25 years ago – 1995
Ousby
Parish councillors have decided against the sale of a village amenity garden at Ousby, following an open public meeting.
The garden at Ruh Head Close had been given to the village a decade ago by the late William Dodd, in memory of his sister, and Ousby and Melmerby Parish Council were named as trustees.
However, a meeting was held to gauge public opinion after a neighbouring householder offered to buy the garden. A group of villagers offered to maintain the garden voluntarily and called for a notice to be erected to let people know it was open to the public for their peaceful enjoyment.
Watermillock
The death took place at Rose Lodge, Winters Park, Penrith, of Miss Olive Mary Brunskill, formerly of Town End Farm, Watermillock, aged 93.
Born at Sparket, Dacre, she was one of five children of farmers William and Mary Brunskill. After leaving school, Miss Brunskill’s working life was devoted to farming, an occupation she loved.
Keswick
Despite strong opposition to proposals for a second market day in Keswick, town councillors are to wait to hear details of the plans before making a response.
Allerdale Borough Council resurrected the proposal for a Thursday market in Keswick as a way of raising £25,000 a year for the authority.
Kirkby Stephen
A former Kirkby Stephen girl is proving that enforcing the peace in former Yugoslavia is not just a job for the boys.
Sergeant Debbie Wilden is one of only six women in a battalion of 5,000 men serving with the United Nations rapid reaction force.
Debbie, who was a pupil at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, was posted with the 24 Airborne Mobile Brigade to join the UN force.
Kirkby Stephen completed an undefeated season on Sunday when they triumphed over Windermere A in an exciting Cumbria Cricket Association Cup final.
Batting first, Windermere were dismissed for 113, with Stewart Hook being the most effective Kirkby bowler, taking four for 44. Openers Colin Dirom (37) and Paul Thornborrow (20) formed the backbone of the Kirkby innings.
Tebay
Tebay’s new Methodist minister is looking forward to the challenge of his first appointment.
The Rev. Phil Dew has taken up his post as minister for the Methodist community in the Tebay area after a three-year training course at Durham University.
Originally from London, he spent time in Carlisle, Brampton, Durham and other towns throughout the country before coming to Tebay.
50 years ago — 1970
Penrith
While 29 Danish children spent a fortnight in Penrith, staying at the homes of local youngsters, many of them had morning coffee at the Tudor Bar in King Street and befriended a member of the staff,
Mrs. Marjorie Lumby. And on Thursday, when the visitors paid their last visit, they presented her with a massive bouquet of carnations and a “good luck” card which they had all signed.
“They were wonderful kiddies and the farewell was very touching,” she said.
Penrith’s “newcomers”, the families who are moving into the new homes on the Anchor Estate specially built for workers at the huge British Gypsum plasterboard plant at Kirkby Thore, are banding together in a protest against the high rents and rates they have been faced with.
One family have moved out of their new home into a caravan after only a few weeks because of the costs.
A solicitor has been engaged on behalf of the tenants to try to get a reduction in the £6-a-week rents.
Appleby
The Vicar of Appleby, the Rev. A. G. W. Dixon, walked out of a meeting of the Westmorland Education Committee on Wednesday after he had been refused permission to speak for the second time during a debate.
Shortly before this, Mr. Dixon had informed the chairman of the committee, Dr. E. R. Kemp, that he wished to ask a question about the proposed closure of Thwaites Primary School, near Appleby, and then make a statement.
Kirkby Thore
The death has taken place of Mr. William Taylor Eggleston, late of Kirkby Thore, at the age of 83.
Mr. Eggleston was very well known in agricultural circles over a wide area, and in 1961 received the B.E.M. in the New Year Honours List for his services to the Ministry of Agriculture as part time fatstock officer.
Mr. Eggleston joined the Ministry of Agriculture in 1940, and over the succeeding years graded livestock at Appleby, Lazonby, Penrith and Southwaite marts. He was an acknowledged expert in dealing with fat sheep.
100 years ago — 1920
Appleby
A branch of the Girl Guides has been started in Appleby, the founder being Miss A. Tufton.
At a public meeting in the Market Hall, it was decided to form a local Association of parents and others interested.
The 22 Girl Guides already enrolled marched from the Castle to the hall under the leadership of Miss Tufton, and, as Lady Irene Tufton was not able to attend, Mrs. Argles, O.B.E., County Commissioner for Westmorland, presided.
Edenhall
The Celtic cross which the parishioners of Edenhall have erected in memory of the six men from the parish who lost their lives in the War has been unveiled by Lady Mabel Howard.
The cross — of Orton Scar limestone — has been placed on a site in Potter’s Garth, at the three-road-ends opposite the Vicarage, given by Sir Richard Musgrave, Bart.
The cross, over 10 feet high, has been made by Messrs. Parkin and Son, Crosby Ravensworth.