150 YEARS AGO

Railway accident

An accident occurred on the Furness and Whitehaven Railway, between Broughton and Foxfield, through a horse straying on the line.

The unfortunate horse was killed, and the engine and three carriages were thrown off the line.

Passengers escaped with a few slight bruises.

Presentation to the Master of the Whitehaven National Schools

A desk, together with a purse containing 50 guineas was presented to Mr Charles Davis, by a few friends and late scholars, as a mark of respect for his kindness, ability and untiring zeal displayed during a period of 34 years as master of the Boys’ National School.

October 19, 1865.

125 YEARS AGO

Popular entertainments at Parton

Parton is to have a series of “popular entertainments” during the winter.

The committee intend to make the entertainment both amusing and profitable. It is hoped that the people of Parton will attend and show their appreciation, for the low figure of one penny.

Whitehaven Cycling Club

An offer was made by Mr W J Armstrong of a field at Quality Corner for a bicycle track. The club accepted the offer and thanked Mr Armstrong, of the Tower Brewery, Corkickle for his generous gift.

October 23, 1890.

100 YEARS AGO

Severe wounds in spine

Mrs Branch, of Quin’s Terrace, Charles Street, Whitehaven, was informed by the Infantry Office that her husband, 6110 Private William Branch, 2nd Border Reg, was at North Staffordshire Infirmary, with very severe wounds in his spine, from a gun shot. He has five young children and was formerly employed at the Wellington Pit.

Parton & Moresby Sewing Guild

This organisation are again preparing to send a Christmas parcel to every man from the district serving in the forces. Each parcel will include a pair of socks and a muffler, besides other gifts.

As there will be 150 pairs of socks required, helpers will be gratefully accepted.

October 21, 1915.

75 YEARS AGO

A shilling for every beak...

If anglers had their way, quite a number of birds which grace our riversides would be persecuted until extinct.

Even the kingfisher comes under the ban and the heron, for all the good it does, should be shot on sight.

That silk stocking rush

Whitehaven had their greatest stocking buying rush in history. The announcement made the previous night that a ban on the sale of silk stockings would come into force caused our women folk to be up and doing on Saturday morning.

October 24, 1940.

50 YEARS AGO

T.T. milk unsafe says Millom medic

A warning against drinking raw milk was issued as a a result of the detection of brucellosis in the Millom Rural District Council area.

The disease is characterised by a long indefinite illness associated with intermittent fever headaches and malaise.

Carlisle gains in Boundaries report

With the exception of Cumberland County losing about 680 acres to the city of Carlisle, the Local Government Commissioner’s provincial report recommends no change in the boundaries of the two counties.

October 28, 1965.

25 YEARS AGO

Greenpeace versus Albright & Wilson

International chemical company Albright and Wilson is being taken to court by Greenpeace because of discharges into the Irish Sea from the Marchon works.

Rosehill’s reprieve

Rosehill Theatre has recieved a £10,000 ‘reprieve’ from Copeland Council. Councillors agreed that the money should be paid to the Low Moresby Theatre as a “matter of honour”.

October 25, 1990.