25 years ago – 1996
Penrith
Penrith-born Carlisle United footballer Paul Murray this week joined Premiership club Queen’s Park Rangers on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old travelled to QPR’s Loftus Road ground in London after receiving confirmation of the move.
The talented midfielder has been the centre of attention at Brunton Park of late, with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Rangers and Celtic reportedly keeping an eye on him.
Penrith this week joined the worldwide computer network known as the Internet when Lady Cecilia Whitelaw performed an official logging in ceremony at the town’s library.
With the help of local companies including the Herald, two computers have been set up at the library to provide the public with access to the rapidly growing World Wide Web and its vast stores of information.
Lady Whitelaw confessed that it seemed to her like “absolute magic”.
A new closed circuit television system designed to beat crime on Penrith’s streets has been taking shape.
Cameras have been mounted on columns and some buildings in the town centre in readiness for an official launch at the end of the month.
The system will be operated under a strict code of conduct agreed by Eden councillors.
Alston
There was an excellent turnout at the live broadcast of the Any Questions radio program from Samuel King’s School, Alston.
The program was chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, and on the panel were the head of Cavendish College, Cambridge, Baroness Perry; Conservative MP Roger Freeman; railmen’s leader Jimmy Knapp and Labour MP Peter Mandelson.
The first question put to them came from Lisa Hunt, concerning the use of CS gas by police, and that was followed by Richard Turner opening debate into the division of pension rights in divorce.
There was particularly lively debate after Mrs. Dougherty asked whether the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana would cause sadness or relief.
Tebay
More than 100 members from far and wide attended Tebay Angling Club’s annual meeting, presentation evening and buffet, held in the Tebay Club.
They were welcomed by chairman Len Clark, who made a special presentation to John Staveley, who has retired after 32 years as senior water bailiff on the Upper Lune.
Mr Staveley estimates that he has been responsible for putting more than 35 million young salmon into the higher reaches of the river, but is concerned about its future because of damage by various activities.
Kirkby Stephen
Following completion of the Bolham Lane project at Kirkby Stephen, Jenny Bate told the parish council that a recent article in the Herald had led to a “snowballing effect”, with more volunteers coming forward.
She felt that Dick Capel’s role in its instigation and completion had been understated, but the council was very appreciative of his efforts.
Mrs. Joan Johnstone thanked Jenny Bate for her “tremendous efforts and hard work with a wheelbarrow”.
50 years ago – 1971
Penrith and Keswick
The Minister of Environment has announced schemes for what is virtually a new road between Penrith and Keswick.
The Minister proposes to make orders for three new sections of road, running from Highgate, Penruddock, to Troutbeck; from Troutbeck to the eastern end of the present Threlkeld by-pass; and from the western end of the Threlkeld by-pass to the fringe of Keswick. Penruddock will be by-passed to the south but the new road will run to the north of the existing road between Troutbeck and Scales.
Penrith
Hartness’s bus services, Penrith, for over half a century now a well known name in local transport, about whose future there has been a question mark since the death last month of the veteran proprietor, 77-year-old Mr. Ernest I. Hartness, is to continue in new hands.
The trustees of Mr. Hartness’s estate have announced the sale of the business — which includes the Sandgate bus station in which Penrith Urban Council has shown an interest — to the well known Catterlen firm of hauliers, Messrs. Barnett and Graham Ltd.
Appleby
Appleby is to have a Mayor with a “dogcollar” as well as a chain of office this year, for the Rev. A. G. W. Dixon, Vicar of Appleby for the last eleven years, was nominated for the office at the Council meeting on Tuesday.
Mr. Dixon, who is 55 and has been a member of the Council for nine years, succeeds Alderman Donald Macdonald, Long Marton Road, who previously held the office in 1952.
Skelton
For Cumberland farmer Mr. Ronald Muir, the fight of the century turned into the disappointment of the century.
For, instead of sitting watching the Joe Frazier-Cassius Clay world heavyweight championship fight “live” on Monday morning, he had to “make do” with listening to a radio broadcast on a car radio — in German!
Mr. Muir, of Laithes Farm, near Skelton, was one of the hundreds of people who missed seeing the fight when a high mobile crane toppled on to the Newcastle cinema where the fight was to be shown “live” on the screen.
100 years ago – 1921
Penrith
The Speaker, Mr. J. W. Lowther, has offered his portrait to the collection in Penrith Town Hall.
It will be the first portrait to hang there of a gentleman who was not a leading member in local government.
Ravenstonedale
A petition signed by 17 householders and residents in Fell End, Ravenstonedale, has been sent to the Ministry of Education asking that Fell End School be kept open.
150 years ago – 1871
Penrith
The Penrith Board of Guardians has taken prompt action to provide a fever hospital for the parish. The scheme will include fever and convalescent wards and cost £1,600.
