25 years ago – 1996
Penrith
A new battle is looming between the people of Penrith and Alba Proteins Limited, the operators of the former Wildriggs factory, over the infamous Penrith pong.
Eden councillors have set aside £7,000 in order to contest an appeal by Alba Proteins, who want to change two of the operating conditions of their Penrith factory.
Alba have lodged an appeal against the wording of a condition imposed, following a previous public inquiry, by Environment Secretary John Gummer relating to an abatement efficiency level of 99.7 per cent. and another imposed by the council which says smells should not travel more than 250 metres from the factory.
A couple who raised £2,000 to buy a chair and a wheelchair for the special needs class at the North Lakes School, Penrith, now hope to gather a further £7,000 for sensory stimulation equipment.
The ambitious fund-raising effort is being undertaken by Alma and Bryan McKinny, Calthwaite, whose four-year-old daughter Danielle attends the special needs class.
Penrith golfer Terry Mulryan won first place in a competition staged in memory of his son, Stephen, who died suddenly at the age of 30 in 1989.
His triumph came at the eighth annual gold day for the Stephen Ryan Memorial Trophy, held at Lancaster Golf and Country Club in almost perfect conditions.
Eamont Bridge
Retained fireman Dave Byers has given a lead to full-time colleagues in the county by passing a special technical examination in fire science, safety and fire fighting.
Mr. Byers, who lives at Eamont Bridge, decided to “go it alone” and study for the examination, which is normally undertaken by full-time officers during a college course.
After a year of study, he was presented with the certificate by assistant divisional officer Jim Robson at a special ceremony at Penrith fire station on Tuesday.
Appleby
Harness racer Claire Bousfield, Home Farm, Appleby, made history at the Musselburgh course, near Edinburgh, by becoming the first lady to win the prestigious Tuesday night final. Claire, aged 21, also became the youngest driver to win the Tuesday night race at the two-day Musselburgh meeting, which is the top event of the harness racing calendar.
Threlkeld
It was 18 years ago that Bunty Airey agreed to take on the job of secretary of Threlkeld sheepdog trials – on condition that it was only for two years.
Mr. Airey is now stepping down from the job and Wednesday’s show was his last in office.
To mark his time as secretary, he was presented with an engraved silver drinks measure by president, Major Phil Davidson.
50 years ago – 1971
Penrith
Penrith is to lose its “mail click”, an unusual postal collecting and dropping device on the main line just North of the town, believed to be the only one left in the country.
It is understood that it is proposed by British Rail, in conjunction with the G.P.O., to remove the “click” equipment early in October and Penrithians in the Thacka neighbourhood this week may have noticed that it has been floodlit at the time of the evening pick-up so that a photographic records can be made.
“It is no easy option to stay outside the Common Market – we should be turning our backs on our European neighbours, probably for generations, and should have to face all the consequences of remaining on our own in the modern world,” warned the Penrith and the Border MP and leader of the House of Commons, Mr. William S. I. Whitelaw, on Monday evening when he addressed his first big meeting in Penrith since the Government decision to advocate membership of the Common Market.
Lynn Court, a small part of Albert Street, Penrith, has disappeared during the past week as demolition activities continued in that part of the town. The property is believed to have been the home of William Lynn, one of the pioneers of local government in Penrith as a member for many years of the Board of Health, forerunner of the Urban Council.
Ullswater
Lakeland today honours one of the most famous characters in its hunting history.
At the Ullswater Sheepdog Trials – better known locally as Patterdale “dog day” – the Earl of Lonsdale will make a presentation to Joe Wear who has served the Ullswater Foxhounds for a record 47 years, surpassing the 42 years of the most notable of his predecessors, the legendary Joe Bowman.
Calthwaite
Mr. J. H. Ivinson, Plumpton Foot, Calthwaite, has achieved what might well be a record in barley yield for this district. He sowed 6 1/2 acres with Clermont barley in the Spring and has just harvested 21 tons of grain and 790 bales of straw from this field.
100 years ago – 1921
Skelton
Skelton show, held in glorious weather, enjoyed good quality and high numbers sheep and cattle sections.
The first-prize bull was shown by Mr. M. B. Allinson, Tymparon Hall, and the judge, Mr. John Gill, Stainton, stepped down from the class as the animal was of his own breeding.
Other champions included an Oxford ram, owned by Messrs. Grindal, Johnby, and a sow shown by Messrs. Hewetson, Scales Hall.
Kirkby Thore
A fete, in aid of the War Memorial Hall, held in a field behind the Reading Room, was opened by Lady Irene Tufton.
Prior to the opening, a fancy dress parade marched through the village headed by Mr. Wishart’s band.
Lady Tufton thanked the Chairman of the Committee, the Rev. J. Berry, and Mr. T. Scott, secretary.
