Last updated 10:19, Thursday, 14 August 2008

Churchill and Lloyd George play down talk of war

NEGLIGENT DRIVING: Patrick Tumelty was charged with driving two carts, the horse of the latter not being attached to that of the first.

Police Sergeant Fisher stated that the defendant was driving two horses and carts near to Hensingham on Monday last, without having them attached.

The defendant stated that he was loaded with wood and it was impossible for him to have them attached. Several of the magistrates told him that in that case he should have had another driver. The bench however, considering that there were mitigating circumstances, let him off on paying the expenses.

August 12, 1858

HOW MARYPORT STRIKES A STRANGER: James Mackenzie Miall, 67, Aldermanbury, London, writes as follows:- “Sir, – During a short visit to Cumberland I stayed for a few days at the flourishing town of Maryport. I was charmed with the views of the Solway and the distant hills, and, thinking of them as a sign of prosperity, I could be tolerant even of the smoky chimneys.

“I was a little shocked, however, to find some of the streets ill-paved, the gutters running filth, and the air tinted with evil odours. But worse remained behind. A moonlit night tempted me to take my way to the cliffs, and it was in the course of what I had purposed to be a romantic stroll that I heard the sound of a bell and encountered sights and smells which from which I soon fled nauseated and horrified.

On inquiry, I learn that this unfortunate seaport is unprovided with any decent sanitary machinery, and I am astonished to hear that the efforts that have been made to intrude upon the ‘dull cold apathy’ of the local authorities have been, so far, wholly unsupported by the ratepayers.

“It is impossible for me to leave the neighbourhood without doing something to show how such an abnormal state of affairs impresses the mind of one used to better things.”

August 16 1883

THE TALK OF WAR: Mr Lloyd-George and Mr Winston Churchill have done good service by speaking out plainly and condemning the mischievous talk of war. The recent speech of Lord Cromer, in which he referred in scarcely veiled terms to a war with Germany as inevitable in the near future, has been condemned, and its assumption that such a war is inevitable is declared to be all nonsense.

So long as we have Ministers who are prepared and willing to prick war bubbles as they arise, there is not much fear of war.

August 20, 1908

EVENT has followed event in rapid succession since the announcement was made that the Whitehaven Colliery Company has decided to wind up its affairs. The gloom has been dispelled by the official announcement that the collieries have been re-let to a large industrial concern on the east coast, and that a new company is set to be formed to carry on the undertaking.

A SKELETON bus service to operate between St Bees and Egremont is being considered by Cumberland Motor Services Ltd.

August 17, 1933

WORK is to start on a £133,000 extension to the Whitehaven College of Further Education. This will be the second of three wings originally planned for the College – the first of which opened in 1955.

The college was initially founded to meet the needs for training scientist and technicians to meet growing demands in West Cumberland.

WHITEHAVEN have recorded their biggest ever points total with a 51-12 victory over York. They scored 11 tries and McKeown had a goalkicking field day.

GOOD news for the Cumberland Senior Soccer League is the formation of teams at Kells and Marchon, both of whom have joined the league this week. Gosforth are also expected to join in the near future.

August 21, 1958

RETIRED miners in West Cumbria will be warmed by news of a new agreement between the National Coal Board and the unions. From October 1983, all ex-coal board employees will receive an extra half ton of coal.

POWERFUL water pumps have arrived at Ennerdale Lake as the long hot summer left the lake rapidly dropping in level.

WEST Cumbria’s five young RL Lions have been welcomed back to Whitehaven by Copeland mayor Robin Simpson.

Kells quartet Billy Ennis, Frank Johnston, Michael Smith and Brian Tomlinson, and Hensingham’s Jimmy Dalton, along with tour manager Jackie Reid, were presented with engraved tankards on their return from New Zealand.

August 18, 1983