Yesterday saw a visit to Carlisle by a Government minister with the usual tightly controlled media coverage rules imposed by his people.

Jim Mcmahon MP, the minister of state for local government and English devolution, was in the city to promote proposed devolution for Cumbria, complete with an elected mayor, (I am guessing that the man and woman in the street would not welcome an extra layer of local bureaucracy without a proper explanation of the benefits to the region).

As you might imagine it produced a few similar images of the minister walking around the city centre witnessing the ongoing regeneration which aims to improve the visitor experience but I really wanted something different as you might expect.

Step forward a certain Keith Beattie from Workington who volunteers as a tour guide at Carlisle Cathedral in his retirement and knows the leader of Cumberland Council, councillor Mark Fryer (St Johns and Great Clifton, Labour), who suggested that he should give the minister an impromptu tour of the cathedral.

I have to admit I was quite pleased that they did this as it made for some different and unexpected pictures and, if I am being honest, I prefer them to the city centre wanderings. For the record I am also pleased that the minister got the chance to witness the impressively decorated ceiling of Carlisle Cathedral as I am sure you will agree it is quite impressive.