150 YEARS AGO

Robbery by a shopman

Hugh McKeswick, a respectable looking man, assistant with Mr Douglas, draper, the Bee Hive, King Street, was charged with stealing a variety of articles of wearing apparel from his employer.

PC Howard said he apprehended the prisoner at his house in the mountains of Stranraer, and upon examining his trunk, he found a great many articles which Mr Douglas identified as his property. Prisoner had nothing to say, and he was remanded for a week.

Oddfellows Gala

An Oddfellows’ gala will be held at Cockermouth on August 11, in the meadow below the castle, for the benefit of the Widows and Orphans Fund in connection with the Cocker Lodge.

There will be a procession of the brethren from the neighbouring lodges, to be followed by wrestling, foot racing, pole leaping and a dance on the green. It is expected that cheap trains will run from all parts of the county.

July 27, 1865.

125 YEARS AGO

Subsidence at Cleator Moor

About one acre of land in close proximity to Jacktrees Road, Cleator Moor, subsided owing to mining operations on Friday night last. The ore beneath was being extracted by the Carron Iron Ore Company.

Large funeral at Egremont

On Sunday afternoon over 600 people assembled at Egremont to pay their last token of respect to Thomas Coulthart, 19, who was killed at the No 11 Pit, Woodend, on Thursday afternoon. The coffin was richly overlaid with wreaths and carried shoulder high. The Rev E W Ridley, curate of St Mary’s, performed the funeral ceremony and delivered a touching address, the vast audience being deeply affected.

July 31, 1890

100 YEARS AGO

Large tomatoes

Mr W Reid, gardener for Colonel Dixon, St Bees, gathered a tomato last week weighing 12oz. It measured 13 inches in circumference.

In the same greenhouse there are some yet to ripen even larger than this.

Patriotic concert 

A very successful entertainment in aid of the egg fund for wounded soldiers was given in Braystones village last Friday evening by a few visitors staying at the bungalows.

Mr Southward kindly placed his barn at their disposal and Mr and Mrs Haile very generously lent their piano for the occasion. The ladies of the village supplied the chairs and did everything in their power to make the evening a success.

July 29, 1915

75 YEARS AGO

Plane chased at Braystones

One of our aeroplanes was challenged and chased in a very unusual encounter at Braystones on Sunday.

The aeroplane, flying south, skirted the edge of the tide, and was exceptionally low. As it approached the railway bridge at Braystones a Scotch terrier raced over the pebbles to drive it off, barking a defiant challenge every inch of the way.

When the machine swept past the gallant little black-coat followed along in determined but hopeless pursuit.

Soldiers' welfare at Egremont

A welfare centre for the troops was inaugurated at Egremont on Monday at the YMCA Boys’ Club.

Mr T W Ogilvie (Divisional Secretary) in introducing Captain Spedding who formally opened the centre, said that nearly 600 centres were now open for the Forces, and in addition some 200 or more searchlights.

August 1, 1940.

50 YEARS AGO

Former Bigrigg man chosen as candidate

Mr Charles W Shepherd JP, a native of Bigrigg, has been chosen as a prospective Labour candidate for the Burton-on-Trent Division. Mr Shepherd, 56, a married man with two daughters, is a railway worker having started his career at Moor Row in 1928 and being transferred to Burton-on-Trent in 1929.

Vicar moving to Workington

The Rev T R B Hodgson is leaving Whitehaven to become Rector of Aikton, near Wigton. Vicar of St Nicholas’ Church, Whitehaven, for the past six years, Mr Hodgson has recently recovered from illness and has decided to accept the “something rather lighter” living. “I have been extremely happy at Whitehaven,” Mr Hodgson told the News .

August 5, 1965 .

25 YEARS AGO

No second-tier move

Copeland Borough Council’s new general manager has said there have not been any discussions on a second tier of management. Mr Robin Smith denied the move, revealed recently by sources within the council, when he issued a statement detailing progress achieved so far by streamlining the authority.

Offers flood in to Howgill

Offers of help have flooded in to the Howgill Centre after vandals forced the popular playbus off the road. The Leyland bus plant at Lillyhall was among those rallying round after reading of the damage to the playbus.

August 2, 1990.