How Michael
When the shaven look was out of vogue and beards reigned supreme
Published 4 September 2008
SHAVING! Back in 1894, it wasn’t too popular.
When smoking was considered of value to asthma sufferers
Published 28 August 2008
A SPOT of culture for you as you tuck into your toast and marmalade. A short poem by HW – whoever that was.
Don’t hark back to the good old days when juvenile crime wasn’t a problem
Published 21 August 2008
YOUNG criminals! What to do with them? It’s a problem which has been written about in the papers, both local and national.
Time for a convention
Published 14 August 2008
CONVENTION time again! And no, this time it’s not the one at Keswick. How about Carlisle Convention?
Musical chairs, fancy dress and an egg and spoon race - on roller skates!
Published 7 August 2008
ROLLER skating was all the rage before the Great War.
When it comes to throwing confetti, you need to get your timing right
Published 24 July 2008
“YOU can bury yourself in confetti if you like, but you shall not do it in my church!”
Nothing has changed when it comes to waste not want not
Published 17 July 2008
WASTE not, want not! That’s what our politicos have been telling us these past few weeks.
Famous Cumbrians who reached the high spots in the religious stakes
Published 4 July 2008
BRIGHAM Young was the second President of the Church of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon Church.
Constabulary test for insobriety before the age of the breathalyser
Published 12 June 2008
SPEAK these words out loud! “Fetch the washed vetch bush.” And again!
Can anyone help me with these questions
Published 5 June 2008
QUESTIONS! That’s what I’ve got for you this week. It’s something I do from time to time – hoping some kind reader can help.
Get on your bike
Published 29 May 2008
TWENTY seven bicycles were to be “sold by public auction, in the Rampant Bull Sale Room, Cockermouth on Thursday, February 23, 1899.”
Gambling on the hounds
Published 24 May 2008
“RACE DOG” was in full swing on Netherhall Sports Field, Maryport, one summer afternoon back in 1919.
Imagine queuing to light your fag at the Olympic flame; they did in 1948!
Published 18 May 2008
John Mark, a London athlete, had the honour of lighting the Olympic flame. I doubt that he needed a squad of heavies to get him through the streets of the capital. Not that there wasn’t a crowd at every handing over of the flame. But
Speech days were an interesting part of school life
Published 18 May 2008
SCHOOL speech days! We’ve all had to suffer these annual rituals at some time. I know I did. Thankfully, I can’t remember too much about any of them.
Fiction in instalments
Published 18 May 2008
“A YOUNG officer – without friends as he supposes – receives a mysterious package, which, on being opened is found to contain £500, and an intimation in a lady’s handwriting that he will be the recipient of a similar amount yearly. The gift is welcome, but who is the donor?”
Cumbria needs its own Nessie
Published 2 May 2008
NESSITERAS Rhombopteryx first hit the headlines on this day in 1933. Alex Campbell wrote about it in that day’s issue of the Inverness Courier.
Order of the bath not received well by sceptical West Cumbrian colliers
Published 17 April 2008
NAKED he was, stood on his front doorstep, his taut frame caked with sweat and coal-dust.
Our job is to provide something to eat - but not the teeth to eat with
Published 10 April 2008
A MIXED ward was the problem for the Cockermouth Guardians back in 1925.
