25 years ago – 1996
Penrith
The latest addition to Penrith businessman Norman Higgins’s stable of cars is a real eye-catcher. The Excalibur Phaeton, with its 7.2 litre engine, is an American “fantasy” model and one of only about a dozen in this country.
The campaign to keep Penrith’s tax office open took to the streets this week as staff tried to rally public support. Workers at the Voreda House office, which is threatened with closure, handed out leaflets to passing pedestrians.
Former Penrith headmaster John Hamlin is returning to the town in retirement.
Mr. Hamlin is retiring after 14 years as the head of Reigate Grammar School, Surrey. He was previously head at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith, for nine years.
Nenthead
The 200 acre Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre officially opened this week with a little help from television presented John Craven.
The presenter of the BBC’s Countryfile program was on hand to officially open the centre, assisted by Cumbria County Council’s chairman Les Tuley and North Pennines Heritage Trust chairman Graham Coggins.
Blencowe
Young rider Romaine Harrop, Rockholme, Blencowe, was one of three members of a team which won one of Britain’s most prestigious jumping events at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
In the victorious Caldew Riding Club team with 16-year-old Romaine were Shirley Foster and Nicola Dean, both from Carlisle.
They beat 75 other teams to take the Riding Club team championship of Great Britain, an annual competition run by the Organisation of Horse Box and Trailer Owners.
Crosby Garrett
Eden grass track racer Jason Handley is the new Brtitish 350cc champion.
The 24-year-old from Crosby Garrett raced to the biggest success of his motorbiking career at the championships, held at Habberley, near Shrewsbury, where Stephen Morris, of Ravenstonedale, also enjoyed his best ever result, finishing sixth.
Jason, who has been grass track racing for five years, was unbeaten in the heats and finished second in the final — all he needed to secure the championship.
50 years ago – 1971
Ullswater
Lake District Planning Board members consider that water skiers and fast motorboats are the principle discordant users of Ullswater and believe that the only solution is the termination of these sports on the lake.
They propose that this be done by imposing a 10m.p.h. speed limit over the whole of the lake.
Cumberland
Evoking a great deal of interest at the Cumberland show was a demonstration of European breeds of cattle newly imported to this country.
Mr. William Longrigg, Chief Livestock Officer for the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, spoke on the Charolais from France, the Simmental from Germany and the Limousin from France.
Among the Charolais animals on display were three from Mount Pleasant Farm, Blencowe, owned jointly by Penrith and the Border M.P. Mr. W. S. I. Whitelaw and his farm manager, Mr. Laurie Shuttleworth.
Penrith
Some of the oldest houses in Penrith are disappearing — in the name of progress.
Penrith Urban Council workmen this week began demolition work on six properties in Albert Street which date back, according to a stone set into a wall, to 1781.
The houses are being cleared for a two-fold reason – to make space for the establishment of a bus station for the town, and to create space for the projected, and controversial, inner ring-road.
Edenhall
Seventeen-year-old Graham Monkhouse made a niche for himself in the annals of Edenhall cricket.
His innings of 133 not out in the away match with Gosforth is believed to be the first Cumberland Senior League century by an Edenhall player and, it is thought, Monkhouse may be the youngest club member to have made a “ton” in any grade of cricket.
He made more than eighty of his runs in boundary strokes and, with Colin Jackson, who made 52, he shared a fourth wicket stand of 149.
Borrowdale
The July meeting of Borrowdale W.I. was held in Grange schoolroom, as it was the month the Institute entertained patients from Blencathra Hospital.
After the business meeting had concluded, with the Blencathra guests having arrived, tea was soon in progress and, afterwards, Mrs. Moxon gave an amusing entertainment.
100 years ago – 1921
Penrith
The annual Penrith bowling tournament, played on the Crown Square, Subscription and Friars greens, resulted in a win for a Friars team skipped by Mr. M. H. Kitching and comprising Messrs. R. Irving, P. Bailey and A. Pattinson.
The prizes were presented by Mr. Tom Smith and Mr. Isaac Turner officiated as secretary.
Skelton
Mr. J. H. Toppin, Musgrave Hall, Skelton, won the first prize at the Great Yorkshire Show for Shorthorn heifers two to three years old with his noted Mischief and another animal, Bright Princess, was the first prize Shorthorn cow.
150 years ago – 1871
Eamont Bridge
Messrs Birbeck held their thirteenth annual picnic on the banks of the River Lowther in the picturesque grounds of the Beehive Inn belonging to Mrs. Jopson.
The Cavalry Band, under the leadership of Mr. Harvey, played and refreshments were provided by Mrs. Livick, Penrith.
