BARROW took a step nearer to cashing in on gas and oil developments in Morecambe Bay with the opening of its new, expanded port on February 24, 1994.

Around £25 million worth of improvements to the Ramsden Dock entrance had been substantially paid for by the Ministry of Defence to allow Trident submarines in and out.

But the talk at the official opening by Lord Cavendish of Furness was of the commercial opportunities that could follow.

The town was now much better placed to attract contracts for off-shore rigging work, according to the manager of the port, Captain John Green.

He said the new facilities could make it easier to attract business to Barrow.

Shipping experts from Britain and the Netherlands described the facilities as the most important opened in the country for some time.

Capt Green said that as well as off-shore contracts, the port could be used by Cumbrian quarries or by companies who needed to import raw materials in bulk.

Stuart Bradley, Managing Director of Associated British Ports, said the ceremony marked the “beginning of a new era for the port. “

He added that the new gates and deep-dredged channel would stand the port in “tremendous stead for many, many years to come.”

Also in 1992 Barrow Mayor Cllr Joyce Fleet presented the prizes for the Schools’ Arts and Writing Competition commemorating Barrow Port’s 125th anniversary in the Town Hall.

The first prize of £100 for impressions of Barrow Docks went to Neil Harris, nine, of Abbotsmead Junior School. Second prizes of £25 art material plus £25 went to Colin O'Halloran, ten and Victoria Carroll, ten, both of Greengate Junior School. Third prize of £10 art material and £15 went to Peter Edwards, 10, of Ormsgill Junior School.

First prize of £100 for A Day in the Life and Times of Sir James Ramsden went to Helen Sawkins, 10, of Holy Family RC School. Second prize of a £25 pen plus £25 went to Michael Lord, 10 and third prize of a £10 book voucher plus £15 went to Charlotte Johnson, nine, both of Roose County Primary School.