25 years ago – 1996
Glenridding
Scenes for a major new drama for the BBC were this week filmed at Glenridding.
The production team were at the Ullswater village on Wednesday to film a number of scenes for Beck, a six-part detective series, in which Amanda Redman runs a missing persons agency based in Kings Cross, London.
Penrith
Two Penrith businesses were this week celebrating orders which will give their products an even higher national profile.
The sweet tasting fudge from The Toffee Shop, in Brunswick Road, will be bought by visitors to royal palaces under a new initiative developed by the Prince of Wales, while bakers Birketts have won an order to supply the Harrods store in London with hot cross buns.
Neil Boustead, owner of The Toffee Shop, and his wife Patricia went to see Prince Charles at his home at Highgrove.
The Prince asked Mr. Boustead if he could create some sort of treacle fudge, since treacle toffee pulled out his fillings but treacle fudge would be ideal.
Top Penrith golfer Neil Mitchell last week reached the last 16 of the prestigious Sunningdale foursomes.
Playing with Andrew Pickering, of Kirkby Lonsdale, the 21-year-old county strokeplay champion improved dramatically on his performance last year, when he was knocked out in the early stages.
On their way the pair took the notable scalp of European tour golfer Malcolm MacKenzie and his partner, defeating them 1 up.
Appleby
Family and friends gathered yesterday to mark the 105th birthday of Appleby resident Mrs. Margaret Stamper, who says that hard work is the key to a long life.
Mrs. Stamper, who has her own house in the town, was born in 1891 at Heather Hall, near Berwick, making her one of the oldest women in Cumbria.
Mrs. Stamper moved to Appleby 83 years ago and her first job in the town was at Appleby Castle, where she worked in the laundry for Lord and Lady Hothfield.
Nenthead
Pupils, parents, staff and governors of Nenthead Primary School bade farewell to Peter Lanham at the end of term, after his 19 years as head there.
The presentation ceremony began with children singing, with Mrs. E. Edgar the pianist. Peter Davidson presented Mr. Lanham with a painting by local artist Bob Armstrong to mark his retirement.
Kirkby Stephen
Auctioneers Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s have announced plans for a major upgrade to their lvestock holding facilities at Kirkby Stephen mart.
PF&K have applied to Eden District Council for permission to roof over existing open animal pens situated next to the sale ring and covering an area of more than 1,000 square metres.
Auctioneer Stuart Bell said: “We need the covered pens to cater for the increased volume of sheep at Kirkby Stephen which we have had to cope with since we started selling on Tuesday nights.
“During the autumn we have been selling about 6,000 animals each week at these sales.”
50 years ago – 1971
Lowther
Beer, cider and wine can be sold in the cafeteria at the Lowther Wildlife Park during the summer season, from May to October, as a result of a decision taken by Shap Licensing Justices on Wednesday.
The Chairman (Cmdr. R. H. Torbock) said that the application by Mrs. Edna Hiatt – wife of the secretary of the company owning the park – for a justices’ licence to sell beer, cider and wine, on or off the premises, would be granted with certain conditions.
Alston
The daughter of ths President of the Countrywomen’s Association of Geelong, Victoria, in Australia, which has a link with Alston Women’s Institute, last week paid a visit to Alston as the guest of Mrs. A. Jackson, School Terrace, who is the Alston W.I. link correspondent.
She is Miss Jeanette Williams, aged 24 years, a school teacher who since last April has been on a tour of European countries.
She was enchanted by Alston’s cobbled street and thought the surroundings were beautiful.
Penrith
The death took place on Thursday morning, at the age of 71, of Mr. Arthur Cornthwaite, Barco Terrace, Penrith, who was 52 years with Messrs. Altham and Son, ironmongers, Penrith, before retiring in 1966 as general manager of the firm.
Mr Cornthwaite had to be master of many trades and have a comprehensive knowledge of everything connected with a business which handles over 16,000 different items.
We record with regret the death on Tuesday of Mr. Herbert James Winskill, Castle Terrace, Penrith, who retired in April, 1969, from the post of printing works overseer for the Herald Company.
When Mr. Winskill began his apprenticeship with the company the working hours were 7 a.m. to 6 p.m..
At that time the “herald” was printed during Friday nights and when he was allowed to work during the night his overtime was 2s.
100 years ago – 1921
Keswick
With the continuation of the national coal strike, the two counties’ supplies are almost exhausted and at Keswick there is no coal at all and gas is being strictly rationed.
At a meeting of the Urban Council, Mr. G. W. Dent, coal controller, said 70 or 80 people were without coal and the hospital also had no supplies.
Mrs. Marshall offered to supply some wood for the hospital and Colonel Spedding will give whatever assistance he can in supplying wood for poorer people.
Culgaith
The “grand old man” of Culgaith, Mr. John Burne, died recently, aged 91. Born at Black Leases, he farmed at Crackenthorpe for twenty years and Staingills for 29 years.
It was at Staingills that he established a reputation for breeding Clydesdale horses and greyfaced sheep and the name “Burne of Staingills” was one to be conjured with. Mr. Burne won two first prizes and a silver cup at the Royal Show at Carlisle.
