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
Young environmentalist of the year 2004
A Keswick boy, Jim Creighton, son of Ian and Gill Creighton has won the 8-12 age group of the Young Environmentalist of the Year with his project on recycling in Keswick. Jim has written the following account of his trip to London for the presentation to the winners:
“We went to London on Thursday night and then we went to The Dorchester Hotel after seeing Buckingham Palace on Friday morning. The competition sponsors were Center Parcs and the competition was run by The Young People’s Trust for the Environment and Nature Conservation.
“We met lots of businessmen in smart suits and the Toastmaster had a massive moustache. We were given autograph books and met the celebrities.
“There were stars from The Bill, Casualty, Holby City and EastEnders. There were kids’ TV presenters and others. Here are some I remember meeting – Lisa Coleman, Anita Dobson, Trevor Eve, Floella Benjamin, Frank Thornton, Bob Holness, Penny Tranter, Ester Ranzen, Michael Aspel, Gary Waldnorn and Kevin Whately.
“The Cheeky Girls said I was the only person in the world who asked NOT to be kissed by them, and everyone laughed at me!”
“I was first on stage and felt a bit nervous, especially when they presented me with my otter trophy, certificate, and then the microphone! I just thanked the organisers and everyone said “Aaah” so I gave the microphone back! We had lots of photographs taken and then a lovely meal.”
30 years ago
Defence of the stone
After comments by a Keswick Town Councillor that the drawings for a carved stone looked like “a boiled egg chopped in half”, officials of the National Trust have defended their plans for a commemorative stone to be placed in Crow Park.
The carved stone is being designed by sculptor Peter Randall-Page and the Trust’s North West region assistant public affairs manager, Adrian Marklew, said it was intended as a tribute to the many benefactors who had supported the organisation’s work. Instead of erecting another plaque or tree, the Trust had decided to bring a piece of Borrowdale stone to Crow Park, and that this stone should be carved and inscribed.
If planning permission is given, the sculptor will be coming to the Lake District to work on the carving. Centenary events organiser Judith Bowles described the carving as “an artist’s impression of the landscape and the National Trust coming out of the landscape”.
She added: “The sculptor is going to be inspired by the landscape. It is going to be a thought-provoking piece which will draw people from the edges of Crow Park to look at it and the beautiful backdrop.” The drawings which had been seen were just preliminary sketches, and Mrs. Bowles said she felt it was unfortunate that people were making judgements. “We hope that in time there will be a greater acceptance of the idea.”
40 years ago
Remembrance services
Despite the torrential rain, there was a good attendance at Keswick’s Remembrance Day parade on Sunday.
Prayers at the cenotaph were led by the Vicar of St. John’s, Canon Richard Watson, and the Mayor of Keswick Mr. Eric Impey led the wreath laying ceremony on behalf of the Town Council.
Other organisations who laid wreaths were Royal British Legions men’s and women’s sections, Army Cadet Force, Keswick members of the Cumbria branch of the Parachute Regiment Association, R.A.F.A., St. John Ambulance, Red Cross Society, W.R.V.S., Keswick guides and brownies, scouts and cubs, Rotary International, Inner Wheel, Round Table and Ladies Circle.
Taking part in the parade was a group of Royal Marines, who had been involved in a mountain training exercise in the Keswick area. They also laid a wreath.
Earlier there was a service in St. John’s Church, attended by well over two hundred people, at which the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt. Revd. David Halsey, was the preacher.
Nearly four hundred walkers and climbers, one of the biggest attendances ever, attended the Remembrance Day ceremony 2,900ft up on the windswept summit of Great Gable. And many more set off for the mountain, but decided to turn back because of the adverse weather.
It is sixty years since the memorial to members of the Fell and Rock Club who died in the First World War, was unveiled. And a wreath was laid by members of the Kendal Fellfarers Club, whose founder O. Somervell was one of those present at the unveiling.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, – I have just been listening to Cardinal Hume’s account of his visit to Ethiopia – B.B.C. 4 “Sunday”.
A child took hold of his hand and with the other, pointed to his mouth, implying that he was hungry. We have all been stunned by the pictures shown on television and the people all over this country have responded generously. I work in our Oxfam shop and it has been a great joy to receive such generous donations from our Keswick residents.
Now I would like to make a suggestion. Many of us are pensioners and will probably receive from the government a £10 cheque for Christmas, I feel that normally we buy extra food, or a little luxury with this. How about making our luxury this year, “food for the starving of Ethiopia”? I know that many require to use this £10 to balance their budgets, but for the rest of us – never mind what we have already given – what say you? Our Christmas dinner will be so much more palatable.
Florence Wood
Castlehead Close
Keswick
Old signs
Passers-by looking at the outside of a Keswick shop might be forgiven thinking they had stepped back in time. For the signs on the wall above the main window are part of a collection which the proprietor Mr. Alan Dunn is assembling of the sort of signs which used to stand outside grocery shops in the early part of the century.
One of the most unique signs is that advertising Cadbury’s cocoa. It was one of only about fifty such signs made around 1905 and Alan said: “It is very rare within collecting circles.”
That particular sign came back from an exhibition in Paris and Mr. Dunn bought it from a dealer in Newcastle. Other signs on the wall of his “Open All Hours” shop include adverts for Rowntrees chocolate, Palethorpes sausages and Colman’s.
Mr. Dunn said that the signs had been displayed for the past six weeks and already many visitors had called into the shop to remark how quaint they looked and to say that they would like to get hold of similar items. “We get a lot of visitors taking photographs of the signs. I am trying to build up the collection and would be pleased to hear from anyone who might have signs of interest,” he said.
Mr. Dunn is not the only Keswick businessman to collect old signs for there is also a private collection in the restaurant at Latrigg Lodge.
When it comes to catching the eye of the passing customer Mr. Dunn is proving something of an expert. His gimmicky idea of mis-spelling the items on sale has caused a lot of local comment. And just to prove his point, Alan said that many people were so fascinated by the curious spelling that they had to walk into the shop for a second look.
50 years ago
Great Gable remembrance service
In gale force winds, and squally hail and rain showers, approximately seventy-six people made the annual trek to Great Gable on Remembrance Sunday.
Walkers and climbers of all grades and ages, some travelling long distances, gathered on the summit plateau at the “Fell and Rock” Memorial which bears the names of climbers who died in the first world war only.
Amongst local fell walkers were Miss Butterworth, S. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. R. Kelly, D. Melvin and M. Oswald.
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team members present included J. Wood, K. Brannan, M. Nixon, P. Jarvis, R. Fisher, D. Oliver and F. Mills.
Mrs. Helen Dent, who originally organised “Gable Remembrance” in the early 1930s, was on this occasion unable to be present.
Council matters
Consideration for the financing of a “civic project” was urged by Mr. P. J. Buttle at Monday night’s meeting of Keswick Town Council.
Mr. Buttle said that the Council could spend as much as £10,000 a year on special schemes, possibly a swimming pool, theatre, community centre, or a social function such as an arts festival.
Mr. N. Beanland, who seconded Mr. Buttle’s move to have a committee formed, said he had some reservations. The idea was good, but Mr. Buttle had some “airy fairy” ideas.
He said that various projects had been considered in the past and, in 1968, a public meeting was held about a swimming pool. The price then was £172,000.
Mr. P. Sanderson felt that the Council would, in any case, give full consideration to anything it regarded as for the betterment of the town.
Mr. C. W. Pearey felt that Mr. Buttle’s proposition, while it might be good in time, was premature.
However Mr. Buttle felt that, whatever the current uncertainty, they could prepare for the future. He said that Mr. Sanderson had adopted a rather “Micawberish” attitude, and added “Nothing will turn up unless we get down to it.”
The Council voted by 5-1 to consider forming a committee.
Flooded
A number of houses in Keswick were flooded on Sunday night after a culvert overflowed at the height of heavy rain and gales.
Keswick Fire Brigade were quickly on the scene at Millfield Gardens and, by pumping the floodwater away for over an hour, were able to prevent further serious damage.
Three of four houses were affected by the flooding and a fire brigade spokesman said that there had also been about 2ft of water in one garden on Windebrowe Avenue.
