Last updated 12:14, Tuesday, 18 March 2008

From the Files

150 Years Ago

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY: Mary Knowles, an old offender, was charged with being drunk in Hamilton-lane on Thursday night.

The chairman: “How did it happen you were so drunk and disorderly?”

The Prisoner: “It was Christmas Eve and I had got a glass or two.”

The Chairman: “Then I suppose as it was Christmas Eve we must excuse you this time; but take care you don’t come when it isn’t Christmas Eve” (laughter).

125 Years Ago

ANOTHER SENSATIONAL RUMOUR: On New Year’s Day a dreadful account of another child murder gained credence in certain parts of the town.

Several recitals were listened to and, although the details of the stories were more at less at variance, the main lines of the reported horror were to the effect that on Saturday night a woman had thrown her child over Derwent Bridge. The police received the story with sundry shrugs of the shoulders.

The origin of the wild and startling rumour is based on the fact that a woman, on the night previously mentioned, who was in an intoxicated condition, was crossing the Derwent Bridge and allowed her child, about seven years of age, to run along the parapet. The child fell off the bridge but held on to the wooden railing. The child was considerably shaken and bruised but not so much as to render it necessary to summon the aid of a doctor.

100 Years Ago

ONE of the merriest places in the Cumberland Fells on Christmas Day is Wasdale Head. Here were gathered the members of the Rock Fell and Climbing Club and it was one of the largest meets that has taken place since the club was established. Mr Ashley Abraham and most of the committee of the club, were there and about 25 cragsmen from Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northumberland and Durham had arrived on Christmas Eve.

A BELGIAN man was charged with stealing four stones of coal from a wagon at Ladysmith Pit. The police officer who proved the case said that because the defendant was Belgian and not naturalised, he took a serious view of the charge.

The chairman of the bench asked him: “Why don’t you go back to Belgium?”

75 Years Ago

THE members of Egremont Police Force did their good turn for Christmas in marked manner. A large consignment of wood was sent to be distributed by officer as yule logs amongst the unemployed of Egremont.

PATIENTS at Whitehaven Hospital have had the usual feast of festivities this year. Once again, the staff have excelled themselves in the decoration of the wards.

The Walker Ward was transformed into an Old World Garden, while an Autumn Scene decorated McGowan Ward. The Children’s Ward was “Carnival Time” and the Maternity Ward a Rose Garden.

MR Thomas Steele, the tallest man in Whitehaven at 6ft 4ins, died this week in his 81st year.

Mr Steele saw service with the Royal Garrison Artillery during the 1914-18 War and was a member of the old Cumberland Rifle Volunteers that took part in the 1897 Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London.

50 Years Ago

MINERS in Cumberland are keen to save up for their old age. More than 96 per cent of them are in the National Coal Board’s pension scheme – a higher percentage than in any other division.

They contributed 1s 3d a week and are entitled to a pension of at least £1 a week on retirement.

FATHER Vincent Fallona, at present at English Martyr’s, Preston, has been appointed parish priest at the Church of Our Lady and St James’, Millom. He will be returning to familiar country for he is a native of Whitehaven.

AS for 1981, so for 1982, and not much change in 1983. That seems to describe the picture painted by West Cumbria’s industrial leaders.

Firms battle on to cut and reduce labour forces, streamlining for the greater efficiency needed to match fierce competition for goods and services and thus remain profitable. Trading conditions are expected to remain difficult in the year ahead.

25 Years Ago

EGREMONT’S new look Conservative Club reached the final stages of its costly improvement programme with the official opening last week of its refurbished lounge.

It has cost the club another £22,000 but, for the money, the 1,200 members will be able to relax in more comfortable and attractive surroundings.

The opening ceremony was performed by the club chairman Mr Henry Kirkby.

WEST Cumbria cinema is ready to meet the challenge of the video age.

Mr Michael Graves hopes to convert part of the Ritz at Workington into an American style “movie drafthouse”.

Earlier this week, the cinema was converted into three separate units. Now the idea is to transform Ritz into a cinema with restaurant and bar facilities.