150 YEARS AGO

Whitehaven Cheese Fair

The annual fair for the sale of “Wang” was held on Thursday last, when there were about 30 cartloads shown.

The day was very unfavourable, and as a result many “grindstones” were taken back unsold. Prices were very high, as much as fivepence per pound.

Missing ship

A Liverpool ship commanded by a Whitehaven captain is said to be missing.

The vessel, called the Ando Callo, was commanded by Captain Gilberry of Whitehaven. It was a new iron ship, and sailed from Callao for Valparaiso on May 30, and has not been heard of since.

November 11, 1865.

125 YEARS AGO

At the Whitehaven YMCA

At the weekly meeting on Thursday night, a talk on “Criminal Law and Capital Punishment” was given by Mr Porter, which proved very interesting to a large gathering of young men.

Gales and floods around Egremont

The weekend saw one of the heaviest gales experienced in the Egremont district for many years. The beck overflowed its banks, flooding several houses in Castle Went and St Bridget’s Lane.

The highway to Gosforth, close to Woodbank was flooded to a depth of two feet, and Smith field was in a similar state.

The river Ehen rose to a considerable height and many of the fields are flooded, causing great damage to the turnip crops.

November 13, 1890

100 YEARS AGO

Distinguished Conduct Medal for soldier

Private David Turner, son of Mr J Turner, of Smithfield, Egremont, has been in the army since February, 1909. After spending four years in India he was sent to the Galipoli Peninsula last April. He is recommended for the DCM, “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion in saving and bringing in two New Zealanders from the front of the line the attacking troops had gained and were entrenching”.

Whitehaven soldier in France

In a letter to his uncle, Private Tom Pearson says: “I have seen some horrible sights, but through it all the French people are immovable, and go about their business with calm and fortitude. If some of our Cumberland lads saw the things we have seen, I think they would not be long until they were out here doing their bit.

“We have sports behind the firing line, to Cumberland men wrestling is the most popular. Some of the Frenchmen have also learned the game, and we have a joke that if any of them turn out experts at the game we will bring them over and give them a try at Grasmere and the Whitehaven Miners’ Demonstration next year.”

November 11, 1915

75 YEARS AGO

Workers suffer after waiting for trains

Egremont Parish Council criticised the lack of co-ordination between employers at a certain works site in Egremont and the railway company.

Complaints had been made that hundreds of men had to wait more than three hours for transport in the wet weather, and many of them are now suffering from the effects of exposure.

Campaign against rats and mice

So widespread is the damage caused by rats and mice that Cumberland County Council has decided to have the vermin eradicated.

The havoc wrought by the pests costs the country millions of pounds annually. Thousands of tons of foodstuffs have been eaten by rodents and in this desperate time we must take every precaution.

November 14, 1940.

50 YEARS AGO

Bakers' strike 'may cause bread famine'

West Cumberland is destined for a bread famine later this week due to a national strike today and tomorrow of the Bakers’ Union in multiple bakeries. Lakeland Bakeries Ltd of Workington and the Co-Operative Wholesale Society Ltd, Aspatria, are affected. Limited supplies will be available from small, private bakeries.

Haig Pit 'sackings' report denied

A report on Border TV that 40 miners at Haig Pit had been sacked was emphatically denied by the Cumberland Area NCB and miners’ leaders. A statement from the National Coal Board read: “There is no truth in the claims that 40 miners have been sacked because of their record on absenteeism.”

November 11, 1965.

25 YEARS AGO

We are broke, says council

Copeland Council is broke. The financial facts and figures in a “secret” report seen by your Whitehaven News say so. It claims a “fundamental lack of financial control” has resulted in a situation “which can only be described as tragic for a council the size of Copeland”.

Reluctant residents may have to move

A shock report is urging that at least ten houses on The Gardens, Corkickle, should be demolished on safety grounds. However the elderly residents on the estate have a defiant message for Copeland Council: “We are not moving.”

November 15, 1990.