Looking back through the archives of The Keswick Reminder from around this week 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
20 years ago
RAFA Keswick branch standard
The RAFA branch standard was laid up in the Parish Church of Keswick St John on Sunday morning.
It was carried to the altar by Kathleen Beck who served in the RAF for four years and was also a member of the Keswick Branch of the RAFA before its closure in 1999. She was accompanied by the President of the Keswick Branch of the Royal British Legion, Alex Davidson.
The standard was received by the Vicar of St John’s, Canon Brian Smith, who spoke of the Keswick RAFA branch which was founded in 1950 with 59 members. Membership peaked in 1987 at 724 members, including all the RAF Mountain Rescue teams from RAF Stafford and RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.
Canon Smith said the Keswick club was very successful in raising funds for the annual Battle of Britain Wings Appeal, winning trophies at Area and National level, as well as trophies for Branch efficiency.
Between 1951 and 1998 Keswick RAFA raised £113,246.00 for the Wings Appeal.
As a former RAF Chaplain and a life member of RAFA, Canon Smith said he was concerned as to the whereabouts of the Keswick standard, and a request to receive the Normandy Veterans Standard prompted him to make enquiries. He discovered the RAFA standard was being stored at Preston and he felt it would be fitting that it should be laid up here in Keswick, just yards from the old RAFA Club.
30 years ago
Dropping in
Usually visitors arrive at the picturesque Derwentwater Youth Hostel near Keswick by car or on foot. But on Saturday night a large green helicopter touched down in the hostel grounds bringing a party of Royal Navy reservists who were on exercise in the area.
Phil Andrews, the hostel assistant, said: “It’s fairly unusual to get a Jag or a big Rover in the car park, but it was quite a sight to have this large helicopter parked on the front lawn.”
Some twenty members of the Royal Navy Reserve plus ground crew stayed at the hostel, most of them having flown up from the Leeds area. The hostel staff, said Phil Andrews, were given only a few days’ notice that the helicopter crew would need accommodation.
Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet and Show
In spite of a poor weather forecast, Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet and Show got away with a successful show with events being held between showers, and Sunday’s event was once again deserving of its title “the friendly show”.
The President this year was Stan Edmondson who has farmed at England’s wettest place for many years and has acquired the “Rain Man” image! Stan admitted to having a few sleepless nights wondering if the Show was going to be held on a very wet day and he would get the blame! But, if the weather was more suitable for ducks at times, at least all the events were held without cancellation.
After a gap of over a hundred years, the Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet and Show was revived six years ago. It is very much a country show and a family day out with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
One of the successes this year was the sheep shearing competition. “It is years since I saw anything like it,” said Mr. Edmondson. “It brings back memories. I doubt if many people will have ever seen hand shearing in these days of machines.”
Another attraction was Andrew Preston’s demonstration of driving ducks with his sheepdogs Lyn and Jem. Andrew comes from the South Lakes, and he had a very busy day, giving two demonstrations of duck driving as well as taking part in the sheepdog trials in the adjoining field.
Young James Cockbain of Keswick got some real kicks out of the show — one he enjoyed, the other he could have done without. Eleven year old James was kicked by a three year old fell pony and had to receive medical attention for a bruised leg; but later he was smiling as he helped his mother, Glenis, of Rakefoot Farm, parade the champion pony, 6 year old Carrick Pollyanna. Pollyanna took her 8th championship rosette of the season.
Champion Herdwick sheep was a six year old ram shown by David Bland of West Head, Thirlmere.
40 years ago
Pram push for leisure pool
The Derwent Club, a regular fund-raiser for local causes, gave the local leisure pool project a sizable push in the right direction on Sunday. Members gathered together a selection of prams, passengers in fancy dress, and pushers, and pushed ten miles around Derwentwater. The pushers set off from the town centre at 11-30 a.m. and were all back in the club by 4 p.m.
It was a showery, blustery, day, but with several “pit stops” at hostelries around the course, the pushers took every opportunity to grab liquid refreshment.
The Derwent Club has organised a town centre pram race for some years, raising thousands of pounds for charity. But this year they decided that they would give it a miss. Club secretary, Mr. Vickers said that instead, one of the members had suggested a pram push round the lake with a view to supporting the swimming pool appeal.
He said that spectators generously supported the event and, together with sponsorship money, it was anticipated that between £300 and £400 would be given to the pool fund.
Editorial
Perhaps the time has come to take a long, clear look at this town: at the Market Square and the possibility of pedestrianisation (without chains or extended market area, Allerdale please); at adequate signing of parking and no parking areas; at making the town centre live up to its “conservation area” label, and at more conservation schemes f the Lake Road and Oddfellows Yard type; in short, at making Keswick show itself in its true light which is a really attractive old Lakeland town which welcomes visitors, locals, shoppers, old and young.
50 years ago
Fireworks Display
There can be no finer setting in the country for a fireworks display than Crow Park, and last Saturday evening between ten and twelve thousand people watched an excellent display of fireworks arranged by Keswick Rotarians and presented by Pain’s Fireworks.
This large crowd was entertained on a fine, mild evening by army units from the Royal Artillery, the Household Cavalry, the Scots Guards and the band of the 1st Battalion, The King’s Own Border Regiment until dusk when the maroon was fired to signal the start of the display. An added attraction this year were the illuminated launches of the Keswick Launch Company which provided a colourful background to the scene.
Mr. P. J. Whittaker, chairman of the Rotary Club’s organising committee, said the support of the public had exceeded all expectations.
Weeding: Abbott – Hayton
The marriage took place on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church, Threlkeld, of Hazel Patricia, daughter of Mrs. R. W. Hayton, Carr Cottage, Threlkeld, and Colin Martin, son of Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Abbott, Thorneythwaite, Matterdale. The rector of Threlkeld, the Rev. I. H. Vine-Hall officiated, and Mrs. Vine-Hall was the organist.
Given in marriage by her mother, the bride wore a full length gown of white tricel crepe with the bodice and sleeves trimmed with lace and a long train. Her shoulder length veil was held in place with a floral headdress, and she carried a bouquet of lemon roses and white freesias.
She was attended by her sister, Miss Cynthia Bragg, who wore a long white dress of white broderie anglaise trimmed with blue, and a white picture hat. Her bouquet was of white rose buds, and white carnations.
The best man was Mr. E. Watson, and the groomsmen were Messrs. K. Atkinson and G. Fletcher.
