150 YEARS AGO

Illegal fishing

William Park and William Dane were charged with grappling in Black Beck. John Tomlinson, a watcher for Mr Lindow, said he saw defendants coming down the beck and they were searching under the stones for the fish as the river was very low, so that it was easy to get at the fish.

Park stated that they came over the beck to save time, as it was a quicker route to where they were going, and that as Dane was crossing, he slipped in, so he thought he might as well grapple when he was down (laughter.) Fined 20s or 14 days imprisonment.

Re-opening of Christ Church, Whitehaven

This church, having undergone the operation of a thorough cleansing, was re-opened for divine service on Sunday last, when two appropriate and admirable sermons were preached – one in the morning by the Rev J Rimmer, and the other in the evening by the Rev J Richardson, of York.

The church has been painted throughout; pews which were left open, closed in so as to render them warmer in winter, and the book desks covered with clean green baize. The formerly blank walls have been relieved much by the inscription of several texts of scripture.

August 8, 1865

125 YEARS AGO

Pit accident at Cleator

A man named Daniel Gallagher, a trailer with the Cleator Iron Ore Company, had a mishap which might have had serious consequences. He was working in the low level, when owing to a strong light at the bottom of the shaft, he ran the bogie over the side into the water, and followed it. He fell a distance of 12 feet. Fortunately he was able to clamber out none the worse.

Ravenglass Sports

The sports were held on Saturday last, in beautiful weather. The attendance was not quite so large as that of last year, the bright sunshine which prevailed keeping many employed in the hayfield, and the entries, with the exception of one or two events, were also fewer. Nevertheless, the committee are to be congratulated on the success of the sports as a whole.

August 7, 1890

100 YEARS AGO

Not killed, but a prisoner

Corporal J Carr, of the 2nd Border Regiment, previously reported missing, is now reported wounded and a prisoner of war.

The official documents give his name as among those killed on December 18. His friends will rejoice to know that he is still alive, though wounded.

Cumberland Artillery in action

An officer in the Cumberland Batteries of the 4th East Lancashire (Howitzer) Brigade RFA, writing home, says that the welcome which the brigade received on landing in the Dardanelles from those who were already there was wonderful in its cordiality.

The conduct of the men of the brigade had been magnificent. As had been often said, the brigade were a fine lot of men. Up to the time of writing, after eight days in the firing line, none of the brigade had been hit. They were living in dug-outs, and had to be careful of shells and stray bullets.

August 5, 1915

75 YEARS AGO

YMCA ‘Tea Car’ at Whitehaven

One of the YMCA “Tea Cars,” over 200 of which are serving the forces at the present time, visited Whitehaven on Thursday, and was open to inspection by the public.

Mr. R A Woodley welcomed the mayor (Ald. J B Smith) and Mrs Mackereth, one of the organisers, spoke of the work the Tea Cars were doing in ministering to isolated military and other units remote from canteens and social amenities.

Rat destruction campaign

The Cumberland War Agricultural Campaign is offering the sum of 1d for every rat tail obtained in the Ennerdale District and brought into the office on the Ennerdale District Committee at Somerset House, Whitehaven, between the hours of 10am and 12 noon on Thursday mornings.

August 8, 1940

50 YEARS AGO

Woman hid stolen £5 in block of lard

A housewife who stole £5 from a neigbour’s house and concealed it in a block of lard, fled after revealing the hiding place to the police, Millom Magistrates were told on Tuesday.

The woman, from The Green, near Millom, admitted stealing the money from a house in Mill Park on July 19.

Van driver dozed off: Crash sequel at Millom

After supervising work on extensions to the nylon factory at Millom, a clerk-of-works was involved in a head-on collision with a council lorry when he fell asleep at the wheel of his van.

This was revealed at Millom Court on Tuesday when a man from Liverpool was fined £10 for driving the van without care at The Hill on April 26.

August 12, 1965

25 YEARS AGO

Family from Moor escape empty handed

A Cleator Moor family living in Kuwait escaped the Gulf crisis because they were on holiday.

Now John and Margaret Watson fear they could have lost everything when Saddam Hussein forced his way into Kuwait.

And although feeling “very fortunate” to be out of the country, they are greatly concerned about their friends still stranded in the Middle East emergency.

St Bees shanty town of chalets – allegation

A controversial plan to erect more than 200 residential chalets at St Bees has come under fire from villagers.

And the local parish council is calling on Copeland planners to visit the beach site, to see for themselves the massive impact the scheme will have on the village.

August 9, 1990