CARLISLE looked like it did before covid at the weekend as crowds gathered in English Street to enjoy the city s first ever Hawker Festival. In bright sunshine, hundreds mingled freely, revelling in the chance to socialise and enjoy live music, seemingly oblivious to any lingering fears about growing threat of covid s new Delta variant. Not everybody thought the Carlisle City Council organised event was a good idea. But those who flocked to English Street for the festival were thrilled to have what looked like normality back in their lives as they visited food stalls, sipped drinks, or simply stood to enjoy the live music.