25 YEARS AGO . . .
PENRITH
William Brownrigg, the ex-Penrithian who advocated the legalisation of
cockfighting and "home rule" for Cumberland as an independent candidate in the
general elections of 1951 and 1955, died at Kirkbampton, aged 78. Born at Penrith in 1897,
the son of a farmer, he was later at Kings Meaburn and Low Hesket while the family farmed
there. At the 1951 election he was a last-minute candidate, turning up at Penrith Town
Hall with the £150 deposit in cash and his "policy" written on a single sheet
of paper. He polled only 158 votes and, though slightly more successful in 1955, when 368
people voted for him, he again lost his deposit.
Penrith Monument, the clock tower in the middle of town, was in need of a face-lift. The
ratepayers' association having drawn attention to the state of the landmark, Eden Council
confirmed that remedial work was essential.
KESWICK
The Queen sent a telegraph of congratulations to Mrs. Agnes Fletcher, High
Street, Keswick, on the occasion of her 100th birthday. She resided with her son-in-law
and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. David Holyland.
DUFTON
The village of Dufton was involved in a "Clochmerle" situation, with
some residents opposed to a plan to renovate the former school toilets to provide for the
needs of walkers from the Pennine Way and others. Mr. Arthur Stamper said local people did
not wish to see visitors queueing up at public conveniences in their village.
APPLEBY
Appleby's mayor, Martin Holmes, travelled to London to collect a certificate of
merit award to the town in the "Britain in Bloom" competition.
TEMPLE SOWERBY
Bypasses for Temple Sowerby and Kirkby Thore, and a new bridge over the Eden,
were on a route chosen by the Department of the Environment for six miles of the A66
between Whinfell House and Crackenthorpe. The choice of route followed a public
consultation exercise.
50 YEARS AGO . . .
BROUGH
Brough show maintained its reputation for quality livestock, particularly
Shorthorn cattle, with as many as twenty animals in a single class. A 51Ú2-year-old
Northern Dairy Shorthorn, shown by Mr. George Dent, Wharton Hall, Kirkby Stephen, won the
championship, the cup for the best female in the hands of the breeder, the Chatterley cup
(confined to tenant farmers) and the plaque for the best cow. The referee had to be called
in after judges failed to agree as the winner of the Swaledale championship and gave the
title to a shearling tup belonging to A. Beckwith and Sons, New Hall, Appleby.
PENRITH
A member of the 1247 Penrith Squadron of the Air Training Corps, Cadet John Hogg,
won the free-style championship at the ATC Northern championships at Hull. The Penrith
team of Hogg, Bolshaw, Veitch and Kirk won the junior relay, and J. Smith was second in
the breast stroke event.
Mrs. W. E. Bruce won the Naworth cup for the best net score at the Cumberland and
Westmorland Ladies' autumn meeting, while Mrs. Ward, also Penrith, won the putting.
ARMATHWAITE
Armathwaite sports and industrial show took place in the beautiful setting of the
Red Lion Holme, beside the Eden. Frank Marshall, an up-and-coming cyclist from Croglin,
won both the mile and half-mile handicaps. Jos. Watson, Stainton, won the high jump and
Fred Wilson, Penrith, the pole vault.
KESWICK
Five new magistrates were appointed to sit on the Keswick Bench - Mr. Phillip L.
Davidson, architect; Mrs. Helen Fox, Fawe Park, Portinscale; Mrs. Sarah Grave, The
Headlands; Mr. Reginald Hartley, a native of Borrowdale; and Mr. Thomas Hartley, Penrith
Road.
Members of Keswick Southey Street Methodist Church welcomed the new superintendent
minister, the Rev. E. Grieves Smith, formerly at Liverpool and Ormskirk.
100 YEARS AGO . . .
STAINMORE
Stainmore agricultural show took place in a field near the Slip Inn and luncheon
was provided in a large room by Mr. and Mrs. Pounder, the kindly and attentive host and
hostess. "Success to the show" was proposed by the chairman (Dr. G. W.
Dalston-Ewbanke). W. Dent and Son, Kaber Fold, showed the best selection of cattle and
also won the Bibby's Food prize for the best beast on the field. The prize for a new milk
cheese was won by Mrs. H. Bainbridge, Soulby.
Lord Hothfield and a party of eight guns shot over Stowgill Moor, Stainmore, and bagged
104 brace of geese.
BLENCOWE
The annual "harvest home" for the wind-up of harvest on the Ennim
estate was held at Townhead farm through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Riley. Thirty
couples sat down at the festive board for a bounteous feast, followed by dancing to Mr.
Livingstone on his fiddle.
LANGWATHBY
The Postmaster General sought consent from Penrith Rural Council to erect
telegraph poles on Langwathby back road. This was refused because of the road's
narrowness.
PENRITH
The end-of-season competition for the championship of Penrith Friars' bowling
club was won by T. J. Johnstone, who defeated M. Kitching in the final. Members sat down
to supper at the General Wolfe, followed by songs and votes of thanks to the chairman (J.
Sarginson) and the secretary (M. Kitching).
Uncertainty about the fate of Private James Laidlaw, of the Penrith Volunteer Company of
the Border Regiment, in the Boer war, was ended when his mother received a War Office
telegram to say that he had died from enteric fever.