Looking back through the archives of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald
25 years ago – 1998
Langwathby
Cricket star Paul Nixon, of Langwathby, is back on the international stage after being selected for the provisional 37-man England squad for next summer’s World Cup, to be held in this country. The Leicestershire wicketkeeper/batsman, who toured India with the England A-team in 1994-95, but missed out on their tour to Kenya last year, said he was delighted to have been selected and would now be aiming for a place in the Ashes tour to Australia this winter.
Temple Sowerby
The long-awaited Temple Sowerby bypass has been dropped from the Government’s transport programme for the time being, although ministers have conceded that it seems to be the only “practical solution” to the traffic problems in the village. The Government has announced that more than 100 trunk road improvement schemes have been axed and only 37, costing £1.4 billion, will go ahead in the current roads programme.
Keswick
A Lakeland museum now boasts the largest collection of James Bond cars in the world following the acquisition of two Lotus Esprits. They will go on show at Peter Nelson’s Cars of the Stars museum at Keswick after he bought the vehicles for a total of £60,000 at an auction on Saturday.
Nenthead
Members of Cumbria County Council’s Eden area committee have given planning approval to a £1.3 million scheme to solve the problems of contamination and instability of the tailings dams next to the River Nent at Nenthead. Under the scheme, work will be carried out on the river to reduce its ability to erode the dams. It is expected the work will be carried out over a 12-week period, starting in the next few weeks.
Kirkby Stephen
Harness racing enthusiasts and visiting spectators were treated to a colourful and exciting spectacle by the River Eden on Sunday, which even the dismal drizzle of the summer afternoon could not besmirch. The attendance at the second meeting of the Eden Standardbred Racing Club at Kirkby Stephen, although down on the inaugural event last year, was still well in excess of 400.
Eden Valley
Prince Philip presented two rural workers from the Eden Valley with Royal Agricultural Society long service awards at this year’s Royal Show at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The recipients were Jim Plowman, Church Cottage, Calthwaite, and Raymond Morley, Unthank.
50 years ago – 1973
Penrith
Increasing pressure on Penrith’s car parks is bringing the money rolling in to the Urban Council’s coffers. This month, the busiest so far, the 5p-a-time metres on the paying parks in Blue Bell Lane, Sandgate, Southend Road and Princess Street have been averaging a combined total of something like £240 a week.
Penrith revives its agricultural show today after a lapse of four years, with entries better than expected and officials hoping for sunshine to bring in the crowds. The former show lost a thousand pounds over four years, but the Penrith Agricultural Society Council has been re-formed with a mixture of experience and youth.
Ullswater
The Ullswater Water Ski Club — which has operated from the shores of Howtown Bay for 20 years — has sent a notice of objection to the Home Office against the proposals of the Lake District Planning Board to introduce a 10 m.p.h. speed limit over large areas of the lake. The Planning Board proposes that the speed limit should apply to the whole area of the lake except one portion of it, near Pooley Bridge.
Barton
Canon J. M. How, Vicar of Barton for the past fourteen years and Rural Dean of Penrith since 1960, has been appointed Vicar of Kirkby Lonsdale with Mansergh. Canon How has taken a very active part in the life of the parish and the area and he and his wife will be greatly missed.
Warcop
When the red flags fly at the entrances to the Warcop Training Centre ranges, indicating that firing is in progress, the public will no longer be allowed access to the area, if draft by-laws proposed by the Secretary of State for Defence are adopted. In the past, the public have been allowed on the area at their own risk, but the proposed by-laws will prohibit this — and carry a maximum £20 fine for offenders.
100 years ago – 1923
Penrith
The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company are contemplating electrification on the main West Coast route from Preston to Carlisle — some 90 miles. Power will be transmitted to the loco by an overhead system but, as the line includes the long, steep ascent of Shap Fells, the engines will have to be very powerful.
Appleby
Mr. William Hewitson, solicitor, Appleby, has retired from the office of Clerk to the East Westmorland Rural Council and East Ward Guardians after 35 years. In recognition of his services, he was presented with a suite of furniture and a gold-mounted fountain pen by Mr. E. Thompson, vice-chairman of Westmorland County Council.
150 years ago – 1873
Portinscale
Robert Peacock respectfully intimates that he has commenced business as a black and white artist at Portinscale. He will also carry on the business of horse farrier and dog doctor. No cure, no pay.
