25 years ago – 1997
Penrith
Euro-sceptics won the day in the general election, Penrith Queen Elizabeth Grammar School-style. Referendum Party candidate Andrew Hodgson came out on top in a poll carried out at the school, repeating the Referendum Party success in a similar mock election at a school in Brampton.
The Penrith result was much closer, however, with the Referendum Party candidate having only six votes to spare over New Labour candidate Tommy Davies.
There was a fair degree of encouragement for the months ahead in Penrith’s performance against Ulverston in the first match of the North Lancashire League program. To start with, Penrith batted well — very well — to knock up a formidable 245 for three before declaring at the end of the 45th over. The core of the innings was an opening stand of power and spectacle between Andrew Hall and newcomer Mark Osborne, who between them scored 168 before Osborne succumbed with 56 to his name.
Hall went on to score 122 off 136 deliveries and thus celebrated his 13th century, more than any other batsman in the club’s long history.
Westmorland
Michael Jopling, the former long-serving Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, has been elevated to the House of Lords following his decision to stand down at the general election.
Mr Jopling has been given a life peerage and will be known as Lord Jopling of Ainderby, near Thirsk, where he has his family farm. He represented the Westmorland constituency for 33 years for the Conservatives.
Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen could have its own railway museum in a few years’ time, if plans by a rail group go ahead. Stainmore Properties Limited, a newly formed company sympathetic to the aims of the Eden Valley Railway Trust, have bought Kirkby Stephen east station, with the specific aim of eventually restoring it and creating a railway museum.
Eden
Eden’s new hospice at home service was officially launched this week by the Countess of Lonsdale, who said the charity would provide the district with “a truly valuable and much-needed facility”. The Countess, who has become president of North Lakeland Hospice at Home, was speaking at a special launch ceremony held on Tuesday at Penrith’s Ullswater Community College.
Brougham
More than 200 riders and their horses competed at the annual WCF Country Centres horse trials at Brougham, near Penrith, on Wednesday. A number of riders from the Eden Valley took part, including Clare Chappelhow, Appleby, who took third place in the novice section D class.
50 years ago — 1972
Cumbria
Draft proposals for new local government districts in Cumbria show the county divided into six areas. The present Penrith Urban and Rural, Appleby Borough, North Westmorland Rural and Alston Rural areas are grouped together in District 3, which will have a population of only 41,301. The new Penrith district will be one of the largest in area and smallest in population.
Penrith
Penrith bowler Tom Armstrong, a member of the Castle Park Club and new captain of the Cumberland Middleton Cup team, has been selected for an International trial match at the Watney’s Sports Ground, London, on Saturday, 27th May. Mr Armstrong will be “skipping” a rink of four northern bowlers and, following the trial, the England team will be selected.
Keswick
Only three people from the Keswick area were sufficiently interested in the possible running of the Penrith to Keswick railway line by a preservation society to reply to Keswick Urban Council’s advertisement seeking support. This was revealed on Monday evening at a meeting of the Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Eamont Bridge
Memories of the days when Ullswater hill farmers took sheep to market by rowing a boat across Ullswater will be revived today when friends and relatives gather for the funeral at Barton Church of former Martindale farmer Mr John (“Jack”) William Armstrong, who died at his home, Southwaite Green, Eamont Bridge, on Wednesday. He was the fourth child of a family of 10 of the late Mr and Mrs Hindson Armstrong, who for 50 years farmed at Town Head, Sandwick.
Appleby
A £51,740 bid to provide Appleby with a new police station is to begin shortly and, while it will fulfil a long-standing need, it will also sweep away a grim reminder of the days when the town was the home of the county gaol.
The frontal facade of the present station at the Sands is being retained, but most of the old gaol and its attendant buildings at the rear are to come down to make way for new offices and cells. The gaol is an austere, yet fascinating, relic of a bygone age and tales are told of hangings, escapes and death on the treadwheel.
100 years ago — 1922
Cumberland and Westmorland
The Council of the National Farmers’ Union has withdrawn recognition of the Cumberland and Westmorland branch after it made alterations and additions to its rules without the written approval of the council. The general purposes committee is of the opinion that the new rules are not in agreement with the rules of the union and recommends that steps be taken to form a new branch for the two counties.
Keswick
The committee of Keswick Cricket Club, having failed to effect an amalgamation with the Braithwaite Club, and finding no evidence of renewed enthusiasm or sufficient promising new players, has decided to call an extraordinary general meeting to consider whether the club should continue or not.
Threlkeld Club, meanwhile, has secured a new and better ground and applied for admission to the Penrith and District Cricket Combination.
Playing on Embleton golf links recently, Mr. Ashley P. Abraham, the well-known Keswick photographer, rock-climber and lecturer, did the 17th hole in one stroke.
