WHEN we first launched our bloggers initiative, we had no idea how many would jump on the web blog wagon'. But we now have six bloggers, with more coming online. As they are dotted around the site (www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk), we thought a blog directory column would help keep you linked in.

It started two years ago, with the publicist for the area's first feature length film, Frozen, by Shoreline, www.shorelinefilms.co.uk. Blogging about her first experience on the set of a major movie, local writer Kerry's blog is still live in our Artists in Residence section, http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/kendalair/, as it is timeless. It inspired Shira Pinson to blog about her film on the Kendal-led initiative to house Kiev orphans, also online in Artists in Residence. But this was only the beginning.

Our political blogger, Gazette cartoonist Colin Shelbourn, really kicked it off with his political blog during the last general election. Liking the medium, he's continuing with Colin's Blog at http://www.thewestmorland gazette.co.uk/entertainment/. Taking on everything from the lack of party' in political party conferences to transportation hot topics, like pedestrianisation, train ticket pricing and low fly zones, Colin gets to the nitty-gritty of current news. Colin is online at www.shelbourn.com.

New kids on the block include Rydal Hall gardener Tom Attwood and heritage writer Max Clark. Tom is blogging about the fantastic garden renovation project he has taken on. Follow Tom's progress, at http://www.thewestmorland gazette.co.uk/leisure/kendal blogrydal/, as he tackles this immense undertaking. And, he's looking for lots of people to participate in this reawakening'. Get your gloves on. Rydal Hall is online at www.rydalhall.org.

Max Clark has taken his love of heritage writing to blog status, having just begun this historical venture on the Gazette site in the History section, http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/kendalhistory/. Heritage Blog entries will be posted as they are written, and, in his own words, will "reflect the wealth of heritage riches" our area has. Max also wants to get people involved. The Feedback sections are activated on both these blogs.

Business owners are blogging too. Follow accountant Stuart Jones as he blogs poetic about everything from taxation, to traffic woes, to the latest government actions to affect entrepreneurs. Get linked to The Business Matters blog from http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/business/kendalbusinessblog/. The blog site address is http://www.jsj54.blogspot.com/.

Then we have The Glutton, blogging about all things related to food, particularly local food. In our Food and Drink section, The Glutton has tackled topics like dieting, imported foods and going organic. With a buffet of topics at hand, the Glutton Blogs on http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/foodanddrink/ will serve up items regularly for some time to come.

The bloggers join our list of online columnists: Sean McMahon, of Striding Edge, writing about walks in Lakes Guide; Anthony Loman's Sounds Write CD reviews and competitions in Entertainment; and Amy Poses, our lifestyle columnist in Leisure.

The Gazette's own Toby Tweddell, who has just left for a six-month odyssey travelling around Asia with his girlfriend, has promised to blog in our Travel section. As getting ready for a trip is half the fun, Toby will start his blog with a look at preparing for such a monstrous move.

Do you have a blog? Do you want to blog? Have an opinion about blogging? Know about an interesting local blog? Send your ideas to the Web Editor kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.