25 years ago
Penrith
A warning that lives could be put at risk was ignored when Eden councillors moved to preserve part of Penrith’s history.
Members of the planning committee overruled the advice of their own officers when they approved an application by Joe Winder to convert the former Penrith Swimming Club building at Brougham into a house.
There was ridicule for a warning by the National Rivers Authority that the proposal could put lives at risk, because the the building was “liable to flooding” during heavy rain.
Great Strickland
Former prisoner of war Bob Chambers celebrated the 50th anniversary of VJ Day with a surprise party at Great Strickland given by his family and friends.
Mr. Chambers spent the last three years of the war working on the notorious Burma-Siam railway, where he laboured on the famous River Kwai bridge and two others.
When he returned home and got off at Shap station nobody was there to greet him because they did not know he was coming.
So, like many former PoWs, he had a welcome home party this week — only 50 years late.
Bampton Grange
The work of a 20-year-old television producer from Bampton Grange is to be seen all over the world.
A recent graduate of the School of Film and Television in Bournemouth, he has produced programs including Kenny, We Love You, which is a highlight of this year’s British short film festival.
It has already been snapped up by a major German television station and will be seen world-wide at various festivals this year.
Appleby
The conversion of a derelict railway shed into a heritage training centre could help breathe new life into Appleby.
Ben Chapman, the competitiveness director with the Government Office North West, on Friday visited the redundant goods shed for an update on the scheme.
The Government has provided £573,000 to help transform the building into a heritage training centre. In October, trainees will join the restoration team to learn practical skills on the job.
Watermillock
About 750 people attended the funeral service of Eden businessman Robert Jenkinson at St. Michael’s Church, Lowther, on Monday.
Mr. Jenkinson, of High House, Watermillock, died suddenly last week at the age of 39.
An extremely popular figure in and around Penrith, he was known by hundreds of people in the area through his highly successful transport business based in the town.
50 years ago — 1970
Crosby Ravensworth
A new inner porch at the south crossing door of the Parish Church, Kirkby Stephen, has recently been completed by Mr. Robert W. Handley, The Dene, Howgill Syke, Kirkby Stephen.
The porch, designed by Mr. E. M. Bottomley, church architect, is constructed of solid English oak with Reamy antique glass.
Garrigill
BBC 2 television pictures are being received at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Hodgson, Moorhouse, Garrigill, Alston.
Mr. Neil Wallace, branch manager of the local television dealers, H. N. Storey Ltd., found the reception was possible when installing a new set this week at Moorhouse, which is situated 1,820 feet up in the North Pennines.
Maulds Meaburn
Cumbria Police were yesterday investigating an overnight burglary at a well-known North Westmorland mansion where antique items of china, jade and silverware, believed to be of considerable value, were stolen while the twelve occupants of the house slept undisturbed.
The victims were a former High Sheriff of Westmorland, Mr. Robert Dent, and Lady Dent, of Flass, Maulds Meaburn.
Appleby
Appleby is to lose its Assizes, which have been held in the town since medieval times.
The last court will be held in October. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham, announced that he had “with regret” rejected pleas which had been made by many individuals and organisations in the county for the retention of the Assizes.
Cases which would have been held at Appleby will now be divided between Lancaster and Carlisle.
Westmorland
The first part of the Abbot Hall Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry at Kendal was opened on Thursday by the Mayor of Kendal.
The museum is housed in what was the stable block for the hall and has been adapted for its new role by Mr. Dockray, architect, and the Director Miss Mary Burkett and the museum’s curator Mr. John Anstee.
Penrith
The annual report of the Penrith Building Society reveals that at the financial year end, 30th June, assets had risen to over £2 million and mortgage advances during the year exceeded the previous record by more than 50 per cent. Advances on mortgages — 153 — amounted to £451,662.
100 years ago — 1920
Keswick
The secretary and general manager of the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway Company for 43 years, Mr. Peter Thompson, died at his home in Southey Street, Keswick.
In his younger days he was secretary of Threlkeld Granite Company and for many years he was auditor of the Keswick Benefit Building Society.
Appleby
The first meeting of the Eden Valley Football League was attended by representatives of Appleby, Castletown, Kirkby Stephen Harriers, Kirkby Thore, Penrith Reserves and Warcop.
Mr. S. Pearson, Penrith, presided and Mr. J. H. Alderson said that the Westmorland F.A. had granted sanction for the League.
Patterdale
An increased number of visitors attended Ullswater Sheep Dog Trials at the Hagg, Patterdale.
An innovation was a fell race to the top of Bleaze End, which was won by J. J. Leak, Troutbeck, who finished about 20 yards ahead of J. Powley, Hawkshead.
There were 24 entries for the local sheepdog class, which was won by J. V. Allen, Deepdale Hall.
