Looking back through the archives of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald.
25 years ago – 1998
High Hesket
An Eden Valley man has received a unique honour for his contribution to Thailand’s tourist industry. Bert Knight, who runs the Tauranga guesthouse, High Hesket, and his wife, were the only individuals not connected with a company or official body to receive a 1998 Friends of Thailand Award at a ceremony in the country’s capital city, Bangkok. Mr. Knight was singled out for the award because of the consistent support he and his wife have given Thai tourism since their first trip to the country in 1980 and the friendships they have formed there.
Appleby
Improvements are being planned to Appleby Heritage Centre which would make the site an all-weather attraction for tourists. Eden councillors will consider proposals for improvements costing in the region of £300,000 to the centre, at Station Yard. They include the introduction of a railway carriage cafe, static displays and a new visitor centre entrance.
Southwaite
An Eden couple this week spoke of their lucky escape after their home was devastated by lightning as freak weather lashed the district. Extensive damage was caused to the house of Gunson and Dorothy Raven, who live at Colt Close, Southwaite, after the bolt struck a chimney stack, which collapsed into the property. Mr. Raven, who has farmed on the land for 48 years, said he and his wife had both just left the house.
Cliburn
Eden rally driver Stuart Eggleston took a step nearer to the British junior championship with a comfortable win in the junior category and his class in the Ulster Rally — the penultimate round in the British Rally Championship. The Belfast-based rally was the first tarmac event in the 1998 British Championship and the first day proved difficult for Stuart, whose co-driver is his brother, Steve, from Penrith.
Alston
Alston looks likely to get a new tourist information centre in the town centre, based at the redeveloped Town Hall, which will be run by Eden Council and will also act as a centre for other council services. Currently there is a tourist information centre at the South Tynedale railway station site, but last year the trustees of the Town Hall suggested the area would benefit further if a TIC was located in the centre.
Troutbeck
As a new cabin crew member for top charter airline Britannia Airways, the sky’s the limit for Christian Geisselman, Christian, aged 21, from Kitty House Farm, Toutbeck, Penrith, has successfully completed Britannia’s intensive month-long course for cabin crew at their training centre at East Midlands Airport.
50 years ago – 1973
Penrith
Restrictions on parking in Castle Drive, Penrith, are being suggested as a possible answer to the hazards caused by increased use of the road by cars travelling between the town and the M6. The Public Works Committee was recently told that the County Road Safety Officer was prepared to recommend “No Waiting” on both sides of Castle Drive.
Ullswater
Penrith Rural Council’s Plans Committee on Tuesday took up the cudgels on behalf of the water skiers on Ullswater against the Lake District Planning Board, when it was agreed that the Council should oppose a proposed by-law of the Planning Board for a 10 m.p.h. speed limit on the lake, which would effectively put a stop to water ski-ing eventually.
North Westmorland
The 762-acre Rivington Estate in North Westmorland made a total of £141,500 when it came under the hammer in St. Andrew’s Parish Rooms, Penrith, on Tuesday. Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s Ltd. offered the estate for the trustees and executors of the late John Mylne Rivington in a tightly packed saleroom, with many standing.
100 years ago — 1923
Penrith
Damage of £400 was caused to the boot and shoe shop of Mr. Robert Hunter. A fire in the fourth storey was soon under control, due to the prompt action of the Penrith Fire Brigade, but the roof had to be stripped and much water damage occurred. The cause is unknown.
A Penrith schoolboy was ordered six strokes of the birch by the Children’s Court. He was answering a charge of stealing a mouth organ and a metal clock, to the value of £2 2s. 6d., from a tent in Wetheriggs Lane while on probation for a similar offence.
Kirkby Stephen
Manorial Courts were held on behalf of Viscount Ullswater, the Hon. C. W. Lowther and Mr. W. G. F. Cavendish Bentinck, Lords of Manors of Kirkby Stephen and Brough, at the Kings Arms, Kirkby Stephen. Mr. W. Little, steward of the manor, closing proceedings, said that would probably be the last court, as under recent legislation all manorial rents and fines would cease about ten years hence, on enfranchisement and payment of compensation by the customary tenants. The previous court was held in 1905.
150 years ago — 1873
Penrith
The wrestling match for the championship of England and £135, between William Jameson, Penrith, and William Snape, Horwich, fell through because Snape’s £20 deposit was not staked. This has ruined all hope of a great contest in the Cumberland and Westmorland style.
