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
Johnny Ball visits Keswick School
TV’s science enthusiast Johnny Ball visited Keswick School and gave a science and mathematics demonstration to some of the students.
Johnny is best known for his television series “Think of a Number”, “Think Again”, and “Johnny Ball Reveals All”. His interactive talk to students of Years 9 and 10 lasted approximately two hours and his theme was that everything we do today uses maths and that some of the things done by the Egyptians thousands of years ago are still used today.
30 years ago
Bowing out in style
Elinor, Viscountess Rochdale, bowed out in style from the office of chairman of the Calvert Trust adventure centre for disabled people in Keswick. She ‘went over the top’ by abseiling off a 170 foot sheer quarry face at Castlehead.
And after lowering herself down the crag with the aid of ropes she said: “I would now like to try paragliding.”
She added: “When I was told the trustees were being asked to do the same things other people do at the centre, that was my opportunity” – and she took it!
Assisted by the director of the Little Crosthwaite centre, John Crosbie, deputy director Brian Dodd, and instructor Nick Bell, she had a successful day.
In her younger days she enjoyed fast cars, motor cycling, climbing and horse riding. She and her late husband flew to the Continent in their small aeroplane in the 1930s, and she recalls landing behind Swinside.
Lady Rochdale and John Spedding set up the Calvert Trust in 1974 when she became founder chairman. She arranged the opening of the centre at Little Crosthwaite by the Duke of Buccleuch as well as subsequent visits by the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Anne. Hospitality at her home at Lingholm has always been offered to visitors and groups of disabled people, and she has always been an invaluable guide to the Trustees of the Trust.
Mayor elect
Councillor Stephen Hogarth has been appointed Mayor-elect of Keswick.
Mr Hogarth is well known in Keswick, where he was born and brought up, working with his father in their newsagents business before setting up, with a partner, Greta Motor Body Works.
At last Thursday’s meeting of the Town Council the Mayor, Maysie McCambridge, thanked four councillors who are stepping down before the elections on May 4th. One of the four, Neville Goodfellow, has served as Mayor on two occasions since becoming a town councillor in 1983. The others are Vince Murphy, John Coleman and Paul Buttle.
40 years ago
Letter to the Editor – Still no Channel 4
Dear Editor,– It is now two and a half years since the introduction of Channel 4 and still we are unable to receive it in this area. It seems ironic that many of us living in the mountains will be unable to watch the programmes on mountaineering starting this week. Does anyone know if and when we can hope to receive it?
Varya Vergauwen
Newlands
Keswick trio in England team
Three Keswick Athletic Club runners have been selected in the England team for the forthcoming Reebok International Mountain Challenge.
The Keswick threesome, who form half of the home international squad, will be competing on familiar ground, for the event takes place next month in the Lake District. The Challenge, a new event, is expected to attract some of the top Continental fell runners including a strong line up of Italians.
The England team will be spearheaded by reigning British Fell Runner of the Year Ken Stuart and he will be backed up by club colleagues Billy Bland and Jon Broxap as well as Hugh Symonds (Kendal), Shaun Livesey (Ribble) and Bob Ainsworth (Rosendale).
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, – I am no professional writer and have no fancy words to offer, but I think the time has come for the people of Keswick to stand up and say no to the commercialisation of our town.
I have lived here all my life and been quite content to do so. But sadly over the past few years I have had to watch bad planning allow things to happen like Herries Thwaite, an eyesore and a white elephant. Also now a major landmark in town being destroyed of its character.
Are we going to have forced upon us more accommodation for visitors when there is already more than enough? We do not need a timeshare development. Yes, I do think a permanent theatre is an asset to the town, but the most important thing of all, what of our children? Where is our pool?
Tell Allerdale Council to forget the development and help us achieve what so many people collected for for so long. Put money in to Keswick instead of taking so much out.
There is now a B.M.X. track due the initiative of the parents and the kindness of Mr. John Wilson and helpers. So let us now see Keswick Town Council do something concrete instead of so much talking.
Finally let us preserve this beauty we have all around us and enjoy it, not destroy it.
Mary Fisher
Keswick
50 years ago
Retirement of Rev. S. Davies
Last Sunday the Rev. Silvester Davies, M.A., B.D., conducted his last service as Minister of Lake Road Congregational Church, when a large number of members and friends were present. A short reception was held in the Schoolroom afterwards, and Mr. Davies was presented with a cheque by Mr. Stanley Wilkinson, Church treasurer, who spoke about the ten years Mr. Davies had been Minister of the Church. Last September was the fiftieth anniversary of Mr. Davies’s ordination, and good wishes were extended to him on his retirement.
On the previous Friday evening members of Lake Road Youth Club presented Mr. Davies with a book token.
