Last updated 15:54, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

DESERTING CHILDREN. Catherine Davidson was charged with having, on 11th of March, deserted her child, leaving it chargeable to the union.

The prisoner had been in the Workhouse, and on the above day left her child in the institution and went off. The practice of mothers leaving their children chargeable to the union was stated to have become so frequent recently that the guardians had ordered the present proceedings to be taken, in order to put a stop to it. One month’s imprisonment in Carlisle gaol.

GARRETT English was charged with brutally assaulting his aunt at Cleator. The prisoner had struck her on the head with a large stool, and she was in such a dangerous condition that she could not be removed to give evidence.

The case was adjourned till Saturday, and the policeman who apprehended the prisoner was instructed to inform a medical man of the poor woman’s serious condition.

– May 13, 1858

ON FRIDAY last, as Mr Fitzpatrick, publican, Distington, was driving home from the Cockermouth Horse Fair, his horse took a fright whilst entering a railway arch. After breaking both shafts of the conveyance, the horse started off at a tremendous speed along the road, precipitating the occupants of the carriage onto the ground with great force. The horse was not stopped until it reached the Fitz Toll-bar.

The cart consisted of Mr Fitzpatrick and his son, Mr Issac Frears, Globe Hotel, Distington, and another gentleman. Medical assistance was quickly rendered, when it was discovered that, although very severely bruised, none of the party had any bones broken.

– May 10, 1883

ON Saturday evening what must have been a very serious accident occurred to a Moresby Parks young man, whilst cycling down the steep and dangerous hill which extends for almost a mile from Scilly Banks to Parton. It appears the cyclist had got a good way down the hill when he endeavoured to slow down, and with this intention tried to put on the brake of the back wheel. This, however, failed to act and he there-upon tried the front brake but this broke. The machine was now gaining speed and as a last chance of saving himself, the unfortunate rider put his foot through the spokes in the front wheel, and he was thrown along with the cycle into the grass verge on the side of the road.

He was fortunately little worse for his thrilling adventure, but the damage done to the cycle is beyond repair.

– May 14, 1908

WEST Cumberland has had more than its fair share of lightning damage during the last 12 months, and although the storm of last weekend did not reach Whitehaven in its full intensity, the neighbouring districts suffered severely.

Serious damage was caused at the CHA Guest House at Eskdale, a man was partially paralysed at Asby, while two men leading a horse and cart were temporarily deprived of the use of their arms.

A COUNCIL of Social Service was formed at Whitehaven when a representative gathering attended a meeting held in the town hall.

The mayor, Ald W Rowe, said there were many problems to be faced, particularly with regards to unemployment.

– May 11 1933.

MEMBERS of Millom Parish Council were angry when they heard reports of dogs running wild in the park and the war memorial. The council is to enforce by-laws controlling dogs in public places.

THE popular BBC programme Gardeners’ Question Time is to be recorded in Seascale Primary School in July. The recording has been arranged in conjunction with the Seascale Horticultural Society.

HEAVILY beaten for possession in the scrums and hobbled by injuries to three players, Workington found Wigan too fast, too strong and too resourceful in what was generally considered to be the most entertaining of post-war rugby league cup finals at Wembley. Wigan won the game 13-9.

– May 15 1908.

AN INTENSIVE clean-up operation was mounted at the West Cumberland Hospital this week following a blaze which caused extensive damage and smoke-logged most of the building.

The Hensingham complex now faces another six-figure repair bill after the blaze. Eight wards were evacuated but nobody was injured.

THE Sellafield plant is to step up its production of good quality plutonium, apparently to meet the nuclear weapons needs of the United States.

Calder Hall’s No 4 reactor is currently being loaded with fuel rods to run for three monthly fuel cycles instead of the usual 12 monthly cycle.

A HUSBAND and wife with a combined total of local teaching service topping half a century are to retire from the profession.

Mr Ken Simpson, who has been teaching for 33 years, the last 14 as head of Bransty School, and his wife Elizabeth, who teaches at Lowca, are retiring At the end of term.

– May 12 1983.