Last updated 11:50, Tuesday, 18 March 2008

From the Files

150 Years Ago

THE PEAL OF BELLS FOR ST BEES CHURCH: The new bells for St Bees Church have arrived, and will be hung in the course of a week or two.

EGREMONT: The annual horse and cattle fair at Egremont was held on Wednesday, the 17th inst. The quantity exhibited for sale was not large, although some handsome beasts changed hands at good prices.

A WEIGHTY PIG FOR WASDALE HEAD. Mr Russell Thompson, of Burnthwaite, Wasdale Head, is rather proud of having just killed the biggest pig ever known in that secluded region. It was just over nine months old and its dead weight was 30 stones. The pig was bred by Mr John Wilson, Woodhow, Wasdale.

125 Years Ago

MILD weather has prevented any fun on lake fishing this year, especially at Ennerdale Lake, where several local anglers generally have some good sport before they can lawfully try their skill in the rivers under the control of the West Cumberland Conservators. The lengthy period of the close time for trout, and the high price of licences enforced, are viewed by many fishermen in the light of a grievance.

A CLEAN SHEET AT THE WHITEHAVEN POLICE COURT. White Gloves for the chairman. At the Whitehaven Police-court on Monday, the magistrates on the Bench were J Dickinson (chairman), J G Dees, H Kitchin, W Hastwell and R Jefferson. Singular to relate there was not a charge of any description whatever.

The Supt of Police said he was pleased to acquaint the Bench that there was no business of any kind before the Court. In his 26 years’ experience this was something new for him and it was the first time in all his experience he had been present at the Police-court when there was no business (hear, hear). The Clerk, Mr Helder, in making a presentation of a pair of white gloves to the Chairman, said it was an honour he had on this somewhat unique occasion (Applause).

The Chairman said he thought he must have come there that day for the purpose of obtaining the white gloves. The Superintendent spoke of 26 years’ experience but he (the speaker) had been on that Bench for a longer period and he was never present on a similar occasion or even heard one spoken of.

It augured very well for the condition of the district and also of this town (Whitehaven) and it afforded very great pleasure to him and the other gentlemen on the Bench that this had occurred. He was afraid if it went on they would have to pension Mr Supt. Hope and a few more off altogether (Laughter). He thanked them very much for the gloves and expressed his pleasure at what had occurred.

He hoped it would recur many times in the future (Applause).

100 Years Ago

ONE of the oldest churches in the diocese, St Kentigern’s, Caldbeck, was re-opened this week, and re-dedicated by the Bishop of Carlisle, after having undergone extensive restoration at a cost of £4,000. The famous Cumberland hunter John Peel was married and is buried in the church.

75 Years Ago

LORD Leconfield’s Crowgarth Mine, Cleator Moor (which was recently offered for sale), has re-opened after being closed for about 18 months.

Despite foreign competition, the management have secured an order for 600 tons per week.

THE Lake District National Reserve Committee have passed unanimously a series of resolutions relating to the proposal that the Lake District be scheduled as a National Park. If it is granted, the Lake District would be the first area in England to be scheduled as a National Park.

50 Years Ago

ISAAC Park, a 57-year-old Labour councillor, will be Whitehaven’s next mayor. He was nominated this week by the Labour Group (which controls the Whitehaven Town Council by 18 seats to six). He is a representative of the Harbour Ward and has been on the council since 1951.

AN RSPCA inspector, Mr John Hayes, of Whitehaven, and two men fought their way through knee-deep water in a stream which runs for nearly half a mile under the streets of Whitehaven before entering the sea at the harbour, in an effort to save a pig which had escaped from Whitehaven slaughterhouse.

After more than an hour, the three men emerged from the culvert dragging the soaked pig to safety.

A 33-YEAR-OLD man from Kells walked into a police station and told officers he had just stolen a bottle of gin and supped it because he wanted to be put away.

His reason? He was having trouble at home – caused by drinking.

25 Years Ago

ALMOST a year’s legal action has failed to close down a Moor Row caravan site that has neither planning permission nor site licence.

But families are still living in the 24 caravans at Station Yard and paying up to £20 per week.

THREE Whitehaven men are hoping to set up a fish smoking factory on the former lifeboat house at Whitehaven’s North Shore.

Former landlord of the Sunny Hill Hotel, Mr Harry Evans, is making a planning application for use of the boathouse, and his partners are local fishermen Clive Smitham and Frank Pederson.

THE long-running BBC Radio 4 programme, Any Questions, comes to St Bees on March 18.

The programme will be broadcast live from the 400-capacity Memorial Hall and members of the public will be invited to put questions to the panel.