25 years ago – 1996
Penrith
Perithians Tosh di Liberto and Efisio Podda are taking to the saddle for for a week-long charity cycle ride – all the way back to their Italian homeland.
The 39-year-old men, who both live in Penrith with their respective families, will be setting off on their 1,500-mile journey to Turin, in Italy, at the end of September.
At first, the ride was planned for fun but they have now decided to raise money for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund at the same time.
A Penrith physiotherapist will be leaving for her second Paralympic Games at the beginning of August.
Angela Stirk has been selected to join a 15-strong medical team who will accompany 350 disabled athletes to Atlanta.
Miss Stirk, who is 32 and lives at Clifton Dykes, Penrith, is a senior physiotherapist at the Fire Service Benevolent Fund rehabilitation centre, Jubilee House, Eamont Bridge.
Newton Rigg
The Newton Rigg College centenary exhibition attracted some 3,500 people.
The eight-day event was opened by Les Tuley, chairman of Cumbria County Council. Andrew Humphries, director of academic resources, said: “The exhibition took me six months to put together. Also heavily involved were Tony Riley, of Appleby, and Norman Nicholson, from Lazonby.”
Catterlen
Well-known Catterlen resident Joseph “Jobby” Ostle died at the weekend at Penrith hospital, aged 90.
Mr. Ostle originally came from West Cumbria but, in 1924, walked all the way from Allonby to Penrith, along with two horses, to find work.
In a long and active life Mr. Ostle continued working until his 81st birthday and was a regular at the Stoneybeck Inn for 71 years, still calling in often even after his 90th birthday.
Gamblesby
Hot shot Paul Dixon is the new British Down The Line clay pigeon shooting champion.
The 17-year-old, from Gamblesby, who has been shooting for just two years, clinched the title at a competition held in Wales on Friday.
He was also shooting for the England DTL junior team in a home international, having been selected at his first attempt.
The team took top spot and Paul was named overall England junior high gun.
Brough
A sponsored horse ride, organised by Grey Horse Riding Stables at Brough, raised £3,250, the majority of which went to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, where the proprietor of the stables, Bob Atkinson, was treated for a recent illness.
Mr Atkinson said: “The ride was about two hours long and riders set off at staggered times. Unfortunately it rained all day long.”
50 years ago – 1971
Mungrisdale
The out-of-the-way Mosedale valley, near Mungrisdale – since the last war an increasingly popular resort of picnic parties and campers at week-ends, and also, about twenty years ago, planned as the site of a Caldewhead reservoir to serve North Cumberland – is the scene of mining activity again.
An English subsidiary of a Canadian firm is reopening the old wolfram mine, high up the valley on the Brandy Gill side of Carrock Fell, where ruined buildings and spoil from earlier operations have become a familiar feature of the scene.
Haweswater
Manchester Waterworks Committee is again seeking permission to build a new aqueduct from the Haweswater reservoir to treatment works at Watchgate, near Kendal.
At the time permission was given to extract from Ullswater, the Government turned down a scheme to double the existing aqueduct.
Manchester engineers now say that when pumping from Ullswater begins in October they will have more water than will flow down the existing pipe and they are putting forward suggestions for a second pipeline.
Appleby
A ten-year-old Penrith boy, who saved the life of a drowning youngster in Appleby swimming pool, has received a letter complimenting him on his brave action.
Peter Smith, son of Mr. John Smith, licensee of the Miners Arms, Southend Road, was staying with friends in Appleby when the incident happened.
He saw another young boy splashing around in the deep end of the pool, realised he was in serious trouble and dragged him to the side.
Caldbeck
Shepherds in the Skiddaw range broke with tradition for this year’s annual meet at Caldbeck on Monday by having it at night instead of in the middle of the day.
There were about 30 shepherds at the meet on the green at the Oddfellows Arms Inn and 12 stray sheep were claimed by their owners.
Mr. Henry Ridley, Caldbeck, said the meet had been more enjoyable and leisurely, and it would be held at night again next year at Threlkeld.
100 years ago – 1921
Kirkby Stephen
An 18-hole competition took place at Kirkby Stephen Golf Club and, out of 18 entrants, Mr. S. Ridley won with a score of 86 net.
The prize was presented by Mr. G. D. Crozier and players and friends were entertained to tea by Mrs. Highet.
At a meeting of the club, Dr. Snowdon presented Mr. R. W. Braithwaite (secretary) with an inscribed barometer, as a mark of esteem and appreciation from members for his nine years’ service.
Mr. Braithwaite has now retired.
Ainstable
An open-air service was conducted by the rev. E. Charlesworth, Kirkoswald, on the Vicarage lawn at Ainstable.
Over 200 people attended. The Rev. H. F. Tilbury, Vicar, read the prayers and his wife, on Mrs. Harrison’s portage organ, accompanied the hymns.
150 years ago – 1871
Penrith
At a meeting of Penrith Farmers’ Club in Mr. Sweeten’s rooms, the President, Sir H. R. Vane, occupied the chair and 25 members were present. The next meeting will be on cultivation with the steam plough.
