Teams from Langwathby and Alston schools who took part in a practice hockey match 25 years ago. They were among the only primary schools in the area to field hockey teams at the time.

Penrith Building Society has won a battle for a potential £1.25 million worth of mortgage business from people who have bought council houses in Eden district. About 150 house buyers will receive a letter from Eden Council recommending that they transfer to Penrith Building Society. At present they are paying off their loans from the council at a 13 per cent. interest rate but that will be reduced to 123⁄4 per cent. if they make the change. The council is accepting government advice in seeking to transfer its mortgages to the private sector. If everybody transfers Eden will recoup from Penrith Building Society the £1.25 million it has lent to purchasers and can use the money for its building program.

Almost 40 people enjoyed a “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” at Keswick 25 years ago. The DerwentPre-School Playgroup invited the Greta Playgroup to join in the event at Brigham’s School and the children wore paper hats they had made themselves.

Surrey cricketer Graham Monkhouse, whose home is at Langwathby, was judged man of the match after the touring English Counties XI beat Zimbabwe B in a 50-overs one day match. Bowler Monkhouse took five for 44 in ten overs as Zimbabwe struggled to 184 for eight after electing to bat. The Englishmen went on to an easy win by seven wickets with eight overs to spare. Thirty-year-old Monk?house gained a spot on the tour as a replacement for Jonathan Agnew who was called up by England during their tour of India.

Officials and guests at the Penrith Lions Club charter night held in the town’s George Hotel 25 years ago. Back row, left to right, are: Mrs. Dulcie Green, Kevin Green, Mrs. Sheila Farnworth, Mrs. Cynthia Goodwin, David Wardell, Mrs. Janet Wardell and Mrs. Val Bedson. Front: Stan Farnworth, Peter Goodwin and Stuart Bedson.

Penrith’s popular Cottage Hospital will close, probably early next year, but the East Cumbria Health Authority have made no promises about the future of the building. At a meeting where members voted unanimously for a plan which included closure of the hospital, it was stated that the building would be sold to the highest bidder and it would not be possible to stipulate uses. In spite of local campaigning to keep the hospital open, only one member of the public, Penrith accountant John Rippon, attended the meeting in a last minute bid to change members’ minds.