150 YEARS AGO

WIFE BEATING: Michael Polland was charged by his wife, Jane, with having brutally beaten her and threatened to kill her when he came home between one and two in the morning.

Michael swore that he ‘only pulled her out of bed.’ A scene occurred in court, which convinced the magistrates that the faults on both sides were about balanced, and they dismissed the complaint.

FISH POACHING IN THE DERWENT: Thomas Irwin, a miner, was brought before Keswick police court, charged with illegally fishing for trout in the River Derwent, near Dancing Gate.

Joseph Stubbs, a watcher, stated that he saw the defendant and another man fling an illegal net into the stream. He seized the defendant, his companion making his escape with the net.

The defendant denied that he was fishing when taken by Stubbs. The bench fined him £5 and £1 costs, or to be imprisoned for a month. If brought before them again for the same offence the penalty would be £15. The fine was paid.

July 13, 1865

125 YEARS AGO

ACCIDENT AT SEASCALE: One of the horses on hire at Seascale, while being ridden by a visitor, took fright and galloped into a group of people, knocking several down.

One person in particular, the son of Mr Watson, Brisco Road, Egremont, who had come with the trip in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday School, Egremont, sustained such injuries that he had to be conveyed home in a cab.

CLEATOR PARISH SUNDAY SCHOOL: The children had their annual trip on Wednesday. Forming into processional order at Cleator, they marched to the part of Dent, immediately behind Black How, where during the afternoon they diverted themselves with games. In the evening refreshments were provided.

July 17, 1890

100 YEARS AGO

PATRIOTIC EFFORT AT BIGRIGG: A highly successful gathering was held in the Springfield Park, Bigrigg, on Saturday afternoon, in the interest of the Disabled Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Fund.

There was a tea; doll’s name competition; guessing cake and hidden treasure. The Moor Row Silver Prize Band played excellent music.

CUMBERLAND NATURE CLUB: An enjoyable day was spent in St Bees. After a visit to the historic church, the party proceeded to Fleswick Bay, where the afternoon was spent among the numerous geological, zoological and botanical studies there. The return journey was made by train to Whitehaven.

July 15, 1915

75 YEARS AGO

CLEATOR MOOR MAN KILLED IN ACTION: A telegram to Mrs Gates, Montreal Street, Cleator Moor, on Monday, informed her that her son, Private G Hewitt of the RAMC was reported as having been killed in action.

His last communication was posted from France. Private Hewitt was a keen ambulance worker, and volunteered for service abroad at the outbreak of war. Aged, 20, he was employed by the Barrow Hematite Company as an underground diamond dorer at Crowgarth Mine.

WHITEHAVEN MAN HAS ARM AMPUTATED: A well-known worker in connection with Hogarth Mission, Mr T W Brown aged 42, an engineman employed at William Pit, and living at Plumblands Lane, Whitehaven, was admitted to hospital yesterday, seriously injured. It is understood he slipped on the line at Wellington Pit Brake, and sustained severe injuries. Last night it was found necessary to amputate his arm.

June 20, 1940

50 YEARS AGO

CLEATOR MOOR HIT WORST BY UNEMPLOYMENT: With a percentage of 8.3, Cleator Moor has the biggest unemployment ratio of any town in Cumberland. However, when combined with Whitehaven, 2.7 per cent, the overall percentage for this exchange area is 3.9 per cent. The information is contained in the Ministry of Labour’s monthly returns for July.

CAMPAIGN TO HELP PARISH AT ST BEGH’S: A fleet of buses took about 500 parishoners of St Begh’s Church, Whitehaven, to Egremont Market Hall on Monday night to launch a two-week campaign aimed at raising the general finances of the parish.

The campaign is being conducted by Mr Albert Grant of Carlisle, who said that people should not just be “hangers on” to the parish church and added that it was the responsibility of the parishoners to help maintain the church by a weekly offering.

June 22, 1965

25 YEARS AGO

SUPERSTORE JIGSAW: Work on a giant superstore at North Shore, Whitehaven, is now set to start by the end of the year.

Scottish supermarket firm William Low, unhappy about long delays in land acquisition, have given development company Universal Land, a September deadline. The scheme for a 48,500 sq ft store with parking for 350 cars, was first put forward in July, 1988 but long delays have been the result of protracted negotiations over the many small parcels of land involved.

MOOR ROAD ‘DISGRACE’ – AND PROSPECTS AREN’T GOOD: Angry Cleator Moor traders have hit out at the condition of local roads. The recently formed Chamber of Trade has written to the County Council to inquire if vital improvements are likely in the near future. Vice-chairman of the group, Christine Murphy who owns Yan Tan Tethra coffee shop, said: “The roads are a disgrace.”