25 years ago – 1995
Eden
Eden councillors have decided not to become involved in a promotional package in conjunction with the re-release of a film, now regarded as a cult classic, which features scenes of the district.
The film, Withnail and I, was made 10 years ago and stars Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths. It follows two out of work actors who go on holiday to a cottage in Wet Sleddale, near Shap. They drink alcohol and use mild drugs.
Hunsonby
A man who has been the pivot of village and parish life for half a century was honoured at a surprise presentation on Thursday.
Past and present parish councillors gathered at Hunsonby community centre for a presentation to mark the retirement of their long-serving clerk, Edward Burne.
Mr. Burne, an octogenarian, was Penrith Rural Council architect for more than 30 years and also surveyor for 12 years, prior to his retirement in 1974.
However, he continued his involvement in local government through his service as Hunsonby Parish Council clerk, for which he recalled that he had received the princely sum of £10 a year for the past 44 years.
Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen PC Sid Jordan is to bow out after 29 years with the Cumbria force.
He has been stationed in Kirkby Stephen for 16 years and says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in the town, having settled in his own house there.
“The people call a spade a spade, are warm-hearted and friendly, although they can be stubborn,” he said.
Penrith
An ambitious plan for a multi-million pound tourist centre, to be built underground on the outskirts of Penrith, received a £2 million boost this week.
The Hills of the North project, sited at Slapestones, near the junction of the M6 and A66, has won money from Regional Challenge, a national competition for European Commission cash.
The project, which will cost a total of £9 million, aims to set up a permanent exhibition marking the attractions, products and services of Cumbria for travellers and tourists.
Organisers now hope it will be up and running by 1997.
Penrith Chojinkai Karate Club member Mark Holding has attained the sport’s coveted black belt.
Mark, aged 31, became a black belt at a grading course held at Carlisle’s Sands Centre, taken by chojinkai chief instructor Doug James 6th dan, of High Hesket.
Mark is the third black belt to come from the Penrith club, which has 30 regular students.
Keswick
Highways chiefs who are looking for a permanent coach park in Keswick have expressed optimism about the creation of a site near the Caterite supermarket in the town.
A temporary coach park had been created on the land but highways officials have been investigating other possible sites in Keswick.
“There was concern about the long term security of the site alongside Caterite, but I understand that negotiations may be under way which could put this on a firm footing,” said highways policy manager Bob Allan in a letter to Keswick county councillor Stuart Askew.
50 years ago – 1970
Kirkby Thore
High tribute was paid at Appleby Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to six neighbours of the Sanderson’s Croft council housing estate at Kirkby Thore who risked their own lives going to the rescue of a family trapped in one of the houses.
The Chairman (Mr. L. S. Chapman) presented three of them with framed certificates from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.
The recipients were: Mrs. Elizabeth E. Smith at No. 39; and Messrs. G. Thopson (No. 24) and Brian Halliburton (No. 55). Three others who were not able to be present to receive their awards were: Messrs. John Drummond (No. 38); William L. Bell (No. 11); and John Graham (No. 26).
Penrith
Five young pigs, reared under experimental conditions by schoolboys, won top prize and made top price in their section at the annual Christmas sale at Penrith Auction Mart.
The 15-week-old Large White-Landrace cross porkers were bred and reared by boys in the fourth year agricultural group at Ullswater School.
Mr. G. E. Chappelhow, head of the school’s Rural and Environmental Study department, said the pigs were reared under the auspices of the school’s “Rasher and Gammon” company in which about 100 pupils have shares on which dividends are declared.
After 15 years as Headmaster of the 250-pupil Boys’ County School in Ullswater Road, Penrith, Mr. John Brinicombe is retiring.
A progressive educationalist, Mr. Brinicombe has maintained the school’s reputation for producing a high percentage of grammar school pupils, and his school has also enjoyed success over the years in the sporting fields of soccer and swimming.
Bassenthwaite
A Draft Order was placed before Parliament yesterday for the conversion of seven miles of the road alongside Bassenthwaite Lake into a two-lane highway, as part of the scheme to improve the A66 road between the motorway at Penrith and industrial West Cumberland.
Newby
In 1938, when the late Miss Sarah Chester gave up the village Post Office, the residents of Newby were not looking forward to the long trek to the nearest alternative, in the neighbouring village of Morland, but happily Miss Florence A. Irving stepped into the breach.
Now Mrs. Earl, she has kept on the Post Office successfully and now has decided it is time for her to retire.
There is no Post Office building in the village and her own home has served that purpose.
100 years ago – 1920
Penrith
Mr. W. Railton, captain of the fire brigade in Penrith, has retired after 35 years’ service. He has been captain for 21 years and during that period had attended 120 turnouts, 70 in the country and 50 in the town.
Slaggyford
A new piped organ costing about £240 has been installed at the Wesleyan Chapel.
At the unlocking ceremony were the Rev. E. Hope, Superintendent of the Alston Circuit, and the Rev. J. Ward, Haltwhistle. Mr. Vincent, who built the organ, gave solos on it. and Mr. Hugh Bell, Alston, one of the oldest local preachers, presided over the evening meeting.
