Looking back through the archives of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald.
25 years ago – 1998
Penrith
The owners of an old established town centre Penrith shop which is to close at the end of the month because of lost trade, say it has been killed off by the Saturday market. The staff of florist, fruitiers and horticultural suppliers J. Kerr and Co, in Corn Market, are being made redundant in what owners Fred Proudfoot Limited called “a sad sign of the times in Penrith”. “I think the same thing will sadly happen to other retail businesses in Penrith for the same reasons,” said Brian Proudfoot. “Saturday used to be a very good business day but all that business has now gone out of town.”
More than 40 years after beginning his legal career in the town, Penrith solicitor Hugh Ellison is stepping down as senior partner of major county solicitors Cartmell Shepherd. Mr Ellison is handing over the top partnership role to Michael Barnes, a former Penrith police officer who retrained as a lawyer after a fast track career with the police.
Brough
Brough man Dennis Steadman’s first book is among those entered in the Cumbria Tourism Book of the year Awards. Former poacher Mr Steadman has shared some of his experiences in There for the taking, confessions of a reformed poacher. He talks about his early poaching days and the illegal capture of salmon, deer and pheasants, along with his current interests on what he calls “the legal side”.
Stainmore
The sustainability debate takes on a new momentum in Eden when Eden Local Agenda 21 is launched by Robert Swan, of Stainmore, the first man to walk to the North and South Poles. LA21 will propose at its launch a community led initiative to “think global, act local”. Seven project groups will develop priorities for actions, priorities and sustainability indicators.
Watermillock
A controversial plan to upgrade an Ullswater footpath to a standard to take vehicles has been withdrawn.as part of building work at its Watermillock base. However, the Lake District National Park Authority was worried about this aspect of the application, which was then withdrawn, and the rest of the scheme approved.
Blencarn
Eden businessman Mick Froggat, Blencarn, is all set to supply Cumbrian farmers with the equipment they require when EU authorities introduce widespread electronic tagging of livestock, early in the next century. Mr Froggat’s company is one of the first in the county to begin importing the electronic scanners required to read the passive tags which will be used in any compulsory tagging schemes.
Pooley Bridge
The Sun Inn, Pooley Bridge, has reopened after the completion of a major refurbishment. To celebrate the reopening, licensees Mike and Jane Long held a party on the theme of William Wordsworth’s famous poem I wandered lonely as a cloud.
50 years ago – 1973
Cumberland
Cumberland’s housewives are keeping a sharp eye on prices following the introduction of Value Added Tax from 1st April. The Weights and Measures Department at Carlisle has been “tremendously busy” this week, said a spokesman, as complaints came in for investigation.
Cumbria
Polling for the elections in the new Cumbria County Council takes place next week. The new council will consist of 82 members of whom only six have been returned unopposed. These include Miss Dorothy Dixon (Alston), Mr Stafford Howard (Greystoke), and Captain the Hon. Anthony Lowther (Lowther).
Appleby
Increased charges for both swimmers and spectators were decided by the Appleby War Memorial Swimming Pool committee when treasurer Mr B. Row warned that £1,000 extra revenue could be needed just to keep the financial position as it was. The opening of the pool at Askham meant the Appleby pool would lose swimmers from four schools in that area, it was stated.
Penrith
Penrith Mountain Rescue Team has had the most successful year in its history, both for rescues and financially, reported secretary Mr. G. Armstrong at the annual meeting. The 31-strong team covers about 250 square miles. Two call-outs were to fatal incidents, one at Bleawater, above Haweswater, where a schoolboy was killed, and the other an RAF Phantom jet crash near Scarrowmanwick, in which two men died.
100 years ago – 1923
Appleby
The North Westmorland Wrestling Academy held its championships which resulted in G. Allonby, Setterah Park, Askham, carrying off both the 11-stone and all weights titles. In the 11-stone final he fought it out with his brother, R. Allonby. J. E. Winter won the eight stone competition. Mr. G. J. Williamson, mayor of Appleby, presented the awards and the judges were Messrs J. Jackson, Crabstack, and H. Stogdale, Kirkby Thore.
Murton
The pleasant spell of Easter weather revived to something akin to its former popularity the annual Good Friday pilgrimage to Murton Pike. How or when this custom began is hard to say, but traditions die hard. As early as 10am youngsters arrived eager to have the honour of being first to the summit, and upwards of 100 climbers made the ascent.
