25 years ago — 1995
Penrith
Traders in Penrith have come down firmly against proposals to create a one-way traffic system and partial pedestrianisation in the town centre.
Members of Penrith Chamber of Trade are to write and formally object to Cumbria County Council highways department’s £500,000 scheme to revamp the centre of the town.
They responded angrily to the plans when they met with area traffic manager John Slee and engineer Rob Lawley at a recent meeting and told them of the many doubts which chamber members had about the benefits which the scheme is supposed to bring.
Several generations of Penrithians will remember Mrs. Bertha May Mitchinson, a former teacher for more than 40 years, mainly in the town, who died last week, aged 88.
As a young teacher in the 1930s, she taught girls and boys who became the grandparents of some of her pupils in later years.
She is remembered with fondness as a thoroughly caring woman who believed in traditional methods of teaching.
Over the years she taught at Brunswick Road Infants’ School, the Boys’ National School, Meeting House Lane Infants’ School and Scaws School (now Beaconside).
Ullswater
Gina Campbell, daughter of record-breaking legend Donald Campbell, is this weekend visiting Ullswater, scene of her father’s first water speed record and the launching of Bluebird.
She chose to make the visit after the management of the Glenridding Hotel, where her father stayed, decided to dedicate the hotel library to her father in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the record.
Campbell, Leo Villa and his team relaxed in the Wheel Bar Club, now the library, in between record attempts.
Hackthorpe
The closure of the village post office has marked the end of an era in Hackthorpe.
The decision to close it has also meant retirement for Mrs. Nora Noble, who has been behind the counter for 34 years.
Mrs. Noble, who has just moved to Pennine Close, Hackthorpe, said: “I will miss the company.
“We used to run the Shepherds Inn, Langwathby, so I am used to people. I am not sure I am going to enjoy retirement.”
Appleby
Appleby’s 135-year-old gas holder is being moved to a new “home” — at the award-winning Beamish Museum, at Stanley, County Durham.
The steel holder, which is 40ft in diameter and 20ft high, served Appleby from 1860 until the town’s conversion to natural gas in 1987.
50 years ago — 1970
Penrith
British Rail’s announcement this week of the closure of Penrith railway station’s freight depot on 4th January brought protests fro two Councils and warnings of price rises due to extra transport costs.
Penrith Rural Council decided on Tuesday to call for a special meeting of representatives of their own Council, Cumberland County Council and Penrith Urban Council to organise action, and at a meeting of Cumberland County Council, the Railway Board’s action was described as “high-handed, ruthless and insulting”.
British Rail say the reason for the closure is cost, and that all freight for Penrith will be handled at Carlisle, which has dealt with parcels for the town and surrounding area for some time.
Bowscar
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson, Forest Lodge, Bowscar, set a record by winning the biggest-yet “jackpot” of £160 on Border Television’s “Mr. and Mrs.” quiz show on Thursday night.
In the quiz, one of the station’s most popular programs, couples are interviewed separately and have to answer questions about the likes and dislikes of their partner.
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson gave no incorrect answers and so collected the highest “jackpot” yet won.
Brampton
The Express Dairy Cup — presented by the Company to the best cow supplying milk to the Appleby depot — could almost be renamed the Bellas Family Cup, for Mr. Andrew Bellas, Croft Ends, Brampton, Appleby, this week became the third generation of the family to take the award.
The cup was won outright by Mr. Bellas’s grandfather, the late Mr. John Bellas, in 1946, and a new trophy has since been won five times by Andrew’s father, Mr. Eddie Bellas.
100 years ago — 1920
Penrith
The Public Offices in Sandgate, Penrith, formerly the premises of the Urban and Rural Councils, will not now be turned into a maternity hospital because of the cost involved.
However, it may become Y.M.C.A. premises and the Divisional Secretary has written asking terms of tenancy.
Shap
A meeting of the Westmorland Education Committee at Kendal heard that the Shap Local education sub-committee was protesting about boys from Shap not being allowed to go beating during school hours.
Mr. C. J. R. Tipper, Director of Education, said he had received a telegram asking if he would allow the children’s holidays to be extended for one day so that they could go beating for Lord Lonsdale.
No decision was taken but the chairman, Mr. A. H. Willink, said he thought that children should not be exempted from school for such a purpose.
150 years ago
Penrith
The Martinmas hirings at Penrith took place in a snowstorm.
Quotations: First-class men servants £11 10s to £12; second-class £9 10s to £11 15s; youths £6 to £6 10s; boys £3 10s to £5; women £5 15s to £6 10s; strong young girls £3 10s. to £5.
