25 years ago – 1996
Penrith
Three 12-year-old Penrith girls have started their own protest against a proposed development which threatens their favourite play area.
When Lynsey Brench, Carleton Place, Kate Rylands, Tynefield Drive, and Marie Bickerstaff, Victoria Place, heard about a planned housing development on grassland next to the ambulance station at Tynefield Drive, Penrith, they decided to take action.
They have raised a petition and made their own banner to protest against the pla to build on an area they play on regularly.
Appleby
The £700,000 Appleby flood protection scheme could be in line for a national award.
The scheme, which is designed to protect properties in the Bridge Street, Chapel Street and Holme Street areas of the town consists of a series of floodbanks and walls, and was officially opened in October.
It is on a shortlist of six for the British construction industry awards for small projects.
Alston
The 82nd annual trials staged by Alston Sheepdog Trials Association were held on Friday and Saturday under very favourable weather condition.
The local trials n Friday evening drew an entry of 14 dogs and the challenge cup was won by Alan Elliot, Alston, with Tweed.
He was also runner-up with Cap and fourth with Meg, but Meg showed her prowess in the open trial on Saturday by taking the J. D. Renwick Memorial Cup for the dog with most points bred by the handler and the W. Marton Cup for the dog with most points from within a 12-mile radius of Alston.
Brough
A long period of uncertainty for staff and pupils at Brough Primary School has ended with the appointment of a new head.
Mrs. Lynne Higginbottom, currently a class teacher at Sedbergh County Primary School, will be the first permanent head at Brough since last July, when John Oswald, who had held the position for nearly 14 years, took sick leave.
Watermillock
Residents in Watermilock said a special thank you to the licensees of a local hotel and pub this week as they left the business.
Blanche Tiffin and her son, Malcolm, have been joint licensees of the Brackenrigg Hotel for the last five years.
They were assisted by Mrs. Tiffin’s husband, also called Malcolm, and daughter Blanche junior.
Melkinthorpe
On Saturday, Penrith Farmers’ and Kidd’s were invited to sell a collection of bees, hives and equipment by Mike Kendal, Melkinthorpe, who was having to give up his hobby due to ill health.
Friends and buyers travelled a long distance to attend the sale in Lowther parish hall.
Selling bees was a new experience for auctioneer Alan Atkinson, who noted at the beginning of the sale there was a certain “buzz” in the air!
50 years ago – 1971
Ravenstonedale
The footballers of Ravenstonedale won the final of the Waitby Cup – despite having been “knockedout” in an early round!
After their 5-1 defeat by Soulby, the result was declared void because Soulby had included a player who was not properly signed on.
In the final Ravenstonedale beat Musgrave 2-0, thanks to goals by Trevor Braithwaite and Geoffrey Bousfield, before a crowd of 1,200.
Brough
A top honour has been gained by a North Westmorland housewife who next Saturday represents Great Britain in the European trotting championship for ladies at Ostend, Belgium.
Mrs. Dorothy Bousfield, Glaslyn House, Brough, thus crowns a 15-year career in the thrilling sport of sulky trotting.
Her father, the late Mr. Albert Hogarth, Whinfell, near Penrith, owned horses and it was in his colours that she first competed as a teenager.
Kirkby Stephen
Work has started on a contract to build an advance factory at Kirkby Stephen of a size which would be expected to give employment to about forty people.
The factory is being built for the Development Commission and is sited behind the present County Council depot near the former railway station.
Keswick
Our advertisement columns this week contain the official advertisement by the Department of the Environment of the draft compulsory purchase order of land and properties for the Keswick northern bypass.
This is part of the larger scheme for the improvement of the A66 trunk road from Workington to Barons Cross, near Stainton, to which from the M.6 roundabout at Skirsgill there is already dual carriageway.
Penrith
A pleasant little oasis of peace and quiet among the tall trees at the East end of Penrith St. Andrew’s Church, within easy reach of the busy streets, St. Andrew’s Garden was handed over to the town as its newest public amenity by the Rotary Club at a little ceremony on Saturday afternoon.
The gift, three years in the evolving, celebrated the coming-of-age of the Rotary Club whose President, Mr. R. J. Kerr – with his last public dutu before ending his term of office – gave it to the new Chairman of Penrith Urban Council, Mr. J. J. Varty.
100 years ago – 1921
Penrith
The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle has unveiled and dedicated the new alter erected at St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Penrith, in memory of eleven members of the church who fell during the last war.
It was designed and made by Mr. Ernest Johnstone, Cromwell Road, Penrith. At the dedication the men’s relatives and friends were welcomed by the Rector, Father Reid.
Mr. T. W. Simpson, Beacon Road, Penrith, has been elected vice-president of Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce after only a year’s membership.
150 years ago – 1871
Winskill
A navvy was sent to gaol for a month for stealing a gander worth 8s. from a Winskill farmer.
The defendant said the gander flew at him and seized him by the breast tearing his shirt.
He had no intention of meddling with it at all and was so frightened that he stretched its neck and threw it over a fence!
