Last updated 15:52, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

DR KUTTNER IN GAOL! The usual procession of May-dolls has this year received a shock from the authorities. The cavalcade, consisting of a few comically-dressed figures (one dressed in a black coat, white tie, scarlet stockings, a very high tapering hat, and a board in front, on which was described “Dr Toy-shop”, it being intended to represent “Dr” Kuttner) proceeded as usual along King Street, through the Ginns, and up by Coach Road.

On arriving opposite the Catholic Chapel they stopped and gave three cheers, but their glory was short-lived, for soon after the police appeared, batons and all, and took both dolls and bearers into custody. The “Dr” was treated with very little ceremony, being thrown, along with the other dolls, into a cart and conveyed to the police station. Three young men were apprehended, but liberated on bail on Saturday night. On Monday morning they were brought before the magistrates and discharged on payment of costs, which amounted to 4s 6d each.

– May 6, 1858

MAN FOUND DROWNED IN THE HARBOUR: On Saturday, Mr H. J. Whiteside, deputy-coroner, held an inquest at the Wellington Inn, Whitehaven, on the body of James Luppin, aged 35 years, who was found drowned on April 28 in the harbour. The deceased had been working as a labourer for Mr. McGill, a builder. Luppin was afflicted with dumbness.

His body was found by Mary Ann Matthews, lying near some steps that lead down the pier. The police had traced him down on the Friday evening to Mrs Hayton’s public house on New Street, where he drank two pints of ale and left at a quarter to ten. That was the last time he was seen alive.

When found he had a medicine bottle in his pocket containing about a glass of whiskey. There was also 3s and some potatoes and onions in his pocket. Witnesses had not been able to ascertain where the deceased obtained the whiskey.

The jury returned the verdict of “Found drowned on the Far Sands, with no marks of violence upon the body.”

– May 3, 1883

ANOTHER SAFE BLASTED: The long list of burglaries in Whitehaven had two new additions this week. The Primitive Methodist Church was first. On Saturday morning, when the caretaker went to clean the church, it was found that the place had been entered by thieves. From a cupboard, a box had been removed containing a communion plate, worth 12 guineas. The thieves attempted to open the locked box, without success.

Even more daringly was the blasting of a safe during Monday night on the premises of Messrs W. Kennaugh & Son’s. When Mr L. Kennaugh opened the premises on Tuesday morning, he found that the door was already open. Someone had evidently been in. There was a smell of exploded gunpowder.

The safe, which would have required four men to lift it, had been taken down the narrow stairs to the ground floor. They then exploded the safe door to shatters. There was not much plunder for all the trouble, as the safe contained small change.

– May 7, 1908

THE medical officer for health has expressed the opinion that the economic distress in West Cumberland foreshadows a worse time as regards tuberculosis for the future.

MR ALEXANDER Buchanan, of Beckermet, has received a long service record for his public work. He has been a rate collector for 52 years, an Oddfellows’ branch secretary for 40 years, an income tax collector for 32 years, and 24 years as a parish clerk and sexton.

OWING to the depredation of foxes among fell lambs, the Eskdale and Ennerdale Foxhounds has had a strenuous time of late. Worrying on a remarkable scale has been going on at Black How, Cleator, where for the past fortnight and upwards of a score of lambs have disappeared almost nightly.

– May 1933

THE engines of Britain’s intermediate range ballistic missiles are to be tested at Spadeadam Waste, in Cumberland. This was disclosed when the first official details of the H-rocket were released.

But the firing trials of the completed weapon – described as “the ultimate defence system of this country” – will be carried out in Australia.

DEATH was completely off the roads of West Cumberland during the first three months this year.

However, Whitehaven was West Cumberland’s accident blackspot with 54 injured in 44 incidents.

THE Rugby League has declared that it’s not prepared to further subsidise senior rugby in Cumberland and will therefore make no more grants for losses by Cumberland in county games.

– May 8 1958.

SKILLED detective work by local historians has proved that the 16th century Archbishop of Canterbury, who founded St Bees Public School was, in fact, born in St Bees.

They have traced the very house which Edmund Grindal came into the world was 19 Finkle Street, which is probably the oldest house in the village.

IN this age of mass communication, there is still no better way to get across important political messages than meeting people face-to-face. That is the impact young people in the trade union–backed People’s March for Jobs succeeded in conveying to residents of Cleator Moor and Whitehaven.

WHITEHAVEN Lions have celebrated their 10th anniversary with a dinner dance at the Civic Hall.

The president, Sandy McKenzie, and mayor of Copeland, Brian Relph, were among the guests.

– May 5 1983.