A Quick Reminder: Looking back through the archives of The Keswick Reminder from around this week 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
20 years ago
Keswick AFC Under 12s County Cup Semi Final: Keswick 2 Workington 1
Late weekend’s football gained the under 12 team a place in Keswick’s history as they reached the final of the County Cup after defeating workington Juniors 2-1. This has never before been done by any Keswick team junior or senior.
Keswick got off to the best possible start after a good move down the left wing by Richard Bell who slotted the ball through a crowd of players to reach Nick Blackburn, unmarked at the far post for an easy tap in. Both teams had equal shares of possession; Keswick were awarded a corner taken by Richard Bannister who swung it in, only for the keeper to take it – unfortunately for him though one of his own players collided with him and knocked the ball into the net.
The second half was only a few minutes old when the Workington winger lost his marker and shot from the edge4 of the area finding the back of the net. The tension on the side line was intense; in true Keswick spirit every player did exactly what was asked of him. Although both teams had their chances, the score remained at 2-1.
Schools’ amalgamation decision
The County Council’s Cabinet made the decision this week to support proposals to amalgamate two Keswick schools next year.
The schools, St Kentigern’s CE Voluntary Aided Infants and Trinity CE Voluntary Controlled Junior schools are already neighbours, and the Council’s positive decision follows extensive consultation with staff, governors, parents and the public. These meetings aimed at focusing on the best way to create the most effective provision for the future, enhancing the educational opportunities for the pupils, and leading to a more cost-effective use of the resources made available for education.
Education spokesperson Joan Stocker said the governors of both schools, which are situated side by side in Trinity Way, had asked the County Council to look into the possibility of an amalgamation.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor
May we add our concern to that of Irene Ewart (23 April) with regard to the plans for the Tea Gardens. We, too, are appalled at the idea of losing one of Keswick’s most attractive amenities. Numerous residents and visitors have enjoyed and delighted in the Tea Gardens over the last 70 years — not to mention the birds, squirrels, bats etc. which have made their home there.
The building is a perfect example of the café architecture of its time and the terraces have become part of the landscape. The present proprietors give the same friendly, welcoming and good service as their predecessors. The whole site should be a subject for conservation not demolition.
Please don’t let this be another case of us losing something and then regretting it when it is too late.
PM and JT Scott
Wordsworth Street
Keswick
Dear Editor
I would like to endorse all that Mrs Ewart has said in her letter of 23 April 2004.
As regards to the developments Allerdale Borough Council are planning for the Theatre, is this really necessary? This would definitely spoil the surroundings of its natural beauty.
How can Allerdale expect more money from the Lottery when village halls cannot receive anything and the village people have to raise money themselves.
Lakeside Tea Gardens – where else can you go for a good cup of tea or coffee etc. sitting outdoors overlooking the lake in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere, ideal for the whole family and walkers alike.
Come on Keswick, do not let this happen.
E Petrie
Keswick
30 years ago
Greta Grove appeal decision
The appeal by Greta Grove Developments, lodged after the Lake District Planning Board refused to allow twelve, two bedroomed flats to be built on land adjacent to the coach park at Greta Grove in Keswick, has been successful.
A Department of the Environment Inspector has overruled Lake District Planners by saying that the scheme to build the flats can go ahead. The Inspector, James Wilson, said the key issues in the appeal were whether the proposal would frustrate the Planning Board’s aim to meet the housing needs of local people and whether it would also involve the loss of potentially valuable industrial land.
The Inspector did not see that building flats for sale or rent on the open market would frustrate the aim of meeting local housing needs or, for that matter, harm the character of the town. He said: “In any case the flats would be of a type and in a location likely to be more attractive to local people than to purchasers of holiday or retirement homes.”
In his report Mr. Wilson said that the site was too small to make more than a token contribution to the employment needs of the town, and that, given its proximity to residential development, its use for industry could harm the amenities of those living nearby.
Plea for peace and quiet
President of the Council for National Parks Chris Bonington has made a plea to visitors to National Parks throughout the country to enjoy the beautiful landscapes without spoiling the peace and quiet.
Mr. Bonington said that the original idea was that enjoyment of National Parks such as the Lake District should be based on the special qualities of natural beauty, wildlife and landscape.
Speaking as the Council for National Parks launched a broadsheet on “Quiet Enjoyment in National Parks” Chris Bonington said: “The time has come to say that National Parks are not the right place for certain kinds of activities such as inflatable bananas skimming across lakes, water skiing and car rallies. He added that most people who visit the Parks do enjoy quiet activities like walking, having picnics or climbing.
40 years ago
Not interested
The issue of the centre of the town, and the Market Square in particular, is one which most people in Keswick feel strongly about — or so we imagine.
But is this really so?
Mrs. Jean Airey, secretary of the Publicity Association, says that out of some 320 questionnaires sent to members of the association on the subject of the Square, only twenty have been returned — and, with the sole exception of Boots the Chemists, none of these are from members with premises in the town centre, who would presumably be the most affected by decisions on the future of this area of the town.
And Mrs. Airey points out that only three replies are against pedestrianisation although there must be other members of the Publicity Association who feel this way.
She appeals to all members to fill in the questionnaire and send it to her at the Publicity Office so that the committee can ascertain the views of the membership as a whole.
Watching the birdie
Keswick golfers can expect to get the bird if they hit any stray tee shots at the seventh hole in the next few weeks.
For a peewit has built its nest and laid four eggs bang in the centre of the seventh fairway, one of the busiest areas on the entire course.
Club secretary Donald Cowen said it was both a heroic and obdurate act on the part of the bird to try and raise a family in such a place, with players constantly passing by and golf balls whistling overhead.
The bird is about half way through the incubation period and the nest site has been marked to prevent golfers from unwittingly disturbing it.
Mr. Cowen said: “One of Britain’s top courses has a hole called peewits. Maybe we should adopt the name for our own seventh hole.”
Lyn runs for the Calvert Trust
Keswick sportswoman Lyn Thompson will be the Calvert Trust’s official representative in next week-end’s world-famous London marathon.
After a winter hit by injuries, Lyn is now back on a sixty miles a week training schedule and the Calvert Trust Adventure Centre for the Disabled hope that her efforts in running for those who can’t run will produce a bumper financial reward.
50 years ago
New clubhouse
A new £20,000 reconstruction of the Bassenthwaite Sailing Club’s clubhouse was officially opened on Sunday morning by Lord Egremont who, despite the stiff breeze and rain, arrived by boat, accompanied by the Commodore, Mr. John R. Wills.
In thanking Lord Egremont, Mr. Wills said it was due to the generosity of the late Lord Egremont that they were able to form the club and he was pleased to announce that the present Lord – their patron – had granted them a new 25-year lease, without which it was doubtful whether the erection of the clubhouse would have taken place.
Marathon runner
A former Keswick man, Major Ben Rathbone, now with the Royal Canadian Air Force, found himself with some stiff opposition recently when he decided to take part in a marathon run – another 1,699 starters.
Major Rathbone took part in the 26-mile Boston, Massachusetts, marathon and managed to complete the course in 3hrs. 22mins. – inside the qualifying time of 3hrs. 30mins. By coincidence, the record for the event was set by Keswick Athletic Club’s President, Ron Hill, in 1970.
Mystery
The mystery of vanishing bantam hens, eggs and chickens from the garden of Quinta, Portinscale Road, appeared to have been solved on Monday morning when about 7-30a.m., Miss Eva Graham looked out of her kitchen window and saw a fox walk through the hedge. It seized a bantam cockerel but Miss Graham was quick enough to hit it with a stick and it dropped the bird, only to dart back and grab it for a second time.
Miss Graham again hit the fox and this time it dropped the bantam and dashed back through the dyke, only to turn round and have another look until it decided that there was no breakfast there for it and made off.