150 YEARS AGO

STORM DAMAGE IN WHITEHAVEN

During the storm on Tuesday night, a chimney on the house of Mr Porter Kitchen, cabinet maker and auctioneer, Lowther Street, was blown down, also another in Duke Street. No-one was injured in either case.

DEATH AT SEA

Daniel Dickinson, one of the apprentices on board the Ehen , a vessel built at Messrs Kennedy’s, Whitehaven, fell off the main-yard overboard while the ship was off the coast of Patagonia, and was drowned.

The captain says he was “an extraordinary fine lad, and would have made a clever sailor.” He was the son of Mr L Dickinson, of the Grapes Inn, New Street, Whitehaven.

October 28, 1865

125 YEARS AGO

RNLI INSPECTION

Lieutenant Tipping, Inspector of Lifeboats, visited Whitehaven to inspect the lifeboat stationed here.

The crew and Lt Tipping took the boat to sea. It was blowing hard, with a heavy sea, and they all got a thorough soaking. Lt Tipping was satisfied that the boat was in good working order.

NETHERWASDALE HARVEST FESTIVAL

More than 100 people had tea in the schoolroom. The cake was, as usual, provided by Mr Tustin, and Mrs Smith of the Strands Inn made her usual gift of Hawkshead cake. Contributions of butter, cream and jam were also received. At 7.45pm a service was held in the church, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion with fruit, flowers, corn and bracken, assisted by the school children. After the service, entertainment was held in the school room, which was filled to overflowing.

October 30,1890

100 YEARS AGO

SOLDIER’S FORTUNATE ESCAPE

Private John Cartmell, son of Mr and Mrs Wallace Cartmell, of Michael Street, Whitehaven, was wounded while doing sentry duty. He is a member of the 5th Border, attached to the machine gun section, in France.

A comrade of his, writing to Mr and Mrs Cartmell, says: “Jack got wounded last night. He was wounded in the forehead. The shot which struck him had first hit a tree and glancing off struck Jack.” The many friends of the young soldier congratulate him on what seems to have been a miraculous escape, and hopes are high for a speedy recovery.

AN EGG ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Donald Mackay, Penzance Street, Moor Row, received the following letter: “While in the hospital as a patient I am being given eggs, and was given one with your name and address on it, together with a very kind message.

“I just want you to know how much we appreciate your kindness in sending these nice fresh eggs to us.

“I have been in hospital now three weeks, suffering from a mild attack of fever, but I hope soon to be out and will then be able to do my little bit in winning this terrible war.” Private C H Reeve, 1415, 2nd Canadian, F B.

October 28, 1915

75 YEARS AGO

GASHES ON THE FELLSIDES

Our timber plantings are going to war. If this should be a long war very little of the usable timber will be left. The demands of the industry are inexorable and the reserves in France are running out.

GASSING RABBITS

Rabbits are expensive guests on any farmer’s land They provide some sport but the damage they do to crops is often overlooked.

Cyanide gassing by the spooning method is recommended.

October 31, 1940

50 YEARS AGO

COMPUTER ON SHOW

A computer demonstration will be given in the Oaklea Hotel, Whitehaven, by Mr I.C Scott for Burroughs Ltd of London and Detroit, USA. Mr Scott will be demonstrating a Direct Computing Accounter, a self-contained electronic data processor that is claimed to give “computer results with accounting machine convenience”.

70mph GALES WREAK HAVOC

Gale force winds gusting more than 70mph created havoc over Cumberland and the North West. In Copeland as elsewhere, fallen trees provided traffic hazards in many areas while flooded roads and wrecked telephone lines added to the confusion.

November 4, 1965.

25 YEARS AGO

£750,000 LOSS

Copeland’s Direct Labour Organisation lost three quarters of a million pounds in the 1989/90 financial year. The department is set on course to lose another quarter of a million pounds in the coming financial year.

A ‘NOISY EYESORE’

Cleator Moor residents have described land used to store fairground equipment as a “noisy eyesore”. Up to 30 vehicles were allegedly parked on a triangular piece of land at the junction of Earl Street and Jacktrees Road, causing an “unsightly clutter” in the town.

November 1, 1990.