25 Years Ago

April 28, 1978

Almost as soon as legislation was passed to ban otter hunting, a national club was formed in Kendal to look after the otter hounds.

People concerned about the fate of the hounds came from all over the country on Sunday to form a club and elect representatives. Captain Bell-Irving was unanimously elected president, and treasurer is Mr S. Hollins-Gibson.

It was the first club of its kind to be formed, and it is unique to Britain.

Mrs M. Roslin-Williams, of Sedbergh, a committee member, said: "The purpose of the club is to keep going the very old bread of otter hounds and prevent it from extinction, and to breed show and improve hounds according to a working standard."

Mrs Roslin-Williams also had a hand in getting the hounds registered with the Kennel Club. "The Kennel Club realised the danger of extinction and pushed the registration through so that the hounds could be shown."

As there are only two existing packs (in Kendal and Dumfries), these hounds are a rare breed and it is hoped eventually to export some to America and other countries. Overseas members are also expected to join the club.

50 Years Ago

April 25, 1953

Commenting on a recommendation of the Planning Committee that should Kendal Town Council be asked to find an alternative site to the car park on the New Road, Coun K. Dobell said the area could be laid out as a garden and would add to the attractions of the town. Close co-operation with the town council on that matter had brought an amicable solution a good deal nearer.

100 Years Ago

April 25, 1903

The directors of Sedgwick Gunpowder Co Ltd, finding the great want of a Horse Ambulance at the recent disasterous accident at their works, have very kindly presented the handsome sum of £50 to the Kendal division of the St John Ambulance Brigade towards the purchase of the same.

At a meeting of the committee of the brigade and medical men of Kendal, held on Wednesday, April 15, it was unanimously decided to take immediate steps to raise an additional sum of between £100 and £150 to cover the cost of purchasing a high-class four-wheeled horse ambulance, running upon rubber tyres, and equipped with all the necessary apparatus for carrying two patients. It is estimated that the above sum will suffice to cover the cost of purchase, storage and repairs for several years.

We earnestly hope to receive the liberal support of all employers of labour and all those interested in the care of the sick or of those meeting with sudden accidents.

Signed on behalf of the brigade and the medical men of Kendal: W.R. Parker (president), W.B. Cockill, P. Sturridge, W. Harrison, C.W. Heslop (sub-committee)

150 Years Ago

April 23, 1853

At the present time there is a great contention in Carlisle about a project which is on foot for establishing a railway from that city to Port Carlisle, in lieu of the present mode of passenger transit per canal. Great meetings are being held in which warm and angry words prevail by both favourers and denouncers of the measure, and petitions, pro and con, to both houses of parliament, are lying for signature in all parts of this town.

April 24, 2003 11:30