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday was issued by the Met Office.A yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday was issued by the Met Office.
Worst affected areas include Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael's in Lancashire.Worst affected areas include Carlisle, Keswick, Kendal, Cockermouth, Appleby, Glenridding and St Michael's in Lancashire.