25 years ago – 1997
Skelton
The BBC’s World Service transmitting station at Skelton is to be the subject of a management buy-out as part of the corporation’s privatisation of its home service and World Service transmission business.
The station, which has been transmitting from Skelton Pastures since 1943, is to be bought y Merlin Communications International, a management and employee buy-out team from the World Service’s program delivery service.
The Skelton station employs around 56 staff, having at one time employed up to 140 people.
Shap
A dog has unearthed a Roman coin dating back more than 1,600 years.
Peter Charnley, of Yew Tree Cottages, Shap, was walking his Border collie, Hodge, at the Roman fort at Hardknott, near Eskdale, when the dog dug up the coin.
Mr. Charnley sent the coin to Dr. Douglas Shotter, a leading expert in Roman coins, who said it was a small copper issue of the emperor Valentinian I, issued in the period AD 367-375.
Lazonby
Bakers Bell’s of Lazonby have been granted permission to extend their existing offices, despatch and production buildings in the village.
The company had warned that if the plans were rejected by Eden Council’s planning committee, it might mean the business, which employs 250 people, having to move to Lancashire or Yorkshire in order to meet expansion demands.
Newton Rigg
The board of Newton Rigg College, Penrith, have issued a consultation document containing proposals for a merger with the University of Central Lancashire.
Under the proposals, the powers of the Newton Rigg board over college finances, investment, staffing and the curriculum would pass to the university board.
This would probably be expanded to include some of the current Newton Rigg board members.
Additionally, an advisory committee would be formed to maintain links between the university and land-based industries in Cumbria.
Penrith
A celebration at Greystoke Castle marked the retirement of Dr. Roderick Corner, who has worked with the Birbeck Medical Group in Penrith for the last 28 years.
Dr. Corner, of Wordsworth Street, Penrith, was given a surprise party at the castle by colleagues.
Practice manager Anne Bowmer said that because of Dr. Corner’s Scottish background they wanted to hold a ceilidh and Greystoke Castle seemed an appropriate venue.
50 years ago — 1972
Keswick
A description of the proposed Keswick by-pass, which would include a 740ft. long bridge carrying a dual carriageway road 100ft above the River Greta, aroused interest on the second day of the inquiry into Ministry proposals to make the A66 into a major trunk route.
The description was given by Mr. Leslie W. Richmond, engineer with the North Western Road Construction Unit, who said that the bridge would not dominate the landscape.
Penrith
As severe rationing of coal supplies begins this week-end, a spokesman for the leading merchants in the Penrith area warned: “If the miners’ strike goes on, things are going to get desperate in two or three weeks’ time and it is up to people to eke out their coal as much as they can.”
Strict rationing of supplies to merchants from the central coal depot at Carlisle began on Monday and yesterday local merchants were having to pass on the restriction to the customer.
An announcement this week that work on the first phase of the restoration of Penrith’s St. Andrew’s Church will start at the beginning of March was linked with the revelation that it has now been found necessary to completely renew the electrical wiring in the building and that the public appeal target will have to be raised above the £15,000 mark.
In the past few days a consultant electrician has informed the church council that the old wiring is approaching the end of its safe life.
The cost of replacement will be £1,600.
Greystoke
Mr. George J. E. Ashton, the man who was awarded the British Empire Medal for the courage and fortitude he had shown in running the sub-post office at Greystoke from a wheelchair, retires on Monday.
For the past thirteen years, ever since a serious car accident paralysed him from the waist down, Mr. Ashton has been putting in a full day’s work at his shop and latterly he has also been doing much of his own cooking and housework.
100 years ago — 1922
Penrith
A meeting of the workless was called to protest against the apathy of Penrith Urban Council towards unemployment.
Thirty men attended the meeting in Arthur Street Hall and passed a resolution: “That the Council commence at once with all the works and that all men not in receipt of allowance from the Labour Exchange be engaged as far as possible.”
At their next monthly meeting the Council repudiated the suggestion of apathy and replied to the men that they would do what they possibly could to provide work.
Nenthead
Mr. Robert E. Armstrong has left Nenthead and emigrated to New Zealand.
An ex-soldier, he won the D.C.M. for his gallantry while on sentry duty at the entrance to a captured German dug-out. He was presented with a gold watch by Nenthead Welcome Home Association in appreciation of his bravery.
