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
Air ambulance in action
Only a day after its launch visit to Keswick, Cumbria’s new air ambulance responded to its first official emergency in the town on Monday.
A thirty five year old lady on the Caravan and Camping Club site near Derwentwater was reported to be having breathing difficulties and she was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary at Carlisle for treatment in the helicopter, which had used Keswick Rugby Club’s ground as a landing site.
Letters of the Editor
Dear Editor,
“They’ve taken the heart out of Keswick” has been said many times in the past few weeks. The Market Square pedestrianisation scheme is certainly controversial, and a distinct hazard for people walking through the square with uneven edges to pavements waiting to catch out the unwary.
Perhaps more notice should have been taken of the views of the former manager of the Skiddaw Hotel, John Miller, who felt strongly that one-way traffic was the only sensible way to cope with the amount of traffic in the town centre. Certainly, a system which includes two-way traffic in the narrow Derwent Street cannot be said to be safer.
Our typical Lakeland town has been destroyed in the name of “progress” .
A Keswickian.
Dear Editor,
According to one letter last week “the disruption caused by the current work in Market Square seems to have affected the Saturday market traders more than anyone else.”
Business owners and their staff suffer from noise and dust daily whilst the work takes place. There is damage to trade in the Market Square, and further financial damage to businesses in adjacent areas such as Packhorse Court and Station Street.
I have no argument with the current work, and we must accept this disruption while the town centre undergoes change. However, all the suffering will be wasted if we do not take this opportunity to improve our town centre. Keswick is losing its charm and our local economy will pay a high price if we do not stop the decline. The pavements are increasingly cluttered with advertising boards and shop stock, and the market now spreads over the pavements.
If the Allerdale councillors responsible for the market and pavements are not willing to undertake their statutory duties, could the Town Council introduce a voluntary ‘code of conduct’ for the town centre? Local businesses could tidy up their frontages, including the pavements.
At the same time the market traders should agree to keep within their assigned stall areas and some control on street performers could be introduced. Only then will the Pedestrian Priority Scheme truly make Keswick a market town to be proud of.
Paul Rathbone
Rathbone’s Outdoor Shop
Market Square
Keswick
30 years ago
Monsignor Buxton to leave Keswick
After 24 years as Parish Priest to the Catholic community in Keswick, Monsignor Wilfrid Buxton is leaving this autumn. But he won’t be going far away – only to Grasmere where, at the age of 75, he intends to take only semi-retirement as he will be in charge of the very much smaller parish.
In 1970 he came to Keswick and after twenty four years he has become well known and respected not only by his own parishioners but by all the townsfolk. In February next year he will celebrate his golden jubilee as a priest and his Keswick parishioners will be joining those at Grasmere for the celebration.
Allerdale welcome Sunday trading
Relaxation of the Sunday trading laws has been welcomed by Allerdale Borough Council.
The new Sunday Trading Act 1994 which comes into force on 26th August will enable all shops to legally open on Sundays. Environmental Health Unit manager, Peter Daley, said: “Allerdale Borough Council has been a long time supporter of the review of Sunday Trading laws and is happy that the change will present new and increased opportunities for trading in the borough.”
Premises with a sales floor area of more than 280 metres will be able to open for a six hour continuous period between 10am and 6pm.
New Quaker Meeting House
Last Sunday Keswick Quakers held their first meeting for worship in their new Meeting House at Greta Grove. This Meeting House, designed by the Elliott-Manning Partnership and built by Lowther Construction Ltd., replaces the Meeting Room in Church Street and was made possible by a generous and specific bequest of the late Doris Liversidge.
The co-clerks, Janie C. Whitaker and Carin E. Huddart, say that, as well as providing a valuable resource for all Cumbrian Quakers, it is anticipated that the new building will also go some way to fulfil Doris Liversidge’s wish that the wider community of Keswick should benefit from the availability of a modern, well-equipped meeting place.
40 years ago
Threlkeld supports its fell champions
Threlkeld — the village of champions — turned out in force on Sunday to support the runners as they took part in the first-ever Gategill Fell Race.
Threlkeld’s two national champions, Ken Stuart and Pauline Howarth, were both competing and Pauline’s husband Peter, who organised the event, said: “There was a fantastic response from the village. Lots of people came out to watch the race and cheer on the runners.”
Gategill is England’s steepest fell race with a climb up to the 2,000 foot contour on Blencathra from the centre of the village. With tangled heather and boulders to add to the discomfort of the descent, it can rightly rate itself a classic test — the sort of test which ex-professional guides racer Ken Stuart would relish.
Ken, who won easily in 25mins. 33secs., confessed that apart from one short race in Scotland he hadn’t come across many steeper courses. Runner up was Rod Pilbeam with Colin Valentine third to make it a clean sweep for Keswick A.C.
Pauline Howarth, who like Ken Stuart clinched her British title a week earlier, was the only lady to run, She came home 10th overall in a very respectable 33mins. 7secs., just five seconds behind Gilbert Scott of Cockermouth, the man who has won the Fell Runners Association over 50s crown this season.
Bassenthwaite tribute to sub-postmistress
Bassenthwaite turned out in force on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to the retiring village sub postmistress Mrs. Helen Reb.
When a collection was organised locally for Mrs. Reb the response was outstanding. The organiser Mr. Maurice Thompson said that well over a hundred households had contributed and people who were asked their comments about Mrs. Reb were unanimous in their praise of her quiet but genuine helpfulness and generosity.
The Vicar of Bassenthwaite the Rev. Rex Whitta presented Mrs. Reb with a colour television set and a “substantial” cheque at a well attended gathering in the Public Hall.
Mrs. Reb and her husband Tony replied and Mr. Reb said that although they had come to Bassenthwaite as strangers thirty years ago they were strangers no more and had no intention of living anywhere else.
There was a surprise presentation by Keswick postmaster Mr. Harry Johnston. He handed Mrs. Reb a handsome gold watch on behalf of colleagues and also gave her a certificate from the Post Office which is only awarded to people who have served for 27 years or more. In fact Mrs. Reb had been sub-postmistress in the village for just short of 28 years.
She has been succeeded by Mrs. Valerie James, of The Green, who took over the reins on Monday. Mrs. James’ mother was a former sub-postmistress in Bassenthwaite. Mrs. James presented Mrs. Reb with a hanging basket which she said had been donated anonymously by a parishioner.
Bassenthwaite wins best kept village award
Bassenthwaite’s community spirit has been rewarded by the village winning the Cumbria Best Kept Small Village Contest.
A good example of a village with a lively heart, Bassenthwaite has three farms in its centre, a pub and facilities for youngsters such as football on the green and a play area for toddlers near the stream.
The village was entered for the competition by the Women’s Institute with the full support of the Parish Council and previously it had won the Allerdale award. W.I. president Mrs. Mona Thompson said: “It has been a wonderful effort on the part of everyone in the village. The nice thing is that we have not had to press gang people into taking part. They have done so willingly and with great pride.”
50 years ago
Borrowdale race
A crowd estimated at around 2,000 gave Lakeland’s newest fell running event a great send-off at Rosthwaite, Borrowdale, on Sunday.
The course, over some of the toughest terrain in Britain, provided competitors with a genuine test. But, with early mist lifting, there were some fast times.
In fact the winner, Dave Halsteads of Blackburn Harriers, completed the 17 miles plus in just over three hours. This included visits to checkpoints on Bessyboot, Esk Hause, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Honister Hause, Dale Head and Tongue Gill.
One of the best Cumbrian performances came from Peter Trainor of Whitehaven, running for Keswick A.C. He made a bold attempt to stay with the leaders and eventually finished 9th.
But the trophy for the first local, a handsome local stone design presented by Stonethwaite craftsman Mr. Chris Bland, went to David Ellison, also of the Keswick Club, who was 21st in 3hrs. 44mins. 22secs.
The race was sponsored by the managing director of the Scafell Hotel, Rosthwaite, Mr. W. Miles Jessup who said afterwards that he was extremely satisfied with the launching. There is now every reason to hope the Borrowdale Race will become an annual event.
Awards were presented by Mr. Jessup who was introduced by the race secretary, Mr. Andy Ewing, Whitehaven. Mr. Ewing is a member of the Keswick Athletic Club which promoted the race and much of the credit for Sunday’s smooth-running is due to him and his committee.
New huntsman
The Melbreak Foxhounds’ new huntsman will be Mr. Richard Bland, member of a well-known Borrowdale family.
He will be keeping the job “in the family,” so to speak, as he succeeds his father-in-law, Mr. Harry Hardisty, now retiring to farm his fell holding at Darling How, on Whinlatter Pass.
At 35, Mr. Bland has considerable experience of the Melbreak as he served as whipper-in for seven years up to 1969. He takes over the pack, about 20 couple, when they return to the Lorton kennels from their summer quarters next month.
Mr. Hardisty started his hunting career as whipper-on to the late Mr. Willie Irving in 1946, and became huntsman when Mr. Irving retired in 1951. During his service the Melbreak have killed well over 2,000 foxes, with a record 108 in 1960-61, including eight on one day – March 10th, 1961.
